Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinerea
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Grey Wagtail is a slender, long-tailed bird with a distinctive grey upper body and bright yellow underparts. Its tail is notably long, often bobbing up and down as it moves. The wings are dark with white bars, creating a striking contrast.
During the breeding season, males display a black bib, while females have paler throats and less vibrant yellow underparts. Juveniles resemble females but have buff-tinged plumage.
Size
Length
17cm to 20cm
Wingspan
25cm to 30cm
Weight
15g to 25g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey Yellow
Secondary Colour
White Black
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Pink
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Grey Wagtails inhabit areas near fast-flowing water, including mountain streams, rivers, and waterfalls across Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. They are also found in urban areas with suitable water features.
In the UK, they are widespread breeding birds, with some individuals moving to lowland areas in winter. During this season, they can be spotted in towns and cities near water bodies.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 4,100 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Grey Wagtail. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Grey Wagtail exhibits remarkable agility, with its constant tail-wagging and rapid, darting movements along waterways. Its ability to navigate fast-flowing streams and perform quick darts to catch prey demonstrates high manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a small bird weighing between 15-25 grams, the Grey Wagtail has limited strength. However, it possesses enough power to swim short distances and perform aerial displays during breeding season.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Grey Wagtails show considerable adaptability, inhabiting diverse environments from sea level to 4,100 meters elevation. Their ability to thrive in both natural and urban settings, and adjust their diet to include bread crumbs in harsh winters, indicates strong adaptive capabilities.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Generally solitary or found in pairs, Grey Wagtails are not particularly aggressive birds. However, males do engage in aerial displays and singing to attract mates, suggesting some level of territorial behaviour during breeding season.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
The Grey Wagtail's endurance is evidenced by its partial migratory behaviour, with some individuals travelling as far as tropical Africa and southern Asia for winter. Their ability to forage continuously along waterways and survive in various climates also indicates good stamina.
Diet
Grey Wagtails primarily feed on aquatic insects and their larvae, including mayflies, caddisflies, and midges. They also consume small molluscs, crustaceans, and occasionally small fish.
They find most of their food on the ground with a strategy that involves quick darts but may catch prey in shallow water, nearby vegetation or flight.
Behaviour
Grey Wagtails are known for their constant tail-wagging and rapid, darting movements along waterways. They often forage by walking along the water's edge, picking insects from the surface. These birds are generally solitary or found in pairs, becoming more gregarious during migration periods.
Vocalisation
The Grey Wagtail's call is a sharp, high-pitched 'zit-zit' or 'chis-sick'. During flight, they emit a softer 'sipp-sipp' sound. Their song, heard mainly in spring, is a series of sweet, tinkling notes interspersed with trills, often delivered from a prominent perch near water.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Grey Wagtails typically begins in April. Males perform aerial displays and sing to attract mates. Pairs often form long-term bonds.
Nests are built in crevices near water, often on cliff faces or under bridges. The cup-shaped nest is made of moss, grass, and leaves, lined with hair or feathers. Females lay 3-6 white eggs with grey speckles.
Incubation lasts about 11-14 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 11-13 days but remain dependent on adults for another two weeks.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While listed as Least Concern globally, Grey Wagtail populations have declined in parts of Europe, including the UK. Factors include habitat loss, water pollution, and climate change. Conservation efforts focus on improving water quality and protecting riparian habitats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Grey Wagtails near fast-flowing streams and rivers
- Listen for their sharp, metallic 'zit-zit' call
- Observe their characteristic tail-wagging behaviour
- In the UK, check bridges and weirs in urban areas during winter
- Grey Wagtails are most easily confused with the Yellow Wagtail, a migratory species that visit the UK each spring and summer. That species has black (not pinkish) legs and a shorter tail. Breeding male Yellow Wagtails have completely yellow underparts and greenish upperparts, while females and juveniles have dull yellow and buff plumages, respectively.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators include domestic cats, sparrowhawks, and other birds of prey. Nests may be raided by corvids, rodents, and snakes.
Did You Know?
- Grey Wagtails can swim short distances, using their wings to propel themselves across water.
- They have been observed feeding on bread crumbs in urban areas during harsh winters.
- Some Grey Wagtails migrate as far as tropical Africa and southern Asia for the winter.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2017. Motacilla cinerea (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22718392A111215843.
View source - 3
report, 2015: EBCC
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