Mountain wheatear

Introduction: As you might expect, mountain wheatears (Oenanthe monticola) inhabit small cliffs, mountain slopes with boulders and rocky hills, as well as farmyards and gardens found in these locations. Monticola is the Latin phrase for 'living in mountains'. This species is also known as the mountain chat.

Distribution: Widespread in western Namibia including the northern Namib Desert, Skeleton Coast and for most of the central escarpment. Present in Etosha National Park. Absent from the most of the north-eastern regions of the country.
Diet: Forages around rocks and on the ground for spiders, millipedes, grasshoppers, termites, bugs, beetles, weevils and flies.

Description: Ashy grey body and underwing, underparts a pale ashey grey with a white belly. Males have a loud song, full of trills and mixed notes, delivered from a prominent perch.
Breeding: Nests are made from grass, twigs, plant material and dry woody stems.

Size: 18cm.

Weight: 34g.