Hello, everyone! Have you ever spotted a small, fast-moving bird chirping “chit-chit” in urban parking lots or in front of convenience stores? Yes, that’s the White Wagtail. Today, I’d like to shine the spotlight on this adorable bird with its somewhat unusual way of walking.
Roughly the same size as a sparrow, its long tail is a charming feature. The White Wagtail is characterized by its walk, swinging its long tail up and down. This ‘tail wagging’ is a gesture as if it is greeting us, and it endears them to us. Among small birds, the White Wagtail has a distinctive gait; while many small birds hop, the White Wagtail has a habit of walking briskly. It has adapted to life out of the woods and on the ground, where it searches for food, and has established its unique way of walking.
Sporting beautiful black and white plumage, the White Wagtail is quite the fashionista, changing shades with the seasons. In winter, it fluffs up, transforming into what looks like a fluffy ball.
This little bird is not very wary and is highly adaptable, managing to thrive even within human habitats. It is omnivorous, eating everything from insects on the ground to food dropped by people in parking lots and in front of convenience stores. It dines in a wide range of places, from watersides to urban areas, showing remarkable adaptability.
The White Wagtail’s strong call of “chit-chit” uplifts us, and it uses this call to communicate with its fellows. From autumn to winter, while it tends to be solitary during the day, at night it becomes sociable, gathering to sleep with its peers. Although it has a strong territorial instinct, it’s as if it’s forming a little community of its own.
Next time you see one, please cheer on this little athlete. Surely, you’ll find the charming presence of the White Wagtail in your city corner too!
