Case Summary for:

Submission No 250: White Wagtail Motacilla alba, Durak River, WA 17th October 1997. Submitted by R. Hill.

Verdict: Not Accepted

This case relates to a claim of a White Wagtail Motacilla alba observed on the Durak River at Jack's Water Hole, WA (15 0 14' S - 127 0 53' E ) on the 17th October 1997. The bird was in view for approximately 20 minutes as it fed adjacent to a fresh water lagoon.

The description was very brief and insubstantial but did state that the bird had a "black head and chest, definitely no stripe through the eye and an absence of any grey on the back". The tail movement was noted to be in a somewhat vertical plane as distinct from the usual side to side motion (as in Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys). The observer was 100% confident with the identification as Motacilla alba of the race leucopsis and he may be correct.

However, given the fact that this submission offers no real corroborative notes, sketches or photographic evidence the committee is unable to go any further with the case. There is nothing concrete for members to vote on and therefore we consider this case as unconfirmed.

References and Bibliography

  • Bird Migration Research Centre. 1983. Bird Banding Manual, Identification Guide to Japanese Birds, Yamashina Institute for Ornithology, Shibuya, Tokoyo.
  • 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.
  • Sharpe R.B. 1885. Catalogue of the Passeriformes in the collection of British Musuem, Vol 10: 482-6, British Museum, London.
  • Shigeta, Y. 1995. White & Japanese Wagtails 1, Birder 9: 48-53.
  • Shigeta, Y. 1996. White & Japanese Wagtails 2, Birder 10: 46-52.
  • Wild Bird Society of Japan. 1982. A Field Guide to the Birds of Japan, Wild Bird Society of Japan, Tokyo.

Tony Palliser
Chairman Birds Australia Rarities Committee (BARC)