White wagtail

Latin Motacilla alba (L.)
Estonian Linavästrik

Also known as: wag-tail –

Status in Estonia

Breeding, migratory and rare wintering bird.

Description

The white wagtail is a thin and lithe bird with a long, narrow black and white tail. It is entirely black, white and grey, with a dark breast in all plumages. The side of the juvenile bird is dark.

Size

Body length 16.5–19 cm, wingspan 25–30 cm, body mass 18–23 g.

Similar species

Western yellow wagtail.

Distribution

As a common species over Eurasia, three races, 11 subspecies and numerous intermediate variants have been identified. The subspecies Motacilla alba alba, which breeds here, is found throughout Europe, from Southeast Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands to the Eastern Urals as well as Turkey and places to the east of Turkey. Wintering areas include South, West and East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania), the Arabian Peninsula and Southwest Asia. It is a very common breeding bird in Estonia.

Population

Estonia has 150,000–200,000 breeding pairs.

Occurrence in Estonia

It usually arrives in early April or late March. The autumn migration begins in August and continues until October, with the last birds spotted around the beginning of December. Occasionally, individual birds may also spend the winter in Estonia.

Diet

While running on the ground, it looks for invertebrates among the stems of herbaceous plants, such as spiders, insects (most commonly beetles and their larvae) and seeds.

Habitat

It inhabits all terrain types except dense forests. It breeds on the sea coastline and on small islands as well as on the banks of rivers, lakes, and bogs, but the majority of habitats are linked to human settlements.

Nesting

It starts to build the nest in early May. It looks for a suitable semi-open hole or other shelter, either on the ground or up to few metres above ground and builds a bowl-like structure. At the beginning of May, 4–6 eggs are laid and incubated for about 13 days. In most cases, there is another clutch in the same year. The chicks are in the nest for around two weeks and their parents feed them over 300 times every day. Chicks learn to fly around the end of May or early June.

Conservation status and protection

Not under protection.

Distribution and population in Lääne County

The white wagtail is a widespread breeding bird in Lääne County as well as a common migrant. As an adaptable species, it may be found practically anywhere in Matsalu and other parts of Lääne County. However, it is most common in villages, where the structures provide plenty of nesting opportunities. Feeding birds are frequently spotted in beach meadows or along the coast.