Silhouette: Martin Bulla, based on Ren Hathway's illustration · PhyloPic

White Wagtail

Motacilla alba

Silhouette: Martin Bulla, based on Ren Hathway's illustration · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassAves (Birds)
OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
FamilyMotacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
GenusMotacilla (Wagtails)
SpeciesMotacilla alba (White Wagtail)

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

at Ngorongoro Conservation Area

1 Verified sightings at Ngorongoro Conservation Area From 2019 to 2026

42,713 Verified sightings across all 67 parks From 2019 to 2026

☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

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 →

Closest Relatives at Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Motacilla aguimp

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Motacilla flava

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Motacilla clara

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Motacilla cinerea

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Anthus cinnamomeus

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Macronyx ameliae

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Anthus leucophrys

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Macronyx croceus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Tmetothylacus tenellus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Anthus similis

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Anthus trivialis

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Macronyx aurantiigula

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

See all 12 relatives Show fewer

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

#	Park	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Thingvellir National Park	🇮🇸 Iceland	~70%
2	Fertő-Hanság National Park	🇭🇺 Hungary	~70%
3	Vanoise National Park	🇫🇷 France	~60%
4	Picos de Europa National Park	🇪🇸 Spain	~60%
5	Hortobágy National Park	🇭🇺 Hungary	~50%
6	Białowieża National Park	🇵🇱 Poland	~50%
7	Aigüestortes National Park	🇪🇸 Spain	~50%
8	Sierra Nevada National Park	🇪🇸 Spain	~50%
9	Triglav National Park	🇸🇮 Slovenia	~50%
10	Hohe Tauern National Park	🇦🇹 Austria	~50%
11	Vatnajokull National Park	🇮🇸 Iceland	~50%
12	Kiskunság National Park	🇭🇺 Hungary	~50%
13	Monfragüe National Park	🇪🇸 Spain	~50%
14	Snowdonia National Park	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	~50%
15	Sierra de Guadarrama National Park	🇪🇸 Spain	~50%
16	Kaziranga National Park	🇮🇳 India	~50%
17	Pyrénées National Park	🇫🇷 France	~50%
18	Ecrins National Park	🇫🇷 France	~40%
19	Taroko National Park	🇹🇼 Taiwan	~40%
20	Tatra National Park	🇸🇰 Slovakia	~40%
21	Biebrza National Park	🇵🇱 Poland	~40%
22	Wadden Sea National Park	🇩🇪 Germany	~40%
23	Nikko National Park	🇯🇵 Japan	~40%
24	Plitvice Lakes National Park	🇭🇷 Croatia	~40%
25	Mercantour National Park	🇫🇷 France	~40%
26	Chitwan National Park	🇳🇵 Nepal	~40%
27	Bavarian Forest National Park	🇩🇪 Germany	~40%
28	Cairngorms National Park	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	~30%
29	Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park	🇪🇸 Spain	~30%
30	Cévennes National Park	🇫🇷 France	~30%
31	Doñana National Park	🇪🇸 Spain	~30%
32	Royal Bardia National Park	🇳🇵 Nepal	~30%
33	Gauja National Park	🇱🇻 Latvia	~30%
34	Jiuzhaigou National Park	🇨🇳 China	~30%
35	Namdapha National Park	🇮🇳 India	~20%
36	Ranthambore National Park	🇮🇳 India	~20%
37	Royal Manas National Park	🇧🇹 Bhutan	~20%
38	Keoladeo National Park	🇮🇳 India	~10%
39	Jim Corbett National Park	🇮🇳 India	~10%
40	Langtang National Park	🇳🇵 Nepal	~10%
41	Manas National Park	🇮🇳 India	~10%
42	Camargue	🇫🇷 France	~10%
43	Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park	🇲🇳 Mongolia	~10%
44	Cuc Phuong National Park	🇻🇳 Vietnam	~10%
45	Satpura National Park	🇮🇳 India	~10%
46	Khangchendzonga National Park	🇮🇳 India	~10%
47	Gir National Park	🇮🇳 India	~10%
48	Bandhavgarh National Park	🇮🇳 India	<5%
49	Doi Inthanon National Park	🇹🇭 Thailand	<5%
50	Sundarbans National Park	🇮🇳 India	<5%
51	Bandipur National Park	🇮🇳 India	<5%
52	Kanha National Park	🇮🇳 India	<5%
53	Yala National Park	🇱🇰 Sri Lanka	<5%
54	Arusha National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	<5%
55	Nagarhole National Park	🇮🇳 India	<5%
56	Khao Yai National Park	🇹🇭 Thailand	<5%
57	Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary	🇲🇾 Malaysia	<5%
58	Awash National Park	🇪🇹 Ethiopia	Insufficient data
59	Niokolo-Koba National Park	🇸🇳 Senegal	Insufficient data
60	Horton Plains National Park	🇱🇰 Sri Lanka	Insufficient data
61	Lake Manyara National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
62	Cat Tien National Park	🇻🇳 Vietnam	Insufficient data
63	Kakadu National Park	🇦🇺 Australia	Insufficient data
64	Ngorongoro Conservation Area	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
65	Kaeng Krachan National Park	🇹🇭 Thailand	Insufficient data
66	Masai Mara National Reserve	🇰🇪 Kenya	Insufficient data
67	Serengeti National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data

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White Wagtail

About the White Wagtail

Recent sightings of White Wagtail in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Closest Relatives at Ngorongoro Conservation Area

African Pied Wagtail

Western Yellow Wagtail

Mountain Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

Grassveld Pipit

Rosy-throated Longclaw

Plain-backed Pipit

Yellow-throated Longclaw

Golden Pipit

Long-billed Pipit

Tree Pipit

Pangani Longclaw

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found