Afghanistan (B), India, Iran [Islamic Republic of] (B), Kazakhstan (B), Nepal, Oman (NB), Pakistan, Tajikistan (B), Turkmenistan (B), United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan (B).
Vagrant to Egypt, Israel, Lebanon.
North-eastern and south-eastern Iran and Turkmenistan east to western Tien Shan, Pamirs, and northern and western Pakistan; non-breeding south-western Asia.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Variable Wheatear (Oenanthe picata) [XC165821]
by Frank Lambert from Northeast of Tal Chappar, Rajasthan, India (call)
Variable Wheatear (Oenanthe picata) [XC165822]
by Frank Lambert from Northeast of Tal Chappar, Rajasthan, India (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Occurs as three forms, considered to be morphs; "picata", "opistholeuca" and "capistrata". These are commonly treated as subspecies, and sometimes as full species. Alternatively, the first two together have been considered as one species, and the third as another, an arrangement which may possibly be more appropriate. Populations of "capistrata" x "opistholeuca" exist, however, and there are records of hybrid male "capistrata" x "picata" pairing with female "opistholeuca". The morph "capistrata" has been thought perhaps to represent a hybrid swarm with Pied Wheatear (Oenanthe pleschanka), which both sexes closely resemble.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet