male Yellow

male Yellow female European distribution adult male

Identification

The races which have grey heads may look superficially like Grey Wagtails but they usually have greener or browner backs. The shorter tails and different calls of the yellow wagtails are always conclusive.

Habitat

Breeds in damp, rushy pastures, water meadows and hay fields.

Behaviour

The race M. f. flavissima with a yellow face is typically found in Britain, but a population also breeds in Holland where they are said not to interbreed with the Blue-headed Wagtails in the same area. This would imply that Yellow Wagtail and Blue-headed Wagtail should be treated as separate species but to do so would involve assessing the claims of all the other subspecies to this exalted status. It has long been argued, for example, that Black-headed Wagtail, with its distinctive calls should be treated separately.

Migration

Most birds migrate to the Afrotropics and Asia for the winter although some may winter in some areas of Turkey.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Yellow Wagtail is classed as Common: common species, including species that are certain or probable escapees from captivity when occurring in the British Isles. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Oare Marshes, Kent 30/08/2010	Sker Pt, Glamorgan 28/08/2010	Covenham Resr, Lincs 22/08/2010	Spurn, E Yorks 24/08/2010	Draycote Wtr, Warks 22/08/2010
Aylburton Warth, Glos 23/04/2010	Elmley Marshes, Kent 24/07/2010	Selitba Lake, Penza, Russia (Europe) 31/05/2010	Abberton Resr, Essex 04/07/2010	Abberton Resr, Essex 04/07/2010

 View all pictures of Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Albania
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Britain
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Moldova
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Serbia and Montenegro
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine

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	Focus On: Yellow Wagtails - Talking heads	Wednesday 28th April 2010
	If you've been confused by the latest run of Yellow Wagtail races, then our latest guide will help you understand who's who.

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