Wagtail

usgb/ˈwæɡteɪl/
noun

A small bird with black, white, or grey feathers and a long tail that it often moves up and down.

I spotted a wagtail bobbing its tail by the riverbank.
Visual representation of "wagtail" - A small bird with black, white, or grey feathers and a long tail that it often moves up and down.

Often appears as...

  • yellow wagtail
  • pied wagtail
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "wagtail"
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Bird Behavior

The wagtail gets its name because it wags its tail; a behavior often observed by birdwatchers.

Illustration for Bird Behavior
The wagtail is named aptly, as it kept wagging its tail while searching for insects.
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Birdwatching Term

Bird enthusiasts use 'wagtail' to identify the bird species; it's a handy term for birdwatching activities.

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At the birdwatching event, we learned to recognize a wagtail by its distinctive tail movement.
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Native Habitats

Wagtails are often found near water, so the term may evoke imagery of rivers, lakes, or wetlands.

Illustration for Native Habitats
Walking along the stream, I saw a wagtail fluttering around the reeds.
Visual representation of the word "Wagtail"

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