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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Motacilla alba
White wagtail. Greek: λευκoσoυσoυράδα. Pefki, September 2003.
Resident, common and widespread. Length 16-19 cm, wingspan 25-28 cm. Sexes similar. Riverbeds, muddy riverbanks, ponds, parks, gardens, seashore, offshore rocks. Forages with quick movements on ground. Hovers to catch insects. Diverse diet including aquatic and terrestrial insects, worms, crustaceans. Characteristic up-and-down tail swings. Nests mostly in rock crevices. Mixes twittering song with high-pitched and harsh calls. Aggressive territorial behaviour when breeding.
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