Weather conditions (temperature, cloudiness, wind strength and precipitation) had an infl uence on the foraging behaviour of the Cyprus Wheatear (Oenanthe cypriaca). Under cloudy weather conditions the perch-pounce technique from low perches was used more often while under sunny conditions aerial sallying was used more often. A possible reason is the limited visual range from higher perches during high cloudiness. During higher temperatures and low wind speed aerial sallying from higher perches was preferred presumably because the activity of the ectothermic arthropods is strongly infl uenced by temperature and wind speed. Sexual differences existed in foraging behaviour. Females used hop-and-peck on the ground more often than males, and males preferred higher perches. This can be explained by a lower exposure to predators and hence lower predation risk that is especially important for females during the breeding season. Furthermore, males and females may occupy different niches during pre-breeding and incubation.

Aerial sallying, foraging behaviour, monomorphic species, Oenanthe cypriaca, perch-pounce hunting