In Europe, the breeding population is estimated to number 16.9-27.6 million pairs, which equates to 33.9-55.2 million mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015). Europe forms c.25% of the global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is 135-221 million mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is needed.

The species inhabits a very wide variety of non-forested wet and dry habitats, including seashores, rocky or sandy upland rivers and slow-moving lowland rivers, lakeshores, farmland, gardens, parks and short grassland, such as that found in vicinity of factories in towns and cities. It is also often found in towns and villages. It mostly breeds from early April to August, starting later in the north. The species is monogamous. Both sexes build the nest, which is a rough cup of twigs, grass stems, leaves, rootlets and mosses, lined with hair, wool or feathers. It is placed in a hole or crevice in a riverbank, wall or bridge. White Wagtail also often nests in buildings or even in machinery. Clutches consist of three to eight eggs. The species feeds on a wide range of small terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, as well as fish fry, crumbs and other household scraps. Most populations are regular long-distance migrants, while others are partial migrants or largely resident. In western and southern Europe, some populations of the nominate race and of the subspecies yarrellii are resident, but northern populations of the latter are partial migrants (Tyler 2016).

Climate change is thought to affect the timing of migration for this species (Ahas and Aasa 2006, Sokolov and Gordienko 2008, Kullberg et al. 2015).

Conservation Actions Underway

Bern Convention Appendix II. There are currently no known conservation measures for this species.

Conservation Actions Proposed

Further research into the effects of climate change on this species should be undertaken.