Capped Wheatear

Oenanthe pileata

The capped wheatear (Oenanthe pileata) is a small insectivorous passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae.

from Wikipedia

Showing stays that recordCapped Wheatear20+ stays list it on site or nearby

Species insights▾

When to visit

Recorded year-round

Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.

Best monthsAny month

Records1,511 records

Curve from 1,511 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.

Where you'll find it

Western Cape and beyond

Provinces where Capped Wheatear is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.

1,511 records, iNaturalist

Parks where hosts record the Capped Wheatear

Places to stay

20+ results in South Africa

Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse

Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · 26 birds recorded · Black wildebeest, Bontebok · Horse riding, Hiking

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 5,636 per night

Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris

Mpumalanga

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · 224 birds recorded · Aardvark, African elephant · Guided walk, Game drives

Supports BirdLife South Africa

Price on request

Barry House on Riverton

Robertson

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · 158 birds recorded · Horse riding, Canoeing

From R 1,155 per night

Mdluli Safari Lodge

Hazyview

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Savanna biome · 224 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Game drives

From R 10,670 per night

Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge

Hazyview

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Savanna biome · 224 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Scenic drives

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

From R 17,400 per night

Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp

Marloth Park

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Savanna biome · 224 birds recorded · Impala, Spotted hyena · Safaris, Guided walk

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

From R 11,980 per night

Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp

Marloth Park

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Savanna biome · 224 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Guided walk

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

From R 17,500 per night

Karoo Secret Farm Stay

Aberdeen

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Nama-Karoo biome · 209 birds recorded · Cycling

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 1,200 per night

Aasvogelkrans Farm Cottages & Camping

Nieu Bethesda

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Nama-Karoo biome · 221 birds recorded · Stargazing, Canoeing

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 1,760 per night

Grootvadersbosch Campsites

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Fynbos biome · 180 birds recorded · Spekboom

From R 300 per night

Grootvadersbosch Cabins

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Fynbos biome · 180 birds recorded · Spekboom · Photography

From R 1,460 per night

Luiperd & Rooikat Cottages

Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · 166 birds recorded · Spekboom

From R 1,750 per night

Bakoorvos & Silwervos Cottages

Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · 166 birds recorded · Spekboom

From R 1,750 per night

Coot, Shoveler, Egret & Moorhen Cottages

Rocherpan Nature Reserve

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Fynbos biome · 159 birds recorded · Photography

From R 1,990 per night

Scolopia Cottage

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Fynbos biome · 180 birds recorded · Spekboom

From R 1,780 per night

Kingfisher Cottage

Rocherpan Nature Reserve

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Fynbos biome · 159 birds recorded

From R 1,500 per night

Flamingo Cottage

Rocherpan Nature Reserve

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Fynbos biome · 159 birds recorded

From R 1,430 per night

Oystercatcher Cottage

Rocherpan Nature Reserve

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Fynbos biome · 159 birds recorded

From R 1,430 per night

Sandpiper Cottage

Rocherpan Nature Reserve

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Fynbos biome · 159 birds recorded

From R 1,430 per night

Ichelesi Cottage

Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · 166 birds recorded · Spekboom

From R 1,950 per night

The Whale Trail (De Hoop)

De Hoop Nature Reserve

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Fynbos biome · 185 birds recorded · Bontebok, Southern right whale · Whale watching, Cycling

From R 6,460 per night

Damara Trail (De Mond)

De Mond Nature Reserve

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Fynbos biome · 163 birds recorded · Fishing

From R 3,690 per night

Grootkolk Wilderness Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Savanna biome · 97 birds recorded · Gemsbok, Springbok

From R 2,634 per night

Bitterpan Wilderness Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Capped Wheatear recorded here · Savanna biome · 97 birds recorded · Gemsbok, Camel thorn · Stargazing, 4x4 trails

From R 2,634 per night

Plan a trip around these stays

Planning a trip

When and where to find the Capped Wheatear

Hosts have recorded the Capped Wheatear at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Kruger National Park.

Best hours of the day

The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.

Where to base yourself

Ways to look

Drive yourself

Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.

Where hosts record it

Kgalagadi Kruger

Species

Oenanthe pileata

Records

1 511

iNaturalist observations

Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.

Questions travellers ask

A record means a host has seen the Capped Wheatear on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.

Which parks and reserves are best for the Capped Wheatear in South Africa?

Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Capped Wheatear at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Kruger National Park. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.

Where can you see the Capped Wheatear in South Africa?

The Capped Wheatear is most recorded in Western Cape (58% of records), Northern Cape (14% of records), Gauteng (14% of records), based on 1 511 iNaturalist observations. 28 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Capped Wheatear on site or nearby.

When is the best time to see the Capped Wheatear?

The Capped Wheatear is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May; Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.