Lavadeira (Motacila boarula)
The grey wagtail (Motacilla boarula), a common Madeiran bird of streams, streets and rooftops, recognised by its yellow breast and wagging tail; the entry also mentions the white wagtail, a winter visitor.
A bird of the wagtail family (Motacillidae), very common in Madeira, where it frequents streams, streets, the roofs of houses, etc. etc. It is easily recognised by the yellow colour of its breast and by the movement of its rather long tail.
It lays a clutch of 4 to 5 eggs and builds its nest on roofs and in hollows in walls, using roots, grass leaves, etc.
It is also known by the name lavandeiral, and in Porto da Cruz (‘harbour of the cross’) it is sometimes called papa-moscas.
The lavadeira de fora, which spends the winter in Madeira and is frequent on Porto Santo (‘holy harbour’), is Motacila alba.