# Grey Wagtail (*Motacilla cinerea*) The Grey Wagtail is a cheerful little bird with a long tail that wags up and down. You can often see it near streams and rivers, hopping around looking for tasty insects to eat. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Near water, like rivers and streams - **Also known as:** Motacilla Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail ![Grey Wagtail](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425817/objects/4576.jpg) ## Appearance The Grey Wagtail has a sleek grey back and a bright yellow underside, especially on its vent. It sports a long, constantly wagging black tail with white outer feathers and a distinctive white stripe above its eye. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Motacillidae - **Genus:** Motacilla ## Interesting facts - Its 'grey' name hides a stunning yellow belly! - Males have a black chin patch during breeding season! - Their chirpy song sounds like 'tsi-tsi' or 'chip-chip.' - These birds build cup-shaped nests near fast-flowing water. ## Special abilities - **Water Acrobat:** Grey Wagtail can expertly hunt flying insects over fast-moving water because of their agile flight and quick movements. - **Tail Telegraph:** Grey Wagtail has a constantly wagging tail that helps them flush out hidden insects or signal to other birds. - **Swift Stream Hunter:** Grey Wagtail can catch tiny aquatic insects by darting along riverbanks, thanks to its keen eyesight and quick reflexes. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 18-19 cm - **Wingspan:** 25-27 cm - **Weight:** 0.014-0.022 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-6 - **Incubation:** 11-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 2000 km ## Diet & Feeding They mainly eat insects found near water, sometimes catching them mid-air! - **Primary Foods:** Mayflies, Caddisflies, Midges, Beetles, Small larvae - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Caddisfly (*Limnephilus rhombicus*) — Main food source for wagtails. - **Eats:** [Mayfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mayfly) (*Ephemera danica*) — Important prey, especially larval forms. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Sparrowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-sparrowhawk) (*Accipiter nisus*) — A common raptor that preys on small birds. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Feral and pet cats can hunt these birds. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. They are wild animals and need their space. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Grey Wagtail? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Grey Wagtail? 18-19 cm ### What is Grey Wagtail's wingspan? 25-27 cm ### How much does Grey Wagtail weigh? 0.014-0.022 kg ### How long does Grey Wagtail live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Grey Wagtail move? 60 km/h ### What does Grey Wagtail eat? They mainly eat insects found near water, sometimes catching them mid-air! ### Where is Grey Wagtail usually found? Near water, like rivers and streams ## Where to spot - [Fota Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fota-wildlife-park) — Municipal District of Cobh, IE · Zoo - [Pairi Daiza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pairi-daiza) — Hainaut, BE · Zoo - [Loro Parque](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/loro-parque) — Canary Islands, ES · Zoo - [Naturpark Harz/Sachsen-Anhalt](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-harz-sachsen-anhalt) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Park - [Naturpark Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heide](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nossentiner-schwinzer-heide-nature-park) — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE · Park - [Naturpark Fränkische Schweiz – Frankenjura](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/franconian-switzerland-frankenjura-nature-park) — Bayern, DE · Park [View all places to see Grey Wagtail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/grey-wagtail) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Grey Wagtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-wagtail)