Willie Wagtail

jirrabili (Bundjalung name)

Rhipidura leucophrys

Songs & Calls

The Willie Wagtail’s call is well-known, often being uttered constantly throughout the night, and is interpreted as “sweet-pretty-creature”, though other calls involve more scolding and chattering notes. Bird call recorded by Fred Van Gessel.

Local Notes

It’s such an energetic bird, the Willy Wagtail. Watching these fierce, bold and curious little birds from my Sibley Street verandah always brought a smile to my face. It’s that constantly wagging tail and sweet chattering call that lifts the spirits – bringing joy and creativity with it. In folklore, it often represents communication, adaptability and resourcefulness – a messenger from the spirit world.

by Lois Kelly

Bird Overview

The Willie Wagtail is the largest and most well-known of the Australian fantails. The Willie Wagtail is often found in the company of cattle and sheep. They either run behind the moving animal snatching insects as they are disturbed, or sit on the animal’s back, darting off to capture a flying insect and then returning to its mobile perch.

Identification

The plumage is black above with a white belly. The Willie Wagtail can be distinguished from other similar-sized black and white birds by its black throat and white eyebrows and whisker marks. The name wagtail stems from the constant sideways wagging of the tail. Young birds resemble the adults, but have paler, slightly rusty edges to the feathers of the wings.