Black Wheatear

The largest European wheatear, the Black Wheatear is easy to recognise with its completely sooty-black feathers standing out against a white patch on its lower back and outer tail feathers. Both males and females look similar, although females may have slightly browner shades. This bird prefers rocky places, especially limestone gorges, cliffs, and slopes covered with large stones in warm, dry areas. It is found only in the Iberian Peninsula and northwest Africa, staying in these areas throughout the year and rarely moving beyond them. When perched on rocks, it holds itself upright and often dips its tail up and down. It searches for food on the ground, moving with slow hops as it looks for insects and other small creatures hiding among stones and cracks. Its deep, clear song is often mixed with sounds copied from other birds.