WordGarden.iowagtail
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈæɡteɪl/
US
- /wˈæɡteɪl/
Meanings
Noun
a small slender songbird with a long tail that bobs up and down
Beyond the definition
A wagtail is a small, lively bird that is easy to recognize because of its long tail, which it often bobs up and down. It is often seen near water, on lawns, or in open fields, where it runs quickly along the ground looking for insects. If you notice a slender little bird moving fast and flicking its tail again and again, you are probably watching one.
You can think of these birds as busy little walkers of the bird world. Different kinds live in many parts of the world, but they are known for the same neat habit: that constant tail movement as they explore their surroundings.
The name "wagtail" refers to a group of small, slender birds best known for the way they keep moving their tails. They belong to the family Motacillidae, and many of them are placed in the genus Motacilla. Their most famous feature is that restless tail-bobbing motion, which gives them their name and makes them easy to recognize.
These birds are found widely across Europe, Asia, and Africa, and some species also appear in other regions. They usually like open places, especially areas near water such as riverbanks, marshes, wet meadows, and shorelines. Still, they can also live comfortably in farmland, parks, gardens, and other human-made spaces. You will often see them running quickly across the ground and picking up small insects as they go.
There are several kinds of wagtail, and they differ in color and pattern. The Yellow Wagtail, for example, is known for its bright yellow coloring, while the White Wagtail and the Pied Wagtail are marked mainly in black, white, and gray. Even when their colors differ, they share the same slim shape, quick movement, and alert, active manner.
In everyday use, the word usually brings to mind a graceful little bird near the water, walking or running lightly and dipping its tail over and over. It is a word with a clear visual feeling: once you have seen one in motion, the name makes perfect sense.
Examples
- 1
Near water
A wagtail landed by the stream and searched for insects among the stones.
- 2
Bird behavior
We saw two wagtails running across the wet grass after the rain.
- 3
Nest location
The guide pointed out a wagtail's nest under the old bridge.
See also
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- pied wagtail
- white wagtail
- yellow wagtail
- grey wagtail
Explore
- passerine
- Motacillidae
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- wagtailnoun