Photo: Fred.leviez / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Madagascar Wagtail
Motacilla flaviventris
Madagascar Wagtail (Motacilla flaviventris) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Madagascar Wagtail (Motacilla flaviventris) is a member of the Motacillidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 22.5 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 flaviventris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 22.5 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Near Threatened
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Madagascar 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 Madagascar Wagtail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Madagascar Wagtail (Motacilla flaviventris) is a member of the Motacillidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Madagascar.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 22.5 g, with a wing length of about 8.1 cm and a tail of around 8.7 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 591,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Madagascar Wagtail?
The Madagascar Wagtail is a small bird that weighs around 22.5 g.
Where does the Madagascar Wagtail live?
The Madagascar Wagtail is found across Africa with a range covering AF Madagascar, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Madagascar Wagtail belong to?
The Madagascar Wagtail (Motacilla flaviventris) belongs to the Motacillidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Madagascar Wagtail eat?
The Madagascar Wagtail is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Madagascar Wagtail migrate?
The Madagascar Wagtail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Madagascar 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 Madagascar Wagtail make?
1 real field recording of the Madagascar Wagtail — including its duet — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Madagascar Wagtail's range?
The Madagascar Wagtail has a mapped global range of about 591,000 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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