motacilla

Motacilla is a genus of small passerine birds in the family Motacillidae, commonly known as wagtails. They are slender, ground‑foraging insectivores with long tails, and they typically display contrasting plumage patterns of black, gray, white, and yellow depending on the species. Wagtails have a wide distribution across Europe, Asia, and Africa and many species undertake seasonal migrations between temperate breeding areas and milder wintering grounds.

The genus includes several well-known species, such as the white wagtail (Motacilla alba), the grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea), the yellow wagtails (Motacilla flava complex), and the citrine wagtail (Motacilla citreola). The African pied wagtail (Motacilla aguimp) is another representative of the group. Taxonomic arrangements have varied over time; some authorities have split off related forms or placed certain species in other genera, and the forest wagtail has been placed in the separate genus Dendronanthus by some classifications.

Description and behavior: Wagtails are small, agile birds with long tails they commonly wag or bob while foraging. They prefer open habitats such as fields, meadows, riverbanks, and shorelines, where they hunt insects on the ground or in low vegetation. They are generally conspicuous and vocal, often seen in small groups outside the breeding season and in mixed flocks during migration.

Breeding and ecology: Nests are cup-shaped and built from grasses and other plant materials, typically placed in cavities, on banks, ledges, or dense vegetation. Clutch size usually ranges from three to six eggs, with both parents involved in incubation and feeding of the young. Most Motacilla species are migratory, connecting breeding grounds in temperate zones with wintering areas in subtropical regions. Conservation status varies among species, but habitat loss and wetland degradation can threaten local populations.