Wagtail is the name of a group of mainly grassland birds that bob or wag their tail up and down as they walk. They are slender, with a long tail and long legs, and are about 8 inches (20 centimeters) long. The plumage is mainly black-and-white, often with gray or yellow.
Wagtails feed mainly on insects that they pick up from vegetation or the ground, or snatch in midair after an acrobatic chase. Many species live near water. For example, the gray wagtail lives near mountain streams, and the two kinds of yellow wagtails live near water meadows and marshes. The pied wagtail is frequently seen around farm buildings.
Wagtails build a deep, cup-shaped nest of grasses and rootlets on the ground. They may also build their nest in a cavity between rocks or in a wall. Wagtails migrate to warm areas in the winter.
The willie-wagtail is a common bird in Australia. However, it is not closely related to true wagtails.
