Help in Confirmation

[big bill]

Hello need help folks in confirmation my instinct says Pied Wagtail but keep wondering if its a White Wagtail so need your help taking today around the river


Thanks guys all help greatfully received

[Adam Cheeseman]

I must admit this looks like a White Wagtail from the picture. What colour was its back - black or grey? Where and when did you see it?

Cheers,

Adam

[aeshna5]

I'm inclined to believe it's a female Pied Wagtail from the colour of the back with blotchiness in top photo + not too extensive grey on flanks.

[big bill]

Hello folks heres an image of the back

if it helps ,taken this morning on the River Nairn about 1045am

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I'm inclined to believe it's a female Pied Wagtail from the colour of the back with blotchiness in top photo + not too extensive grey on flanks.

I agree, for the very same reasons. White wags, have a lovely, uniformly pale grey back. Once you see a few, they are quite distinctive.

Regards, Chris

[Ferret]

looks like a female Pied to me

[big bill]

Thanks Folks will go with Female Pied its just that the back looked a palish grey and the two look so alike thanks again

[dragonfly]

hya wagtail intersting bird to bob up and down

[Adam Cheeseman]

Yup, female Pied Wagtail.

Cheers,

Adam

[Hobjob]

Don't forget that Pied Wagail and White Wagtail are subspecies of the same species

The resident British subspecies is the "Pied" Motacilla alba yarrellii

The continental "White" is the nominate race Motacilla alba alba

So they have to be very similar or else they would have been split
into two different species - and with DNA work people are busy
splitting everything they can

(and if you are a ticker, that means it is only one tick )