Cercomela melanura - Blackstart
Feather characters. Barbules are rather short (0.71-0.82 mm) and divided into pigmented nodes and unpigmented internodes. Bell-shaped nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (36-40 per mm). They all are about the same size, slightly decreasing towards distal end. Villi are rounded and internodes are straight. Minute prongs are present on distal end of barbules and on both sides of the pennulum. Barbules have this typical structure for Passeriformes; pigmented, bell-shaped nodes combined with rounded villi.
Field characters. Size14 cm. Weight 14.8 g (14.0-15.0) (Dunning, 1993). Small, grey chat with black tail, which is constantly spread and closed. Upperparts, head, and chest ash-grey; rump and tail black; belly greyish-white. Juvenile more brownish.
Voice. Commonest call 'cheeru', alarm-call 'wee-wee'. Song a well-phrased repeated series of fluty notes: 'chee-yu chee-yu'.
Distribution. Common resident in Middle East and Sahel. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Dry semi-desert with rocky slopes or ravines, covered with scattered thorny bushes. Nests in rock crevice or under large stone.
Food. Insects and seeds.