About the Citrine Wagtail
The citrine wagtail is a small songbird in the family Motacillidae.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
It is a slender, 15.5–17 cm long bird, with the long, constantly wagging tail characteristic of the genus Motacilla. The adult male in breeding plumage is basically grey or black above, with white on the remiges, and bright yellow below and on the entire head except for the black nape. In winter plumage, its yellow underparts may be diluted by white, and the head is brownish with a yellowish supercilium. Females look generally like washed-out versions of males in winter plumage.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Citrine Wagtail sounds like
Where the Citrine Wagtail lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in France, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Netherlands, Morocco, United States.
When to see the Citrine Wagtail
Peak activity in January · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
African Pied WagtailMotacilla aguimpA striking black and white wagtail with black upperparts contrasting with white underparts, it has a white supercilium and a white patch in the folded wing.
Eastern Yellow WagtailMotacilla tschutschensisIt is a slender 15–16 cm long bird, with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus.
Japanese WagtailMotacilla grandisThe Japanese wagtail is about 20 cm long.
Side by side: Citrine Wagtail vs White-browed Wagtail · Citrine Wagtail vs Eastern Yellow Wagtail · African Pied Wagtail vs Citrine Wagtail
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