Pied Wagtail of Britain and Ireland

The Pied Wagtail (motacilla (alba) yarrellii) is a common and familiar wild bird of the UK and Ireland. They are also known as the Wagtail, "willie wagtail", "washtail" and "peggy dishwasher".

The Wagtail earned its name because it runs very fast in short rushes on the ground, wagging its long tail up and down on each pause.

Pied Wagtails are active birds that live in a wide variety of habitats which include farmland, the open countryside, hedgerows, parks, playing fields, urban environments, edges of moorland, marshland, reed beds, and long rivers, lakes streams and ponds.

The preferred habitat is near water but also live happily in areas without water. (Grey Wagtails are found more near water than Pied Wagtails). Wagtails have adapted well to urban environments.

Their main diet is insectivorous and eat all kinds of insects (flies, moths and their larvae). Craneflies and mayflies are fed to the chicks in the summer. Seeds may also be eaten in the winter.

Noise and human activity (eg machinery) are generally ignored when foraging for food, nesting etc.

Pied Wagtails are thought of as a popular and common wild bird, especially in towns and cities. They are resident birds in the UK and Ireland who may be seen in most areas throughout the year.

Pied Wagtails in southern Britain are resident birds whereas those in the north fly further distances. Some from Ireland winter in France and Spain.

Researchers found in 2011 that Pied Wagtails in northern Britain "winter in small numbers in a few locations along the Scottish east and west coast and Central Lowlands but in larger numbers in south‐west Lancashire, the Midlands and the lowlands of central and southern England".

Flocks may be seen gathering at dusk, in both the summer and winter in supermarkets, car parks, industrial estates, hospitals etc before roosting. Noisy roosts range from hundreds to four thousand birds, especially in the winter when they are attracted to towns and cities (BBC).

The breeding season begins in April. Pairs breed in various types of habitats which include the edges of moorland, farmland and other types of open countryside. Breeding also takes place to a lesser extent in towns and cities. Breeding birds seem to prefer areas with mixed farming.

Nests are built in holes, crevices or on ledges and made in places such as banks, ditches and buildings. The old nests of Blackbirds or other birds are sometimes used.

The White Wagtail/Pied Wagtail is considered to be of Least Concern by IUCN.

The European population of Wagtails is considered to be Secure (Birdlife International).

The Pied Wagtail is a green-listed species of bird in Britain.

Britain and Ireland hold nearly all of the population of the yarrellii race and so any changes are of global significance.

The population in Britain showed "strong" increases until the mid-1970's. There were moderate declines along waterways since then (BTO).

The Breeding Bird Survey said the population of Pied Wagtails in Britain:

• - declined by 13% between 1995 and 2011 (RSPB)
• - increased by 21% between 2013/14 (BBS - page 13)
• - declined by 1% between 2014/15 (BBS - page 13)
• - declined by 4% between 2015/16 in the UK (BBS - page 15)
• - increased by 1% between 2016/17 (BBS - page 15)
• - declined by 25% between 2017/18 (BBS - page 15)

Waterways Breeding Bird Survey (WBBS) said in 2014 that the Grey and Pied Wagtail populations "recorded a rapid decline..along rivers and canals".

The report also said, "the Pied Wagtail decline is steeper in the WBBS trends than the BBS trends... suggesting that there might be a common factor affecting both species relating to the riverine habitat" ( Telegraph).

The Pied Wagtail is a green-listed species of bird in Ireland. Birdwatch stated the population in Ireland was stable (Birdwatch - pages 6 to 8).