Motacilla alba
Habitats | Wetland Thickets, Wetlands with Shallow Banks |
---|---|
Presence In Israel | Summer Breeder, Winter Visitor |
Nesting In Israel | Breeder |
Migration Types | Resident |
Zoography Zones | Mediterranean |
Landscape Formations | Swamps, Riparian, Wetlands, Freshwater Bodies, Mud Plain |
Vegetation Formations | Wetland Thickets |
Vegetation Densities | Low, Medium |
Nest Locations | Ground |
Diet Types | Invertebrate |
Foraging Grounds | Ground |
Body Sizes | Small (up to 500g) |
Threat Factors | Pesticide Poisoning, Wetland Drainage & Pollution |
The White Wagtail is the best known of the four wagtail species seen in Israel. Its contrasting plumage is dominated by hues of white, grey and black. The adult has a black cap and nape, a white forehead and face and a black bib. The back and upperparts are grey, the belly and underparts, white. Body is narrow and slender, with a long tail that it bobs up and down excitedly. It walks vigorously, with jumpy head movements, coordinated with its bobbing tail, occasionally dashing out in pursuit of insects, stopping suddenly and bobbing its tail in long rapid movements. Flight is undulating, and flight call is a characteristic disyllabic note.
A rare breeder in the Galilee and Golan, and a common winter visitor and passage migrant throughout the country. Some 15-25 pairs nest in Israel every year, mainly in the Hula Valley, the Golan Heights, the northern Sea of Galilee and the Western Galilee.
The White Wagtail nests near water, on streambanks, fishponds and reservoirs, in a variety of hidden nooks and crevices. The clutch has 4-7 eggs.
The White Wagtail has been affected by the destruction and pollution of wetland habitats, and possibly also by the intensive use of insecticides in agriculture and water bodies.
No specific conservation measures have been taken for this species to date.
- פז, ע. 1986. עופות. מתוך אלון, ע. (עורך), החי והצומח של ארץ ישראל. כרך 6. הוצאת משרד הביטחון, ישראל.
- Shirihai, H., 1996. The Birds of Israel. Academic Press, London.
- Symes, A. 2013. Species generation lengths. Unpublished, BirdLife International.
- Species page at Birdlife International
Current Occupancy Map
Distribution maps
The maps presented here provide visual information on the distribution of species in Israel in the past and present, and the changes in occupancy and nesting density during the comparison period. For further reading
Relative Abundance 2010-2020
Breeding density values as calculated from observation records and expert opinions.
Relative Abundance 1980-1990
Breeding density values are based mainly on the book Birds of Israel (Shirihai 1996).
Occupancy difference 1990-2020
A map that expresses differences in the breeding distribution between the evaluation periods (1980-1990 versus 2010-2020). Negative value - species previously present but is currently absent, positive value - species has not been recorded previously and is currently present, zero - no change in occupancy.
Relative abundance difference 1990-2020
A map that reflects the changes in the relative abundance of the species between the evaluation periods (1980-1990 versus 2010-2020). Negative values - decline in abundance, positive values - increase in abundance, zero - no change in abundance.
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