Pied Wagtails in France
When the Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is present in France, when it nests, and which native France plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in France
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–July
- Size
- 18 cm, 21 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect pied wagtails in France
The Pied Wagtail lives in France all year round. Mild in the west and south; hard frosts in the north-east and mountains.
Oceanic in the west, continental in the east, Mediterranean along the south coast and Alpine in the mountains.
Nesting in France
In France the Pied Wagtail usually nests April–July. Nest site: crevices in walls and sheds. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days; chicks fledge after 13–16 days, and pairs raise 2 per year.
- The Pied Wagtail does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native France plants for pied wagtails
Of the native plants we track for France, these 8 provide food the Pied Wagtail uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Berries and nest sites in its tangles; moths for insect-eaters.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Feeding in the garden
Insects.
- Best foods: Mealworms.
- Feeders: Ground tray.
- Roosts in towns in winter, even in supermarket trees.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are pied wagtails in France all year?
Yes — the Pied Wagtail is resident in France all year.
When do pied wagtails nest in France?
Typically April–July. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days, with 2 per year.
Which native plants help pied wagtails in France?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Common knapweed, Wild cherry are native to France and provide food or cover the Pied Wagtail uses.
Pied Wagtails in other countries
Other garden birds in France
Sources
- Pied Wagtail — RSPB bird guide
- Pied Wagtail — BTO BirdFacts
- Atlas des oiseaux de France métropolitaine — LPO
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.