29-12-2016 ADOR CAMP, VALENCIA - LITTLE OWL (Athene noctua)

The Little owl (Athene noctua) is a small cryptically colored bird that inhabits much of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, the Palearctic east to Korea, and North Africa. This owl is a member of the typical or true owl family Strigidae, which contains most species of owl, the other grouping being the barn owls, Tytonidae.

The Little owl has a flat-topped head, a plump, compact body, and a short tail. The facial disc is flattened above the eyes giving the bird a frowning expression. The plumage is greyish-brown, spotted, streaked, and barred with white. The underparts are pale and streaked with a darker color. The Little owl has a large head, long legs, and yellow eyes, and its white "eyebrows" give it a stern expression. Juveniles are duller and lack the adult's white crown spots. This species has a bounding flight like a woodpecker. Moult begins in July and continues to November, with the male starting before the female.

Little owls are carnivores. Their diet includes insects and earthworms, as well as small vertebrates including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Mammals taken included mice, rats, voles, shrews, moles, and rabbits.

Little owls are monogamous; pairs often remain together all year round and the bond may last until one partner dies. They usually breed in late spring. The nesting location varies with habitat and can be located in holes in trees, in cliffs, quarries, walls, old buildings, river banks, and even rabbit burrows. The female lays a clutch of 3 to 5 eggs (occasionally 2 to 8) which are broadly elliptical, white in color, and without gloss. They are incubated by the female who sometimes starts sitting after the first egg is laid. While she is incubating the eggs, the male brings food for her. The eggs hatch after 28 or 29 days. At first, the chicks are brooded by the female and the male brings in food which she distributes to them. Later, both parents are involved in hunting and feeding the young. The fledglings leave the nest at about 7 weeks and can fly a week or two later. Usually, there is a single brood but when food is abundant, there may be two. When the young disperse, they seldom travel more than about 20 kilometers (12 mi). Reproductive maturity is usually reached at 1 year of age.

Little owls are widespread across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Their range in Eurasia extends from the Iberian Peninsula and Denmark eastwards to China and southwards to the Himalayas. In Africa, they are present from Mauritania to Egypt, the Red Sea, and Arabia. These are sedentary birds which are found in open countryside in a great range of habitats. These include agricultural land with hedgerows and trees, orchards, woodland verges, parks, and gardens, as well as steppes and stony semi-deserts. They are also present in treeless areas such as dunes, and in the vicinity of ruins, quarries, and rocky outcrops. They sometimes venture into villages, suburbs, and urban areas.

Population size

5-10 Mlnlnn

Life Span

3-15 years

Weight

180

goz

g oz 

Length

22

cminch

cm inch 

Wingspan

56

cminch

cm inch 

Little owls are generally solitary and mainly active at dawn and dusk. They usually perch in an elevated position ready to swoop down on any small creature they notice. These birds may also pursue prey on the ground and they cache surplus food in holes or other hiding places. Little owls are territorial and the males normally remain in one territory for life. The home range, in which the bird actually hunts for food, varies with the type of habitat and time of year. If a male intrudes into the territory of another, the occupier approaches and emits its territorial calls. If the intruder persists, the occupier flies at him aggressively. If this is unsuccessful, the occupier repeats the attack, this time trying to make contact with his claws. In retreat, an owl often drops to the ground and makes a low-level escape. Little owls become more vocal at night. Their call is a querulous kiew, kiew. They may also utter various whistling or trilling calls. In the breeding season, pairs may call in duet and various yelping, chattering, or barking sounds are usually made in the vicinity of the nest.

29-12-2016 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria)

The average wingspan of both males and females is 5.1 cm (2 in), although males tend to be slightly smaller than females. Furthermore, males possess a row of grayish-brown scent scales on their forewings that is absent in the females. Females have brighter and more distinct markings than males. The subspecies P. a. tircis is brown with pale yellow or cream spots and darker upperwing eyespots. The subspecies P. a. aegeria has a more orange background and the hindwing underside eyespots are reddish brown rather than black or dark gray. The two forms gradually intergrade into each other. Subspecies P. a. oblita is a darker brown, often approaching black with white rather than cream spots. The underside of its hindwings has a marginal pale purple band and a row of conspicuous white spots. The spots of subspecies P. a. insula are a tawny orange rather than a cream color. The underside of the forewings has patches of pale orange, and the underside of the hindwing has a purple-tinged band. Although there is considerable variation with each subspecies, identification of the different subspecies is manageable.

The morphology of this butterfly varies as a gradient down its geographic cline from north to south. The northern butterflies in this species have a bigger size, adult body mass, and wing area. These measurements decrease as one moves in a southerly direction in the speckled wood's range. Forewing length on the other hand increases moving in a northerly direction. This is due to the fact that in the cooler temperatures of the northern part of this butterfly's range, the butterflies need larger forewings for thermoregulation. Finally, the northern butterflies are darker than their southern counterpart, and there is a coloration gradient, down their geographical cline.

The speckled wood occupies a diversity of grassy, flowery habitats in forest, meadow steppe, woods, and glades. It can also be found in urban areas alongside hedges, in wooded urban parks, and occasionally in gardens. Within its range the speckled wood typically prefers damp areas. It is generally found in woodland areas throughout much of the Palearctic realm. P. a. tircis is found in northern and central Europe, Asia Minor, Syria, Russia, and central Asia, and the P. a. aegeria is found in southwestern Europe and North Africa. Two additional subspecies are found within the British Isles: the Scottish speckled wood (P. a. oblita) is restricted to Scotland and its surrounding isles, and the Isles of Scilly speckled wood (P. a. insula) is found only on the Isles of Scilly. P. a. tricis and P. a. aegeria gradually intergrade into each other.

The eggs are laid on a variety of grass host plants. The caterpillar is green with a short, forked tail, and the chrysalis (pupa) is green or dark brown. The species is able to overwinter in two totally separated developmental stages, as pupae or as half-grown larvae. This leads to a complicated pattern of several adult flights per year.

Territorial defense involves a male flying or perching in a spot of sunlight that pierces through the forest canopy. The speckled wood butterfly spends the night high up in the trees, and territorial activity commences once sunlight passes through the canopy. The males often remain in the same sunspot until the evening, following the sunspot as it moves across the forest floor. The males often perch on vegetation near the forest floor. If a female flies into the territory, the resident male flies after her, the pair drop to the ground, and copulation follows. If another species flies through the sunspot, the resident male ignores the intruder.

However, if a conspecific, a male of the same species, enters the sunspot, the resident male flies towards the intruder almost bumping into him, and the pair fly upwards. The winner flies back towards the forest floor within the sunspot, while the defeated male flies away from the territory. The pattern of flight during this encounter depends on the vegetation. In an open understory, the pair fly straight upwards. In a dense understory, this flight pattern is not possible, so the pair spiral upwards.

In most of these interactions, the conflict is relatively short, and the resident male wins. The intruder most likely backs down as a serious confrontation could be costly, and there is an abundance of equally desirable sunspots. However, if both males believe they are the "resident" male, the conflict escalates. If a previous owner of the sunspot tries to reclaim his territory after he has left for mating, a longer and more costly fight ensues. In these serious fights, the winner of the contest is not predictable.

The abundance of territorial behavior depends on the environmental conditions. At the beginning of the mating season, fights over ownership of a sunspot territory are lengthy. The duration of the conflict quickly decreases during a period of two weeks. This pattern is correlated with the progression of the season, as temperature and male density rise. Sunspots are more attractive when temperatures are low, as they provide the warmth needed for higher levels of activity. As male density increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to hold onto a territory, so territoriality decreases and more males exhibit patrolling behavior.

In the speckled wood butterfly females are monandrous; they typically only mate once within their lifetime. On the other hand, males are polygynous and typically mate multiple times. In order to locate females, males employ one of two strategies: territorial defense and patrolling.

29-12-2016 ADOR CAMP, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis)

Beautiful little finch with a sharp pink bil, cherry-red face, and brilliant black-and-yellow flashes in the wings. Western birds (Europe east to far western Central Asia) have a black-and-white cowl; eastern birds (rest of Central Asia) lack this cowl, and are grayer overall, with more white on the wing. Juvenile (seen in late summer and autumn) has a plain head but is told easily by bold wing pattern. Uses a wide array of wooded and open habitats, from forests and gardens to steppe grasslands and meadows; often feeds on seeding thistles. Forms flocks in autumn and winter, gathering at food sources. Can be inconspicuous, but often detected by pleasant bubbling and twittering calls and song.

3-1-2016 KOWLOON PARK, HONG KONG - WOOD DUCK (FEMALE) (Aix sponsa)

The wood duck or Carolina duck (Aix sponsa) is a species of perching duck found in North America. The drake wood duck is one of the most colorful North American waterfowls.

The wood duck is a medium-sized perching duck. A typical adult is from 47 to 54 cm (19 to 21 in) in length with a wingspan of between 66 and 73 cm (26 and 29 in). The wood duck's weight ranges from 454–862 grams (16.0–30.4 oz). This is about three-quarters the length of an adult mallard. It shares its genus with the Asian mandarin duck (Aix galericulata).

The adult male has stunning multicolored iridescent plumage and red eyes, with a distinctive white flare down the neck. The female, less colorful, has a white eye-ring and a whitish throat. Both adults have crested heads. The speculum is iridescent blue-green with a white border on the trailing edge.

3-1-2016 KOWLOON PARK, HONG KONG - GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus)

The Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is the most widespread and largest species of the flamingo family. It was described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1811. The Greater flamingo was previously thought to be the same species as the American flamingo, but because of coloring differences of its head, neck, body, and bill, the two flamingos are now most commonly considered separate species.

Greater flamingos have an attractive coloration and appearance. Their feathers are pinkish/white, the wing coverts are red and the primary and secondary flight feathers are black. They have long pink bills with a black tip, yellow eyes and long pink legs. The male is bigger than the female, and juveniles have a gray-brown coloration, with some pink on their underparts, tail and wings, with the legs and beak being mainly brown.

The Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is the most widespread and largest species of the flamingo family. It was described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1811. The Greater flamingo was previously thought to be the same species as the American flamingo, but because of coloring differences of its head, neck, body, and bill, the two flamingos are now most commonly considered separate species.

Greater flamingos have an attractive coloration and appearance. Their feathers are pinkish/white, the wing coverts are red and the primary and secondary flight feathers are black. They have long pink bills with a black tip, yellow eyes and long pink legs. The male is bigger than the female, and juveniles have a gray-brown coloration, with some pink on their underparts, tail and wings, with the legs and beak being mainly brown.

The Greater flamingo inhabits Africa, the Middle East, southern Europe, and the Indian subcontinent. They occur in relatively shallow water bodies, such as saline lagoons, salt pans, large alkaline or saline lakes, and estuaries. Breeding takes place on sandbanks, mudflats, sandy or rocky islands, or open beaches.

Greater flamingos are very social. They travel in groups numbering up to thousands and they communicate by using visual and auditory cues. Greater flamingos are partially dispersive and migratory. They are traveling constantly, seeking areas with enough resources to sustain the whole flock, especially during the mating season. Greater flamingos keep their chicks together in crèches. Adults supervising crèches tend to act in a hostile way toward hatchlings if their own young are not in that crèche. Greater flamingos are diurnal, feeding during the day. Being bottom feeders, they rely on water levels that are low, and they move to new areas to find appropriate feeding conditions. They often bathe in fresh shallow water and preen their feathers to remove salt from them. They are not territorial birds but during breeding season they do defend their nests.

Greater flamingos are serially monogamous birds, forming pair bonds that remain together only for a single breeding season. They breed in dense colonies numbering up to 20,000 or more pairs. They perform spectacular group displays of courtship, involving ritualized preening, synchronized wing-raising, and head-flagging, where they raise their necks and beaks and turn their heads from side to side. Breeding seasons vary with location, occurring in some areas at irregular intervals, following the rains. Nest-building is done in pairs. A single chalky-white egg is laid, rarely two. Both parents share the incubation of 27-31 days. After several days of being brooded by both parents, the chick joins a crèche with many other chicks. Both parents feed the chick, with the typical milk that is secreted in the adults' upper digestive tract. Chicks fledge between 65 and 90 days after hatching and become reproductively mature between 4 and 6 years of age.

4-1-2016 HONG KONG - BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)

Population size

570,000-3,7Mln

Life Span

20-30 years

Top speed

55

km/hmph

km/h mph 

Weight

800

goz

g oz 

Height

63

cminch

cm inch 

Length

56-65

cminch

The Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is a medium-sized heron found throughout a large part of the world. These birds have a stocky appearance as if hunched over, the head tucked down into the shoulders, and they are usually seen with this posture. They are most active at dusk or at night when their ghostly forms fly from their daytime roosts to the wetlands where they forage.

Adult birds have a black crown and back with the remainder of the body white or grey, red eyes, and short yellow legs. They have pale gray wings and white under parts. Two or three long white plumes, erected in greeting and courtship displays, extend from the back of the head. The sexes are similar in appearance although the males are slightly larger. Black-crowned night herons do not fit the typical body form of the heron family. They are relatively stocky with shorter bills, legs, and necks than their more familiar cousins, the egrets and "day" herons. Their resting posture is normally somewhat hunched but when hunting they extend their necks and look more like other wading birds. Immature birds have dull grey-brown plumage on their heads, wings, and backs, with numerous pale spots. Their underparts are paler and streaked with brown. The young birds have orange eyes and duller yellowish-green legs.

4-1-2016 HONG KONG - CRESTED PIGEON (Ocyphaps lophotes)

The Crested pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) is an Australian species of pigeon. Only two Australian pigeon species possess an erect crest, the Crested pigeon and the spinifex pigeon. The Crested pigeon is sometimes referred to as a Topknot pigeon, a common name shared with the reddish crested Lopholaimus antarcticus of Eastern Australia. Common names for the species, aside from crested or Topknot pigeon, characterize them as a 'bronzewing' or 'dove' that is likewise distinguished by the crest.

Crested pigeons are found throughout mainland Australia except for the far northern tropical areas. They live in lightly wooded grasslands in both rural and urban areas, and can also visit watercourses, homestead gardens, grain farming areas, pastoral areas, sports grounds, and golf courses.

Crested pigeons are highly social birds and often gather in flocks of varying sizes. They are active during the day but prefer to forage in the morning and in the evening. They forage in small to large groups, which also gather to drink at waterholes. The most distinctive behavior of Crested pigeons is the beating and whistling sound their wings make when they take off. This is most likely to draw the attention of predators to birds on the wing, and away from any birds remaining on the ground, and as an alarm call to other pigeons. When the birds land, their tails tilt upwards and the flight patterns are similar to those of the Spotted turtle dove. If startled, Crested pigeons take to the air producing a distinctive whistling 'call'.

4-1-2016 HONG KONG - STRAW HEADED BULBUL (Pycnonotus zeylanicus)

Largest bulbul species in Singapore with strong bill, yellowish-orange crown and ear coverts, blackish eye and submoustachial stripes, whitish throat, bold whitish streaks on brownish breast and olive-green wings and uppertail coverts. Juvenile has duller and browner head.

Habitat: Forest, forest edge and secondary growth.

Behaviour/Ecology: Very vocal especially at dawn and before dusk. Gregarious and often perches on low branches overlooking water.

Local Status: Common resident and common introduced resident

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered (BirdLife International 2021)

Location: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Dairy Farm Nature Park, Bukit Batok Nature Park, Bukit Gombak, Central Catchment Forest, Bukit Brown and Pulau Ubin.

The straw-headed bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus) is a species of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is found from the Malay Peninsula to Borneo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, arable land, plantations, and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss and poaching.

The straw-headed bulbul is prized for its singing ability and is a highly sought-after species by bird enthusiasts in Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia. This trade is causing population reductions across the species' range and is a major barrier to its conservation. Trapping has been facilitated in recent years by the spread of logging roads across its forest habitat. Due to this, the straw-headed bulbul was uplisted from endangered to critically endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2018.

4-1-2016 HONG KONG - RACKET TAILED TREEPIE (Crypsirina temia)

The racket-tailed treepie (Crypsirina temia ) is an Asian treepie, a member of the crow family, Corvidae.

It has a velvety-black forehead of short, plush black feathers with the rest of the bird being an oily green colour, though appearing black in dim light. The tail feathers which in this species are long and broaden at the tail's end are black also with a greenish tinge, as are the wings. The iris of the bird is a turquoise-blue darkening towards the pupil to a very deep or near black. The bill, legs and feet are black.

This bird occurs in southern Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Indo-China, Sumatra, Java and Bali in scrub and secondary growth, open fields and gardens, bamboo thickets and open forest often near villages.

It almost always feeds in trees (arboreal) never feeding from the ground though coming down to bathe on occasion. It moves through the trees with great agility and uses its remarkable tail as a balancing organ. It eats mainly insects and fruit.

A cup shaped nest is built in bamboo or shrubs especially thorny ones often surrounded by open grassy areas and normally lays 2–4 eggs.

The voice is usually described as harsh and unattractive. It has several described calls but a whining call is often heard.

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - SCLATER'S CROWNED PIGEON (Goura sclaterii)

The Sclater's crowned pigeon, known scientifically as Goura sclaterii, is a majestic bird that graces the southern lowland forests of New Guinea with its presence. This species is adorned with a bluish-grey plumage and is distinguished by its spectacular blue lacy crests. The bird's eyes are encircled by a red iris, and it boasts a very deep maroon breast. Both male and female pigeons share this striking appearance. The Sclater's crowned pigeon is a sizable bird, measuring between 66 to 73 centimeters in length and tipping the scales at a substantial 2.00 to 2.24 kilograms.

When identifying the Sclater's crowned pigeon, look for its unique blue lacy crest and the deep maroon coloration of its breast. The red iris is another distinctive feature that can aid in identification. Its large size and terrestrial nature make it stand out among other pigeon species.

This pigeon prefers the southern lowland forests of New Guinea, where it can be found foraging on the forest floor.

The Sclater's crowned pigeon is endemic to New Guinea, specifically confined to the southern lowland regions of the island.

The Sclater's crowned pigeon is known for its terrestrial habits, often seen walking with a dignified gait on the forest floor.

The Sclater's crowned pigeon is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It faces threats from hunting for its meat and plumes, which has led to a decline in its population. The species is also listed in Appendix II of CITES, reflecting the need for regulation in international trade to prevent exploitation.

Described by Italian zoologist Tommaso Salvadori in 1876, the Sclater's crowned pigeon was given the binomial name Goura sclaterii in honor of English ornithologist Philip Sclater. A molecular phylogenetic study conducted in 2018 revealed that this species is most closely related to the western crowned pigeon (Goura cristata).

Previously, the Sclater's crowned pigeon was considered conspecific with Scheepmaker's crowned pigeon (Goura scheepmakeri), known collectively as the "southern crowned pigeon." However, they are now recognized as separate species. When comparing the two, look for the specific plumage and crest characteristics that distinguish the Sclater's crowned pigeon.

4-1-2016 STANLEY, HONG KONG - EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (MALE) (Passer montanus)

The tree sparrow is the house sparrow’s country cousin but its name is misleading: in Britain it prefers arable farmland and rural gardens to woodland.

Its Latin name, Passer montanus, is equally confusing for it isn’t a bird that favours mountains in Europe, though it breeds at up to 2,500m in the Himalayas.

Tree sparrows have a far greater natural distribution worldwide than the house sparrow: they are found throughout much of Europe and Asia, and east to Indonesia and Japan.

There are six recognised sub-species of tree sparrow but they differ little in appearance. The smallest individuals occur in the extreme south of the birds’ range.

In the west of its extensive range the tree sparrow prefers more rural areas to the house sparrow, but in the east (where the house sparrow is absent) it is often found in the centre of towns and villages.

This sparrow was introduced to St Louis, Missouri, USA, in 1870; the population still exists today, extending north to the towns of Virginia and Springfield.

An attempt to establish tree sparrows in New Zealand in 1868 eventually ended in failure.

In 1958 Mao Tse Tung’s Marxist government ordered the extinction of sparrows, which were regarded as pests. Millions were killed (all tree sparrows) before it was discovered that because the sparrows ate insects as well as grain they were in fact highly beneficial.

Tree sparrow populations in the British Isles fluctuate. However, the last 40 years have seen a huge decline, due largely to agricultural changes.

Britain’s tree sparrow population is thought to number just 10% of size of the population in the late 1960s.

Unlike house sparrows, both sexes of tree sparrows are identical in appearance, with no seasonal change in plumage.

Like their house sparrow cousin, tree sparrows are sociable birds and usually found in small flocks. They like to breed in small, loose colonies, too.

In areas where they occur they are readily attracted to bird feeders. Though reputedly keen on millet, they are also enthusiastic consumers of sunflowers, and especially sunflower hearts.

Though the adults are chiefly seed-eaters, the young depend on a diet of insects.

Unlike the stay-at-home house sparrow, tree sparrows wander far more, with many moving between breeding and wintering areas.

A number of British-ringed tree sparrows have been caught on the Continent, and birds ringed in the Netherlands, Belgium and France have been found in England.

They are hole-nesters and will readily use nest boxes. Colonies can be established by providing a number of suitable nest boxes in a small area.

Where conditions are favourable, breeding success can be high, with pairs rearing two or sometimes three broods a year.

The clutch size ranges from two to seven eggs. They take 11-14 days to hatch, with the young fledging in 15 to 20 days.

Once a pair bond has been established, the two birds remain in company for much of the time, feeding, bathing and preening together.

During the winter these sparrows like to roost in holes, and they will also use nest boxes for roosting.

11-10-2015 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR - EURASIAN REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

The Reed Warbler is a plain unstreaked warbler. It's warm brown on top and beige underneath. A summer visitor to breed in the UK, the largest concentrations are East Anglia and along the south coast. There are relatively few breeding in Scotland and Ireland. It spends winters in Africa.

The Reed Warbler is a bird of reedbeds, where its rhythmic song can be heard from April to September.

A recent colonist to southern Scotland, the Reed Warbler is largely confined to reedbeds and riverside reed fringes of England, Wales and eastern parts of the island of Ireland. The Reed Warbler is double brooded, laying two clutches of eggs during late spring and midsummer. It is a common host species of the Cuckoo.

UK Reed Warbler numbers increased in the latter part of the 20th century, stabilising in the early-2000s. Most Reed Warblers leave the Britain & Ireland by mid September to spend the winter in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert.

15-10-2015 GANDIA, VALENCIA - SPOTLESS STARLING (Sturnus unicolor)

The spotless starling (Sturnus unicolor ) is a passerine bird in the starling family, Sturnidae. It is closely related to the common starling (S. vulgaris ), but has a much more restricted range, confined to the Iberian Peninsula, Northwest Africa, southernmost France, and the islands of Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia. It is largely non-migratory.

The adult spotless starling is very similar to the common starling, but marginally larger (21–23 cm length; 70–100 g weight), and has darker, oily-looking black plumage, slightly purple- or green-glossed in bright light, which is entirely spotless in spring and summer, and only with very small pale spots in winter plumage, formed by the pale tips of the feathers. It also differs in having conspicuously longer throat feathers (twice the length of those on common starlings), forming a shaggy "beard" which is particularly obvious when the bird is singing. Its legs are bright pink. In summer, the bill is yellow with a bluish base in males and a pinkish base in females; in winter, it is duller, often blackish. Young birds are dull brown, darker than young common starlings, and have a black bill and brown legs. Confusion with the common starling is particularly easy during the winter, when common starlings are abundant throughout the spotless starling's range, but also in summer where their breeding ranges overlap in northeastern Spain and the far south of France. It can also be confused with the common blackbird (Turdus merula ), which differs most obviously in its longer tail and lack of plumage gloss.

Like the common starling, it walks rather than hops, and has a strong direct flight, looking triangular-winged and short-tailed. It is a noisy bird and a good mimic; its calls are similar to the common starling's, but louder.