Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Somali Wheatear
Oenanthe phillipsi
Somali Wheatear (Oenanthe phillipsi) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Somali Wheatear (Oenanthe phillipsi) is a member of the Muscicapidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 19.6 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Muscicapidae Chats, Old World Flycatchers
- Genus Oenanthe
- Species phillipsi
Quick facts
- Weight
- 19.6 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Somali Wheatear is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of arid, desert country, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Somali Wheatear is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Somali Wheatear (Oenanthe phillipsi) is a member of the Muscicapidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF ne Somalia and ne Ethiopia.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 19.6 g, with a wing length of about 8.2 cm and a tail of around 5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 558,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Somali Wheatear?
The Somali Wheatear is a small bird that weighs around 19.6 g.
Where does the Somali Wheatear live?
The Somali Wheatear is found across Africa with a range covering AF ne Somalia and ne Ethiopia, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Somali Wheatear belong to?
The Somali Wheatear (Oenanthe phillipsi) belongs to the Muscicapidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Somali Wheatear eat?
The Somali Wheatear is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Somali Wheatear migrate?
The Somali Wheatear is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Somali Wheatear endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Somali Wheatear's range?
The Somali Wheatear has a mapped global range of about 558,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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