
Photo: Kim, Hyun-tae · CC BY 4.0
Motacilla alba
Diet
Insects
Habitat
Open country, often near water and people; paved areas in towns
Range
Breeds across most of Europe and Asia and parts of North Africa
Size
16.5–21cm
Weight
About 25g
The white wagtail is a slender wagtail, 16.5–19cm long, East Asian forms reaching 21cm, with the long, constantly wagging tail of its genus and an average weight of about 25g. Between 9 and 11 subspecies are recognised; the British pied wagtail, for example, replaces the pale grey of the nominate form with black in males. Wild birds may live up to about 12 years (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is an insectivorous bird of open country, often near people and water, and prefers bare ground where it can see and chase prey; in towns it has learned to forage on paved areas such as car parks. It nests in crevices in stone walls and similar natural and man-made structures. It is resident in the mildest parts of its range and otherwise migrates south for the winter (Wikipedia, general species account).