22-9-2024 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.

Population size

64-107Mln

Life Span

8 years

Weight

11-26

goz

g oz 

Length

15-16

cminch

cm inch 

Western yellow wagtails breed in much of temperate Europe and Asia. Populations in the milder parts, such as western Europe, are resident but northern and eastern populations migrate to Africa and south Asia. Western yellow wagtails prefer open country near water, such as wet meadows, marshes, bogs, pastures near water, damp steppe, and grassy tundra.

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'.

29-5-2022 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/204545-Motacilla-flava

15-5-2022 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/204545-Motacilla-flava

26-9-2021 EL SALER. VALENCIA - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/204545-Motacilla-flava

8-9-2021 CATRAL, ALICANTE - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/204545-Motacilla-flava

 

20-6-2021 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/204545-Motacilla-flava

14-4-2021 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/204545-Motacilla-flava

5-4-2021 SOLLANA, VALENCIA - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/204545-Motacilla-flava

20-9-2020 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/204545-Motacilla-flava

1-9-2020 LAGUNA DEL CANIZAR, ARAGON - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/204545-Motacilla-flava

11-3-2020 KANHA, INDIA - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

26-4-2019 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

3-10-2018 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

The Western Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava, is a small, graceful passerine bird belonging to the wagtail family, Motacillidae. This species is noted for its slender build and the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail, a hallmark of its genus. Among its European relatives, it boasts the shortest tail. The adult male in breeding plumage is predominantly olive above with a vibrant yellow underbelly. Females and non-breeding males may exhibit a paler yellow, often intermixed with white.

To identify the Western Yellow Wagtail, look for a bird measuring about 15–16 cm in length. Breeding males display a variety of head colors and patterns, which can be quite distinctive, depending on the subspecies. In general, males have a more vivid plumage compared to the females, which are more subdued and often have a greenish wash.

This insectivorous bird favors open country near water sources, such as wet meadows, where it can be seen foraging for food.

The Western Yellow Wagtail breeds across much of temperate Europe and Asia. It is a resident bird in the milder parts of its range, like western Europe. However, populations from the north and east undertake migrations to Africa and south Asia to escape the winter chill.

The Western Yellow Wagtail is known for its dynamic tail movement, which it exhibits while walking on the ground. It is a sociable bird, often seen in small flocks during migration or in its wintering grounds.

The call of the Western Yellow Wagtail is a distinctive high-pitched 'jeet', which can be heard during its active periods.

Breeding takes place in tussocks, where the female lays a clutch of 4–8 speckled eggs. The nest is often situated close to the ground, concealed within dense vegetation.

As an insectivore, the Western Yellow Wagtail feeds primarily on insects, which it catches with quick, darting movements on the ground or in flight.

The IUCN Red List categorizes the Western Yellow Wagtail as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no significant threats to its global population.

24-9-2017 PEGO MARSHES, ALICANTE - 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.

Western yellow wagtails breed in much of temperate Europe and Asia. Populations in the milder parts, such as western Europe, are resident but northern and eastern populations migrate to Africa and south Asia. Western yellow wagtails prefer open country near water, such as wet meadows, marshes, bogs, pastures near water, damp steppe, and grassy tundra.

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'.

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.

Western yellow wagtails breed in much of temperate Europe and Asia. Populations in the milder parts, such as western Europe, are resident but northern and eastern populations migrate to Africa and south Asia. Western yellow wagtails prefer open country near water, such as wet meadows, marshes, bogs, pastures near water, damp steppe, and grassy tundra.

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'.

Population size

64-107Mln

Life Span

8 years

Weight

11-26

goz

g oz 

Length

15-16

cminch

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

cminch

10-4-2016 PEGO MARJAL, 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.

Population size

64-107Mln

Life Span

8 years

Weight

11-26

goz

g oz 

Length

15-16

cminch

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.

Western yellow wagtails breed in much of temperate Europe and Asia. Populations in the milder parts, such as western Europe, are resident but northern and eastern populations migrate to Africa and south Asia. Western yellow wagtails prefer open country near water, such as wet meadows, marshes, bogs, pastures near water, damp steppe, and grassy tundra.

9-4-2016 GANDIA, VALENCIA - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

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 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.

1-4-2016 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - 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.

Western yellow wagtails breed in much of temperate Europe and Asia. Populations in the milder parts, such as western Europe, are resident but northern and eastern populations migrate to Africa and south Asia. Western yellow wagtails prefer open country near water, such as wet meadows, marshes, bogs, pastures near water, damp steppe, and grassy tundra.