Basalt Wheatear

Close-up view of a male Basalt Wheatear perched. These birds are restricted to the unique basalt desert in northern Jordan and across the border to Syria. From reports, we knew that it could be a tricky bird to find, but we saw two males without too much effort. Basalt Wheatear is a split from Mourning Wheatear, Oenanthe lugens. Scientific name before split Oenanthe lugens warriae.