Are they one in the same?
I spotted this little cutie running around my road earlier. I thought it was a Pied wagtail until I looked up my RSPB book and it's thrown me into confusion! (Not difficult, I know!! :)) The book also talks about a white wagtail, so now I'm all confuddled! lol
Any help appreciated. It was quite far away and these are the best I could get picture wise!
Thank you as always. :)
Looks like a Pied to me.
I'd go with Pied too.
Yes, Pied Wagtail.
Both Pied and White Wagtails are generally treated as different subspecies of a single species - which confusingly is known as White Wagtail.
The ones that we tend to refer to as "White Wagtails" in the UK are perhaps better referred to as "continental White Wagtails". They pass through the UK on their way to breed in Iceland and Scandinavia in the spring, and on their way back in the autumn (when they are more difficult to distinguish). A few may also overwinter in the UK.
If the back is very dark grey, or black, then you have a Pied Wagtail. If it is a much paler grey then you might have a continental White Wagtail.
Thanks Sam and Stitch, appreciated.
Roy! Thank you very much for taking the time to type that very clear and informative explanation! It is very much valued and appreciated. No confusion now! You are far better than my RSPB book! Thank you! :)