m |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
;Motacilla grandis | ;Motacilla grandis | ||
| − | [[Image:Japanese_Wagtail.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:Japanese_Wagtail.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Marysan]] |
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
Easily distinguishable from other wagtails in its range by the all-black upperparts and breast, and bold white eyebrow. There is considerable variation in the size of the white throat patch; otherwise, thankfully, it does not have the multiplicity of forms that make other wagtails difficult to identify. Juveniles have a plain grey head with a hint of the white eyebrow. Japanese Wagtail is also easily identified by call, having a raspier, buzzier 'ji ji' than the chipping notes of Black-backed (White) Wagtail, which is also a common resident and visitor throughout Japan. | Easily distinguishable from other wagtails in its range by the all-black upperparts and breast, and bold white eyebrow. There is considerable variation in the size of the white throat patch; otherwise, thankfully, it does not have the multiplicity of forms that make other wagtails difficult to identify. Juveniles have a plain grey head with a hint of the white eyebrow. Japanese Wagtail is also easily identified by call, having a raspier, buzzier 'ji ji' than the chipping notes of Black-backed (White) Wagtail, which is also a common resident and visitor throughout Japan. | ||
Revision as of 12:53, 29 May 2007
- Motacilla grandis
Description
Easily distinguishable from other wagtails in its range by the all-black upperparts and breast, and bold white eyebrow. There is considerable variation in the size of the white throat patch; otherwise, thankfully, it does not have the multiplicity of forms that make other wagtails difficult to identify. Juveniles have a plain grey head with a hint of the white eyebrow. Japanese Wagtail is also easily identified by call, having a raspier, buzzier 'ji ji' than the chipping notes of Black-backed (White) Wagtail, which is also a common resident and visitor throughout Japan.
Identification
ENDEMIC to Japan, the Japanese Wagtail is a locally common resident of Kyushu, Honshu and Shikoku, but it is rarer in northern and southern parts of the country. It is almost always found near fresh water, foraging along the water's edge. With some guidance to appropriate habitat, it is easily locatable near Tokyo.
