Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Motacilla cinerea
Family: Wagtails and Pipits · Status: Uncommon migrant · Size: 17–20 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Breeds from northwestern Africa to northeastern Russia, northern Middle East, northern India, northern China, Korea, and Japan. Winters south to Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, southern China, and Southeast Asia.
Non-breeding adult has slaty-grey crown and upperparts, narrow whitish supercilium. Yellow on underparts variable but generally retains bright yellow vent. Breeding male has all-yellow underparts and black throat and upper breast. Juvenile resembles non-breeding adult but browner above. Compared to Eastern Yellow Wagtail in non-breeding plumage, has grey mantle, contrasting yellow rump, and pinkish legs.
Fast-flowing rocky streams and rivers; also wetlands and coasts in winter.
Forages on aquatic invertebrates. Has the longest tail of any wagtail; wags tail continually. Especially fond of canals.