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Capped Wheatear | Oenanthe pileata
The Capped Wheatear is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Muscicapidae bird family group which includes birds such as Thrushes, Robins, Chats, Old World Flycatchers. The description for the Capped Wheatear (Latin name Oenanthe pileata) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Oenanthe pileata can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 587 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 950. You will find a picture of the Capped Wheatear on page 961. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Capped Wheatear between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition The Capped Wheatear is known in Afrikaans as Ho?veldskaapwagter. The Capped Wheatear has a height of 14 cms and weighs around 20 gms. The head is coloured brown while the bill is coloured black. The Oenanthe pileata has a white coloured throat, black legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are brown. The male Oenanthe pileata has physical features that are slightly different from the female bird. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is brown Eyes are brown Bill is black Legs are black Throat is white Back is brown Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground The Oenanthe pileata attacks its prey aerially and feeds on wing or takes the prey to a secluded venue where it is killed, torn into small pieces and eaten This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...The bird is mainly found in the Savanna grasslands where it breeds and feeds. Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...The Capped Wheatear is mainly seen singly or in pairs in the wild. It is also seen in flocks |
