Pied wagtail

Motacilla alba alba Interesting facts: The pied wagtail is the most common native wagtail and is recognised by its movement while looking for food: It patters over the ground with a bobbing tail. The up and down wave-form movements in flight are also distinctive. Popular breeding niches are tree hollows and crevices in walls and even the roofs of houses.

Characteristics: Highly contrasting black-white plumage with light mask and dark throat; the wing parts have conspicuous white stripes; long tail.
Body length: Less than 20 cm (sparrow length)

Distribution: Commonly found near water, but also far from water in urban areas and towns, in fields, meadows and arable land