White Wagtail
Scientific Name: Motacilla albaMaltese Name: Zakak Abjad
Family: Pipits and Wagtails (Motacillidae)
Occurence: Common
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The White Wagtail is a Common Winter visitor seen in flocks or solitary. It’s slightly bigger then a sparrow with a long distinctive tail. It has a whitish face and belly with a black, chin, throat and breast. It is a common bird seen everywhere, even in urban areas. It feeds actively from the ground, roofs or from near water walking or occasionally flying to catch flies. It also takes insects, small molluscs and seeds. It has a distinctive ‘’tissik’’ call in flight. It has a quick flight with long bursts of wingbeats. Before dusk the birds gather in flocks to fly to their roosting sites which reach several thousands of birds spending the night together in large Ficus trees in parks in urban areas. Something to notice about this bird as it walks around and not hops like other small birds.
Status:
It is a common winter bird found practically everywhere and is very tolerant to human disturbance.
When to See:
Birds arrive in October and stay until early Spring when they start to migrate back to Europe.
Where to See:
The primary site in Malta is in Grandmaster Square, Valletta. Each year a roost count is made. In January 2010 volunteers more than 7500 birds were counted flying in to roost. Another roost is found in Victoria, Gozo, but is much smaller in term of number of birds roosting.
Photographs:
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White Wagtail, Qawra |
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| Adult White Wagtail in winter plumage, Marsa | Juvenile White Wagtail, Marsa |
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