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White Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
White Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
White Pied Wagtail, (Motacilla alba. Linnaeus, 1758)
Family: Motacillidae.
Length: 16.5 to 19cm Wingspan: 25 to 30cm Weight: 19 to27g Lifespan: 6 years approx.
Females and Juveniles have a grey cap, males have a black cap.
The White Wagtail is one of 9 to 11 subspecies of the Pied Wagtail. (P. Wagtail are more common in the UK and more Northern countries).
The White Pied Wagtail’s are found mainly in the milder countries of Europe, also down into parts of North Africa and across the milder countries of Asia, throughout the winter months. In the spring, most will migrate more into the northern countries of Europe, some into the UK, (on its arrival can be one of the first signs of spring) also further north into Scandinavia, very rarely as far north as Alaska.
Habitat: Open fields and farmland, will often be near water, more commonly seen feeding on bare open, hard-paved areas, in residential areas. They will nest mainly in the crevices of natural rock faces of cliffs, as well as man-made structures including stone walls and various out-buildings.
Nesting: 5 to 6 eggs, 2 to 3 broods a year, April to August.
Feeding: Feeds mainly from the grounds surface, for insects, molluscs and various seeds. Will also be seen feeding near the water’s edge and also from the water’s surface, as they fly in pursuit of flying insects.
It is the national bird of Latvia, it has also been and still is captured, to be kept as a pet. In some countries it is also captured to be eaten.
Read MoreFamily: Motacillidae.
Length: 16.5 to 19cm Wingspan: 25 to 30cm Weight: 19 to27g Lifespan: 6 years approx.
Females and Juveniles have a grey cap, males have a black cap.
The White Wagtail is one of 9 to 11 subspecies of the Pied Wagtail. (P. Wagtail are more common in the UK and more Northern countries).
The White Pied Wagtail’s are found mainly in the milder countries of Europe, also down into parts of North Africa and across the milder countries of Asia, throughout the winter months. In the spring, most will migrate more into the northern countries of Europe, some into the UK, (on its arrival can be one of the first signs of spring) also further north into Scandinavia, very rarely as far north as Alaska.
Habitat: Open fields and farmland, will often be near water, more commonly seen feeding on bare open, hard-paved areas, in residential areas. They will nest mainly in the crevices of natural rock faces of cliffs, as well as man-made structures including stone walls and various out-buildings.
Nesting: 5 to 6 eggs, 2 to 3 broods a year, April to August.
Feeding: Feeds mainly from the grounds surface, for insects, molluscs and various seeds. Will also be seen feeding near the water’s edge and also from the water’s surface, as they fly in pursuit of flying insects.
It is the national bird of Latvia, it has also been and still is captured, to be kept as a pet. In some countries it is also captured to be eaten.
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Pied Wagtail, (Motacilla alba)
Family: Motacillidae,
Clot de Galvany, Alicante, Spain.
Date: 9.10.2019
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