A passing migrant (spring: March – May, autumn: August – October) through Cyprus and the Akamas peninsula, with one subspecies, the Black-headed Wagtail (Motacilla flava feldegg) breeding in small numbers.

It’s seen in flocks, frequently quite big ones (up to several hundred birds) and often mixed with other Wagtail and Pipit species. It frequents open areas with low vegetation and especially low grass. It’s often seen around farm animals, which allows to feed on the insects that surround them.

It shows a significant variation in coloration, between the two sexes, the juvenile / young individuals and with several distinct subspecies and intermediate forms, often very difficult to identify. Males have generally more bright colors than females, particularly on the yellow underparts and the head.

In Cyprus and the Akamas the subspecies Black-headed Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava feldegg) which breeds, has a black head and neck on the male, while the female has a less intense black head and much less bright yellow colored body.