2013 Bonanza Bird #18: White Wagtail

We're 18 days into July, which means that today we are revealing the 18th bird in our 2013 Birdorable Bonanza! Today we introduce our latest new species, the White Wagtail.

Birdorable White Wagtail

White Wagtails are found across much of Europe and Asia. There are at least nine subspecies of White Wagtail -- some taxonomies recognize up to eleven. This large variety means that you can find White Wagtails sporting many different plumage variants.

White Wagtail - Motacilla alba
White Wagtail by Lars Falkdalen Lindahl (CC BY 2.0)

These subspecies also go by many different regional common names. If you're talking about a Pied Wagtail, Moroccan Wagtail, a Masked Wagtail, Amur Wagtail, or Black-backed Wagtail, you're talking about the same species.

white wagtail

Tomorrow we'll add a bird in a family known for amazing plumage and even more amazing courtship dances.

bonanza-2013-preview-19

Comments

Jays and Kestrels on October 24, 2013 at 9:16 PM wrote:
wow that is pretty!
Louise Warner on February 23, 2017 at 4:23 PM wrote:
king bird of paradise?
Spurwing Plover on May 22, 2022 at 5:31 PM wrote:
Willey Wagtail a Australian Songbird
Andrew on February 2, 2026 at 8:11 PM wrote:
Nope is King bird-of-Paradise

Leave a comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published
You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

Extreme Sexual Dimorphism in Eclectus Parrots

At first glance you may think that there are two different species of parrot in the above picture, but these are actually two Eclectus Parrots, with a male on the left and female on the right. The...

Kingfisher Frequently Asked Questions

This week, we’re celebrating the world’s kingfishers! There are about 90 species of kingfisher in the world. These darling birds are often colorful, and they can be found all around the world. Join us as we highlight kingfishers...

Meet the Birdorable King Eider: The Majestic Sea Duck of the North

Today the second of our three “kings” joins Birdorable in the lead-up to Christmas. The King Eider is a large species of sea duck found in both the Old and New World. King Eiders are hardy ducks, spending almost all of their time...

The Unique World of the Desert Endemic Iranian Ground Jay

Today we add a desert endemic to Birdorable: it's the Iranian Ground-Jay! The Iranian Ground-Jay, also known as the Persian Ground Jay or Pleske's Ground-Jay, is a fascinating and elusive bird native to the arid deserts and semi-arid steppes of Iran. This endemic species is part of the...