Common name: White Wagtail
Scientific name: Motacilla alba
Family: Motacillidae

Size:
Body length: 16–19 cm
Wingspan: 25–30 cm
Weight: 18–27 g

Identification:
A slender and elegant wagtail with a long constantly wagging tail. Plumage is mainly black, white, and grey, though patterns vary slightly between subspecies and seasons. Typically shows a black throat and bib, grey upperparts, white face, and white underparts. The tail is long with white outer feathers visible in flight.

Habitat:
Wetlands, riverbanks, coastal areas, agricultural land, urban parks, open ground, and areas near water.

Status in the UAE:
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Widely distributed in wetlands, urban areas, farms, and coastal habitats.

Status in Lebanon:
Common passage migrant and winter visitor, with local breeding in suitable habitats.

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

Behavior:
Frequently walks or runs actively on open ground while wagging its tail continuously. Agile and often feeds near water or disturbed ground. Usually seen singly, in pairs, or loose groups. Highly adaptable and comfortable around human activity.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)