All species
resident
Amber-listedWagtails and pipits
Grey Wagtail
A slender, elegant bird of running water with grey upperparts, a bright yellow belly and a constantly wagging long tail. Grey wagtails often bob on rocks in fast streams.
Motacilla cinerea
Rivers Streams Lakes Uplands
Size
18-19 cm
Wingspan
25-27 cm
Weight
14-22 g
Lifespan
2-4 years
Diet
Aquatic insects, larvae, small crustaceans and flying insects.
Song & Call
A sharp, metallic 'tsit-tsit' call and a twittering song.
How to identify
- Grey back and wings
- Bright yellow underparts
- Long black tail with white edges
- Pinkish legs
Conservation
Amber-listed
Amber-listed; declines in some upland areas linked to water quality.
