Willie Wagtail

by Rosemary Opala

In 1974 nature lover Kathleen McArthur wrote, in her practical way: "it is so refreshing to have a bird that everyone knows, with a common name that everyone uses." She was talking about our much loved Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys, or Black and White Fantail); adding that the origin of the species' 'friendly name' seemed unclear, as in some early textbooks Willie was referred to as Shepherd's Companion.

(It seems that the Maroochy District Kabi tribes-persons called the bird Dhingka dhingka - a possible interpretation of its 'sweet-pretty-creature' song?)

Our familiar member of the 'black and white brigade' (which takes in other human-friendly birds such as peewees, magpies and butcher birds) makes us wonder if there's something in the highly visible colour patter that promotes avian cockiness! The Willie Wagtail is particularly noted for fearlessness, harassing much larger birds (including raptors) into undignified flight. Unfortunately Willie's aggressive tactics don't always work with nest-robbing kookaburras.

At 20cm, Willie Wagtail is the largest of our four fantail species, and easily distinguished from its drabber cousins by the smart 'dinner suit' and perky white eyebrow. Since early European settlement the endearing little bird has been part of the landscape from outback farm to urban parks and gardens. Except for thick rainforest or treeless desert, Willie Wagtails are found throughout Australia (and occasionally Tasmania) as well as in Southern New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

The Willie Wagtail is perhaps best known for its 'sweet-pretty-little-creature' song, heard even at night, and pleasant contrast to the species' cranky alarm notes.

As with other country kids of my generation, Willie Wagtail was a fondly regarded part of the local scene. Indeed, the first song we learned at our little school began:

Wiggledy waggledy Willie Wagtail
There you are sitting upon a fence rail.
Not for a moment are you ever quiet,
Fidget and wriggle from morning til night

I'll spare you further - but it does rather sum up this busy bird, which, even at rest, sways tail and body continually.

Wagtails are usually seen solo or in pairs, often hitching rides on livestock to feed on stirred-up insects. An opportunistic bird has been known to perch on a gardener's boot or spade handle during digging: while one Willie Wagtail which 'hung out' round our family sawmill seemed to know just when a log was due to be stripped of bark and a fat wood-grub offered.

The birds are more that ever aggressive in the breeding season. Both parents share in building the neat, cobweb-bound nest which is often secured to a horizontal branch. When the Hills Hoist first appeared, a pair of Wagtails set up house on our hoist's side bar. Not only did my mother considerately refrain from hanging laundry on that section, but cajoled Dad into providing a wee roof over the nest to keep the rain off the sitting parent bird. Which worked fine, but didn't prevent the first lot of fledglings falling prey to a kookaburra. On a positive note, the Wagtails can have several broods in a season, and the next one was luckier.

NB: Willie Wagtails may be confused with the 'look alike', but unrelated, Restless and Satan Flycatchers of similar size and appearance. Any of our available bird books can be consulted for clarification.