Yellow wagtail

Distinctive yellow eyebrows.

Scientific name	Motacilla flava
English name	Yellow wagtail
Japanese name	爪長鶺鴒
Classification	Aves
Classification details	Passeriformes Motacillidae
Full length	16.5cm
Distribution	Distributed from the Eurasian continent to the African continent and Alaska

Characteristics

The wagtail is characterized by its yellow color from its face to its belly. The eyebrows are bright yellow, and the eye line is brown with a little green. The upper surface of the body is yellowish green. In winter, the yellow belly becomes pale and whitish. The photo above seems to be of winter plumage. The tail feathers are dark brown and the legs are lead colored.

Juvenile birds are pale brown.

Differences between Long-nosed Wagtails and Gray Wagtails

The long-nosed wagtail is a migratory bird and is not often seen, but there are areas such as Okinawa where both species are found. Both are similar in that they are yellow wagtails. The distinguishing point is that the head including the eyebrows is yellow in the long-nosed wagtail, while the head is grayish in the gray wagtail. Also, looking at the color of the legs, gray wagtails have pink legs, but the long-tailed wagtail has lead.

Calls

The rumbling of the ground is muddy and "Ji, ji".

Ecology

Moves in small groups in meadows and farmlands. It catches and eats insects on the ground. From around May, it builds a nest on a plate on the ground and breeds.

Habitat

Moves in small groups in meadows and farmlands. It catches and eats insects on the ground. From around May, it builds a nest on a plate on the ground and breeds.