AI overview
Motacilla alba, commonly known as the white wagtail, is a small black-and-white bird found across Europe, Asia, and Africa. It matters as a widespread and adaptable species that serves as an indicator of environmental conditions in the regions where it lives.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Species
Least Concernpied wagtail
SPECIES
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassAves
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilyMotacillidae
via GBIF · IUCN
Bird sounds
- call· Hungary· quality A
- call· Poland· quality A
- call· Japan· quality A
- call· Japan· quality A
via
Article
The white wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small passerine bird in the family Motacillidae, which also includes pipits and longclaws. The species breeds in the Palearctic zone in most of Europe and Asia and parts of North Africa; it also has a toehold in western Alaska as a scarce breeder. It is resident in the mildest parts of its range, but otherwise migrates to Africa. In total, there are between 9 and 11 subspecies of M. alba; in Ireland and Great Britain, the black-backed subspecies known as the pied wagtail (M. a. yarrellii) predominates.
The white wagtail is an insectivorous bird of open country, often near habitation and water. It prefers bare areas for feeding, where it can see and pursue its prey. In urban areas, it has adapted to foraging on paved areas such as car parks. It nests in crevices in stone walls and similar natural and human-made structures.