Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
African Pied Wagtail
Motacilla aguimp
African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp) — 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 African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp) is a member of the Motacillidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 27 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 aguimp
Quick facts
- Weight
- 27 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The African Pied Wagtail is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of rivers and riverside habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The African Pied Wagtail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp) belongs to the Motacillidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF widespread.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 27 g, with a wing length of about 9.1 cm and a tail of around 9.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 11.3 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the African Pied Wagtail?
The African Pied Wagtail is a small bird that weighs around 27 g.
Where does the African Pied Wagtail live?
The African Pied Wagtail is found across Africa with a range covering AF widespread, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the African Pied Wagtail belong to?
The African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp) belongs to the Motacillidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the African Pied Wagtail eat?
The African Pied Wagtail is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the African Pied Wagtail migrate?
The African Pied Wagtail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the African Pied 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 African Pied Wagtail make?
1 real field recording of the African Pied Wagtail can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the African Pied Wagtail's range?
The African Pied Wagtail has a mapped global range of about 11.3 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.
Explore more birds
More in Motacillidae
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Not Evaluated
More in Songbirds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.