Afghanistan (B) (NB), Armenia (B), Azerbaijan (B), Bahrain (NB) (P), India (NB), Iran [Islamic Republic of] (B) (NB), Iraq (NB), Kuwait (NB), Oman (NB), Pakistan (B) (NB), Qatar (NB) (P), Saudi Arabia (NB) (P), Tajikistan (B) (NB), Turkey (B), Turkmenistan (B), United Arab Emirates (NB), Uzbekistan (B), Yemen (NB).
Vagrant to Israel (P), Nepal.
North-eastern Turkey, Armenia and northern Iran east to southern Tadjikistan (Pamir range), Afghanistan and extreme western Pakistan; non-breeding Arabian Peninsula, southern Iraq, southern Iran, eastern Afghanistan, Pakistan and north-western India.
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 (2011).
Red-tailed Wheatear (Oenanthe chrysopygia) [XC767364]
by David Darrell-Lambert from Jebel Towki - southern Wadi, Saudi Arabia (call)
Red-tailed Wheatear (Oenanthe chrysopygia) [XC44536]
by David Darrell-Lambert from Ras al Jinz, Oman (song?)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Usually treated as conspecific with Kurdish Wheatear (Oenanthe xanthoprymna), but they differ considerably in plumage. They are claimed to intergrade in north-western Iran, with intermediates reported, having been named as subspecies cummingi. However, they may actually represent first-year plumage of present species, and no proof of intergradation has been put forward. Further study required.
Birds breeding from Afghanistan to Pamirs have been separated as subspecies kingi, on grounds of slightly paler plumage, but differences very minor, not warranting recognition.
Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Kurdish Wheatear (Oenanthe xanthoprymna).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet