Is there a wagtail in the garden? And is the wagtail yellow? What do the nest and young birds look like? You can find out all this and more in our article on the wagtail.
The white wagtail (Motacilla alba) belongs to the wagtail and pipit family (Motacillidae) and is slightly larger than a tit or sparrow. Recognizable by their typical stilted gait and high-contrast plumage, the white wagtail likes to strut through open, damp meadows in search of food or sing from high vantage points to mark their territory. The bird can also be observed in parks and gardens with large lawns. Everything else you need to know about wagtails and how you can support the birds in your own garden is here with us.
Wagtail: Wanted Poster
| Size | About 18 cm |
| Weight | About 25 g |
| Incubation | April - June |
| Lifetime | Up to 10 years |
| Habitat | Open areas, preferably near water |
| Food Preference | Insects and Spiders |
| Threats | Decline in food and habitat, human hunting during migration, death from motor traffic |
How to recognize the wagtail
Wagtails are characterized by their slender, high-legged form, a long, constantly bobbing tail and plumage rich in contrast. The back and elytra of the animals are light grey, the belly, flanks and face are pure white. In the breeding plumage, the birds also present a deep black crown and an equally dark, large throat patch that extends to the base of the beak. Outside the breeding season, the animals are a bit simpler. Then the crown is only light gray and the throat patch is greatly reduced, but still clearly visible.
By the way, if you see a bird that looks similar to the wagtail but has a yellow belly, it's not a color defect, it's a color defectof two closely related but rarer species: the yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava) or the gray wagtail (Motacilla cinerea).
How do female and male wagtails differ?
Females and males do not differ very much in the wagtail. The only distinguishing feature is the crown, which in males is deep black up to the neck and contrasts with the gray back. In the females, on the other hand, the neck is colored dark gray and thus forms a somewhat softer transition to the light back. In the plain dress, however, this distinguishing feature is lost.
What does wagtail singing sound like?
The song of the wagtail consists of a bright, two-syllable "Je-witt", which is often sung from a high vantage point. So if you hear a wagtail singing, it's worth looking for it on the roof of the next building, for example. Similar two-syllable calls are also made in flight.
You can listen to the wagtail song here:
How do you recognize a young wagtail?
Young wagtails already have the same upright, stilt-like shape as their parents. The long tail is already well developed. However, their plumage lacks the black color of the adults. The chest is decorated only with a dark triangle surrounded by dirty white feathers. In the adult animals, the black breast spot stands out clearly from the snow-white background, even in the plain plumage.
What do wagtail eggs look like?
Wagtails lay eggs about 2 x 1.5 centimeters in size with brown spots. Five or six eggs are laid in a cup-like nest made of twigs, moss and other plant fibers, the hollow of which is lined with animal hair and feathers.
Which habitat do the wagtails prefer?
Wagtails love open spaces where they can hunt for insects on the ground. Sunny spots where there is a lot of food are particularly popular. In addition, wagtails are often found near bodies of water. However, nest-friendly structures such as embankments, smaller groups of trees or buildings are also important for the habitat.
Where does the wagtail build its nest?
They build their nestWagtail on steep banks, in tree hollows and building niches or also in the open field. In general, the nesting structures are more likely to be found near the ground. The nests themselves are mainly built by the female, which takes about a week - the male participates only sporadically. Good nests are often reused over several years. Wagtails often breed near humans and have adopted many artificial structures.
When is the breeding season of the wagtail?
The breeding season of wagtails is from April to June. During this time, under ideal conditions, a breeding pair can raise up to three broods. The eggs are incubated for 11 to 17 days, with the female doing most of the work. After hatching, the young are fed by both parents for two weeks. After that they fly out and are only supported by their parents for a few more days before they are on their own.
Where does the wagtail spend the winter?
Most wagtails spend the winter in the warm areas of the Mediterranean. In some cases, however, the birds migrate far into Africa or even remain in their breeding areas. The birds can therefore rarely be observed here in the cold winter months. Adult males often establish feeding grounds for this purpose, which they defend well. Young birds and female wagtails, on the other hand, travel in smaller groups and look for food together in the barren landscape.
Support the wagtail in the garden: That's how it works
Open, wet meadows are becoming increasingly rare in our increasingly intensively used landscape. Therefore, wagtails flee in settlements, parks and gardens. Find out here how you can give the birds a friendly welcome in your own garden.
What do wagtails eat?
Wagtails feed mainly on insects and spiders. Only very rarely berries or seeds are accepted. The hunters like to stalk through areas with short grass and catch small flying insects or other crawling animals. Anyone who can call their own garden with a lot of free space offers the wagtails ideal hunting grounds. However, do not use chemical sprays in your garden, as these reduce the availability of insects and can even poison birds through the food chain.
Which nest boxes are suitable for wagtails?
If you want to offer the wagtail a nesting box in your garden, you should use a so-called semi-cave box. Compared to classic tit boxes, these are not equipped with a small entry hole, but offer a larger entry opening.
In our special article you can find out how you can generally build a nesting box yourself, where you can hang it up and how you should clean it properly.
How can you support the wagtail?
Wagtails depend on a rich supply of insects. A bug-friendly garden can therefore make a big difference. But wild and bustling areas are also extremely valuable in our landscape. Therefore, support a sustainable and extensive use of our landscape. Purchasing organically grown food, for example, can contribute to this. Because by buying organic products, you are helping to cultivate the landscape in a more ecological and bird-friendly way.
By the way, your garden reaps another plus in the eyes of the wagtails by offering a small watering hole such as an artificial stream, a small pond or just a bird bath.
By the way, other garden birds are also happy about a bathing opportunity on hot days. Have a look at our portraits of House Martin, Yellowhammer & Co.