Birds ‹‹ Go Back

Common Name : White Wagtail     -       Scientific Name : Motacilla alba       -       Other Name : Pied Wagtail, Indian Pied Wagtail (S) Sudu Halapenda(S)
Kokkare Villu
11/18/2017
Kokkare Villu
11/18/2017
Kokkare Villu
11/18/2017
Kokkare Villu
11/18/2017

This is a rare migrant to the island. It has a wide breeding range and breeds in much of Europe, Asia and parts of North Africa. Eleven subspecies have been recognized so far. The species that visit Sri Lanka is M. a. dukhunensis and is known to breed in Western Siberian plains which includes part of Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The upperparts of this subspecies are paler and more blue-grey than nominate, and has it has a continuous unbroken white panel on wing coverts.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (IUCN Red List) and it is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

I have seen this species at Udawalawa national park from 2005 to 2015 between November to January.

My first record of this species from Wilpattu was on the 22nd of January 2017 at Kaali Villu. Thereafter on the 18th of November 2017 I was thrilled to see another at Kokkare Villu.