White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba
North-east Germany. 28 March 2006

The “continental” White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba is the nominate race of the alba wagtail complex and is found throughout most of western Europe. Very closely related to the British M. a. yarellii, or Pied Wagtail both forms are identical in behaviour. The differentiation of White Wagtail into two subspecies (or races) in western Europe - there are many other races breeding from Eastern Europe all the way to Japan - has perhaps arisen because of the partial isolation of M. a. yarrellii, although it now breeds in adjacent areas of the neighbouring European mainland.

Males of the two subspecies are very distinct, but females are another matter altogether - recent ID advances even suggesting that many of the Pieds recorded in the UK in winter are in fact female Whites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Male White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba

 

Male Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii, UK - April 2006

All photographs copyright Charlie Moores.