Mountain Wagtail

Overview

The mountain wagtail, also known as the long-tailed wagtail or grey-backed wagtail, is a species of wagtail in the family Motacillidae native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Slender, long-tailed bird with light bluish grey upperparts and white underparts featuring a narrow black breast band.
• Black wings marked with white feather edges and two white wing covert bars; the outer tail is white while the tail centre is black.
• Blackish face interrupted by a white supercilium and eyelid, with juveniles appearing browner than adults.

Habitat

This species occupies the Afromontane region, ranging from Guinea to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. It prefers small rivers and streams in hill country, particularly areas with waterfalls, flat rocks in shallow water, and slopes covered in forest, woodland, or dense scrub. It may also be found along forest paths, tracks, roads, and occasionally in gardens.

Diet

The mountain wagtail is mainly insectivorous, catching flies and other prey while foraging along watercourses on rocks, in sand, and in shallow water. Its diet includes caddis flies, mayflies, dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies, moths, beetles, grubs, slugs, and tadpoles.

Did you know?

Nests are often constructed with a foundation that is moistened by water and then allowed to set and dry. Parents alternate incubation in precise shifts of 15–60 minutes, and nestlings are brooded constantly for the first 3–4 days before this care becomes less frequent.