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 Niokolo-Koba National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Niokolo-Koba National Park
African Pied Wagtail
Motacilla aguimp
Western Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flava
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialis
Red-throated Pipit
Anthus cervinus
Long-tailed Glossy Starling
Lamprotornis caudatus
Yellow-crowned Gonolek
Laniarius barbarus
Common Bulbul
Pycnonotus barbatus
Purple Glossy-Starling
Lamprotornis purpureus
Beautiful Sunbird
Cinnyris pulchellus
Red-billed Firefinch
Lagonosticta senegala
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow
Passer griseus
Brown Babbler
Turdoides plebejus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.