Species profile
About this species
The White Wagtail is a slender, long-tailed passerine bird with striking black, white & grey plumage. It is highly active & constantly bobs its tail up & down, a behaviour that makes it instantly recognisable. Found across Europe, Asia & parts of Africa, it is a common & widespread species often seen near water & human settlements.
White Wagtails favour open habitats near water, including riverbanks, lakesides, coastal margins & farmland. In Iceland they are commonly found around human settlements, rocky coastlines & grassy areas near the sea.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph White Wagtail with us in Iceland.
These departures are part of our Europe programme.
In the field, Robin Lowry helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
The summer months of June & July coincide well with the Iceland trips, when White Wagtails are breeding & highly active. Early morning light provides warm tones & soft shadows ideal for photographing this bird in open habitats.
White Wagtails are constantly on the move, so use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze their motion & tail-wagging behaviour. In Iceland during the summer trips (June-July), look for them around coastal areas, farmsteads & rocky shorelines where they forage openly, allowing relatively close approach. Get low to the ground to achieve eye-level shots that give a more intimate & compelling perspective on this small bird.
Available holidays
Trips featuring White Wagtail
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.