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Birds by name

Pied wagtail

Conservation status: Green

A delightful small, long-tailed and rather sprightly black and white bird. When not standing and frantically wagging its tail up and down it can be seen dashing about over lawns or car parks in search of food. It frequently calls when in its undulating flight and often gathers at dusk to form large roosts in city centres.

Overview

Latin name

Motacilla alba

Family

Pipits and wagtails (Motacillidae)

Where to see them

They can be found across the UK, leaving some of the highland and northern areas of Scotland in winter. Best looked for near water and can be found in most habitats, even town centres. They gather together in large roosts, sometimes in towns, often assembling on roofs beforehand.

When to see them

All year round.

What they eat

Insects

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-272,000-352,000 territories--

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

Tomas Belka, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Pied wagtail

Pied wagtail - adult
  • Colouring: Male
  • Size: between robin-blackbird
  • Feather colours: black, white, grey, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey
  • Beak length: short
  • Beak thickness: short
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, wagging or flicking tail, bird walks/runs on the ground

Pied wagtail

Pied wagtail - juvenile
  • Colouring: Juvenile
  • Size: between robin-blackbird
  • Feather colours: black, white, grey, cream/buff, yellow
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey
  • Beak length: short
  • Beak thickness: short
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, wagging or flicking tail, bird walks/runs on the ground, catches insects in flight