Western yellow wagtail

Motacilla flava

The western yellow wagtail is a small passerine in the wagtail family Motacillidae, which also includes the pipits and longclaws.
Black-headed Wagtail - Motacilla feldegg. Spotted this male at the lower ford in Skala Kalloni Lesvos Greece. Geotagged,Greece,Motacilla flava,Spring,Western yellow wagtail

Appearance

It is a slender 15–16 cm long bird, with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus. It is the shortest tailed of the European wagtails. The breeding adult male is basically olive above and yellow below. In other plumages, the yellow may be diluted by white. The heads of breeding males come in a variety of colours and patterns depending on subspecies.
Yellow-crowned wagtail juvenile - Bath time Yellow-crowned wagtail - Motacilla flava flavissima http://www.jungledragon.com/image/32020/yellow-crowned_wagtail_juvenile.html Animal,Animalia,Aves,Bird,Bulgaria,Chordata,Europe,Geotagged,Motacilla flava,Motacilla flava flavissima,Motacillidae,Ognyanovo dam,Passeriformes,Passerine,Sofia,Summer,Wildlife,Yellow Wagtail,Yellow-crowned wagtail

Distribution

This species breeds in much of temperate Europe and Asia. It is resident in the milder parts of its range, such as western Europe, but northern and eastern populations migrate to Africa and south Asia.
Yellow wagtail Took this photo at the Tsikniasriver on the Island of Lesvos Greece. Geotagged,Greece,Motacilla flava,Spring,Western yellow wagtail

Behavior

The call is a high-pitched ''jeet''.
Western yellow wagtail Black-headed wagtail - Motacilla flava feldegg (Motacilla flava melanogrisea) Animalia,Aves,Bird,Black-headed western yellow wagtail,Central Macedonia,Chordata,Europe,Gallikos river estuaries,Geotagged,Greece,Kalochori,Motacilla flava,Motacilla flava feldegg,Motacillidae,Passeriformes,Passerine,Spring,Thessaloniki,Wildlife,Yellow Wagtail

Habitat

This insectivorous bird inhabits open country near water, such as wet meadows. It nests in tussocks, laying 4–8 speckled eggs.
Western Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava Western Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava France,Geotagged,Motacilla flava,Spring,Yellow Wagtail

Cultural

In the Pyramid Texts of Old Kingdom Egypt, the yellow wagtail was considered a representation of Atum himself and might have been the first inspiration for the Bennu bird, which, in turn, is the supposed inspiration for the phoenix of Greek mythology.

References:

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