African pied wagtail
Introduction: African pied wagtails (Motacilla aguimp) favour permanent water courses, preferring wide rivers and water bodies with exposed boulders and rocks or sandy banks. Is frequently observed around human settlements, usually in pairs or small family flocks, at times reaching 100 birds.
Distribution: Isolated populations throughout Namibia, but common around the Orange River and Fish River Canyon. Also observed in Epupa Falls, Kavango River region, Caprivi Strip and Etosha National Park.
Diet: Picks prey from vegetation whilst walking. Eats crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars and butterflies, dragonflies, termites and ants, tadpoles and worms. Also takes grass seeds and on occasions small fish.
Description: Black upper parts with a 'washed grey' rump. Aguimp is a French word meaning 'with a wimple' referring to the black hood on the neck, head and sides of the face. Flight feathers have white bases on black.
Breeding: Nests are made from dry grass, weeds, roots and at times seaweed. From 2 to 5 eggs are laid from June to December and incubated for up to 15 days.
Size: 20cm.
Weight: 26g.
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