White Wagtail
Motacilla alba
Silhouette: Martin Bulla, based on Ren Hathway's illustration · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyMotacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
- GenusMotacilla (Wagtails)
- SpeciesMotacilla alba (White Wagtail)
About the White Wagtail
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. 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.
It is the national bird of Latvia and has featured on the stamps of several countries. It is listed as being 'of least concern' by IUCN. The white wagtail was one of the many species originally described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae, and it still bears its... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of White Wagtail in Keoladeo National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Keoladeo National Park
Citrine Wagtail
Motacilla citreola
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinerea
Western Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flava
White-browed Wagtail
Motacilla maderaspatensis
Oriental Pipit
Anthus rufulus
Red-throated Pipit
Anthus cervinus
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialis
Tawny Pipit
Anthus campestris
Olive-backed Pipit
Anthus hodgsoni
Long-billed Pipit
Anthus similis
Rosy Pipit
Anthus roseatus
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Copsychus saularis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a White Wagtail in Keoladeo National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a White Wagtail sighting in Keoladeo National Park, based on 278 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see White Wagtail in Keoladeo National Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for White Wagtail in Keoladeo National Park in our monthly data.