Motacillidae

Wagtails, longclaws, and pipits belong to the Motacillidae family of small passerine birds, consisting of around 70 species across five genera. Longclaws are limited to the Afrotropics, wagtails are mainly found in Europe, Africa, and Asia, while pipits have a more cosmopolitan presence, especially in the Old World and parts of the Americas and islands like New Zealand. Some African species, such as the yellow-breasted pipit and Sharpe’s longclaw, are occasionally classified in a separate genus, Hemimacronyx.

These birds primarily feed on insects and other invertebrates, inhabiting diverse environments from shores to mountains, with wagtails favoring wetter areas. Most species nest on the ground, laying up to six speckled eggs. Their diet varies based on local availability.