Blackstart

Oenanthe melanura (Temminck, 1824)

Blackstart, Oenanthe melanura, is a chat of desert regions across the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Africa, with a breeding range that extends through the Palearctic and into eastern, central and western Africa. It is a resident bird throughout its range. Its most notable feature is its black tail, which is often spread out. It lives on rocky desert ground and mountain slopes, nests in crevices in rock, and lays 3–4 eggs. It takes insects mainly from the ground and is known for its confidence around people.

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Muscicapidae — Chats, Old World Flycatchers

Breeding range

Palearctic, Africa: Arabian Pen. through e, c, w Africa