Cape Wagtail

© Cape Wagtail

Name

Cape Wagtail

Latin Name

Motacilla capensis

Family

Motacillidae

Length

18 cm

Habitat

Cape Wagtail can usually be found near fresh water or coastal lagoons but has also adapted to city parks and gardens.

Bird Call

The call of a Cape Wagtail is a clear, ringing 'tseee-chee-chee' call and a whistled, trilling song.

Breeding

Eggs 2 - 4, usually 3, up to 5 and 7 have been recorded; dull yellowish more or less indistinctly finely speckled with brownish. Incubation by both sexes 13 - 14 days.

Immature Description

Young has the head brown like the back, underparts brownish and the wing-coverts tipped white.

Adult Description

This common bird is unmistakable with its grey-brown upperparts, dark band across chest and white outer tail-feathers. No white on secondaries.

Status

Common resident.

Distribution

The Cape Wagtail can be found from Kenya and the eastern Congo southwards to the Cape.

Kruger National Park - South African Safari