Citrine Wagtail (Male spring)
Scientific Name 
Motacilla citreola
Arabic Name 
Kuwaiti name 
18.0 cm
Least Concern


Common passage migrant; rare winter visitor. This species may be frequently overlooked among the large numbers of migrating wagtails in spring and autumn. Although it passes in small numbers, it is widespread in Kuwait.
Where in Kuwait 
Outside of the breeding season, it also occupies coastal marshes, brackish lagoons and river sandbars, and artificial environments such as sewage farms and irrigated land and is found in these areas in Kuwait, from Jahra in the east to Al Abraq in the west.
In the world 
It has an extremely large range and a population that is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats. It breeds in north central Asia in wet meadows and tundra. It migrates in winter to south Asia, often to highland areas. Vagrants seem to extend the migration rather than straying en route and has also been recorded as an extremely rare passer-by rather than staying even for a few days or weeks. Wagtails are so named for their conspicuous habit of wagging the long tail while walking or running briskly along the ground.
Local threats 
Indiscriminate shooting, trapping and habitat loss.