Capped wheatear
Oenanthe pileataIntroduction: Capped wheatears (Oenanthe pileata) often inhabit dry grassy plains, semi-arid shrublands and freshly harvested crop lands, usually singly or in pairs. Perching locations include fence posts, wires, bushes, stones and termite mounds. Often fall prey to the black-footed cat.
Distribution: Throughout Namibia including the Namib Desert, Etosha National Pan, Caprivi Strip and the Kalahari Desert.
Diet: Dashes and jabs after descending from a perch to search the ground termites, millipedes, spiders, beetles, cicadas, flies, ants and weevils. Also takes seeds and fruits.
Description: A black crown (pileata means capped) with a white supercilium and forehead. Sides of neck also black, chin and throat white. There are 3 subspecies of capped wheatear of which 2 can be observed in Namibia. The main differences are in size and plumage colouration.
Breeding: Up to 5 eggs are laid from August to January in a cup-shaped pad of leaves, rootlets and grass.
Size: 17cm.
Weight: 24g.
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