Capped Wheatear
By Charlie • September 6, 2007 • No comments yetCapped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata
Gauteng and Cape Province, South Africa.
One of 17 species of wheatear found in Africa, the Capped Wheatear is a large, striking species found from southern Kenya to the Cape. Typically found on barren, sandy, or stony areas in flat country throughout South Africa, Capped Wheatears are characterful birds often seen scanning their territories from fence-posts. The last photo in this gallery shows a young bird being fed by an adult next to the entrance to an underground nest in the village of Kgomo-kgomo.

Adult, Cape Province, July.

Adult, Agulhas Plains, April.

Adult, Agulhas Plains, April.

1st winter, Agulhas Plains, April. (note grey hind-crown, mottled coverts, and brown tertials)

1st winter, Agulhas Plains, April. (note grey hind-crown, mottled coverts, and brown tertials)

Adult and juvenile, October.
Photographs copyright Charlie Moores
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