Viv Wilson photographed some White-crowned Wheatears
Oenanthe leucopyga playing or
fighting on the jebals near to Tabuk. Viv sent me the photos and has kindly allowed
me to use them on my website. White-crowned Wheatears is au uncommon resident in areas where it is found,
normally associated with
granite and sandstone jebals and other rocky areas although it status in the southern part
of the Kingdom is unclear. Birds of the Riyadh Region
(1984) said they were locally common breeding resident with some
movement within the region post-breeding and during the winter months. Jennings
Birds of Saudi Arabia (1981) said they were a locally common breeding resident
in dry rocky areas. Occurs Hejaz north from Taif, Northern Hejaz, Asir south of
Soudah and Najran, Tuwaiq escarpment and locally in the Gulf. Also Jauf, Hail
and Dawadimi. In my area of the Eastern Province they are only commonly seen in
the Shedgum Escarpment area as far as I am aware.
