White-browed Wagtail
Motacilla maderaspatensis
The White-browed Wagtail (Motacilla maderaspatensis) is a common wagtails and pipit found in 6 countries, weighing about 31 g. The white-browed wagtail or large pied wagtail is a medium-sized bird and is the largest member of the wagtail family.
About the White-browed Wagtail
The white-browed wagtail or large pied wagtail is a medium-sized bird and is the largest member of the wagtail family. They are conspicuously patterned with black above and white below, a prominent white brow, shoulder stripe and outer tail feathers. White-browed wagtails are native to the Indian subcontinent, common near small water bodies and have adapted to urban environments where they often nest on roof tops. The specific name is derived from the Indian city of Madras.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The white-browed wagtail is the largest species of wagtail at 21 cm (8.3 in) length. It is a slender bird, with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus. It has black upperparts, head and breast, with a white supercilium and large white wingbar. Unlike white wagtails it never has white on the forehead. The rest of the underparts are white. The female has the black less intense than in the male. Juveniles are like the females brown-grey where the adult is black.
Where it lives
When to see it
The White-browed Wagtail can be seen all year round, with peak activity in February. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-browed Wagtail?
- The white-browed wagtail is the largest species of wagtail at 21 cm (8.3 in) length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-browed Wagtail?
- The White-browed Wagtail is a small sized bird weighing about 31 g.
- Where can you see a White-browed Wagtail?
- The White-browed Wagtail occurs in 6 countries, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Bhutan.
- What birds look similar to a White-browed Wagtail?
- The White-browed Wagtail is most easily confused with the Eastern Yellow Wagtail, the African Pied Wagtail and the Citrine Wagtail.
- Is the White-browed Wagtail endangered?
- The White-browed Wagtail is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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