Grey Wagtail

(Motacilla cinerea)

Alert Status: Red - 45% decline
 

Identifying Features: The grey wagtail is more colourful than its name suggests with slate grey upper parts and distinctive lemon yellow under-tail. Its tail is noticeably longer than those of pied and yellow wagtails.
Average Length: 18-20 cm
Average Lifespan: 3 years
Average Wingspan: 25-27 cm
 

Beak type: Insects
 

Feeding:
Natural: Small insects, mainly flies, they will also take water snails and tadpoles from shallow water.
How to feed: Due to their specific diet they are unlikely to take feed from any traditional feeders in a garden.
   
Nesting: Grey Wagtails usually nest near shallow, fast-flowing streams, waterfalls, mill-races, lakes, canals, etc. They build their nest in hollows or crevices out of twigs, grass, and moss. 
 

Where to see: Grey wagtails are found over most of the UK, with the exception of the Northern and western isles of Scotland. Their greatest densities are in the hills of England, Scotland and Wales. In winter they can be seen around farmyards and lowland streams, even in city centres.