Wagtails-Yellow
All wagtails are dainty, delicate birds but the yellow is the most
graceful of them all. When spring-time parties appear in the marshes the
males are wonderfully brilliant. Running nimbly within inches of
grazing cattle, their slight bodies are often hidden, but bright
colours, golden as dandelions, catch the eye. Then for no apparent
reason, birds rise suddenly and head for the nearest trees. After
perching a few moments, they drop back one by one into the marsh. Here,
with flirting tail and a to-and-fro motion of the head each bird hunts
insects disturbed by the stock. Depending on weather conditions, large
groups of spring migrant yellow wagtails may halt briefly on the coast. I
once chanced upon 80 at Salthouse. An hour later all had departed
westward. On another occasion between 400 and 500 were seen briefly at
Cley. Display flights between rival cocks occupy much of the birds' time
on the breeding grounds. You may see two males dancing in the air with
fluttering wings, pecking and clawing at each other. Courtship
ceremonies are delightful: the cock slowly circles the hen with
puffed-out breast feather, depressed wings and fanned tail. At times he
hangs suspended in the air, hovering with widely spread tail.
» Length: 5.5 inches
» Slender bill
» Yellow underparts
» Olive back
» Dark wings with some white edges
» White supercilium
» Gray head
» Black tail with white outer tail feathers
» Dark legs
» Sexes similar
» Juveniles have duller plumage, paler underparts and dark malar streaks connecting across the upper breast
» Breeds in Alaska
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