Species Guide: Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)
Family: Motacillidae
The Western Yellow Wagtail is a small passerine bird in the family Motacillidae, known for its bright coloring and constant tail movement. It is widely distributed across much of temperate Europe and Asia in the breeding season and migrates to Africa or southern Asia during the non-breeding months. This species is slender, agile, and often associated with open grasslands and damp habitats.
Appearance
Male
Adult males in breeding plumage typically have vibrant yellow underparts and faces, with olive-green upperparts. The exact head colouring can vary among subspecies, with some showing blue-grey or greenish heads and distinctive facial markings. These variations are most pronounced across regional groups.
Female
Females resemble males in general shape and pattern, but are noticeably duller in colour. Their yellow is paler and mixed with more olive or brown tones on the upper-parts, making them less conspicuous in the field.
Juvenile
Juvenile yellow wagtails show even more subdued colouring than females. Their plumage tends toward dull olive-brown with buff tones, and the yellow on their underparts is less intense. They may also show buffy marks on the cheek region.
Diet
Yellow wagtails are primarily insectivorous. They forage on the ground and in low vegetation, capturing small insects such as flies, beetles, and other invertebrates, often chasing them in quick runs across damp grassland. They sometimes follow livestock, feeding on insects disturbed by the movement of large animals. Occasionally, they will consume seeds, but animal prey forms the bulk of their diet.
Habitat
This species prefers open habitats such as wet meadows, damp grasslands, marshes, pastures, and agricultural fields. Areas near water or seasonal pools are frequently used during the breeding season. In winter or during migration, they may be found in open fields and rice paddies. Their choice of grassland with abundant insect prey is key to their distribution during both breeding and passage periods.
Summer
Resident
Passage
Winter
Behavior
Movement and Foraging
Yellow wagtails are active and agile, with a distinctive habit of wagging their long tails while walking or running along the ground. They forage by chasing insect prey in short bursts, often in open terrain and near grazing animals. During migration, they can form small flocks, sometimes mixed with other wagtail species.
Vocalisations
Their calls are typically high-pitched and sharp, often described as a “jeet” or buzzy sound.
Western Yellow Wagtail Call:
Songs may include a series of twittering notes delivered during perched singing or flight displays. Vocalisations vary somewhat among subspecies but serve in communication during breeding and territorial defence.
Western Yellow Wagtail Song:
Life Cycle
Yellow wagtails are migratory. They arrive in breeding areas in spring, build cup-shaped nests on the ground concealed in dense grass, and lay clutches typically of 4 to 6 eggs. Incubation is conducted mainly by the female and lasts about two weeks. Both parents feed their chicks until they fledge, usually after another two weeks. Some pairs may raise more than one brood in a season. After breeding, adults and juveniles migrate to wintering grounds in Africa or southern Asia.
Biometrics
| Length | 15-17 cm |
| Wing Span | 23-27 cm |
| Body Weight | 15-25 grams |
| Longevity | 2-3 Years |
Natural Predators
Predators of yellow wagtails include raptors such as falcons and hawks that take adults or fledglings in flight, and ground predators such as foxes, snakes, and larger birds that may prey on eggs or chicks in nests. Being ground-nesting birds makes eggs and nestlings particularly vulnerable to a range of terrestrial predators. Although specific predator studies are limited, small passerines generally face pressure from a suite of opportunistic species in their environments.
Relationship to Humans
Yellow wagtails have drawn the interest of naturalists and rural communities for centuries. Their presence in agricultural fields, especially near grazing livestock, has made them familiar to farmers and birdwatchers alike. In some cultures, small birds like wagtails are represented in folklore as symbols of agility and cheer due to their bright appearance and energetic movements. Historic artistic traditions in parts of Eurasia reference small yellow birds in tales highlighting field life and seasonal change. Additionally, an ancient Egyptian text mentions yellow wagtails in symbolic contexts, linking them with aspects of creation and regeneration in mythic imagery.
Conservation Status
Globally, the western yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava) is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, reflecting its broad range and large overall population. However, there are significant regional declines, particularly in parts of Western Europe, largely associated with habitat loss and agricultural intensification. In the United Kingdom, the species is on the Red List of birds of conservation concern due to substantial decreases in numbers and range contraction since the 1970s. This decline is linked to changes in farming practices and the reduction of suitable grassland habitat. Conservation efforts focus on protecting wet grassland and sustainable farming practices that support insect prey and nesting areas.
U.K.
Conservation Status
Global
Conservation Status
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References
- Lovette, I. et al. (2016) The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, handbook of bird biology. Third edition. Chichester: Wiley. [Accessed 30/01/2026]
CITATIONS
- By IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, species assessors and the authors of the spatial data., CC BY-SA 3.0 [Accessed 30/01/2026] ↩︎
