# Pied Wagtail (*Motacilla alba*) The Pied Wagtail is a cheerful little bird with a black and white body. It loves to hop around and wag its tail, especially near water. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Wetlands and urban areas - **Also known as:** Motacilla, White Wagtail ![Pied Wagtail](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424377/objects/4575.jpg) ## Appearance The Pied Wagtail has striking black and white plumage with grey on its back. It is easily recognized by its long, constantly wagging tail, which is black with white outer feathers. Its distinctive pattern makes it stand out from most other small garden birds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Motacillidae - **Genus:** Motacilla ## Interesting facts - Some Pied Wagtails travel thousands of miles to warmer places for winter. - Their constant tail-wagging is how they got their unique name! - They often sleep together in huge groups, sometimes hundreds, in cold weather. - You might see them chasing insects disturbed by moving cars or tractors! ## Special abilities - **Tail Waggle Master:** Pied Wagtail can constantly wag its long tail because it helps them balance while walking and flush out hidden insects. - **Insect Acrobats:** Pied Wagtail has incredibly agile flight that helps them dart and weave in the air to catch flying insects. - **Adaptation Alchemist:** Pied Wagtail can thrive in many places because they easily adapt their diet and nesting sites to human environments. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 16.5-19 cm - **Wingspan:** 25-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.017-0.025 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-7 - **Incubation:** 12-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 1000 km ## Diet & Feeding Pied Wagtails are expert insect hunters, catching flies, beetles, and other small creepy crawlies! - **Primary Foods:** Flies, Beetles, Caterpillars, Ants, Spiders, Small aquatic invertebrates - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Sparrowhawk (*Accipiter nisus*) — A common raptor that preys on small birds. - **Eaten by:** Feral Cat (*Felis catus*) — Opportunistic predator of garden birds. - **Hunts:** [Housefly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/housefly) (*Musca domestica*) — A common insect often caught in flight. - **Hunts:** Small White butterfly (*Pieris rapae*) — Catches the caterpillars of this common garden pest. ## 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. - [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. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to touch or feed them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pied 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 Pied Wagtail? 16.5-19 cm ### What is Pied Wagtail's wingspan? 25-30 cm ### How much does Pied Wagtail weigh? 0.017-0.025 kg ### How long does Pied Wagtail live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Pied Wagtail move? 50 km/h ### What does Pied Wagtail eat? Pied Wagtails are expert insect hunters, catching flies, beetles, and other small creepy crawlies! ### Where is Pied Wagtail usually found? Wetlands and urban areas ## Where to spot - [Fota Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fota-wildlife-park) — Municipal District of Cobh, IE · Zoo - [Woburn Safari Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/woburn-safari-park) — England, GB · Zoo - [Pairi Daiza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pairi-daiza) — Hainaut, BE · Zoo - [Zoo de Castellar](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-de-castellar) — Andalusia, ES · Zoo - [Kolmårdens djurpark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kolm-rdens-djurpark) — Östergötland County, SE · Zoo - [Zoo am Meer](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-am-meer) — Bremen, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Pied Wagtail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pied-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: [Pied Wagtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pied-wagtail)