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Wagtail: meaning, definitions and examples

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wagtail

 

[ หˆwรฆษกteษชl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

bird species

A wagtail is a small bird belonging to the family Motacillidae, known for its long tail that wags up and down. These birds are often found near water bodies and are distinguished by their graceful movements and distinctive calls. Wagtails are primarily insectivorous, feeding on various small invertebrates. They are common in a range of habitats, including gardens, wetlands, and open fields.

Synonyms

Motacillidae, wag-tail, water wagtail

Examples of usage

  • I often see wagtails near the riverbank.
  • The wagtail's tail movement caught my attention.
  • We spotted a grey wagtail in the park.
  • Wagtails are known for their lively behavior.
  • During spring, the wagtails come out in large numbers.

Translations

Translations of the word "wagtail" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น wagtail

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคตเคพเค—เคŸเฅ‡เคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Wagtail

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ wagtail

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฒั–ัะปะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ wagtail

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒฏใ‚ฐใƒ†ใ‚คใƒซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท bergeronnette

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ lavandera

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sazlฤฑk kuytusu

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํฐ๋ฐœ๋†๊ฒŒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ุฒู‚ุฒูˆู‚

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ wagtail

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ wagtail

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้นค้ธฎ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ wagtail

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ vagtail

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบำฉะบา›าฑั‚ะฐะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ•แƒแƒ’แƒขแƒ”แƒ˜แƒš

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ wagtail

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ lavandera

Etymology

The term 'wagtail' originated in the early 16th century from the combination of 'wag', which means to move repeatedly or to shake, and 'tail', referencing the bird's distinctive tail movements. The Old English word 'wรฆge' denoted a movement back and forth, further solidifying the bird's name through its notable characteristic. Wagtails are widely reported in the literature, often serving as symbols of agility and grace in various cultures. Historically, these birds have been characterized by their vivid coloring and active demeanor, making them a popular subject in ornithology and birdwatching discussions. The classification of wagtails under the family Motacillidae reflects their relationship with pipits, underscoring their ecological importance in controlling insect populations in their habitats.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,123, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.