Which wagtail, please

[colincurry]

Following on from my peregrine/kestrel/confusion, I offer this for ID in the confident expectation that it is a wagtail.

This does look very white. My German book would have this as a white wagtail - that is of course a continental bird. I believe that we do have white wagtails as regular Spring passage migrants (according to another of my books).

In yet another of my books, it does look like a female pied wagtail.

We shall see.



Thanks

Colin

[Tormentil]

I'd go with 'Pied'.

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Tormentil

I'd go with 'Pied'.

So would I.

Regards, Chris

[James M]

So what are the differences to look out for on a white wagtail?

[Tobermorey]

James, generally on a White Wagtail there is a marked difference in colour between the mantle and nape (the head is much darker than the back, with a sharp border). There is a lot of variation in wagtail plumage and it is not always possible to assign race.

[Stinkhorn]

pied

[PeterD]

Definately Pied. Nice shot with good plumage detail. Quite difficult with this type of bird.

Peter

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by Tobermorey

James, generally on a White Wagtail there is a marked difference in colour between the mantle and nape (the head is much darker than the back, with a sharp border).

This is only true of Male 'White' Wagtail (Motacilla alba) and only in the summer! In winter the male has a diffuse border between nape/mantle and looks more like female alba and a female yarelli!. In summer, female alba has little black on head with diffuse border into grey nape and more easily confused with female 'Pied' Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarelli).

Male yarelli's are pretty much distinctive all year round with black head and very dark/almost black mantles. (throat becomes white in winter as with alba). However, separating female albas from female yarellis is a little more difficult. Best indicators are:

1. Lighter grey mantle on alba - female yarellis generally show some darker spotting on mantle but beware of effect of light conditions and variation.

2. More grey on flanks in yarellis - female abla show very pale or no grey whereas, female yarellis show light to medium grey flank patch. Same differences applies to respective males with both generally showing darker flank patches than their female counterparts but with male yarelli showing much darker flanks than male alba.

3. Both the above criteria are variable and there can be overlap, especially during certain times of the year. However, both male and female albas show a clean light grey rump with no distinction between mantle colouring, which is never shown on either male or female yarelli.


and that's just the adults - as for juveniles/immatures, probably best not to go there!

OOPS another outrageously long post - I do apologise

[James M]

Thanks Tobermorey and Picidae

[Picidae]

Incidently Colin, from what can be seen, this is a 2cy bird. Note the very brown (worn) primaries and the contrast between the extensive white on the inner coverts (the large amount of white feathering you see on the upper wing) which are the fresh 2cy growth and the brown (worn) outer coverts (the same feather band but the ones closest to the breast, if that makes sense!) which are the retained juvenile feathers.

Sexing 2cy pied wagtails in the Spring is difficult if not virtually impossible. It could even be a male given the extensive white on the forehead and apparently blackish overall appearance of crown and mantle with no apparent contrast.