White Wagtail is a common insectivorousthe birdie, which is quite easy to recognize by its elegant appearance: a long, constantly swaying tail, black crown and neck, and tummy, forehead and cheeks are white. However, the color of this bird varies slightly depending on the habitat.
White Wagtail breaks the ice with its tail
In the old days, this bird was called “sinochka” orPly In the early spring, when they saw a flown wagtail, the old men would say: "Sinochka flew in to break the ice on the river." They either jokingly or seriously believed that this bird, running across the ice, smashes it with its swaying tail. But no matter how it was there, shortly after the arrival of the herald of spring, the drift begins.
Where the white wagtail likes to live
The favorite habitat of this bird - the coastlakes, rivers and streams. The Germans, for example, call her for this "stream runner." For wagtails, the main thing is that there should not be thick undergrowth on the banks of the reservoirs chosen. Then you can move around without a hitch. And if there is a human dwelling nearby, then for our bird it is just a gift of fate. After all, a person whom a wagtail does not fear at all, there will always be many secluded places where you can build a nest. By the way, the white wagtail, the photo of which is posted here, has no equal in the options for arranging its nests. Its facilities can be found in the mailbox, and in the woodpile of wood, and in the hollow of a tree, and in an abandoned combine, and even in a chimney.
Wagtail nest
Because of the diversity of places where the nest is built,the construction material used for it is also varied. Somewhere in the hole, on the ground, the nest is lined with thin blades of grass and leaves, and on the banks of rivers, in brickwork or pipe, it is made of disheveled stems and crushed leaves lined with woolen fibers. But in any case - it is a shallow bowl, insulated with animal hair and horsehair. There the female will lay 6 small eggs covered with pale specks. By the way, it is believed that if a wagtail settled in your house, it will bring good luck.
How does the white wagtail feed
To get food for yourself, wagtailmost of the time running on the ground. She moves in mincing steps, like an equilibrist on a rope, balancing her tail and continually lunges behind the midge. But sometimes it can rise behind the insect and to a great height. Perhaps that is why wagtails love so much smooth tracks, dense trampled soil, or wet sand.
White Wagtail - Bold Bird
Wagtail possesses cheerful restlesscharacter. The male with desperate courage protects the nesting place. In addition, seeing the predator, the birds gather in a flock and with loud cries begin to pursue him, simultaneously warning everyone around about the danger. And often this behavior of wagtails causes the predator to abandon the hunt. And to their chicks, they show great attention and care. So, it is known that a pair of wagtails, who built a nest on the boat, did not leave the hatched nestlings and continued to feed them while swimming.
