Common name: Grey Wagtail
Scientific name: Motacilla cinerea
Family: Motacillidae

Size:
Body length: 17–20 cm
Wingspan: 25–27 cm
Weight: 14–22 g

Identification:
A slender wagtail with a notably long tail. It has a grey back, bright yellow underparts, and a distinctive yellow undertail. The face is pale with a dark eye line. In breeding males, the throat becomes black, while females and non-breeding birds show a whitish throat. Its elegant shape and constant tail wagging make it easily recognizable.

Habitat:
Fast-flowing streams, rivers, waterfalls, and wet areas with rocks. Also found near ponds and urban water features.

Status in the UAE:
Common winter visitor. Often recorded around water bodies, especially in cooler months.

Diet:
Insectivorous — feeds on aquatic insects, larvae, and other small invertebrates.

Behavior:
Frequently seen walking along water edges, constantly wagging its tail. Agile and active, often making short flights to catch insects. Usually solitary or in pairs. Its call is a sharp, high-pitched “tsip.”

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)