BLACK-EARED WHEATEAR
Here on Kefalonia, we have the Eastern black-eared wheatear as opposed to the Western black-eared wheatear, which is the same species but with slightly different plumage. The male has black wings and a black face and throat. In the Summer, the throat goes pale leaving the black Zoro like mask. The top of the head, belly and back are white with buff highlights. The female has an off-white belly, brown chest, wings back and head. Like the male, she has the characteristic white lower back, which is prominent during flight.
The Eastern black-eared wheatear spends the majority of its time here on the island, only going to Africa in the Winter and returning here in early Spring. These birds prefer open habitats with scattered bushes, trees and rocks. They wait for insects from the tops of rocks or bushes and drop down on them, sometimes chasing after them. They are ground nesting, using holes or gaps in rocks or stones in which a grassy cup is made. 4 to 5 eggs are laid between April and June.
