White Wagtail (or Black Backed Wagtail) in Darwin

["Mike Carter" <>]

Darryel Binns forwarded your photos to me and others. Your bird is of the 
White Wagtail Motacilla alba complex. Because it has a dark line through the 
eye it is either lugens or ocularis. By the large amount of white in the 
wing it is lugens. There is much controversy as to whether this is a full 
species. If it was, we'd call it a Black-backed Wagtail but currently 
many/most authorities including those in Australia lump this with White 
Wagtail. I think this could be the first of this taxon for the NT. All 
previous records have been from the eastern states, Queensland (e.g. Fraser 
Is), NSW (Newcastle) & Victoria (Lakes Entrance). All or most records of 
ocularis are from WA or Christmas Island.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza  VIC 3930
Tel  (03) 9787 7136