
Western Yellow Wagtail
The western yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava) is a small passerine in the wagtail family Motacillidae, which also includes the pipits and longclaws.
Species insights
Most records Dec to Feb
When Western Yellow Wagtail sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Curve from 113 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property and not from this province. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond
Provinces where Western Yellow Wagtail is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
113 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Western Yellow Wagtail
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Western Yellow Wagtail recorded here
Western Yellow Wagtail recorded here
Western Yellow Wagtail recorded here
Western Yellow Wagtail recorded here
Western Yellow Wagtail recorded here
Western Yellow Wagtail recorded here
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Southern right whales, sea cliffs, and Hermanus's harbour town
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Western Yellow Wagtail
Hosts have recorded the Western Yellow Wagtail at stays in or beside Table Mountain National Park, Garden Route National Park and Tsitsikamma National 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.
Where to base yourself
- Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western Cape
- Eastern CapeSelf-driveStays in Eastern Cape
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 flava
Records
113
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Western Yellow Wagtail on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Western Yellow Wagtail in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Western Yellow Wagtail at stays in or beside Table Mountain National Park, Garden Route National Park and Tsitsikamma National 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 Western Yellow Wagtail in South Africa?
The Western Yellow Wagtail is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (40% of records), Mpumalanga (24% of records), Western Cape (19% of records), based on 113 iNaturalist observations. 6 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Western Yellow Wagtail on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Western Yellow Wagtail?
Sightings of the Western Yellow Wagtail peak from Dec to Feb, based on 113 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the Western Yellow Wagtail?
The Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Western Yellow Wagtail?
The western yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava) is a small passerine in the wagtail family Motacillidae, which also includes the pipits and longclaws.




























