Wagtails, Pipits

Wagtails, pipits, and longclaws are a family of small passerine birds, known collectively as Motacillidae, which consists of about 70 species spread across five genera, and more if considering additional clades. Longclaws are found exclusively in the Afrotropics, whereas wagtails are mainly seen in Europe, Africa, and Asia, with some reaching Alaska for migration and breeding. Pipits possess a more widespread presence across various regions including the Old World, Americas, and island territories like New Zealand and the Falklands. The family is characterized by their slender builds, medium to long tails, long legs with elongated toes and claws, and a lack of size difference between the sexes. They display a range of colors in their plumage with some species showcasing more vibrant underparts, especially male longclaws. These birds are ground-feeders, predominantly insectivorous, and their diet reflects the prey available in their habitat which can vary from wetlands preferred by wagtails to mountains and sometimes forests. Typically, they nest on the ground and may lay up to six speckled eggs, excluding the tree-nesting forest wagtail. A phylogenetic study has revealed that the bird family Motacillidae forms six major clades, showing a closer genetic relationship among certain species that hadn't been previously grouped together. The birds' habitats, sizes, and weights differ, with some of the larger longclaws, like Fülleborn's longclaw, reaching weights of 64 grams, while others, namely pipits and the smaller wagtails, may weigh between 15 and 31 grams.