The grey wagtail is a member of the wagtail family, Motacillidae, measuring around 18–19 cm overall length. The species looks somewhat similar to the yellow wagtail but has the yellow on its underside restricted to the throat and vent. Breeding males have a black throat. The species is widely distributed, with several populations breeding in Eurosiberia and migrating to tropical regions in Asia and Africa. The species is always associated with running water when breeding, although they may use man-made structures near streams for the nest. Outside the breeding season, they may also be seen around lakes, coasts and other watery habitats. Like other wagtails, they frequently wag their tail and fly low with undulations and they have a sharp call that is often given in flight. Source: Wikipedia
Citation:
Tunstall, M 1771
Reference:
Orn. Brit.
Protonym:
Motacilla Cinerea
Type locality:
no locality = Wycliffe, Yorkshire, England, fide Clancey, 1946.
Link:
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/49445#page/12/mode/1up
Avibase ID:
AE073221679039C2
Avibase ID:
avibase-AE073221
Short link:
https://avibase.ca/AE073221
Taxonomic Serial Number:
TSN: 178480
Geographic range:
Authorities recognizing this taxonomic concept:
African Bird Club Checklist 2004: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
African Bird Club Checklist August 2005: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
African Bird Club Checklist March 2007: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
African Bird Club Checklist January 2008: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
African Bird Club Checklist May 2009: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
African Bird Club Checklist March 2010: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 5th edition (incl. 34th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (1983): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (incl. 35th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (incl. 36th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (incl. 37th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (incl. 38th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (incl. 39th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (incl. 40th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 6th edition (incl. 41st suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (1998): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 42nd suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 43rd suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 44th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 45th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 46th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 47th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 48th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 49th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 50th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 51st suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 52nd suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 53rd suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 54th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 55th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 56th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Union 7th edition (incl. 57th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Society 7th edition (incl. 58th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Society 7th edition (incl. 59th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Society 7th edition (incl. 60th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Society 7th edition (incl. 61st suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Society 7th edition (incl. 61st suppl. and addendum): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Society 7th edition (incl. 62nd suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Society 7th edition (incl. 63rd suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Society 7th edition (incl. 64th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
American Ornithologists' Society 7th edition (incl. 65th suppl.): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts (current): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 2023 (May 2023): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 2024 (Oct 2024): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 01 (August 2013): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 02 (May 2014): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 03 (March 2015): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 04 (Aug 2016): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 05 (Jan 2017): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 06 (Feb 2018): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 07 (Feb 2020): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 08 (Feb 2021): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 00: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 01: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 02: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 03: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 04: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 05 (Jun 2012): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 05.1 (Oct 2012): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 06 (Nov 2013): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 06.1 (Feb 2014): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 07 (Jul 2014): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 08 (Oct 2015): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 09 (Dec 2016): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Birdlife checklist version 09.1 (Jun 2017): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v2 (Dec 2017): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v3 (Nov 2018): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v4 (Dec 2019): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v5 (Dec 2020): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v6 (Dec 2021): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v6b (Jul 2022): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v7 (Dec 2022): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v8 (Dec 2023): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v9 (Oct 2024): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
British Ornithologists' Union Checklist (7th edition): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
British Ornithologists' Union Checklist (7th edition, incl. Jan 2009 suppl.): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Christidis and Boles (2008): Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Commission internationale pour les noms français des oiseaux (1993, révision 2009): Bergeronnette des ruisseaux ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Commission internationale pour les noms français des oiseaux (1993): Bergeronnette des ruisseaux ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 1st edition: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements, version 2021: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements, version 2022: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements, version 2023: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements, version 2024: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 3rd edition: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 4th edition: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 5th edition (as published): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 5th edition (incl. 2000 revisions): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 5th edition (incl. 2001 revisions): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 5th edition (incl. 2002 revisions): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 5th edition (incl. 2003 revisions): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 5th edition (incl. 2004 revisions): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 5th edition (incl. 2005 revisions): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition (incl. 2007 revisions): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition (incl. 2008 revisions): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition (incl. 2009 revisions): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.5 incl. 2010 revisions): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.6 incl. 2011 revisions): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.7 incl. 2012 revisions): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.8 incl. 2013 revisions): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.9 incl. 2014 revisions): Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements, version 2015: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements, version 2016: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements, version 2017: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements, version 2018: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Clements, version 2019: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
eBird version 1.50: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
eBird version 1.52: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
eBird version 1.53: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
eBird version 1.54: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
eBird version 1.55: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
eBird version 2015: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
eBird version 2016: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
eBird version 2017: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
eBird version 2018: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
eBird version 2019: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
eBird version 2021: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
eBird version 2022: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
eBird version 2023: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
eBird version 2024: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 2nd edition: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 2nd edition (incl. ? suppl): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (as published): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 1.2): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 2.1): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 3.1): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 4): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 5): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 6): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 7): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 8): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 4th edition (vol. 1-2): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Howard and Moore 4th edition (incl. corrigenda vol.1-2): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Handbook of the Birds of the World (vol 1-16): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (31/01/2015): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (03/07/2017): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Handbook of the Birds of the World and Birdlife (Dec 2017): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Handbook of the Birds of the World and Birdlife (Dec 2018): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 1.0: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 1.1: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 1.5: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 1.6: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 1.7: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.0: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.1: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.2: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.3: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.4: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.5: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.6: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.7: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.8: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.9: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.10: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.11: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 3.1: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 3.2: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 3.3: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 3.4: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 3.5: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 4.1: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 4.2: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 4.3: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 4.4: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 5.1: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 5.2: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 5.3: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 5.4: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 6.1: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 6.2: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 6.3: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 6.4: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 7.1: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 7.2: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 7.3: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 8.1: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 8.2: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 9.1: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 9.2: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 10.1: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 10.2: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 11.1: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 11.2: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 12.1: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 12.2: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 13.1: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 13.2: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 14.1: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 14.2: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Morony, Bock and Farrand: Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Oriental Bird Club: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Peters' Check-list of the Birds: Motacilla cinerea [version 1] |
Peters' Check-list of the Birds (original): Motacilla cinerea [version 1] |
Peters' Check-list of the Birds (2nd edition): Motacilla cinerea [version 1] |
Sibley and Monroe (1993): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Sibley and Monroe (1993, including corrections up to 1998): Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Sibley and Monroe, Birds of the World Version 2.0: Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) [version 1] |
Zoonomen - Zoological Nomenclature Resource: Motacilla cinerea [version 1] |
Zoonomen - Zoological Nomenclature Resource: Motacilla cinerea [version 1] |
Taxonomic status:
Species status: full species
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Other synonyms
See also the taxonomic synonyms table.
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