Motacilla clara
Of the three kinds of resident wagtails that occur in South Africa, the Mountain Wagtail has by far the most limited and patchy distribution. In the Eastern Cape it occurs along the coast east of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and in the mountains around Hogsback. In Kwazulu-Natal they’re found on the south coast, in the Midlands and in the Drakensberg, with fewer records from further north in the province. in Mpumalanga and Limpopo they frequent the mountains of the escarpment. The distribution range of this species is equally disjointed through the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. According to the IUCN, the Mountain Wagtail is of least concern. These confiding birds are found along pristine mountain streams strewn with boulders and bordered by dense vegetation, seldom venturing out into open areas like lawns like the others of its family. They feed mainly on insects and bathe regularly.
Adult Mountain Wagtails form monogamous territorial pairs that remain strong life-long, and unless one of the pair is on the nest they’re always seen together, often joined by their offspring. Mountain Wagtails nest in spring and summer, with both partners involved in constructing the cup-shaped nest in a cavity in the river bank, rock face, or among flood debris. Clutches contain 1-4 eggs which are incubated for 2 weeks. The chicks leave the nest 2-3 weeks after hatching, and then remain with their parents for up to 2 months more. Fully grown they measure about 20cm in length and weigh approximately 20g.
DeWetsWild 
Ooh I had not been aware of this third species of wagtail! Thanks for introducing me to it.
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Definitely the least known of our “permanently resident” wagtails
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Pretty little birds!
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Indeed, Robert. Wish we saw them more often.
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Daardie stertjie laat my dink aan ‘n trotse dingetjie. Fyn, maar getrain.
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Ek dink jy is reg, Elsabe. Hulle lyk of hulle die baas van die plaas is.
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Dis ‘n ou mooi voeltjie. Ek sal moet uitkyk vir hom … Hogsback is mos darem nie te ver van Oos-London nie en ons wil juis gaan kyk hoe dit daar lyk 😉.
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Dit klink heerlik! Self was ons nog nooit daar nie maar almal se stories oor die plek maak my altyd jaloers.
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Very nice photography of a beautiful bird that bathes regularly!
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Thank you most kindly, Hien!
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Nou eers wagtail opgesoek. Het gedink dis n kwikstertjie. Baie lekker Afrikaanse naam vir hom. Kry hul nie hier nie.
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Wat n jammerte dat julle nie kwikkies het nie, Ineke. Hulle laat my altyd opgewonde voel!
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Kwikkies en tortelduiwe is my beste tuin voëls soggens vroeg. Hier is ‘n fantail wat ‘n dierbare klein parmant is wat my nou hier op plaas soggens vermaak, klein klits. https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/fantail-piwakawaka/
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Die fantail is n pragtige voeltjie met sy waaierstert!
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Regte klein parmant. Hy sal om jou kop kom duik net om jou kastig weg te jaag van plek waar hy besig is om goggatjies te vang. Hy kan ook baie lekker met mens gesels as jy vir hom fluitgeluidjies maak.
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Te oulik!
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You have enjoyed some good views of this delightful bird.
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Another species that always has me excited when we see them, Anne
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I also did a double-take at their regular bathing. With all that clean, pure mountain streams I don’t blame them!
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They may just be our cleanest birds! 😀
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😂🙋🏻♀️
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Cute little bird and a cute name as well. Waiting for my husband to get home from helping his sister who has serious lymphoma so that we can finally watch the most recent 7’s tournament!! 🙂
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I’m sure your husband will appreciate the distraction. I hope your sister-in-law has a good prognosis?
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Her latest scan showed improvement which is a big blessing. She’ll still be doing chemo but she’s gained weight and is doing much better. If my husband hadn’t gone out, she very likely would have died. God is good.
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Amen! Glad to hear good news this Monday morning.
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Glad to be able to share it!
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Still praying for complete healing.
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Interesting bird, I’ve never seen them before. 🙂
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Glad we could introduce you to one of our lesser known species, H.J
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Pretty little one. Bathes regularly? I don’t recall you ever writing that about another bird!
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It’s a wonder these little darlings don’t have webbed feet, Lois. They take a dip very regularly while walking along the water’s edge. Almost as of they have OCD!
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