Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara
Nairobi, April 2008

Locally common throughout a large range that takes in substantial areas of sub-Saharan Africa, the Mountain (or Long-tailed) Wagtail is usually described as a species of fast-flowing forest streams, though I’ve personally seen the species in a virtually dry stream-bed in Kenya, and on a fast-flowing stream with virtually no trees for miles around in the Zimbabwean Chimanimani Mountains. Vaguely reminiscent of a colourless Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea (they are said to be sister species), this a surprisingly attractive bird with muted, soft tones that make it difficult to see in the shadows of a forest.

Photographs copyright Charlie Moores