Distribution Map
Eastern Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla tschutschensis
NativeStatus
RareRarity
Bird Gallery
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Species Description
The Eastern Yellow Wagtail is a slender, ground-dwelling songbird known for its lively tail-wagging and bright yellow colouring. This small migratory bird travels vast distances from its Arctic breeding grounds in Siberia and Alaska to spend the non-breeding season in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia.
Fun Facts
Eastern Yellow Wagtails often forage close to cattle, using the animals to flush out insects.
1. Constant tail-wagging with white flashes on the outer tail feathers
2. Bright yellow belly and olive-green back (adults); juveniles much paler with a faint yellow vent
3. High-pitched, rasping "zrrie" or "jeet" call
Eastern Yellow Wagtails breed in the Arctic tundra from May to July. They build nests in grassy tussocks, laying 4–8 speckled eggs per clutch. Both parents share the incubation duties. These birds are insectivorous, feeding mainly on flies, beetles, and other small invertebrates, often following grazing animals to catch disturbed prey. They migrate long distances, with some individuals making non-stop flights of several days between continents`.`
Look for Eastern Yellow Wagtails in open grassy areas near water during their migration through northern Australia, especially in wetlands, coastal grasslands, and airfields. They often forage on the ground, sometimes near livestock that help flush out insects, and may perch on low fences or shrubs.
Physical Attributes
Height
16 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds25%
Top Locations
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