This bird is widespread and fairly common across much of Asia, though rare in western Europe. Breeding males are spectacular and unmistakable, with a bright yellow head and body that contrasts with a black collar and either a gray (in most of its range) or black (in central and southern Asia) back. Females and non-breeding males are less conspicuous, being dull yellow with a dark cheek patch isolated in a yellow face and a gray crown and back. Juveniles have the same cheek pattern but are overall dingy grayish without yellow tones, or with just a faint yellow face. All plumages have conspicuous white wingbars and pale lores. This species is more tied to water than the Eastern Yellow, Western Yellow, or White Wagtail, and is usually seen at marshes and lake edges. Its contact call is a harsher “tsriip,” compared to the Eastern and Western Yellow Wagtail.