Birdwatch: Grey Wagtail, the small bird with a big flight

🔴 The Grey Wagtail is among the few bird species that arrive early in the winter but leave in the end, often staying till April.

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla Cinerea) is a small member of the Wagtail family, Motacillidae.

It likes to hop along with me throughout the 3-km-long seasonal rivulet passing through the wildlife sanctuary Khol-Hi-Raitan nestled in the picturesque Morni Hills, 20 km away from Chandigarh. But its speed and small flights were fast.

While I was taking two steps, the tiny Grey Wagtail, which is occasionally mistaken for the Yellow Wagtail, with its wagging tail was covering at least 10 metre in one flight. My numerous attempts to capture it on my digital camera equipped with a 55mm”-250mm” lens were futile. Wagtail, as is evident from its name, wags its tail frequently.

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In the beginning of a harsh winter, Grey Wagtails, an altitudinal migratory bird, along with its other wagtail species, migrate to lowland areas. Wagtails can be spotted in towns, farmyards but the best places to observe these pretty birds are the shallow water bodies and river stretches where they can find insects in abundance.

In this sense, the seasonal rain-fed river stretch in the Khol-Hi-Raitan sanctuary was the perfect place for my winged companion. It takes shelter in small holes and cavities situated along the river on the hillsides.

The Grey Wagtail is among the few bird species that arrive early in the winter but leave in the end, often staying till April.

There is no need to go to hotspots of migratory birds like Sukhna Lake, Motemajra, Chappar Chiri to have a glimpse of this species. If you carefully inspect your surroundings in public parks etc, you will easily spot a wagtail.

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla Cinerea) is a small member of the Wagtail family, Motacillidae. It has yellow on its underside restricted to the throat and vent. Breeding males have a black throat. As for the size, this bird measures 18-19 cm in length. The female too has a dark spot on the throat during its mating season. In Punjabi folklore, this bird is popularly called ‘Saleeti Mamola’.

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The species is widely distributed, with several populations breeding in Europe and Asia, and migrating to tropical regions in Asia and Africa. Like other wagtails, they frequently wag their tail and fly low with undulations and they have a sharp call that is often given in flight.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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