Image of Motacilla madaraspatensis

Description:

The White Browed Wagtail is a medium-sized bird and is the largest member of the wagtail family. They are common in small water bodies & the surname / specific name is derived from the Indian city of Madras. The white-browed wagtail is the largest species of wagtail at 21 cm length. It is a slender bird, with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus. They are conspicuously patterned with black above and white below, a prominent white brow, shoulder stripe and outer tail feathers. It has black upperparts, head and breast, with a white supercilium and large white wingbar. The female has the black less intense than in the male. The white-browed wagtail is a resident breeder in India and is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. In most of India it is found below 1000 m but in southern India it goes up into the hills up to 2200 m. A very shy & active bird it is usually seen in pairs or small groups near open water.