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White Wagtail

Motacilla alba

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Wagtails and Pipits
White Wagtail, photographed by Jac. Janssen from BAARLO LB, NL

Photo: Jac. Janssen from BAARLO LB, NL · Wikimedia · CC-BY 2.0 (licence)

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Call and song

About the White Wagtail

Distinctive but variable: all plumages are some bold combination of black, white, and gray. Shows considerable variation in plumage across the world, but never has a clear, thin and contrasting eye-brow like White-browed or Japanese Wagtail. Occurs in varied open habitats, from wild grassy areas and wetlands to paved car parks and grassy lawns. Usually seen as singles, pairs, or small groups walking and running around, pumping the long, white-sided tail up and down. Identified easily in flight by its loud, thick and distinctive “tsee-tsee’ call.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 152 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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