As promised, our animals will continue to start with the same letter as the day they fall on.  While trying to think of an animal that started with a “W”, I was talking with my parents and the suggestion of writing a fact about the “Wabbit” came up.  I seriously thought about discussing the “Wasically Wabbit” today but thought that might be cheating.  Instead we are going to look at the Willie Wagtail.  Come on, you have to be a little impressed with Willie Wagtail Wednesday?

So what in the world is a Willie Wagtail?  Well if you have been to Australia than you might know the answer to that question.  They are in fact a passerine bird native to Australia, New Guinea, the Soloman Islands and eastern Indonesia. You can tell right off the bat that they have pretty contrasting colours.  The black upper body definitely stands out against the  white underparts.  It is kind of funny how the Penguin and the Willy Wagtail shop at the same clothing stores.

So what does a Willy Wagtail do all day?  What an unusual question to ask but I will try my best to answer this for you.  This particular bird spends the majority of their day chasing after prey in their open habitat.  Okay, so logically we should discuss their type of prey.  These “Wasically” Wagtails are insectivores so they will often perch themselves on a fence post or a low branch and attempt to catch flying insects such as moths, flies and gnats out of the air.  If that isn’t working for them these birds will use their longer legs to hop behind cattle trying to catch the insects that are disturbed by the larger animal.  How about that?  These Willie Wagtails are pretty clever birds.

Okay, I am sure you are dying to know how these birds came about such an unusual name.  Well, I don’t think I can answer the “Willie” part but I can clear up the “Wagtail”.  Yep, typically these birds wag their tail from side to side as they are hunting for their dinner.  My guess is that someone named Willie found them wagging their tails one day and wouldn’t you know it, the name Willie Wagtail was born.

That does it for Willie Wagtail Wednesday.  I guess we are back to animals that start with the letter “T” for tomorrow.  I am starting to feel like this is an episode of Sesame Street.  Before I go, I wanted to share a video about another animal that starts with a “W”.  Enjoy!