Fauna
Bird

African Pied Wagtail

Motacilla aguimp

Also known as African Wagtail

African pied wagtails are conspicuous, striking monochrome songbirds frequently encountered along African waterways, suburban lawns, and village clearings. Pairs hold territories year-round, defending feeding grounds with loud, musical duets and energetic aerial chases. Their signature pumping tail movement assists in flushing tiny insect prey from open ground and mudflats.

DiurnalInsectivoreSongbird
African Pied Wagtail reference1 / 7
(c) Lip Kee, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFlies, Beetles, Aquatic larvae
Predators
  • Domestic cats
  • Accipiter hawks
  • Snakes
ThreatsPesticides, water pollution, domestic predators
HabitatsRiverbanks, lakeshores, gardens, urban parks
Life span3–6 years
Classification
  1. OrderPasseriformes
  2. FamilyMotacillidae
  3. GenusMotacilla
  4. SpeciesMotacilla aguimp
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Waterfront Viewing: Search along grassy lawns near lakes, swimming pools, and slow river edges.
  • Listening for Duets: Listen for loud, ringing musical duets performed by mated pairs on roofs or perches.
Related species
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