Motacillinae

The Motacillinae (wagtails and pipits) are a subfamily of the Passeridae. Other subfamilies are the Passerinae (sparrows and snowfinches), Estrildinae (waxwings, munia, etc.), Prunellinae (accentors), and Ploceinae (weavers).

Chinese: The Chinese name for the wagtails is 鹡鸰 jílíng, also written 脊令 (the same characters minus the 'bird' radical 鸟). The pipits are known as 鹨 liù (a variant pronunciation, still recognised in Taiwan, is liào). There is remarkable uniformity between Mainland and Taiwanese names. For alternative names for the wagtails, see Notes.

Japanese: The Japanese word for the wagtails is セキレイ sekirei, written 鶺鴒 in Chinese characters. This is a direct borrowing from the Chinese. For alternative names, see Notes.

The pipits are known as タヒバリ ta-hibari or 'paddy larks' (written 田雲雀). Unqualified, the term タヒバリ ta-hibari refers to the Water pipit (Anthus spinoletta). The Oriental or Olive-backed tree pipit Anthus hodgsoni is known as ビンズイ binzui, written 便追 (origin unknown) or 木鷚 ('tree pipit') from the Chinese.

Vietnamese: The Vietnamese name for the wagtails is Chìa vôi. The pipits are known as Chim manh.