Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinerea

A cheerful stream-side dancer, this slender bird bobs and weaves along riverbanks worldwide, flashing its vibrant yellow underparts.

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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

The Grey Wagtail can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Grey Wagtail is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Grey Wagtail can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Grey Wagtail is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Grey Wagtail can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Grey Wagtail is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Grey Wagtail is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Grey Wagtail is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Grey Wagtail is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Grey Wagtail is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Grey Wagtail is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Grey Wagtail is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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