Motacillidae
Quick Summary
The Motacillidae family includes pipits and wagtails, which are small, slender ground birds found worldwide except in polar regions. Pipits, in the genera Anthus and Tmetothylacus, are brownish and streaked, with thin bills and elongated hind toes that allow them to walk and run rapidly. Wagtails, in the genus Motacilla, are more boldly patterned and are known for incessantly wagging their long tails up and down. Both groups share white outer tail feathers, which are most visible in flight. These birds primarily eat insects found on the ground.12
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