How Do You Spell WAGTAILS?

Pronunciation: [wˈaɡte͡ɪlz] (IPA)

Wagtails are small, perky birds that have a unique and distinct name. The spelling of "wagtails" follows the English language's orthographic conventions with a clear correspondence between orthography and phonetics. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is represented as /ˈwæɡteɪlz/. The "w" sound is followed by the "æ" sound, which represents the short "a" sound in "cat." The "g" sound is pronounced as a hard "g." The "t" and "l" sounds are both syllabic consonants, with the "eɪ" sound representing the diphthong "ay." Finally, the "z" sound is pronounced as a voiced "z" sound at the end of the word.

WAGTAILS Meaning and Definition

1. Wagtails are small to medium-sized passerine birds belonging to the family Motacillidae. They are widely distributed across the Old World, including Europe, Asia, and Africa. Wagtails are known for their distinctive behavior of wagging their long tails up and down, hence their name.

   These birds have slender bodies with long tails, which are usually black in color. They have pointed bills and a sturdy build, allowing them to be agile and quick in flight. Most wagtail species have a plumage pattern with a combination of black, white, gray, and yellow, although variations in coloration exist among different species.

   Wagtails are primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of small invertebrates found near water bodies or on the ground. They are often seen near rivers, lakes, wetlands, and open grasslands. These birds are highly active, constantly running and hopping on the ground in search of prey. Wagtails are also known for their habit of constantly bobbing their tails, which is believed to be a territorial behavior or a means of attracting mates.

   These birds are monogamous and build cup-shaped nests on the ground, hidden in vegetation. The female lays a clutch of 4-6 eggs, which are incubated by both parents. Once hatched, both parents cooperatively feed and care for the young.

   Wagtails are popular among birdwatchers for their lively behavior and charming appearance. They serve as indicators of healthy ecosystems, being sensitive to pollution and habitat degradation.

Common Misspellings for WAGTAILS

• degtails
• waggtails

Etymology of WAGTAILS

The word "wagtails" is derived from the Middle English term "wagge taile", which consists of two components:

1. "Wagge", derived from Old English "wagian", means "to shake" or "to move quickly to and fro".

2. "Taile" comes from Old French "taile", which means "tail".

Combining these elements, "wagtails" refers to a type of bird that moves its tail rapidly or shakes it while in flight, hence the name.

Similar spelling word for WAGTAILS

• wagtail.