Mountain wheatear
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
SPECIES
Myrmecocichla monticola

The mountain wheatear or mountain chat (Myrmecocichla monticola ) is a small insectivorous passerine bird that is endemic to southwestern Africa.

Appearance

Mountain wheatear is 18–20 cm long, and like other wheatears, it has a distinctive tail pattern, with a white rump and outer tail feathers. Its legs and pointed bill are black. The male is very variable in plumage, although the tail pattern and a white shoulder patch are always present. A white and black bird. The body plumage varies from pale grey to almost black, and it may or may not have a white crown to the head. The female is entirely dark brown apart from the white rump and outer tail.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Regions
Biogeographical realms

This non-migratory wheatear is resident in mountainous and rocky habitats in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and southernmost Angola.

Mountain wheatear habitat map
Mountain wheatear habitat map
Mountain wheatear
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Habits and Lifestyle

The mountain wheatear's song is a clear melodic whistle interspersed with harsh chatters. It is monogamous and nests on the ground amongst rocks, laying 2-4 white eggs. It eats insects and berries.

Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

Mating Habits

Population

References

1. Mountain wheatear Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_wheatear
2. Mountain wheatear on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22710263/94241130
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/599147

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