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 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
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

African & Green BroadbillsAfrican & New World ParrotsAfrican BarbetsAlbatrossesAnhingas, DartersAustral Storm PetrelsBarn OwlsBee-eatersBulbulsBuntingsBushshrikesBustardsButtonquailCaracaras, FalconsChats, Old World FlycatchersCisticolas & AlliesCormorants, ShagsCoursers, PratincolesCrab-ploverCranesCrombecs, African WarblersCrows, JaysCuckoosCuckooshrikesDrongosDucks, Geese, SwansFairy FlycatchersFigbirds, Orioles, TurnagraFinches, EuphoniasFinfootsFlamingosFlufftailsFrigatebirdsGannets, BoobiesGrassbirds & AlliesGrebesGround HornbillsGuineafowlGulls, Terns, SkimmersHamerkopHerons, BitternsHoneyguidesHoopoesHornbillsHyliotasIbises, SpoonbillsIndigobirds, WhydahsJacanasKingfishersKites, Hawks, EaglesLarksLaughingthrushes & AlliesLeaf Warblers & AlliesMonarchsMousebirdsNicatorsNightjarsNorthern Storm PetrelsOld World ParrotsOld World Sparrows, SnowfinchesOspreysOstrichesOwlsOxpeckersOystercatchersPainted-snipesPelicansPenduline TitsPenguinsPetrels, Shearwaters, Diving PetrelsPheasants & AlliesPigeons, DovesPittasPloversRails, Crakes & CootsReed Warblers & AlliesRockjumpersRollersSandgrouseSandpipers, SnipesSecretarybirdSheathbillsShrikesSkuasStarlings, RhabdornisStilts, AvocetsStone-curlews, Thick-kneesStorksSugarbirdsSunbirdsSwallows, MartinsSwiftsSylviid BabblersThrushesTits, ChickadeesTreecreepersTrogonsTropicbirdsTuracosVangas & AlliesWagtails, PipitsWattle-eyes, BatisesWaxbills, Munias & AlliesWeavers, WidowbirdsWhite-eyesWood HoopoesWoodpeckersYellow Flycatchers

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
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! 🐦
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??
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.