White wagtail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White wagtail |
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The white wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small, active bird known for its long tail. It constantly wags its tail up and down. These birds are very common across many parts of the world. You can often see them near water or in open areas. They are part of the wagtail family.
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White Wagtail Conservation
The white wagtail is a very common bird. It is not an endangered species. This means there are lots of them around! Scientists believe there are between 130 million and 300 million adult white wagtails. Their numbers are stable, which is great news.
Where White Wagtails Live
You can find white wagtails in many places. They live in Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. They often move to warmer places for winter. This journey is called migration. Some scientists think that climate change might be affecting their migration patterns.
Pied Wagtail: A Special Type
The pied wagtail is a special kind of white wagtail. It is a subspecies, which means it is a slightly different version. Pied wagtails are found mostly in Great Britain and Ireland.
Pied Wagtail Size and Weight
Pied wagtails are about 18 centimeters (7 inches) long. Their wings can spread between 25 and 30 centimeters (10 to 12 inches). They are quite light, weighing between 17 and 25 grams. That's about as much as a few quarters!
What White Wagtails Eat
White wagtails mostly eat insects. They are very good at catching them! They often run along the ground to find their food. They might eat flies, beetles, or other small bugs. Sometimes, they will even catch insects in the air.
White Wagtail Behavior
These birds are known for their lively movements. They walk and run quickly. Their tail-wagging is a very famous behavior. Scientists are not completely sure why they wag their tails so much. It might be to scare up insects to eat. It could also be a way to show other birds they are there.
Images for kids
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An adult white wagtail with a young one in Kazakhstan.
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A M. a. dukhunensis subspecies.
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Worldwide distribution of the white wagtail. Yellow is summer, green is year-round, and blue is winter.
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A beautiful painting of a white wagtail by John Gould.
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White wagtail eggs from a collection in Germany.
See also
In Spanish: Lavandera blanca para niños
