img
Birds

Citrine
Wagtail

Least Concern

Increasing

Citrine Wagtail

Motacilla citreola

The Citrine Wagtail is a small passerine. The term citrine refers to its yellowish colouration.

It is a slender, 20 cm long bird, with the long, constantly wagging tail characteristic of the genus Motacilla. The adult male in breeding plumage is basically grey or black above, with white on the remiges, and bright yellow below and on the entire head except for the black nape. In winter plumage, its yellow underparts may be diluted by white, and the head is brownish with a yellowish supercilium. Females look generally like washed-out versions of males in winter plumage.

This species breeds in north central Asia in wet meadows and tundra. It migrates in winter to south Asia, often to highland areas. Its range is expanding westwards, and it is a rare but increasing vagrant to western Europe.

Yellow-headed Wagtail

Regional Names
  • French:
    Bergeronnette citrine
  • Marathi:
    सोनधोबी, पिवळ्या डोक्याचा धोबी
Media Gallery
Taxanomy

PASSERIFORMES
MOTACILLIDAE
Motacilla citreola

Quick Facts
  • It has a number of loud, pleasant whistling calls with song somewhat reminiscent of Magpie Robin.
ADVERTISEMENT