. Bonner zoologische Beiträge : Herausgeber: Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn. Biology; Zoology. 174 A. Tye O. monacha The male Hooded Wheatear O. monacha resembles the members of the alboniger superspecies, in its large size and sharp black and white coloration and it has previously been suggested that it may be closely related to them (Hall & Moreau 1970). However, other factors suggest that it may actually be closer to the picata species-group. O. monacha differs from the alboniger group in its slighter build, much longer tail and long, narrow bill. As a
. Bonner zoologische Beiträge : Herausgeber: Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn. Biology; Zoology. 174 A. Tye O. monacha The male Hooded Wheatear O. monacha resembles the members of the alboniger superspecies, in its large size and sharp black and white coloration and it has previously been suggested that it may be closely related to them (Hall & Moreau 1970). However, other factors suggest that it may actually be closer to the picata species-group. O. monacha differs from the alboniger group in its slighter build, much longer tail and long, narrow bill. As a result of these features, O. monacha appears a slimmer bird than the heavily-built members of the alboniger superspecies. O. monacha also has weaker feet, with short, slender tarsus and toes. In these characteristics monacha more closely resembles the picata group. The plumage of male monacha resembles alboniger and leucopyga but the black feathers of the upperparts are often fringed grey, which is not a feature of the alboniger superspecies but is found in most members of the picata species-group. Details of plumage pattern also differ between monacha and the alboniger group, for example the white on the crown of monacha extends to the bill while in leucopyga there is a black forehead. The female of monacha has an unusual pale buff plumage with a distinctive pinkish tail, very unlike the alboniger group but resembling pale females of the picata group. O. monacha and the alboniger superspecies occupy similar desert habitats, but monacha is adapted to feeding on aerial insects whereas the alboniger superspecies comprises primarily terrestrial foragers. This feeding technique enables monacha to occupy more hostile terrain than alboniger and leucopyga (Cornwallis 1975; Cramp 1988; Tye in press). The breeding range of monacha broadly overlaps those of leucopyga (in Arabia) and alboniger (in Iran and Baluchistan) (Figs. 1 & 5). For this reason alone, monacha cannot be included
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