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White Wagtail

(Motacilla alba)
Size: 18-20 cm

Sightings

A White Wagtail was spotted by us on the campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, in the timeframe November 2009 to March 2010.

Photos

Frontal view of a male White Wagtail

Lateral view of a male White Wagtail strutting in the typical wagtail fashion

The same bird as above, now looking upward, thereby making its "bib" more clearly visible

Frontal view of a female White Wagtail

The same bird as above, after a good shaking

Lateral view of a female White Wagtail

Gotcha!

Female White Wagtail on its little pedestal...

... and here seen looking over its shoulder

This female bird is taking a bath

Near-frontal view of an immature male White Wagtail

The same bird as shown above, now seen more sideways

The same bird as shown above, now seen laterally

Here a view of its back and the characteristic strut

Different posture...

Habits

We have observed a female White Wagtail that was very territorial. Both other White Wagtails and Grey Wagtails were vigorously chased away.

Food

Like all other wagtails known to us, White Wagtails are insect hunters. They take their prey from the ground or the surface of fresh water.

These pages are largely based on our own observations. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.