Photo: Joachim Huber / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Cape Wagtail
Motacilla capensis
Cape Wagtail (Motacilla capensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Cape Wagtail (Motacilla capensis) is a member of the Motacillidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 20.8 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Motacillidae Wagtails, Pipits
- Genus Motacilla
- Species capensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 20.8 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Cape Wagtail is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Cape Wagtail is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Cape Wagtail (Motacilla capensis) is a member of the Motacillidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF sc, s.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 20.8 g, with a wing length of about 8.2 cm and a tail of around 8.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 3.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Cape Wagtail?
The Cape Wagtail is a small bird that weighs around 20.8 g.
Where does the Cape Wagtail live?
The Cape Wagtail is found across Africa with a range covering AF sc, s, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Cape Wagtail belong to?
The Cape Wagtail (Motacilla capensis) belongs to the Motacillidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Cape Wagtail eat?
The Cape Wagtail is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Cape Wagtail migrate?
The Cape Wagtail is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Cape Wagtail endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Cape Wagtail make?
1 real field recording of the Cape Wagtail — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Cape Wagtail's range?
The Cape Wagtail has a mapped global range of about 3.9 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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