White wagtail

"Pied wagtail" redirects here. For the related African bird, see African pied wagtail.

White wagtail
Adult male M. alba alba
First summer female M. alba alba
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Genus: Motacilla
Species:
M. alba
Binomial name
Motacilla alba
  Summer range
  Year-round range
  Winter range

The white wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small passerine bird in the family Motacillidae, which also includes pipits and longclaws. The species breeds in the Palearctic zone in most of Europe and Asia and parts of North Africa; it also has a toehold in western Alaska as a scarce breeder. It is resident in the mildest parts of its range, but otherwise migrates to Africa. In total, there are between 9 and 11 subspecies of M. alba; in Ireland and Great Britain, the black-backed subspecies known as the pied wagtail (M. a. yarrellii) predominates.

The white wagtail is an insectivorous bird of open country, often near habitation and water.[2] It prefers bare areas for feeding, where it can see and pursue its prey. In urban areas, it has adapted to foraging on paved areas such as car parks. It nests in crevices in stone walls and similar natural and human-made structures.[2]

It is the national bird of Latvia and has featured on the stamps of several countries.[3] It is listed as being 'of least concern' by IUCN.[1]

  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2019). "Motacilla alba". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T22718348A137417893. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22718348A137417893.en. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b Hunter, Fact (2013-03-18). "Bird's Lifestyle: White Wagtail - National Bird of Latvia". Bird's Lifestyle. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  3. ^ "Symbols". [Latvia.eu]. 2015-01-13. Retrieved 2019-01-18.