Willie Wagtail > nesting & juvenile | water | mixed company |

In the following photos, the Willie Wagtail was warding off a water dragon reptile that was getting to close to their nest.

Unlike Wagtails from the genus Motacilla (family Motacillidae) the Willie Wagtail are not from the wagtail species, but belong to the Fantails from the genus Rhipidura (family Rhipiduridae).

Following images of the parent Willy Wagtail feeding the young.

Images © Dorothy L


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Passeriformes
  • Family: Rhipiduridae
  • Genus: Rhipidura
  • Species: R. leucophrys
  • Binomial name: Rhipidura leucophrys
  • Subspecies:
    • R. l. leucophrys
    • R. l. melaleuca
    • R. l. picata