Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinerea
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassAves (Aus)
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilyMotacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
- GenusMotacilla (Wagtails)
- SpeciesMotacilla cinerea (Grey Wagtail)
The grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) 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. Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at iSimangaliso Wetland Park
African Pied Wagtail
Motacilla aguimp
Cape Wagtail
Motacilla capensis
Western Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flava
Mountain Wagtail
Motacilla clara
Grassveld Pipit
Anthus cinnamomeus
Yellow-throated Longclaw
Macronyx croceus
Yellow-breasted Pipit
Anthus chloris
Rosy-throated Longclaw
Macronyx ameliae
Orange-throated Longclaw
Macronyx capensis
Plain-backed Pipit
Anthus leucophrys
Striped Pipit
Anthus lineiventris
Common Bulbul
Pycnonotus barbatus
📅 Monthly Probability
Fewer than 5 records of Grey Wagtail at iSimangaliso Wetland Park — not enough to chart months honestly.
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there