A Rarity : The Black Wheatear

I was thankful for the opportunity to photograph this rare species and moreover both sexes, but what a pity to speak about it in the past tense in France: the last pair was seen in the Pyrenees in 1996.

The 2 birds are black (female dark brown) and the tail has a white strip. It is the largest (all relative!) stonechat in the Iberian Peninsula. Quite territorial, this insectivorous passerine lives in hilly, rocky and steep areas (I haven’t forgotten the steep climb loaded with my equipment, LOL!!)

It can imitate the songs of other birds as well as that of the Bee-eaters which were also nesting nearby.

Oenanthe leucura – Muscicapidae, Catalonia, Spain, – Nikon D500 + 800 mm

Le Traquet rieur: J’ai eu beaucoup de chance de pouvoir photographier cette espèce rare et en plus les 2 sexes, mais quel dommage de parler de ce petit passereau au passé en France: la dernière paire a été vue dans les Pyrénées en… 1996.

Les 2 oiseaux sont noirs (ou marron très foncé pour la femelle) et la queue présente une bande blanche. C’est le plus grand traquet (relativisons, ils ne sont pas bien grands!) dans la péninsule ibérique.

Très territorial, cet insectivore fréquente les zones montagneuses, rocheuses et escarpées (oui ça j’ai bien noté: la grimpette avec mon matos, j’ai pas oublié!! MDR!!) et très peu végétalisées par des plantes sèches de guarrigue.

Il est capable d’imiter le chant d’autres oiseaux comme celui des guêpiers qui nichaient également à proximité.

OIS TraquetRieur D500B 4874 170415 — Oenanthe leucura – Muscicapidae, Catalonia, Spain, – Nikon D500 + 800 mm

OIS TraquetRieur D500B 4881 170415 — Oenanthe leucura – Muscicapidae, Catalonia, Spain, – Nikon D500 + 800 mm

OIS TraquetRieur D500B 4892 170415 — Oenanthe leucura – Muscicapidae, Catalonia, Spain, – Nikon D500 + 800 mm

OIS TraquetRieur D500B 4934 170415 — Oenanthe leucura – Muscicapidae, Catalonia, Spain, – Nikon D500 + 800 mm

OIS TraquetRieur D500B 4957 170415 — Oenanthe leucura – Muscicapidae, Catalonia, Spain, – Nikon D500 + 800 mm

OIS TraquetRieur D500B 4938 170415 — The female, slightly browner: Madame, plus teintée de marron:

Noushka

Passionate about Nature and photography but mostly animals and birds. I live in France at the present, but have lived in Africa for 16 years and in the U.S. for 3 years and with Australia in mind for the future. With my husband, I created and managed a Bird Park in South Africa, raising mainly psittacines; the breeding facility housed over 1000 parrots at any given time. My photography is about sharing fauna's beauty with other enthusiasts! Equipment: NIKON lenses: 400 mm Z F4/5, 800 mm Z, 500 mm, 200/500 mm, 800 mm f5/6E

Noushka Wildlife

Passionate about Wildlife, Photography and Wildlife issues. I live in the south of France at the present, but have lived in Africa for 18 years, in the U.S. for 3 years. With my husband, I created and managed a BIRD PARK in South Africa, raising mainly psittacines; the breeding facility housed over 1000 parrots at any given time. I speak French and English alike and manage decently in Spanish. My photography is about sharing fauna's beauty with other enthusiasts! Equipment: ALL NIKON Cameras: Z9, D850 Tele lenses: 70/200 mm f2/8, 500 mm f4, 800 mm Z f6/3, Zoom lenses: 24/105 mm, 200/500 mm * * * My work can be seen HERE: https://www.facebook.com/wildlife.gateway

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Noushka

Noushka Wildlife

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