Submission No 350: White Wagtail Motacilla alba leucopsis, Christmas Island, WA 4th - 5th March 2002. (Unpublished) Submitted by D. James.

Verdict: Accepted

This submission relates to a sighting of a White Wagtail considered to be of the race leucopsis from the local refuse tip on Christmas Island. The bird was briefly seen on the 4th March 2002 and was relocated the following day by several observers (including G. Holmes) when it provided the opportunity to confirm the identity.

The description clearly describes a 'white' wagtail with a plain white face without a dark eye stripe, a large black bib and a black (not grey) mantle, back and scapulars. The combination of which were considered enough to confirm the identity as a male of the race leucopsis.

Committee members voted unanimously in favour of acceptance and concurred with the observers' conclusion that the bird was a male of the race leucopsis. Interestingly this record coincides with additional subsequent sightings of 'white' wagtails from Christmas Island. Two of which are confirmed to be of the race 'ocularis' (Cases: 339 & 340 see BARC website)

This is the first confirmed record of the race leucopsis from Christmas Island and the 8th confirmed record of Motacilla alba to be accepted by BARC.

References and Bibliography:

· Carter, M. et al. 1995. White Wagtails Motacilla alba in Victoria. Australian Birdwatcher 16: 21-33.
· Howell, S.N.G. 1990. Identification of White & Black-backed Wagtails in Alternate Plumage. Western Birds 21: 41-49.
· Morlan, J. 1981. Status & Identification of forms of the White Wagtail in Western North America. Continental Birdlife 2: 37-50.
· Roberson, D. 1982. Black-backed Wagtail Motacilla lugens / White Wagtail M alba. Birding 15: 127-129.
· Sibley, D.A. & Howell, S.N.G. 1998. Identification of White and Black-backed Wagtails in Basic Plumage. Western Birds, 29: 180-198

Tony Palliser
Chairman Birds Australia Rarities Committee (BARC)