White Wagtail

Motacilla alba · Species of bird
Order
Passeriformes
Codes
whiwag, WHWA, PWWA

About the White Wagtail

The white wagtail is a small passerine bird in the family Motacillidae, which also includes pipits and longclaws. The species breeds in the Palearctic zone in most of Europe and Asia and parts of North Africa; it also has a toehold in western Alaska as a scarce breeder. It is resident in the mildest parts of its range, but otherwise migrates to Africa. In total, there are between 9 and 11 subspecies of M. alba; in Ireland and Great Britain, the black-backed subspecies known as the pied wagtail predominates.

Source: Wikipedia

Taxonomy & Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyWagtails and Pipits (Motacillidae)
SpeciesMotacilla alba
Species Codeswhiwag, WHWA, PWWA

Frequently Asked Questions

What family does the White Wagtail belong to?

The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) belongs to the Wagtails and Pipits family (Motacillidae), in the order Passeriformes.

How can I identify the White Wagtail?

The white wagtail is a small passerine bird in the family Motacillidae, which also includes pipits and longclaws. The species breeds in the Palearctic zone in most of Europe and Asia and parts of North Africa; it also has a toehold in western Alaska as a scarce breeder. It is resident in the mildest...

Where can I report a White Wagtail sighting?

You can log sightings of White Wagtail on eBird (ebird.org) using species code whiwag, or on iNaturalist.