The Cape wagtail (Motacilla capensis) is one of thirteen species of wagtail and there are three subspecies. The original specimen which gave rise to naming this species, the nominate subspecies, was collected from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa in 1760. The Cape of Good Hope is where we found the one we saw (M.c capensis). It was on a rock very close to the ocean. This subspecies is found in western and southern Namibia, southeastern Botswana, much of Zimbabwe, western and southern Mozambique and South Africa.
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| Cape wagtail near the Cape of Good Hope. |
It has a relatively short tail for a wagtail, grey/brown upperparts, a buff supercilium (a stripe from the base of the beak, over the eye and ending towards the rear of the head), dark lores (between the eye and upper base of the beak), creamy white underparts, and a dusky breast band. After looking at quite a few pictures, I think I have it right.
Did its tail wag? I don't remember.
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