Western yellow wagtail

Latin Motacilla flava (L.)
Estonian Hänilane

Also known as: wagtail

Status in Estonia

Breeding and migratory bird.

Description

The Western yellow wagtail has a somewhat shorter tail than the white wagtail and a significantly shorter than the grey wagtail. The male bird has a bright yellow underside, whereas the female bird is slightly duller, particularly around the breast. In autumn, juveniles have a pale underside, a creamy white belly with a faint yellow tinge. The legs are black, the wings are brownish grey; however, there is a faint pale yellow or off-white streak.

Size

Body length 15–16 cm, wingspan 23–27 cm, body mass 15–23 g.

Similar species

Citrine wagtail, grey wagtail.

Distribution

The distribution ranges across Eurasia’s tundra, woodland, steppe and desert zones as well as North Africa and Western Alaska and includes both lowlands and mountains. Up to 17 subspecies can be identified throughout the area. The Western yellow wagtail is a migratory bird, also a sedentary bird in the southern part of its distribution range. Africa, South and Southeast Asia are the most common wintering locations. It is a very common breeding bird in Estonia. The blue-headed wagtail subspecies breeds mostly in Estonia, although the dark-headed wagtail has been nesting here on a regular basis, albeit in small numbers, for decades. The subspecies that breed in Estonia winter primarily in Central and Southern Africa.

Population

Estonia has 3000–5000 breeding pairs.

Occurrence in Estonia

It arrives between mid-April and early May. The males arrive a few weeks before the females. It departs in late September/early October.

Diet

Its diet consists of a diverse group of slow-moving invertebrates, particularly flies, small spiders and beetles.

Habitat

Its habitats include wet meadows, pastures, river beds and, less frequently, fens and raised bogs.

 Nesting

It nests in tall grass or on a tussock under thick grass cover. It chooses a little hollow in the ground and constructs a nest out of dry straw, meadow plant roots and various types of leaves. The female lays 4–6 eggs in mid-May and incubates them for 13 days. At the same time, the male bird thoroughly patrols the territory to keep the nest safe from potential threats. The chicks stay in the nest for 12–13 days. Both parents feed them as best they can. After leaving the nest, the juveniles don’t know how to fly; they learn that in mid-June.

Conservation status and protection

The Western yellow wagtail belongs to the protected species of category III. The biggest threat is a decrease in animal husbandry and overgrowth of meadows and pastures, which destroys adequate habitats for the species. Overgrowth alters the water regime and reduces the species’ food sources (particularly flies).

Distribution and population in Lääne County

The Western yellow wagtail is a breeding bird that may be found on Lääne County’s beaches and flood-meadows as well as on sea islands with reeds. It is also a common migratory bird along the coast. Western yellow wagtails can be spotted in Matsalu on the Penijõe hiking trail, at the Keemu and Haeska birdwatching towers, and around Cape Puise. Western yellow wagtails are also common along the shore of the Noarootsi Peninsula.
Migrating Western yellow wagtails can be found in huge numbers on Cape Puise and Cape Põõsaspea.