White Wagtail

White wagtail
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae Genus: Motacilla Species: alba
Binomial name
Motacilla alba

The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small passerine in the wagtail family Motacillidae, which also includes the pipits and longclaws.

This species breeds in much of Europe and Asia and parts of north Africa. It is resident in the mildest parts of its range, but otherwise migrates to Africa.

This is an insectivorous bird of open country, often near habitation and water. It prefers bare areas for feeding, where it can see and pursue its prey.

It nests in crevices in stone walls and similar natural and man-made structures.

This is a slender bird, with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus. It is basically grey above and white below, with a white face, black cap and black throat.

The resident British subspecies, the Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba yarrelii, is a generally blacker bird than the nominate race, but is otherwise identical in its behaviour.

Pied wagtail

It is likely that the differentiation into two subspecies (or races) in western Europe has arisen because of the partial isolation of the mainly resident island form, although it now also breeds in adjacent areas of the neighbouring European mainland.