This captivating photograph of a Grey Wagtail perched delicately on a wire captures the elegance and vibrant plumage of this bird against a soft, blurred backdrop, underscoring the rich avian diversity and ecological importance of the region.
The Grey Wagtail, with its slim body, narrow white supercilium, and broken eye ring, presents a distinctive sight. The bird’s grey upperparts contrast strikingly with its yellow vent and whitish underparts. During the breeding season, males sport a black throat edged with whitish moustachial stripes, adding to their unique appearance.

Through Badhe’s lens, the Grey Wagtail invites us to appreciate its elegance and reflects on the importance of preserving the natural habitats that allow such magnificent creatures to thrive.

This Grey Wagtail, perched in Baridhara, reflects the adaptability and widespread nature of the species. They typically forage singly or in pairs on meadows or shallow water marshes and often perch on trees or rocks in the water. Their clear, sharp call note and trilling song add a melodic element to their presence.

The breeding season for the Grey Wagtail is from April to July. They nest near fast-running streams or rivers, often on embankments between stones and roots. Males perform short flights into the air, descending slowly with fluttering flights accompanied by a rapid series of high chipping notes. The common cuckoo is a brood parasite of this species.

Photographer: Pawankumar Tulshidas Badhe, an Indian diplomat based in Dhaka, has a diverse background in diplomacy, having had postings in Geneva and Vienna, and a special focus on human rights, disarmament, and press relations. His passion for wildlife photography and bird watching flourished during the COVID-19 lockdown. Badhe enjoys exploring nature with his wife, Kirti, and their son.