Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

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.

Regions

Categories

A photo of a Blyth's Pipit (Anthus godlewskii)

Blyth's Pipit

Anthus godlewskii
A photo of a Buff-bellied Pipit (Anthus rubescens)

Buff-bellied Pipit

Anthus rubescens
A photo of a Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis) , male

Eastern Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla tschutschensis
A photo of a Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) , male

Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinerea
A photo of a New Zealand Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae)

New Zealand Pipit

Anthus novaeseelandiae
A photo of a Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni)

Olive-backed Pipit

Anthus hodgsoni
A photo of a Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) , male

Pied Wagtail

Motacilla alba
A photo of a Red-throated Pipit (Anthus cervinus)

Red-throated Pipit

Anthus cervinus
A photo of a Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) , male

Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flava
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.
1
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Species Categories

AccentorsAlbatrossesAnhingas, DartersAuksAustral Storm PetrelsAustralasian RobinsAustralasian WarblersBarn OwlsBee-eatersBulbulsBuntingsButtonquailCaracaras, FalconsCardinals & AlliesCettia Bush Warblers & AlliesChats, Old World FlycatchersCockatoosCormorants, ShagsCoursers, PratincolesCrows, JaysCuckoosCuckooshrikesDrongosDucks, Geese, SwansFantailsFinches, EuphoniasFlowerpeckersFrigatebirdsFrogmouthsGannets, BoobiesGrassbirds & AlliesGrebesGuineafowlGulls, Terns, SkimmersHerons, BitternsHoneyeatersHoopoesHornbillsIbises, SpoonbillsJacanasKaguKingfishersKites, Hawks, EaglesKiwisLarksLaughingthrushes & AlliesLeaf Warblers & AlliesLongspurs, Snow BuntingsLoonsMegapodesMockingbirds, ThrashersMonarchsNew World QuailNew World SparrowsNew World WarblersNew Zealand ParrotsNew Zealand WattlebirdsNew Zealand WrensNightjarsNorthern Storm PetrelsOld World ParrotsOld World Sparrows, SnowfinchesOropendolas, Orioles, BlackbirdsOspreysOwlet-nightjarsOwlsOystercatchersPainted-snipesPelicansPenguinsPetrels, Shearwaters, Diving PetrelsPheasants & AlliesPigeons, DovesPittasPloversRails, Crakes & CootsReed Warblers & AlliesRollersSandgrouseSandpipers, SnipesShrikesSkuasStarlings, RhabdornisStilts, AvocetsStitchbirdStone-curlews, Thick-kneesSunbirdsSwallows, MartinsSwiftsTanagers & AlliesThrushesTreeswiftsTropicbirdsTyrant Flycatchers, CalypturaVireos, Greenlets, Shrike-babblersWagtails, PipitsWaxbills, Munias & AlliesWhistlers & AlliesWhite-eyesWhiteheadsWoodswallows, Butcherbirds & Allies

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Viperray5
Loving it
I really enjoy being able to interact with other birders on this platform! This seems like a great way to meet other birders and find some new spots.
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❤️
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Unbridled Discoveries
Great app for bird lovers
I love this app! It’s a wonderful way to track birding sessions, and also connect you with fellow birders. I also really like the unidentified bird section, it’s a great community tool to help figure out what a never-before-seen bird is!
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
778
Great bird recording
For a while I’ve been trying to find an app to easily record bird lists and day out and struggled to find one that I like. Birda is great for this, straightforward and a great community!
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.