
Grey Wagtail
The grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) is a member of the wagtail family, Motacillidae, measuring around 18, 19 cm overall length.
Species insights
Most records Dec to Jan
When Grey Wagtail sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Curve from 52 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Grey Wagtail is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
52 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Grey Wagtail
Stays that give back
Across the Northern Cape
Grey Wagtail recorded here
Grey Wagtail recorded here
Grey Wagtail recorded here
Grey Wagtail recorded here
Grey Wagtail recorded here
Grey Wagtail recorded here
Grey Wagtail recorded here
Grey Wagtail recorded here
Grey Wagtail recorded here
South Africa's vast inland heart: silence, stars, and wide horizons
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Grey Wagtail
Hosts have recorded the Grey Wagtail at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Species
Motacilla cinerea
Records
52
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Grey Wagtail on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Grey Wagtail in Northern Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Grey Wagtail at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Grey Wagtail in South Africa?
The Grey Wagtail is most recorded in Western Cape (54% of records), Gauteng (19% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (15% of records), based on 52 iNaturalist observations. 9 places to stay on Spekboom in Northern Cape have recorded the Grey Wagtail on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Grey Wagtail?
Sightings of the Grey Wagtail peak from Dec to Jan, based on 52 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the Grey Wagtail?
The Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Grey Wagtail?
The grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) is a member of the wagtail family, Motacillidae, measuring around 18, 19 cm overall length. The species looks somewhat similar to the yellow wagtail but has the yellow on its underside restricted to the throat and vent. Breeding males have a black throat.

























