Pied Wagtail

Name: Pied Wagtail

Scientific name: Motacilla alba

Category: Birds

Nature Stars: 30

What are nature stars?

About: A common and familiar bird, often seen in towns and cities, walking about on the floor whilst wagging its long tail up and down. Mainly black, with a white face, white belly and white bars on the wings. Pied Wagtails are about 19cm long. They eat small i

How to identify: The other two breeding species of wagtail both have yellow underparts. The White Wagtail, a rare visitor in spring, looks very similar but has a pale grey back, not black.

Where: Widespread

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 50
• Agility: 60
• Rarity: 30
• Cute factor: 70
• Traveller: 50

Fantastic fact: In the winter, Pied Wagtails gather together in large numbers to roost, often choosing trees and bushes in city centres.

Photograph credit: Ómar Runólfsson