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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.

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A photo of a African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp)

African Pied Wagtail

Motacilla aguimp
A photo of a African Pipit (Anthus cinnamomeus)

African Pipit

Anthus cinnamomeus
A photo of a African Rock Pipit (Anthus crenatus)

African Rock Pipit

Anthus crenatus
A photo of a Buffy Pipit (Anthus vaalensis)

Buffy Pipit

Anthus vaalensis

Bushveld Pipit

Anthus caffer
A photo of a Cape Longclaw (Macronyx capensis)

Cape Longclaw

Macronyx capensis
A photo of a Cape Wagtail (Motacilla capensis)

Cape Wagtail

Motacilla capensis
A photo of a Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola) , male

Citrine Wagtail

Motacilla citreola

Golden Pipit

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

Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinerea

Mountain Pipit

Anthus hoeschi
A photo of a Mountain Wagtail (Motacilla clara)

Mountain Wagtail

Motacilla clara
A photo of a Nicholson's Pipit (Anthus nicholsoni)

Nicholson's Pipit

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

Pied Wagtail

Motacilla alba

Plain-backed Pipit

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

Red-throated Pipit

Anthus cervinus

Rosy-throated Longclaw

Macronyx ameliae

Short-tailed Pipit

Anthus brachyurus

Striped Pipit

Anthus lineiventris
A photo of a Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis)

Tree Pipit

Anthus trivialis

Wood Pipit

Anthus nyassae

Yellow-breasted Pipit

Anthus chloris
A photo of a Yellow-throated Longclaw (Macronyx croceus)

Yellow-throated Longclaw

Macronyx croceus
A photo of a Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) , male

Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flava
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