Willie Wagtail
Rhipidura leucophrys
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Willie Wagtail is a striking small bird with bold black and white plumage. Its upperparts, including the head, throat, and breast, are jet black, contrasting sharply with its white eyebrows, belly, and outer tail feathers.
Both sexes look alike, with a slender black bill and legs. Juveniles are similar to adults but have a brownish tinge to their black feathers and may show some buff edging on their wing coverts.
Size
Length
19cm to 21.5cm
Wingspan
25cm to 30cm
Weight
17g to 24g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Black White
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Willie Wagtails are found across most of Australia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and parts of Indonesia. They inhabit a wide range of open habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, and urban areas.
In Australia, they are common in both rural and urban settings, often seen in parks, gardens, and along watercourses. Their adaptability has allowed them to thrive in human-modified landscapes.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 2,800 meters
Climate zones
Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Willie 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 Willie Wagtail demonstrates remarkable agility through its quick aerial manoeuvres whilst catching insects in flight, swift ground movements, and characteristic tail-wagging behaviour. Their ability to execute rapid directional changes during insect pursuit showcases their exceptional manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst small in stature (17-24g), the Willie Wagtail exhibits modest strength relative to its size. Though capable of defending territory against larger birds, their physical power is primarily suited to their insectivorous lifestyle and lightweight aerial pursuits.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Exceptionally adaptable birds that thrive across diverse habitats from sea level to 2,800m, including urban areas, farmlands, and natural landscapes. Their ability to utilise human structures for nesting and succeed in modified environments demonstrates remarkable adaptability.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Notably aggressive for their size, Willie Wagtails fearlessly defend their territory against much larger birds and even humans. They're known to actively chase away potential predators and maintain strong territorial boundaries, showing remarkable boldness in confrontations.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Shows solid endurance through sustained territorial defence, active foraging behaviour throughout the day, and ability to maintain energetic displays. Their 'sit-and-wait' hunting strategy, combined with burst pursuits, indicates efficient energy management for their active lifestyle.
Diet
Willie Wagtails are primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of insects, including flies, beetles, moths, and spiders.
They employ a 'sit-and-wait' hunting strategy, perching on low branches or fences before darting out to catch prey in mid-air or on the ground.
Behaviour
Willie Wagtails are known for their distinctive tail-wagging behaviour, often fanning their tails side to side or up and down.
They are highly territorial and fearlessly chase away much larger birds, including predators. These birds are often seen foraging on the ground, making quick dashes to catch insects.
Vocalisation
Willie Wagtails have a varied vocal repertoire. Their most recognisable call is a sweet, musical 'sweet pretty creature' often repeated.
They also produce harsh, scolding calls when alarmed or defending territory. At night, they may emit a repetitive 'chid-chid-chid-chid' sound.
Nesting & Breeding
Willie Wagtails form monogamous pairs and breed between August and February in Australia. They engage in elaborate courtship displays, including aerial chases and wing-fluttering.
The nest is a neat cup made of grass, bark strips, and spider webs, often placed on a horizontal branch or human-made structure. Females typically lay 3-4 cream-coloured eggs with brown spots.
Both parents share incubation duties for about 14 days. The chicks fledge after 14-15 days but continue to be fed by their parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
Willie Wagtails are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to their large range and stable population.
They have adapted well to human-modified environments, often benefiting from agricultural practices that create suitable foraging habitats. However, they can be affected by pesticide use in farming areas.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Willie Wagtails in open areas like parks, gardens, and farmlands
- Listen for their distinctive 'sweet pretty creature' call
- Observe their characteristic tail-wagging behaviour
- Watch for their bold interactions with other birds
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Black-and-white Fantail, Wagtail Willie, Willy Wagtail
Family:
RhipiduridaeAverage Lifespan
6 to 8 years
Max Lifespan
9.4 years [4]
Predators
Main predators include domestic and feral cats, snakes, and larger birds of prey such as kookaburras and butcherbirds.
Did You Know?
- Willie Wagtails can recognise individual humans and may become aggressive towards those they perceive as threats.
- They often build their nests near human dwellings, sometimes incorporating artificial materials like string or paper.
- In Aboriginal Australian folklore, Willie Wagtails are often portrayed as tale-bearers or gossips.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2024. Rhipidura leucophrys. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T22706805A263897741.
View source - 2 3
report, 2006: del Hoyo et al.
- 4
website: ABBBS - Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme
View source
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