About Motacilla flava Linnaeus, 1758
The western yellow wagtail, scientifically named Motacilla flava, is a small passerine bird that belongs to the wagtail family Motacillidae. This family also includes pipits and longclaws. This species breeds across a large portion of temperate Europe and Asia. Most of its populations are migratory, travelling south to tropical Africa and southern Asia to spend the winter. The small breeding population in Egypt is an exception, as these birds stay resident there year-round. It is a slender bird, measuring 15–16 cm in length, and has the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail shared by all birds in its genus. Among European wagtails, it has the shortest tail. Breeding adult males have an olive-coloured upper body and a yellow underbody. In other plumages, especially that of juveniles, the yellow colouring can be diluted to whitish. Breeding males have heads that vary in colour and pattern depending on their subspecies. Its call is a high-pitched jeet. This insect-eating bird lives in open areas near water, such as wet meadows. It builds its nest in tussocks, and lays 4–8 speckled eggs.
