Yellow Wagtail

(Motacilla flava)

Alert Status: Red - 72% decline

 

Identifying Features: The yellow wagtail is a small, graceful, yellow and green bird, with a medium-length tail and slender black legs. It spends much time walking or running on the ground. As its name implies, it wags its tail from time to time.
Average Length: 15-16 cm
Average Lifespan: 3 years
Average Wingspan: 23-27 cm

 

Beak type: Insects

 

Feeding: 
Natural: Flies and other small insects
 
Nesting: The female builds the nest, which is either on the ground in a hollow or in thick grass. The nest is cup-shaped and made from grass, plant stems and roots, with a lining of hair or fur.

 

Where to see: You find yellow wagtails in suitable habitat in central and eastern England, eastern Wales and southern Scotland. A good place to look is lowland grassland where cattle are being grazed.