Eastern Yellow Wagtail Identification

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Eastern Yellow Wagtail Photos and Videos

Breeding male (Eastern)

A small, slender songbird with a long tail. Breeding males vary across the range, but all have bright yellow underparts, greenish upperparts, a yellow throat, and a black tail with white outer tail feathers. Breeding “Eastern” male has a gray crown, white line above the eye, and grayish to blackish mask.

Breeding male (Eastern)

The mask behind the eye of breeding “Eastern” males varies from gray to blackish.

Nonbreeding/immature

A small, slender, terrestrial songbird. Nonbreeding/immature has paler yellow underparts than breeding male. Frequently wags long tail.

Breeding male (Green-headed)

Breeding “Green-headed” male has a greenish crown, yellow stripe above the eye, and black mask through the eye.

Breeding male (Manchurian)

Breeding “Manchurian” male has a slaty gray crown and black mask around the eye.

Nonbreeding/immature

Typically forages on the ground, often in wet areas, walking and running in pursuit of insects.

Breeding male (Manchurian)

Forages mostly on the ground, feeding on insects.

Nonbreeding/immature

Some first-winter birds are gray above and white below, with a conspicuous white line above the eye.

Nonbreeding/immature

Nonbreeding/immature birds often have a brownish crown and mask, a white or yellow-and-white throat, and a brownish wash across the breast.

Nonbreeding/immature

Nonbreeding/immature birds have a similar pattern to breeding adults, but typically have a less distinct head pattern and are less colorful overall.

Nonbreeding/immature

A small, slender songbird with extensive geographic and seasonal plumage variation.

Nonbreeding/immature (Green-headed)

Identification to subspecies group can be challenging (or impossible) during the nonbreeding season, but this individual’s greenish crown, yellow stripe above the eye, blackish mask, and yellow throat identify it as a “Green-headed” Eastern Yellow Wagtail.

Breeding male (Eastern)

Typically found on the ground in open habitats, often near water.

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Compare with Similar Species

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Western Yellow Wagtail

Citrine Wagtail

Gray Wagtail

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Identification

Attractive ground-dwelling bird. Slender and long-tailed, bright yellow below with paler throat and grayish-olive back; extremely variable. Tail is black with white outer feathers; often pumps tail up and down while walking on the ground. Young birds lack yellow color, but have distinctive head pattern. Often seen near water. Listen for high-pitched, piercing call note. Common breeder on Arctic tundra from Alaska to Russia; found in grassy and waterside habitats in Southeast Asian wintering grounds and in migration.

Relative Size

Slightly smaller than American Pipit and Red-throated Pipit.

Size chart showing sparrow to goose sized

sparrow-sized or smaller

Measurements

Both Sexes
- Length: 6.7 in (17 cm)
- Weight: 0.5-0.8 oz (15.1-21.7 g)

Regional Differences

Ornithologists recognize three Eastern Yellow Wagtail subspecies groups: “Eastern,” “Green-headed,” and “Manchurian.” The “Eastern” group breeds from central Siberia east to Alaska and extreme western Canada. The “Green-headed” group breeds from southeastern Siberia to northern Japan. The “Manchurian” group breeds from northeastern Mongolia to southeasternmost Russia. During the nonbreeding season, when females and immatures can be very difficult to identify to group, all three subspecies groups occur in southeastern Asia, with some ranging west to India and others south to Australia. The main difference between the groups is the head color and pattern of breeding males. “Eastern” male has a gray crown, white line above the eye, and grayish to blackish mask. “Green-headed” male has a greenish crown, yellow stripe above the eye, and black mask through the eye. “Manchurian” male has a slaty gray crown and black mask around the eye.