Bird of the Week – Pied wagtail

THE pied wagtail is a common resident which is found solitary or in pairs when breeding, otherwise in groups of a few birds to several dozen birds.

These birds are often found on rocks, sandbanks of large rivers, sewage ponds, playing fields, golf courses, parks and gardens.

Its song is a sustained jumble of high pitched and mellow piping notes.

The pied wagtail walks briskly, running now and then after its prey, jumping or flying into the air to catch it. They stop when agitated and wag their tails up and down. While feeding mainly on insects, they also love bread crumbs and meal.

They breed from June to April and lay three to five white eggs in a nest which is robustly made from rags, string, grass and leaves lined with a neat cup of fine grass.

Nestlings remain for 25 to 28 days.

The Zulu name is umcishu and in Afrikaans, bontwikkie.