White-browed Wagtail
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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = White-browed Wagtail | image = Motacilla_maderaspatensis.jpg | image_width = 240px | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Aves | ordo = Passeriformes | familia = Motacillidae | genus = Motacilla | species = M. madaraspatensis | binomial = Motacilla madaraspatensis | binomial_authority = Gmelin, 1789 }}
The White-browed Wagtail also known as the Large Pied Wagtail (Motacilla madaraspatensis) is a medium-sized passerine bird in the wagtail family Motacillidae, which also includes the pipits and longclaws. It is a resident breeder in India. It is also known by its other name of Large Pied Wagtail and the species name is derived from the Indian city of Madras now known as Chennai. This is the largest species of wagtail and it is one of the few that has adapted well to urban habitats and is often found perched on overhead water storages in residential buildings. The female has the black coloration less glossy than in the male.
It is found in open freshwater wetland habitats. It builds its cup-shaped nest in a hole in a wall or bank and usually lays three to five eggs. Like other wagtails, this species is insectivorous.
The White-browed Wagtail is a large wagtail at 21cm. This is a slender bird, with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus. It has black upperparts, head and breast, with a white supercilium and large white wingbar. The rest of the underparts are white. Juveniles are brown-grey where the adult is black.
This is species
Reference
- Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6