Motacilla cinerea
Grey Wagtail
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.
Length
17cm to 20cm
Wingspan
25cm to 30cm
Weight
15g to 25g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey Yellow
Secondary Colour
White Black
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Pink
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Sea level to 4,100 meters
Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical
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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.
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.
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.
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.
years
The Grey Wagtail typically lives for 2 to 5 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
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.
Gray Wagtail
Main predators include domestic cats, sparrowhawks, and other birds of prey. Nests may be raided by corvids, rodents, and snakes.
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website: BirdLife International. 2017. Motacilla cinerea (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22718392A111215843.
View sourcereport, 2015: EBCC