The Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola) is a small passerine in the wagtail family Motacillidae, which also includes the pipits and longclaws.
This species breeds in north central Asia in wet meadows and tundra. It nests on the ground, laying 4-5 speckled eggs. It migrates in winter to south Asia, often to highland area. Its range is expanding westwards, and it is a rare but increasing vagrant to western Europe.
This is an insectivorous bird of open country near water, such as wet meadows and bogs.
This is a slender bird, with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus.. The breeding adult male is basically grey above and bright yellow below, with a yellow head. In other plumages, the yellow underparts may be diluted by white, and the head is browner.
On the second occasion (7 November 2000) a single observer saw a similar wagtail near to but not at the original site; a field description and sketches were made on the basis of brief flight views and sightings of the bird on the ground when it was partially obscured by short grass.
On first glance, the descriptions of a grey and white wagtail with prominent wingbars seems consistent with the first basic plumage of CitrineWagtail (not with the juvenile plumage, contra the interpretation of the observers).
To date there are two records of CitrineWagtail accepted by BARC one from Botany Bay, NSW 01st July 1962 (Case 22) and one from Goolwa, SA 29th May 1987 (Case 186).
Feeds |
Contact