Wing Tips
Brilliant birds, month by month: what to see and where to go.
Birds and wildlife
Pied Wagtail
Motacilla albaGroup: pipits and wagtailsUK Conservation status:Green
How to identify
The Pied Wagtail is a delightful small, long-tailed and rather sprightly black and white bird. When it's 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 often calls during its bouncing flight and can be seen gathering at dusk to form large roosts in city centres.Key features to look out for
- A small, slender bird (18cm) with a long, wagging tail
- Grey, black and white colouring with a white mask across the eyes
- Often calls during its ‘bouncing’ flight
Conservation status
The Pied Wagtail is currently listed as Green, the lowest level on the UK’s List of Conservation Concern.
Where and when to see them
Difficulty rating - Easy/Moderate
Right across the UK in urban, suburban, farmland, grassland, wetland and intertidal areas. They're out there, but you need a bit of luck.
Key
- Resident
- Passage
- Summer
- Winter
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Behaviour
When these spritely little birds aren’t flitting around hunting for food, they’re merrily wagging their long tails.
An incredibly adaptable bird, the black, white and grey Pied Wagtail can be seen in urban and rural environments across the UK. In fact, you can often see them scuttling around car parks, where they keep a close eye out for insects and scraps left by us humans.
Your Pied Wagtail questions answered
How can I identify a Pied Wagtail?
Pied Wagtails are slim black, white and grey birds with a long tail that they constantly move up and down. Males have bolder black markings during the breeding season and in winter, they can form roosts of hundreds of birds.
What birds look similar?
We have 3 species of wagtail in the UK; the Pied, Yellow and Grey. Pied are the only ones with black and white plumage but all three will feed and behave in a similar way. Yellow Wagtails are only here for the summer whilst Grey and Pied can be seen all year round.
What does a Pied Wagtail eat?
Pied Wagtails eat insects, flies, spiders and other small invertebrates. They also eat seeds and scraps, particularly during winter.
Where do Pied Wagtails nest?
Pied Wagtails nest in sheltered cavities, including walls, bridges, buildings, tree holes and nest boxes. They prefer concealed nesting sites close to open ground.
When do Pied Wagtails nest?
Pied Wagtails usually nest between April and July and can raise two or three broods in a single breeding season.
How long do Pied Wagtails live?
Pied Wagtails typically live for 2–5 years in the wild, although some individuals can live much longer. With the oldest recorded being 11.
Do Pied Wagtails migrate?
Some Pied Wagtails migrate, while many remain in the UK year-round. Winter populations are boosted by birds arriving from northern Europe. Birds in the uplands will partially migrate from breeding territories for winter and head down south.
Are Pied Wagtails rare in the UK?
No, Pied Wagtails are common and widespread across the UK. They are frequently seen in gardens, parks, farmland and town centres.
When do Pied Wagtails arrive in the UK?
Resident Pied Wagtails are present all year, while migratory birds from northern Europe typically arrive during autumn. We get passage migrants through Britain from early March to May and from mid-August to early November, but they don't tend to stay.
When do Pied Wagtails leave the UK?
Most UK Pied Wagtails stay throughout the year. Migratory visitors usually return to their breeding grounds during spring.