wagtail

American  

[wag-teyl] / ˈwægˌteɪl /

noun

1. any of numerous small, chiefly Old World birds of the family Motacillidae, having a slender body with a long, narrow tail that is habitually wagged up and down.

2. any of several similar birds, as the water thrushes of the genus Seiurus.

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wagtail British  

/ ˈwæɡˌteɪl /

noun

1. any of various passerine songbirds of the genera Motacilla and Dendronanthus, of Eurasia and Africa, having a very long tail that wags when the bird walks: family Motacillidae

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Etymology

Origin of wagtail

First recorded in 1500–10; wag + tail ¹

Example Sentences

“And why not with us?” asked Nannie and Billie Wagtail, the goat children.

From Uncle Wiggily and Old Mother Hubbard Adventures of the Rabbit Gentleman with the Mother Goose Characters by Garis, Howard Roger

Ray's Wagtail, the third of the Yellow Wagtails placed on the list of British birds, is, next to the Pied, the best known species, being a regular summer visitor, and everywhere tolerably common.

From British Birds in their Haunts by Johns, Rev. C. A.

Its habits are much the same as those of the Pied Wagtail, but it is even lighter and more active in its movements.

From British Birds in their Haunts by Johns, Rev. C. A.

Wagtail, who was not much of a shot, sat on deck and passed the weapons up and down.

From Hair Breadth Escapes Perilous incidents in the lives of sailors and travelers in Japan, Cuba, East Indies, etc., etc. by Arthur, T. S. (Timothy Shay)

It was now bright day, and Wagtail, Bangs, and Gelid, were all three on deck, washing themselves.

From Hair Breadth Escapes Perilous incidents in the lives of sailors and travelers in Japan, Cuba, East Indies, etc., etc. by Arthur, T. S. (Timothy Shay)