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Grey wagtail

Motacilla cinerea

Grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)Common

Photo: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K · CC BY 2.0

Birdinsectivore

The grey wagtail is a slender, lively bird that bobs its tail as it hops along streams and rivers. Found across Europe and Asia, it migrates to warmer parts of Africa and Asia in winter. Its bright yellow belly and habit of nesting near rushing water make it easy to spot.

  • Grows to about 18-19 cm long, with males sporting a black throat in breeding season.
  • Prefers fast-flowing streams for nesting but visits lakes and coasts in winter.
  • Flies low with a fluttering, up-and-down motion while giving sharp calls.
FreshwaterWetlandUrbanEuropeAsiaAfrica
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At a glance

Classification
Bird
Scientific name
Motacilla cinerea
Habitat
Freshwater, Wetland, Urban
Regions in this directory
Europe, Asia, Africa
Diet
insectivore
Relative size
small
IUCN Red List
Least Concern (LC)
Look up the latest IUCN assessment

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