Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds that includes the wagtails and pipits. The two main genera are Motacilla, containing the true wagtails, and Anthus, containing the pipits. A forest wagtail, Dendronanthus indicus, is sometimes treated as a distinct genus within the family. Members are typically slender, with long legs and a pointed bill, and many species display the distinctive tail-wagging behavior that gives them their common name. Plumage ranges from browns and grays to olive tones, often with pale underparts and a pale supercilium in several species.

Wagtails (Motacilla) are largely Old World birds, frequenting open country near water such as riversides, wetlands, and coastal areas. Pipits (Anthus) have a near-global distribution, occupying grasslands, heathlands, moorlands, and agricultural habitats across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Forest wagtails are more restricted to forested areas of parts of Asia. All members typically forage on the ground, sweeping the surface for insects and other small invertebrates, and some species supplement the diet with seeds.

Reproduction usually involves ground or low-lying nests, often placed in crevices, banks, or dense vegetation. Clutch sizes commonly range from three to six eggs, which are usually pale blue or green with dark markings. Both parents participate in incubation and feeding of the young. Conservation status varies by species, but many wattails and pipits are widespread and of least concern, though some localized populations face habitat loss and degradation.

Taxonomically, Motacillidae is treated as a distinct family within the Passeriformes, reflecting its characteristic morphology and behaviors.