- Pictures of All Birds
- Find Bird by Common Name
- Find Bird by Scientific Name
- Find Bird by Armenian Name
- Orders of Birds
- Distribution Maps
- Location of Armenia
- Species of Special Concern
Purchase the Field Guide
© Copyright Birds
of Armenia Project
White Wagtail
Motacilla alba
(M. a. alba M. a. dukhunensis)
| Armenian Name: | Սպիտակ խաղտտնիկ |
|---|
See Plate 40 for White Wagtail and other similar species
| Resident Status: | Year-round resident |
|---|---|
| Abundance: | Common |
| Length: | 18 cm, Wing Span:25-30 cm |
| Distribution Map: | Map 218. |
| Description: | Gray, black, and white wagtail. |
| Adult: | M. a. dukhunensis has wider whiter wingbars and tertial edges. |
| Adult (Breeding): | M. a. alba: male is light gray above with black bib and crown, and wide white forehead. Female has gray-black crown grading to gray nape and narrower forehead band; |
| Adult (Non-breeding): | Male has off-white throat and black breast band. Female has all gray crown and grayish cheeks. |
| Juvenile: | Patterned gray face with yellow and brown tones; blotchy breast band. |
| Immature: | Distinct dark gray breast band and head pattern. |
| Similar Species: | Differs from all other wagtails by broad gray or black breast band. |
| Behavior: | Unwary. Runs or walks on ground with short quick steps; constantly wags tail up and down. |
| Habitat: | River banks, lake shores, urban areas. |
| Food: | Invertebrates. |
| Nest: | Cup in rock or wall cavity, or in dense shrubbery; often near settlements. |
| Eggs: | 20 mm, 5-6, whitish, gray-brown spots. |
