White Wagtail

Unnoticed biodiversity

Identification

Common name: White Wagtail, also known as Pied Wagtail
Latin name: Motacilla alba
Length: 18 cm
Distinguishing features: tricoloured (black, grey, white)
Habitat: open country with low vegetation
Diet: insects
Status: heritage species, Near Threatened in the Ile-de-France region
Nesting period: April to mid-August

Seen in the garden

This small passerine runs along the ground hunting for insects, and nests in crevices in stone walls, beneath roof tiles and in other crannies of natural and human-made structures. It returns to the same nest site each year. A pair of White Wagtails was observed in the Tuileries Garden in 2023 and 2024 during the survey campaigns conducted by the Louvre.

This pair nests in the immediate surroundings of the Louvre to feed in the garden.

White Wagtail - song and various contact calls

Audio

1 min.

Did you know?

This species is extremely rare in the capital. A dozen pairs were observed in the 2015–2018 period.
It is a privilege to be able to come observe them in the Tuileries.

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