yellow wagtail
Quick Summary
The yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava) is a species of bird belonging to the genus Motacilla. It is part of the wagtail family, Motacillidae. These birds are known for their distinctive, long tails, which they incessantly wag up and down.1
The yellow wagtail is found across Eurasia and is the only wagtail species that reaches the New World, breeding in Alaska and migrating to Asia. A specific race of the yellow wagtail (M. f. tschutschensis) can be found on the coast of northwestern Alaska. Wagtails are typically found in open habitats such as meadows, beaches, and near streams, and they usually nest on the ground.12
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