White Wagtail

White Wagtail

Scientific Name: Motacilla alba

Malay Name: Pipit-Batu Murai Erasia

Chinese Name: 白鹡鸰

Range: Widespread breeding range from Europe to Asia, wintering range includes Africa, the Middle East, and southern Asia.

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: yarrellii, alba, subpersonata, personata, baicalensis, ocularis, lugens, leucopsis, alboides.

Local Subspecies: ocularis, lugens, leucopsis, alba

Size: 16.5-18 cm

Identification: Very variable in plumage across range and subspecies, individuals in Singapore can exhibit plumage differences in face, coverts, mantle, and chin. Plumage is a mixture of black, white, and grey compared to other migrant wagtails which generally exhibit some yellow in their plumage and are warmer in colour.

Habitat: Variety of habitats including open fields, storm drains, reservoir edges, seawalls.

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

Local Status: Uncommon migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)

Location: Yishun, Neo Tiew Harvest Lane.

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Featured reports: Dec 2023, Mar 2024, Apr 2024, May 2024, Aug 2024, Sep 2024, Oct 2024, Nov 2024, Dec 2024, Jan 2025, Feb 2025

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):

White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Estimated average number of individuals by week based on eBird data, Jul 2014 to Jun 2024
Peak week Mar 26-Apr 01
Early date 20 Jul 2017
Late date 21 Jun 2024
While there are more records in the second half of the season, early birds arrive as early as September.
White Wagtail at Buona Vista. Photo credit: Francis Yap
White Wagtail at Bishan. Photo credit: Francis Yap
White Wagtail at Ulu Sembawang. Photo credit: Francis Yap

External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (White Wagtail)

References:

BirdLife International. (2019). Motacilla alba. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22718348A137417893.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). White Wagtail. Retrieved on April 25, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/white-wagtail.

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