About the Mekong Wagtail
The Mekong wagtail is a species of bird in the family Motacillidae. It was first described in 2001 and named in honour of the late Cambodian ornithologist Sam Veasna. It is a black and white bird, similar in appearance to the African pied wagtail, although their ranges do not overlap. Its facial features and distinctive voice distinguish it from other black and white wagtails in southeastern Asia.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Mekong wagtail most closely resembles African pied wagtail M. aguimp, although two species ranges are far apart. It differs from M. agiump in several minor respects, particularly wing pattern, and its vocalisations are very distinctive. It is a very distinctive species and is the only black-and-white wagtail in South-East Asia which exhibits the plumage character combination of black forehead, lores and ear coverts, obvious white supercilia, with white a throat and neck patch.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in February · a winter visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Madagascar WagtailMotacilla flaviventrisThe Madagascar wagtail is a large, elegant and slender wagtail which has grey upperparts, a white breast and a yellow belly.
Mountain WagtailMotacilla claraA slender, long tailed wagtail with light bluish grey upperparts and white underparts with a narrow black breast band.
Japanese WagtailMotacilla grandisThe Japanese wagtail is about 20 cm long.
Learn the Mekong Wagtail for real
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