African Pied Wagtail

Overview

The African pied wagtail, or African wagtail, is a species of bird in the family Motacillidae classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is a striking black and white species found across sub-Saharan Africa.

Identification

• Plumage: Striking black upperparts contrasting with white underparts, featuring a white supercilium and a white patch in the folded wing.
• Size: Approximately 20 cm long.
• Age Variation: Juvenile birds appear greyer, while those of the nominate subspecies exhibit grey flanks.

Habitat

This species inhabits subtropical or tropical lowland grassland, rivers, and freshwater marshes, often in seasonally wet or flooded areas. It is commensal with humans in towns and villages across its range from the Eastern Cape in South Africa north to southern Egypt, and from Guinea to western Eritrea and Somalia.

Diet

The African pied wagtail is mainly insectivorous but also feeds on other invertebrates, grass seeds, tadpoles, small fish, and scraps of human food.

Did you know?

The scientific specific name aguimp is derived from a native term meaning 'shore runner', noted for being pronounced with a click of the tongue between syllables.