Citrine Wagtail

Citrine Wagtail
This species is defined as a Review Species . Please submit your records of this species via our record submission page .

Scientific Name: Motacilla citreola

Malay Name: Pipit-Batu Kepala Kuning

Chinese Name: 黄头鹡鸰

Range: Widespread across breeding range from Europe to Asia, wintering range includes India and southeastern Asia.

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: citreola, calcarata.

Size: 16.5-20 cm

Identification: Compared to Eastern Yellow Wagtail and Grey Wagtail, key feature to look out for in non-breeding individuals is the supercilium wrapping around ear coverts and connecting to throat, creating the appearance of a distinct, isolated "cheek patch". Some may retain some or all of their breeding plumage through the winter – in such birds, much yellow may remain on the head, including forehead and ear-coverts, which are brown in Eastern Yellow. Upperparts are more grey compared to Eastern Yellow Wagtail, usually lacking olive tones, especially on the rump.

Similar looking species: Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail

Habitat: Marshes, fields, and coastal habitats, prefers wet habitats.

Behaviour/Ecology: Similar to other wagtails, forages on ground and wags tail while moving. Can be spotted in flight with undulating flight.

Local Status: Vagrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)

Past records in our database:

Showing only accepted records. Note that records currently under review are also not displayed, and the list may not be a full list of records of this species in Singapore. For more details, check the database here.

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola
Average number of individuals by week based on Singapore Bird Database data, Jul 2014 to Jun 2024 (all records)
Peak weeks Jan 01-Jan 07, Jan 08-Jan 14, Jan 15-Jan 21 (10 more)
Early date 04 Oct 1998
Late date 23 Mar 2024
Only one record in the past 10 years, at Kranji in Nov 2018. Often difficult to tell apart from Eastern Yellow Wagtail - check out our species page linked above for key identifying features!

References:

BirdLife International. (2019). Motacilla citreola. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22718379A154492004.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

To top