23-9-2016 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

The Western yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava) is a small songbird that can be found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its common name comes from characteristic tail-pumping behavior and the part of its scientific name 'flava' means 'golden-yellow' from Latin.

The Western yellow wagtail is a slender bird, with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail. It is the shortest-tailed of the European wagtails. The breeding adult male is basically olive above and yellow below. In other plumages, the yellow may be diluted by white. The heads of breeding males come in a variety of colors and patterns depending on the subspecies.

Outside of the breeding season, Western yellow wagtails are gregarious and often spend time in flocks. They also gather in large numbers on the night roosts and migrate in flocks. Western yellow wagtails are active during the day spending their time in search of food. They forage by walking on the ground picking insects or seeds and can also search for food items walking in shallow water. They may catch insects on the wing or pick them up while flying over vegetation. Western yellow wagtails frequently wag their tail while foraging. The common call of these birds is a high-pitched 'jeet'. When flying they often produce loud 'pseet' or long 'swee-eep'.

Western yellow wagtails are carnivores (insectivores) and herbivores (granivores). They eat various terrestrial and aquatic insects, and small crustaceans and supplement their diet with seeds.

Western yellow wagtails are monogamous. They form pairs and prefer to nest separately. They breed from April to August and are territorial during this period with each pair defending its nesting site. The nest is a shallow scrape located on or near the ground; it is made of grass and lined with animal hair. The female lays 4-6 eggs and both parents incubate them for about 11-13 days. The chicks hatch blind and helpless and are fed by both parents. They fledge between 10 and 14 days but usually remain with their parents for several weeks more.

Population size

64-107Mln

Life Span

8 years

Weight

11-26

goz

g oz 

Length

15-16

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