Species Profile
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flava
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Western Yellow Wagtail
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Appearance
The Yellow Wagtail is a slender, long-tailed bird with a distinctive yellow underside. Males in breeding plumage have a bright yellow face and underparts, olive-green upperparts, and a dark head that varies in colour depending on the subspecies.
Females and non-breeding males are duller, with olive-brown upperparts and pale yellow underparts. Juveniles are even more subdued, with buff-tinged plumage and dark spots on the breast.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Yellow
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Female Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Male Markings
Yellow underparts, olive-greenish upperparts
Tail: Long and constantly wagging
Female Markings
Duller plumage with less yellow than males
Tail: Long and constantly wagging
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Yellow Wagtails inhabit open areas near water, including wet meadows, marshes, and agricultural fields. They breed across Europe and Asia, from Iceland to Siberia.
During winter, they migrate to Africa, southern Asia, and parts of Australia. In the UK, they are summer visitors, arriving in April and departing by October, with some passage migrants seen in coastal areas.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Cambridgeshire
Rutland
Bedfordshire
Cheshire
Dorset
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Gloucestershire
Hampshire
Hertfordshire
Kent
Merseyside
Lincolnshire
London
Manchester
Northumberland
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
North Yorkshire
Oxfordshire
South Yorkshire
Suffolk
Shropshire
Somerset
Staffordshire
Stockton-on-Tees
Warwickshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
Diet
Yellow Wagtails primarily feed on small insects and invertebrates. They forage on the ground, often following grazing animals to catch disturbed insects. Their diet includes flies, beetles, moths, and small aquatic invertebrates found in their wetland habitats.
Behaviour
Yellow Wagtails are known for their constant tail-wagging behaviour, which gives them their name. They are often seen running quickly across open ground, chasing insects.
These birds are gregarious, forming large flocks during migration and in winter roosts.
Calls & Sounds
The Yellow Wagtail's call is a sharp, high-pitched 'tslee-tslee' or 'tswee-tswee', often given in flight.
Their song, typically delivered from a perch or during display flights, is a series of twittering notes and trills, sometimes described as 'tsirrup-tsirrup-tsirrup'.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from late April to August. Males perform aerial displays to attract females, singing while flying in circles.
Nests are built on the ground, often concealed in dense vegetation. They are cup-shaped structures made of grass, leaves, and moss, lined with finer materials. Females typically lay 4-6 eggs, which are pale grey or cream with dark speckles.
Incubation lasts about 11-13 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 10-14 days but remain dependent on adults for another two weeks.
Conservation
While listed as Least Concern globally, Yellow Wagtail populations are declining in parts of Europe due to habitat loss and agricultural intensification.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving wetlands and promoting wildlife-friendly farming practices.
Population
Estimated: 64,000,000 - 107,000,000 mature individuals[3]
Trend: Decreasing[2]
Overall population decreasing due to habitat loss
Elevation
Sea level to 4,500 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- Approximately 2cm x 1.5cm
- Predators:
- Main predators include birds of prey such as Sparrowhawks and Merlins, as well as ground predators like foxes and domestic cats.
- Alarm calls:
- Sharp, short chirps signaling distress or alert
- Breeding age:
- 1
- Maturity age:
- 1
- Feeding times:
- Throughout the day, peaking at dawn and dusk
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss due to agricultural intensification
- Parental care:
- Both parents incubate eggs and feed chicks
- Primary calls:
- Distinctive 'tsweep' or 'tsli' call
- Social habits:
- Mostly solitary, but forms pairs during breeding season
- Egg appearance:
- Pale grey or buff sometimes with dark spots
- Feeding habits:
- Catches prey on the ground, often following livestock to catch disturbed insects
- Breeding season:
- Late spring to early summer
- Diet variations:
- Varies with location, season, and prey availability
- Fledging period:
- Approximately 2 weeks
- Average lifespan:
- 4
- Call description:
- Series of high-pitched notes, often repeated in flight
- Daily activities:
- Active during the day, foraging for food in the morning and evening
- Nesting location:
- On the ground, often in grassy or cultivated fields
- Number of broods:
- One or two
- Incubation period:
- Around 13 days
- Nest construction:
- Small cup of grass and plant material, lined with hair and feathers
- Migration patterns:
- Undertakes annual long-distance migration between breeding and wintering grounds
- Migratory patterns:
- Long-distance migrant, travels from breeding sites in Europe to wintering grounds in Africa
- Age related changes:
- Changes in plumage brightness with age
- Prey capture method:
- Ground foraging and aerial catching
- Conservation efforts:
- Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
- Territorial behavior:
- Defends nesting territories, especially during mating season
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, often returning to same breeding site each year
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- 4-6 eggs
- Interaction with other species:
- Occasionally interacts with other bird species, particularly in feeding areas
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them in open, damp habitats like meadows and marshes
- Listen for their distinctive 'tslee-tslee' call in flight
- Observe their characteristic tail-wagging behaviour
- In the UK, watch for them in coastal areas during spring and autumn migrations
Did You Know?
- Yellow Wagtails can walk underwater to catch aquatic insects.
- There are at least 13 recognised subspecies, each with distinct head colouration in males.
- They often roost communally in reedbeds, sometimes with other wagtail species.
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