Wagtails - Family Overview

Wagtails belong to the family Motacillidae, a group of slender, ground-feeding passerines that also includes pipits.

They are easily recognised by their long tails, which are frequently wagged up and down while walking or foraging. Wagtails are typically found near water, open fields, wetlands, agricultural areas, and urban open spaces.

Wagtails feed mainly on insects and other small invertebrates, often captured while walking briskly on the ground or making short flights to snatch prey. Many species show striking plumage patterns, with bold contrasts of black, white, grey, and yellow.

The family has a wide distribution across Europe, Asia, and Africa, with several species undertaking seasonal movements between breeding and non-breeding areas.

In India, wagtails are common winter visitors and passage migrants, recorded across wetlands, riverbanks, agricultural fields, and open landscapes throughout the country.

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Licensing & Prints

Photographs and videos of wagtails from India and around the world are available for licensing and prints.

Explore the Wagtails collection here:
https://shop.birdsphotos.net/wagtails