Cape Wagtail
Motacilla capensis
Habitat
Ground
Diet
Invertebrate
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
21 g
About This Species
Look along the margins of rivers, dams, coastal rocks and even urban parks and gardens across southern Africa, where this active, ground-feeding wagtail dashes after insects with its long tail bobbing constantly. It is often confidently tame around people, foraging on lawns, pavements and rocky shorelines alike, and is present and easy to find throughout the year. Early morning and late afternoon, when insect activity near water is highest, tend to produce the most active feeding behaviour to watch.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Because this species is often tolerant of people, it is easy to get a close view without much effort, but it is still worth avoiding chasing or crowding a foraging bird just because it stays close by choice.
- General wildlife protection law applies to native birds across its southern African range, with specific rules varying by country, so avoid handling or nest disturbance rather than assuming any particular exemption.
- Letting the bird approach on its own terms during normal foraging, rather than following it closely, keeps the encounter low-stress for the animal.
LCAvesPasseriformesMotacillidae
Seasonal Activity
439,273 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Motacillidae
Traits
- Diet
- Invertebrate
- Foraging
- Ground
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 21 g
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.