The Cape wagtail (Motacilla capensis) is a common and popular bird in South Africa, light brown with a darker head, back and wings, black legs and beak, and a distinctive black triangle across its chest. Its diet is mainly insects, but it also eats sandhoppers, ticks, small fish, snails and fiddler crabs.
Name
Cape Wagtail [Motacilla capensis]
Appearance
The Cape Wagtail is a rather common and popular bird in South Africa. The Wagtail has a light brown coat colour. The tops of their bodies, wings and their heads are all darker than the base colour. They have black tip feathers on their wings. They have black legs and a black beak. The Wagtail also has an iconic black bandana on its chest in the form of a black triangle.
Diet
The Wagtail’s diet consists of insects but have also been known to feed on sandhoppers, ticks, small fish, snails and fiddler crabs.
Breeding
The Cape Wagtail is a monogamous animal that are solitary nesters and live in pairs through a number of breeding seasons. The female will lay one to 5 eggs in a nest that is located in areas like a hole in the wall, pot plants or bridges. The eggs will hatch after 13-15 days after which both the female and male will feed the chicks for 18 days. After the 18 days the chicks will leave the nest. The chicks are then fledged and fed by their parents for another 20 to 25 days, and become fully independent up to about 44 days after fledging, rarely up to 60 days.
Behaviour
The Cape Wagtail is a rather territorial animal that will fiercely attack other Wagtails that come into its territory. The cape Wagtail is so aggressive that it has been known to attack its own reflection when spotting it. Cape Wagtail will often build its nest out of both organic and synthetic materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cape wagtail territorial?
Yes. The Cape wagtail fiercely attacks other wagtails that come into its territory, and it is so aggressive that it has been known to attack its own reflection when it spots it.
Where do Cape wagtails build their nests?
Cape wagtails nest in places such as holes in walls, pot plants and bridges, building their nests from both organic and synthetic materials.
How many eggs does a Cape wagtail lay?
The female lays one to five eggs, which hatch after 13 to 15 days. The chicks are then fed in the nest for 18 days, after which they leave it.
Are Cape wagtails monogamous?
Yes. Cape wagtails are monogamous and live in pairs through a number of breeding seasons. They are solitary nesters, and both the male and the female feed the chicks.
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