Northern Wheatear

A hardy, ground-dwelling bird of stony landscapes. It is one of the first summer migrants to arrive in Europe, often appearing in late March. It has an upright posture and a habit of bobbing its body. It favors short-grass habitats like sheep-grazed hills, coastal dunes, and mountain scree.

Wheatears are active insectivores. They run and hop across the ground to catch flies and beetles. When they fly low, they reveal a brilliant white rump and a black 'T' pattern on the tail. They nest in crevices under rocks or in abandoned rabbit burrows. Their song is a scratchy, hurried warble.