Name
Cape Wagtail
Latin Name
Motacilla capensis
Family
Motacillidae
Length
18 cm
Habitat
Cape Wagtail can usually be found near fresh water or coastal lagoons but has also adapted to city parks and gardens.
Bird Call
The call of a Cape Wagtail is a clear, ringing 'tseee-chee-chee' call and a whistled, trilling song.
Breeding
Eggs 2 - 4, usually 3, up to 5 and 7 have been recorded; dull yellowish more or less indistinctly finely speckled with brownish. Incubation by both sexes 13 - 14 days.
Immature Description
Young has the head brown like the back, underparts brownish and the wing-coverts tipped white.
Adult Description
This common bird is unmistakable with its grey-brown upperparts, dark band across chest and white outer tail-feathers. No white on secondaries.
Status
Common resident.
Distribution
The Cape Wagtail can be found from Kenya and the eastern Congo southwards to the Cape.
