>> GENERAL >>>>>
– sparrow-sized passerine, with long tail
– diurnal migrant (rarely nocturnal as well)
– usually migrates singly or in small, loose flocks
>> VISUAL ID >>>>>
White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba, 1CY
BIF2747, 22/09/2012, Odenwald, Germany, Martin Grimm
White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba
BIF2746, 19/09/2018, Helgoland, Germany, Roland Neumann
White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba, 1CY
BIF0361, 08/10/2013, Wermsdorf, Germany, Mathias Putze
White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba, AD F
BIF0358, 05/09/2013, Delitzsch, Germany, Mathias Putze
White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba
BIF2046, 28/12/2017, Neuruppin, Germany, Roland Neumann
>> ACOUSTIC ID >>>>>
– flight call is a medium sharp overslur, about 0,2 sec long, often uttered in couplets or triplets
– flight calls are medium variable/plastic in individuals, between individuals and taxa
– audible differences are very likely for this reason
– differences between taxa can be found in the alarm calls
– to clarify the taxonomic status based on sound, further research is necessary
ssp. alba
White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba, 1CY, calls in flight
BIF2176, 03/08/2008, Geiseltalsee, Germany, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba, 1CY, calls in flight
BIF2177, 09/07/2016, Schadebacher Teiche, Germany, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba, during migration
BIF0449, 30/08/2013, Seelhausener See, Germany, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba, 4, during migration
BIF0450, 30/08/2013, Seelhausener See, Germany, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba, AD, calls in flight
Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa t. tridactyla, breeding colony
BIF2178, 21/06/2015, Hornbjarg, Iceland, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba, during migration
BIF2179, 30/08/2013, Seelhausener See, Germany, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba, during migration
Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus c. collybita, social call
BIF2180, 06/10/2017, Flachwasserzone Mannhausen, Germany, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba, flock, during migration
BIF2181, 03/10/2017, Flachwasserzone Mannhausen, Germany, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba, calls in flight
BIF2962, 22/07/2018, Karrendorfer Wiesen, Germany, Patrick Franke
ssp. yarelli
White Wagtail Motacilla alba yarelli, 1CY, calls in flight
Common Black-headed Gull Croicocephalus ridibundus, call
BIF2189, 30/06/2017, Titchwell, United Kingdom, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla alba yarelli, AD M, calls in flight
BIF2190, 09/05/2015, Mounthooley, United Kingdom, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla alba yarelli, flock, calls in flight
Common Black-headed Gull Croicocephalus ridibundus, colony
Eurasian Skylark Alauda a. arvensis, flock, calls in flight
BIF2191, 30/06/2017, Titchwell, United Kingdom, Patrick Franke
ssp. baicalensis
White Wagtail Motacilla alba baicalensis, calls in flight
BIF2082, 25/05/2013, Telmen Nuur, Mongolia, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla alba baicalensis, calls in flight
BIF2083, 25/05/2013, Telmen Nuur, Mongolia, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla alba baicalensis, calls in flight
BIF2084, 26/05/2013, Telmen Nuur, Mongolia, Patrick Franke
ssp. personata
White Wagtail Motacilla alba personata, calls in flight
BIF2085, 05/04/2011, Lake Kyzyltan, Kazakhstan, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla alba personata, calls in flight
BIF2086, 05/04/2011, Lake Kyzyltan, Kazakhstan, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla alba personata, calls in flight
BIF2087, 12/04/2011, Komsomolskoe, Kazakhstan, Patrick Franke
White Wagtail Motacilla alba personata, calls in flight
BIF2088, 26/05/2011, Rybachje, Kazakhstan, Patrick Franke
>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>
Western Yellow Wagtail (v)
Eastern Yellow Wagtail (v)
Citrine Wagtail
Grey Wagtail (v) (a)
#songbird #passerine
#ornithology #birdmigration #birdID #birdguide #birding #birdwatching #birdsound #westernpalearctic #europe #vismig #flightcalls #middleeast #northernafrica #workinprogress
Reference:
Robb, M, van den Berg, A B & The Sound Approach, Flight call identification of White, Pied and Moroccan Wagtail, in Dutch Birding 32, Santpoort-Zuid
Adriaens P., Bosman D. & J. Elst, White Wagtail and Pied Wagtail: a new look, in Dutch Birding 32, Santpoort-Zuid