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

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