Japanese Wagtail

Motacilla grandis

With its distinctive black and white plumage, this charismatic wagtail is found along Japanese streams and city parks, bobbing its long tail as it hunts for insects.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Japanese Wagtail is a striking bird with distinctive black and white plumage. Males have a black head with white markings on the forehead and above the eyes, plus a thin white crescent below the eye. The back, throat, and upper breast are black, contrasting with white underparts. The wings show prominent white patches, especially visible in flight.

Females have a more greyish-black upper plumage. Juvenile birds are generally duller, with grey-brown heads and less distinct markings.

Size

Length

20cm to 23cm

Wingspan

28cm to 30cm

Weight

25g to 32g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White

Secondary Colour

Grey

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Japanese Wagtail is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Japanese Wagtail is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Japanese Wagtail can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Japanese Wagtail is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Japanese Wagtail can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Japanese Wagtail is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Japanese Wagtail is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Japanese Wagtail is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Japanese Wagtail is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Japanese Wagtail is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Japanese Wagtail is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Japanese Wagtail is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

The Japanese Wagtail is native to East Asia, primarily found in Japan, Korea, and parts of eastern China. It inhabits areas near freshwater sources such as rivers, streams, and lake shores. These birds have also adapted well to urban environments, often seen in parks and gardens with water features.

During winter, some populations in northern Japan migrate southward, while others remain year-round residents. Because they are rarely found outside their native range, they are a sought-after species for birdwatchers visiting East Asia.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 1,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Japanese 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