The Brave Willy Wagtail Poem by Francis Duggan

Nearby on a low branch of a wattle tree
A little black and white bird that i often see
In the early sunlight just after daybreak
His familiar song one could never mistake.

Of humankind willy wagtail is not shy
He shows little fear of me when I'm nearby
As he chases flies his tail wags to and fro
He is the small bird everyone seems to know.

For one of his size he puts on a brave show
He challenges the much bigger magpie and crow
At nesting time his mate is his only friend
The brave little willy his borders defend.

From bushes and trees or from fence rail never far away
The brave willy wagtail i see every day
One might say he is more foolhardy than wise
He displays too much courage for one of his size.

Though not one of the finest songsters of the Spring
His scratchy notes to them have a familiar ring
He wags his long black tail when he chase flies and bees
And he is never far from the bushes and trees.