Pied Wagtail - Motacilla alba

A delightful small, long-tailed and rather sprightly black and white bird. When not standing and frantically wagging its tail up and down it can be seen dashing about over lawns or car parks in search of food. It frequently calls when in its undulating flight and often gathers at dusk to form large roosts in city centres.

White Wagtail (Motacilla alba alba) is a European subspecies that is a passage migrant in Britain and Ireland, usually found in spring. Its back is a lighter grey than Pied Wagtail, and it has a grey rump rather than the Pied Wagtail's black rump. The flanks are a cleaner white.

They can be found across the UK, leaving some of the highland and northern areas of Scotland in winter. Can be found in most habitats, even town centres.

White Wagtail (Motacilla alba alba) is usually seen at lakes or reservoirs.

All year round.

White Wagtail (Motacilla alba alba) is seen on passage migration.

This is an insectivorous bird of open country, often near habitation and water. It prefers bare areas for feeding, where it can see and pursue its prey. In urban areas it has adapted to foraging on paved areas such as car parks. It nests in crevices in stone-walls and similar natural and man-made structures.

Common and widespread in Britain

Common as a breeding bird in Leicestershire and Rutland.

White Wagtail (Motacilla alba alba) is seen on migration with typically under a dozen records a year.