| Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea (Tunstall, 1771)) |
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Scientific name: Motacilla cinerea (Tunstall, 1771) Common name: Grey Wagtail French name: Bergeronnette des ruisseaux Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae Size: Body size: 18 cm; Wingspan: 29 cm; Weight: 20 g Habitat: During the breeding period, the Grey Wagtail lives near fast running water. Outside the breeding period it lives near any running or stagnant water. Food: Insects and larvae picked on rocks or gravelled river edges. Nesting: When back from migration, in April, Grey Wagtails build a nest in a hollow between rocks or roots, on a stream edge. The nest is made up of grasses, moss and rootlets. There is one brood of 4 to 6 eggs and often a second brood in June-July. Migration: In September-October, Wagtails move to the Mediterranean area or to North Africa. They will fly back in March-April. Geographic area: Europe, North Africa, East Africa, Asia, North America. |
The underside of the male is bright yellow. The breast is whitish with a black mark. The upper side is grey. The tail is very long, much longer than the Yellow Wagtail's tail. This is the only Wagtail species with pinkish legs. Females and juveniles are missing the black mark on the breast. |
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It was very difficult to get close to this Grey Wagtail observed on the ground. The approach became much more easy when it perched on the branches of one of the trees bordering the river. |
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The length of the tail confirms the identification. The black breast indicates that this is a male. |
André Bon February 2008