16-9-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - COMMON GERANIUM BRONZE BUTTERFLY (Cacyreus marshalli)

The geranium bronze or brun des pélargoniums in French (Cacyreus marshalli), is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae.

The geranium bronze butterfly is native to South Africa. The butterfly was first introduced to Europe in the late 20th century, where it has quickly spread to many southern and eastern European regions. Since its introduction to Europe, the geranium bronze butterfly has become a pest to cultivated Pelargonium and Geranium plant species. Currently, efforts are being made to contain the spread of the geranium bronze butterflies as well as to determine the most effective pesticide for the species.

The adult geranium bronze butterfly's wingspan ranges from 15–23 mm in males and 18–23 mm in females. The wings are brown/bronze with a white border outlining the wings. The underside is a grey-brown with darker bands interlaced with white, creating an intricate pattern. The hindwings contain an eye spot in order to divert predators from attacking. The male and female are similar in appearance.

The geranium bronze was first recorded in regions of South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal and the Cape Provinces, as well as in neighbouring countries such as Eswatini, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Mozambique. It was accidentally brought to Europe in 1978. After being recorded in England, a colony of geranium bronze was soon found in Mallorca in 1990, and has since spread to most of the regions in southern Europe. In 1996, the geranium bronze butterfly was first recorded in Rome, Italy, and rapidly spread along the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coastal areas before extending inland. The geranium bronze butterfly now has established colonies in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, France, Greece, Malta, Spain, Portugal, southern Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, and the French Mediterranean. The first record of the species in Palestine was made in the garden of the Palestine Museum of Natural History.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - DAMA GAZELLE (Nanger dama)

In Niger, the dama gazelle has become a national symbol. Under the Hausa name meyna or ménas, the dama gazelle appears on the badge of the Niger national football team, who are popularly called the Ménas.

Dama gazelle is definitely one of the most elegant and graceful creatures around the globe. Additionally, it's the largest gazelle in the world. This adorable animal is endemic to arid habitats, found along the southern edges of the Sahara Desert. Unfortunately, Dama gazelle is now threatened with total extinction as a result of local climate change, encroachment, frequent military and civil conflict as well as excessive hunting. Gazelles are even-toed ungulates (otherwise called hoofed animals), which means that they exhibit an equal number of functional toes on each of their feet. These animals are widespread throughout Africa and Asia, where they are represented by 19 species.

These mammals are native to the region of African Sahel as well as Sahara Desert. Their former range used to cover Morocco and Egypt. Because of overhunting on this species, Dama gazelles are now found exclusively at the junction of Senegal (where they exist due to reintroduction) and Sudan (Chad; Mali; Niger). Preferred types of habitat for these gazelles are grasslands and semi-desert terrains. Nevertheless, they are often seen in marginal environments. They typically occupy stony plains, plateaus as well as mountain foothills.

Dama gazelles are diurnal and highly social creatures. They are known to gather into mixed groups of 10 - 20 individuals, including a single dominant male. The latter usually displays its social status by horning surrounding bushes and grasses. The dominant male may also remain apart from the herd, which is also a dominance display. Members of these herds spend their daytime hours travelling in search of suitable vegetation and water sources. Dama gazelles exhibit seasonal migration. With the onset of winter, they congregate in large groups of several hundred individuals in order to travel north to the Sahara desert. They will return to their Sahel range only by the dry season. Male Dama gazelles may use their horns in threat displays. These are demonstrations of their power, during which they usually perform head shaking and 'pretend' fights. Dama gazelles communicate with each other primarily through body language.

Dama gazelles exhibit polygynous mating system. During the reproductive season, males of this species fiercely defend their mating rights against each other. On the other hand, males often cooperate, forming groups and chasing females in order to keep the latter within the area as well as ward off other rival males. Dama gazelles mate in March-June. Gestation period lasts for 6 - 6.5 months, yielding a single baby, which remains hidden in a secluded place during the first few days of its life. After a while, the calf starts following its mother. Female Dama gazelles are known to be very careful and protective mothers. Moreover, pairs of females have been known to defend their young against jackals together, often attacking and chasing the latter. Weaning occurs at about 6 months of age, while the age of reproductive maturity is 9 - 12 months old for females and 1.5 - 2 years old for males.

This Critically Endangered species has currently lost almost all of its original range and population due to excessive hunting and poaching for its horns and meat. Dama gazelles are presently threatened by loss of their small remaining habitat, as a result of desertification. They also suffer from loss of important tree cover because of human activities such as clearance. Another noticeable concern is excessive grazing by livestock, which dries the land and makes these animals leave their territories. And finally, population numbers of Dama gazelles are directly affected by frequent civil unrests in countries of their range.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - YELLOW BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis)

The Yellow-billed Stork, Mycteria ibis, is a striking wader of the African continent. This medium-sized stork, with a height ranging from 90 to 105 cm, is adorned with a predominantly white plumage contrasted by a short black tail with a green and purple sheen. Its namesake yellow bill is slightly curved at the end, distinguishing it from other storks.

During the breeding season, the Yellow-billed Stork's plumage is tinged pink on the upperwings and back, and its legs turn a vivid pink. The male is generally larger with a longer bill compared to the female. Juveniles can be identified by their greyish-brown coloration, dull yellowish bill, and brown legs.

This species favors wetlands, shallow lakes, and mudflats, typically in water depths of 10-40 cm, avoiding heavily forested areas and deep waters unsuitable for their feeding techniques.

The Yellow-billed Stork is found across Eastern Africa, from Senegal and Somalia to South Africa, and in parts of Madagascar. It exhibits local migratory movements influenced by rainfall patterns.

These storks are known for their high-stepped stalking gait and impressive flight aerobatics. They are generally non-vocal but may emit hissing screams during social displays in the breeding season.

The species is mostly silent, but during the breeding season, it engages in bill clattering and a distinctive "woofing" wing beat. Nestlings produce a loud, monotonous braying call to solicit food from adults.

Breeding is triggered by heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding, which increases prey availability. Courtship involves a series of displays and rituals leading to pair formation. Both parents share incubation duties, and hatching is asynchronous, leading to size disparities among chicks.

The Yellow-billed Stork can be confused with other storks, but its yellow bill and breeding plumage are distinctive.

The diet consists mainly of small fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic organisms. They feed by touch, using a snap-bill reflex to capture prey and a foot-stirring technique to flush out hidden prey.

The Yellow-billed Stork is classified as Least Concern due to its large range and population size, despite local threats such as habitat reduction and poaching.

In Culture or Relationships to Humans

This bird has been featured on postage stamps in various African countries, highlighting its cultural significance.

Status

Despite a decreasing population trend, the Yellow-billed Stork is not considered vulnerable due to its large population and extensive range.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus)

The greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus, stands as the most widespread and largest member of the flamingo family. This majestic bird is adorned with pinkish-white plumage, save for the red wing coverts and contrasting black primary and secondary flight feathers. The bill is a striking pink with a black tip, and the legs are a uniform pink, completing the iconic look of this species.

Adult greater flamingos can be identified by their height, ranging from 110 to 150 cm, and their weight between 2 and 4 kg. The largest males can reach up to 187 cm tall and weigh 4.5 kg. Observers should note the distinctive coloration, with the majority of the body being pinkish-white, red wing coverts, and black flight feathers. The pink bill with a black tip and entirely pink legs are also key identification features. The call of the greater flamingo is reminiscent of a goose-like honking.

Greater flamingos favor mudflats and shallow coastal lagoons with saline water, where they can be seen stirring the mud with their feet in search of food.

This species is common in the Old World, with a range that includes Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, the Levant, and Southern Europe. Notably, they are found in coastal regions and along water bodies such as the Nile River, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean.

Greater flamingos are social birds, often found in large flocks. They feed with their heads down, filtering out sustenance from the water with their specially adapted bills. During the breeding season, these birds engage in a fascinating display of spreading uropygial secretions over their feathers to enhance their color, a behavior likened to applying "make-up."

The vocalization of the greater flamingo is a distinctive honking, similar to that of a goose, which can be heard over considerable distances.

The species lays a single chalky-white egg on a mud mound, a typical breeding behavior for flamingos.

es in head, neck, body, and bill coloration.

Greater flamingos feed on a diet that includes small shrimp, seeds, blue-green algae, microscopic organisms, and mollusks. They filter their food from the water with their downward-facing heads and movable upper jaws.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - GRANT'S ZEBRA (Equus quagga ssp. boehmi)

Grant's zebra (Equus quagga boehmi ) is the smallest of the seven subspecies of the plains zebra. This subspecies represents the zebra form of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.

This northern subspecies is vertically striped in front, horizontally on the back legs, and diagonally on the rump and hind flanks. Shadow stripes are absent or only poorly expressed. The stripes, as well as the inner spaces, are broad and well defined. Northerly specimens may lack a mane. Grant’s zebras grow to be about 182 to 243 cm (6-8 ft) long and 120 to 140 cm (3.9 to 4.6 ft) tall, and generally weigh about 300 kg (660 lb). The zebras live in family groups of up to 18 zebras, and they are led by a single stallion. Grant’s zebras typically live 20 years.

The distribution of this subspecies is in Zambia west of the Luangwa river and west to Kariba, Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, north to the Kibanzao Plateau, and in Tanzania north from Nyangaui and Kibwezi into southwestern Kenya as far as Sotik. It can also be found in eastern Kenya and east of the Great Rift Valley into southernmost Ethiopia. It also occurs as far as the Juba River in Somalia.

Zambia is an ideal place for zebras. These animals prefer living in savanna woodlands and grasslands; they are not found in deserts, wetlands, or rainforests. The mountain variety lives in rocky mountainous areas. Unfortunately, the availability of habitat for all species of zebras is shrinking, resulting in population decline.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - HOUSE SPARROW (MALE) (Passer domesticus)

These noisy and sociable birds are found around the world, thanks to their cheerful ability to make the most of humanity's rubbish and wastefulness. But monitoring suggests a severe decline in the UK House Sparrow population, recently estimated as dropping by 71% between 1977 and 2008 with large falls in both rural and urban populations. Their numbers are still dropping in England, Breeding Bird Survey data indicates recent population increases in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

The common moorhen, known scientifically as Gallinula chloropus, is a bird of the rail family, Rallidae. It is a bird of striking appearance, with a mix of black and brown plumage, a white under-tail, and white streaks along its flanks. Its legs are a vibrant yellow, and it sports a distinctive red frontal shield. The bill is a matching red with a yellow tip. Juveniles are a duller brown and do not have the red shield.

Adult moorhens can be identified by their red frontal shield, which has a rounded top and fairly parallel sides. The tailward margin of the red unfeathered area is smoothly curved. Their yellow legs and the combination of their black and brown plumage with white markings make them quite distinctive. The young are browner and lack the red shield, making them less conspicuous.

The common moorhen is found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, ponds, canals, and lakes that are rich in vegetation. It is also known to inhabit city parks with suitable water bodies.

This species has a broad distribution across many parts of the Old World. It is not found in polar regions or many tropical rainforests but is otherwise widespread, often being the most common rail species in its range.

Moorhens are known for their secretive nature but can become quite tame in certain areas. They exhibit territorial behavior during the breeding season and are known to aggressively defend their territory against intruders.

The common moorhen emits a variety of gargling calls and will hiss loudly when threatened.

Breeding season sees moorhens becoming territorial. They construct a basket-like nest on the ground within dense vegetation. Egg-laying typically begins in spring, with clutches ranging from 5 to 8 eggs. Both parents are involved in incubation and rearing the young, which fledge after 40-50 days.

Moorhens have a varied diet that includes vegetable matter and small aquatic organisms. They forage in and around water bodies, sometimes upending in the water or walking on lilypads to feed.

Globally, the common moorhen is abundant and classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, localized populations may be vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss and hunting.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (MALE) (Turdus merula)

The Common blackbird (Turdus merula) is a species of true thrush. It is also called the Eurasian blackbird (especially in North America, to distinguish it from the unrelated New World blackbirds), or simply the blackbird where this does not lead to confusion with a similar-looking local species. This common and conspicuous species has given rise to a number of literary and cultural references, frequently related to its song.

The adult male has glossy black plumage, blackish-brown legs, a yellow eye ring, and an orange-yellow bill. The bill darkens somewhat in winter. The adult female is sooty-brown with a dull yellowish-brownish bill, a brownish-white throat, and some weak mottling on the breast. The juvenile is similar to the female but has pale spots on the upperparts, and the very young juvenile also has a speckled breast. Young birds vary in the shade of brown, with darker birds presumably males. The first-year male resembles the adult male but has a dark bill and weaker eye ring, and its folded wing is brown, rather than black like the body plumage.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - GREY CROWNED CRANE (Balearica regulorum)

The Grey Crowned Crane, known scientifically as Balearica regulorum, stands as a majestic figure approximately 1 meter tall, with a wingspan stretching to 2 meters. This bird's plumage is predominantly grey, accented with a variety of colors on the wings and a striking black patch at the top. Its head is adorned with a crown of stiff golden feathers, setting it apart from its avian companions. The face is white, highlighted by a bright red inflatable throat pouch, and the bill is a modest grey. Black legs support its graceful frame, and its large, slender feet are designed for balance as it wades through grasslands.

Observers should note the Grey Crowned Crane's unique combination of features: the golden crown, white face, red throat pouch, and the black patch on the wings. Males and females are similar in appearance, though males may be slightly larger. Juveniles present a greyer complexion with a feathered buff face.

The Grey Crowned Crane favors the dry savannahs of Sub-Saharan Africa but is also comfortable in marshes, cultivated lands, and grassy flatlands near rivers and lakes.

This species is widespread across eastern and southern Africa, with a presence from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, through Kenya, down to South Africa.

The Grey Crowned Crane is known for its elaborate breeding display, which includes dancing, bowing, and jumping. It is a social bird, often found in flocks ranging from 30 to 150 individuals.

The crane's call is a distinctive booming sound, produced with the help of its red gular sac. It also emits a honking noise, quite unlike the trumpeting calls of other crane species.

Breeding seasons are timed with the rains, varying by region. The Grey Crowned Crane builds a large nest in wetland vegetation, where it lays a clutch of 2-5 glossy, dirty-white eggs. Both parents share incubation duties over a period of 28–31 days. Chicks are precocial and fledge in 56–100 days.

The Grey Crowned Crane can be confused with the Black Crowned Crane, but the two can be differentiated by their calls, plumage, and genetic evidence.

An omnivorous bird, the Grey Crowned Crane feeds on plants, seeds, grain, insects, frogs, worms, snakes, small fish, and eggs of aquatic animals. It employs a foot-stamping technique to flush out insects and often follows grazing herbivores to catch disturbed prey.

The Grey Crowned Crane is currently classified as Endangered, with an estimated global population between 58,000 and 77,000 individuals. It faces threats from habitat destruction, overgrazing, and pesticide pollution.

The Grey Crowned Crane holds a place of honor as the national bird of Uganda, gracing the country's flag and coat of arms.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus)

The superb starling, Lamprotornis superbus, is a small, robust bird with a height of 18 to 19 cm. It boasts a short tail, a long narrow bill, and strong feet. Its plumage is a dazzling display of iridescent blues and greens, a result of light interacting with the structure of the feathers rather than pigmentation. The bird's striking appearance is similar to that of the Hildebrandt's starling, but it can be distinguished by its pale creamy-white eyes and a white breast band in adults.

Adults have a bronzy-black crown and ear-coverts, with a black lore. Their glossy plumage covers the chin, throat, chest, nape, mantle, back, and uppertail-coverts, with the nape showcasing vibrant blue hues. A slender white strip separates the glossy chest from the red-orange abdomen, flanks, and thighs. The vent and the underside of the tail and wings are white. Their irises are creamy-white, and both legs and bills are black. Superb starlings are sexually monomorphic, meaning males and females are visually similar.

Juvenile superb starlings have a more subdued plumage with no glossy sheen except on the tail and wing feathers. Their irises are initially brown, later turning grayish white. The bill is pale yellow with a darker tip, and the legs are brown. By seven months, they acquire adult plumage, though the eyes remain dark and the bill's base shows yellow coloring.

Superb starlings may choose to remain in their birth group or disperse as immigrants. They experience social benefits and conflicts, with larger groups offering enhanced survival chances and reduced reproductive variance.

Superb starlings inhabit savannas, thornbush and acacia arid areas, open woodlands, lakeshore woodlands, gardens, and cultivated fields. They are found at elevations ranging from sea level to 2,650 meters and tend to avoid humid lowland areas.

This species is commonly found in East Africa, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, and Tanzania. They occupy large territories, often exceeding 50 hectares.

Superb starlings are known for their social dynamics, forming groups that can exceed 40 individuals with an approximately equal sex ratio. They are territorial during the breeding season, chasing away other species, especially near their nests. They often join mixed-species flocks, which may aid in foraging and predator defense.

The superb starling's vocal repertoire includes a long and loud song of trills and chatters, a softer midday song, and several harsh calls. Their alarm calls are distinct enough to be recognized by other species, such as vervet monkeys, which respond to the starlings' predator warnings.

Omnivorous and primarily ground feeders, superb starlings feast on insects, berries, small fruits, seeds, and occasionally scavenge on animal carcasses. They are known to extract nectar from sisal flowers and are unafraid of humans, often scavenging around settlements.

Breeding seasons vary by region, with October to February in Ethiopia and March to June in Somalia. Displays include running on the ground and jumping with drooping wings and outstretched heads.

Nests are built in thorn trees, tree holes, cliffs, or rock crevices, often lined with twigs and dry grass. Both sexes contribute to nest building, and nests are sometimes constructed at the base of raptor nests for protection.

Eggs are uniformly dark blue, and females lay 3-4 eggs per clutch. Incubation lasts 12-13 days, with a nestling period of 18-24 days. Nestlings are fed insects, and both parents, along with alloparents, participate in offspring care.

The superb starling is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis)

The Rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) is a medium-sized terrestrial mammal native to Africa and the Middle East. It is also commonly referred to in South Africa as the dassie. These cute animals are the only extant terrestrial afrotherians in the Middle East. Along with other hyrax species and the sirenians, Rock hyraxes are the most closely related to the elephant.

The Rock hyrax is an unusual creature that lacks tail. The coat of this animal is dense and varies greatly in color. However, the upper parts of the hyrax are usually brownish-grey, whereas the underparts are lighter. On its back, the Rock hyrax exhibits a characteristic marking, colored in black, yellow, or orange. Underneath this patch, the animal has a special gland, giving off a specific odor. The hyrax also possesses moist and rubber-like foot soles, allowing it to easily grasp objects when climbing steep rocks of its range.

The natural range of Rock hyrax covers a huge territory, including most of sub-Saharan Africa (except for the Congo basin and Madagascar) and northeastern Africa, stretching eastwards to the western and southern coasts of the Arabian Peninsula. The preferred habitat of this species is arid areas such as deserts, savannas, and scrub forests as well as rocky terrains with moderate vegetation. Rock hyraxes typically favor places with abundant rock crevices and cavities, since the latter are used as shelters.

The Rock hyraxes are highly sociable animals, forming groups of 2-26 individuals. These colonies usually consist of one breeding male and multiple adult females with their young. Occasionally, subordinate males can be observed in these groups. Although they are generally active by day, these animals have also been known to be active and communicate through calls during moonlit nights. Coming out of their shelters, they take sunbaths for 1-2 hours in order to warm up. Rock hyraxes start foraging by afternoon. During overcast, rainy, or cold days, these animals rarely come out of their shelters. Meanwhile, they tend to remain in shady sites during extremely hot days. As grazers, hyraxes feed on the ground, sometimes climbing trees to feed on fresh leaves. 

The Rock hyraxes are highly sociable animals, forming groups of 2-26 They feed in groups, where the breeding male or a female always stands guard on a high rock or tree branch: once a threat is detected, the animal emits a sharp barking call, which acts as an alarm, after which members of the group flee to their shelters. Rock hyraxes use a wide variety of vocalizations to communicate with conspecifics. These include whistles, mews, high-pitched tones, shrieks, and other sounds, which serve group members as a form of daily communication or alarm when threatened.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - RED CRESTED POCHARD (FEMALE) (Netta rufina)

The red-crested pochard (Netta rufina ) is a large diving duck. The scientific name is derived from Greek Netta "duck", and Latin rufina, "golden-red" (from rufus, "ruddy"). Its breeding habitat is lowland marshes and lakes in southern Europe and it extends from the steppe and semi-desert areas on the Black Sea to Central Asia and Mongolia, wintering in the Indian Subcontinent and Africa. It is somewhat migratory, and northern birds winter further south into north Africa.

The adult male is unmistakable. It has a rounded orange head, red bill and black breast. The flanks are white, the back brown, and the tail black. The female is mainly a pale brown, with a darker back and crown and a whitish face. Eclipse males are like females but with red bills. They are gregarious birds, forming large flocks in winter, often mixed with other diving ducks, such as common pochards. They feed mainly by diving or dabbling. They eat aquatic plants, and typically upend for food more than most diving ducks.

A wheezing veht call can be given by the male. Series of hoarse vrah-vrah-vrah calls can also be heard from females.

Red-crested pochards build nests by the lakeside among vegetation and lay 8–12 pale green eggs. The birds' status in the British Isles is much confused because there have been many escapes and deliberate releases over the years, as well as natural visitors from the continent. However, it is most likely that they are escapees that are now breeding wild and have built up a successful feral population. They are most numerous around areas of England including Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and also spotted in Leicestershire.

The red-crested pochard is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

The red-crested pochard is naturally found in a wide range extending from southern and central Europe across central Asia, as far west as Mongolia. Its attractive appearance has made it a popular bird in wildfowl collections in the UK. Over the years, red-crested pochards have escaped from collections and nested in the wild, leading to an established population in England.

It's possible that some of the red-crested pochards seen in the UK, particularly in southeast England, have arrived on their own from continental Europe. Over the last century, the European population has spread north into the Netherlands and Germany. They are migratory, flying between breeding grounds and wintering sites.

Red-crested pochards are usually found on freshwater lakes and pools, particularly with reedbeds. They often feed at the surface, but can also dive for food. In winter they gather in large flocks.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - SPOTTED THICK NEE (Burhinus capensis)

The Spotted Thick-knee, also known as the Spotted Dikkop or Cape Thick-knee, is a bird of notable stature, reaching up to 45.5 cm in height. It is adorned with brown-and-white speckled plumage that blends seamlessly into the grasslands and savannas it calls home. The bird's head is large and round, crowned with a prominent yellow eye, while its short, stout beak is well-suited to its diet. In flight or when displaying its characteristic wings-raised stance, it reveals a striking contrast in its plumage. Its legs are long and yellow, and the tibiotarsal joint is notably expanded, a feature that has given rise to its common name.

To identify the Spotted Thick-knee, look for its long yellow legs and the distinctive thickening at the knee joint. Its camouflage plumage can make it challenging to spot, but the bird's large, round head and prominent yellow eyes are key distinguishing features. When it takes to the air or assumes its unique pose with wings aloft, the contrasting patterns of its plumage become quite apparent.

This species thrives in the grasslands and savannas, where its mottled plumage provides excellent camouflage against the backdrop of these ecosystems.

The Spotted Thick-knee is native to sub-Saharan Africa, with a range that spans from Senegal, Mali, and Mauritania in the west, across to Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and down to South Africa in the east and south. It is also found in south Yemen.

The Spotted Thick-knee is a nocturnal creature, often squatting on the ground during the day, which makes it quite elusive. It is a ground hunter, preying on insects, small mammals, and lizards.

The Spotted Thick-knee lays usually two eggs, with a two-day interval between them. The eggs are marked with sepia brown and ash grey on a pale, clay-coloured background. Nesting occurs on the ground, with a scrape lined with grasses, feathers, pebbles, and twigs. Both male and female parents are involved in rearing the young, bringing food to the nest and defending it vigorously. They may even feign injury to distract predators from their offspring.

The Spotted Thick-knee can be confused with the Water Thick-knee but can be distinguished by the distinct wing pattern of the Water Thick-knee.

The diet of the Spotted Thick-knee consists of insects, small mammals, and lizards, which it hunts on the ground.

The Spotted Thick-knee is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN, thanks to its extensive range and stable population numbers.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - SADDLE BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)

The saddle-billed stork or saddlebill (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis ) is a large wading bird in the stork family, Ciconiidae. It is a widespread species which is a resident breeder in sub-Saharan Africa from Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya south to South Africa, and in The Gambia, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Chad in west Africa. It is considered endangered in South Africa.

It is a close relative of the widespread Asian and Australian black-necked stork, the only other member of the genus Ephippiorhynchus.

The saddle-billed stork, like most of its relatives, feeds mainly on fish, frogs and crabs, but also on large water beetles, small mammals, birds and reptiles. The birds move in a deliberate and stately manner as they hunt, in a similar way to the larger herons.

This is a huge bird that regularly attains a height of 145 to 150 cm (4 ft 9 in to 4 ft 11 in), a length of 142 cm (4 ft 8 in) and a 2.4 to 2.7 m (7 ft 10 in to 8 ft 10 in) wingspan. While heights published have been in the aforementioned narrow range, reportedly adult saddle-billed storks in captivity can attain a height of up to 150 to 180 cm (4 ft 11 in to 5 ft 11 in). The male of the species is larger and heavier than the female, with a range of 5.1–7.52 kg (11.2–16.6 lb), with a mean mass of 6.38 kg (14.1 lb). The female is usually between 5 and 6.84 kg (11.0 and 15.1 lb), with a mean mass of 5.95 kg (13.1 lb). Among the large storks, the saddle-billed broadly overlap in size with the two larger Leptoptilos and the Jabiru stork but possesses a longer, more slender neck and slightly longer legs than the other largest storks, so the saddle-billed is likely to be the tallest extant species of the family. Its extremely long legs measure up to 36.5 cm (14.4 in)) in tarsus length. The long bill measures from 27.3 to 36 cm (10.7 to 14.2 in). The sexes can be readily distinguished by the golden yellow irises of the female and the brown irises and dangling yellow wattles of the male. It is therefore one of the few storks to display sexual dimorphism in colour.

It is spectacularly plumaged; both the female and male appear identical when perched but the female shows much more white in the primaries in flight. The head, neck, back, wings, and tail are iridescent black, with the rest of the body and the primary flight feathers being white. Juveniles are browner grey in plumage. The massive bill is red with a black band and a yellow frontal shield (the "saddle"). The legs and feet are black with pink hocks. On the chest is a bare red patch of skin, whose colour darkens during breeding season.

At the continental scale, saddle-billed storks preferred protected areas that have a higher extent of open water compared to areas without the storks. Some of these trends may, however, be due to a bias in coverage by ornithologists of safer areas such as national parks and protected swamps that afford easier accessibility and comforts.

They are silent except for bill-clattering at the nest. Like most storks, these fly with the neck outstretched, not retracted like a heron; in flight, the large heavy bill is kept drooping somewhat below belly height, giving these birds a very unusual appearance to those who see them for the first time. To experienced birdwatchers on the other hand, this makes them easily recognizable even if seen from a distance. It has been suggested that due to the large size and unusual appearance in flight, this species is the basis for the "big bird" and kongamato cryptids.

The saddle-billed stork breeds in forested waterlands and other floodlands in tropical lowland. It builds a large, deep stick nest in a tree, laying one to five (typically two or three) white eggs weighing about 146 g (5.1 oz) each. It does not form breeding colonies, and is usually found alone or in pairs. The incubation period is 30–35 days, with another 70–100 days before the chicks fledge, with the young often remaining in the parents' territory until the next breeding season.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - HELMETED GUINEA FOWL (Numida meleagris)

The Helmeted Guineafowl, Numida meleagris, is a distinctive bird, easily recognized by its round body, small head, and striking plumage. Adults typically measure 53 to 58 cm in length and weigh around 1.3 kg. Their feathers are predominantly gray-black, speckled with white, providing them with a somewhat polka-dotted appearance.

One can identify the Helmeted Guineafowl by its bare head adorned with a bony knob, which can be dull yellow or reddish, and the surrounding skin may exhibit red, blue, or black colors. The wings and tail are short, contributing to a rather compact silhouette. Subspecies vary mainly in the size, shape, and color of the casque and facial wattles.

These birds favor warm, open environments with scattered shrubs and trees, such as savannas or farmlands, where they can forage and breed.

Native to Africa, mainly south of the Sahara, the Helmeted Guineafowl has been introduced to various regions worldwide, including the West Indies, North America, Colombia, Brazil, Australia, and Europe.

Helmeted Guineafowls are social creatures, forming flocks of about 25 individuals outside the breeding season. They are ground-dwelling birds, preferring to run rather than fly when threatened. Their flight is short and explosive, relying on gliding for longer distances. They are adept at running and can cover up to 10 km in a day. When alarmed, they emit loud, harsh calls.

The calls of domesticated hens and the sounds of young birds, known as keets, are characteristic of this species.

These birds are seasonal breeders, with summer being the peak season. The female lays a clutch of 6 to 12 eggs in a well-hidden scrape and incubates them for 26 to 28 days. Larger clutches may indicate shared nesting.

While there are various subspecies of Helmeted Guineafowl, they are generally distinguishable from other guineafowl by their unique head ornamentation and coloration.

The Helmeted Guineafowl's diet is diverse, including animal and plant foods. They consume seeds, tubers, and invertebrates, with a particular fondness for arthropods like beetles. They forage by scratching the ground with their strong claws.

The Helmeted Guineafowl is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without significant threats at present.

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - PINK BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)

The Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a member of the pelican family, distinguished by its relatively modest size. Adults range from 125 to 155 cm in length, with a wingspan of 2.15 to 2.9 meters, and weigh between 4 to 7 kilograms. The plumage is primarily grey and white, with a subtle pink hue on the back that is never as vivid as that of a flamingo. The bill, measuring 30 to 38 cm, is topped with yellow, and the pouch is typically greyish. During the breeding season, adults may sport elongated feather plumes on their heads.

To identify the Pink-backed Pelican, look for its grey and white plumage with a possible pinkish tint on the back. The yellow upper bill and greyish pouch are also key features. In comparison to the larger Great White Pelican, which shares its habitat, the Pink-backed Pelican is smaller and has greyish rather than white plumage.

This species thrives in a variety of aquatic environments, favoring tranquil backwaters with shallow waters. It is commonly found in freshwater lakes, swamps, large rivers with gentle currents, and seasonal pools. It can also be seen in reservoirs, seasonally flooded lands, and floodplains near river mouths, as well as alkaline and saline lakes and lagoons. Coastal presence is limited to bays and estuaries, as it seldom ventures onto the open seashore.

The Pink-backed Pelican is a resident breeder across Africa and southern Arabia. Historically, it was also found in Madagascar, but it has since been extirpated from the island.

This pelican is known to nest colonially in trees, reeds, or low bushes near water bodies, and occasionally on the ground on sandy islands and in mangroves. Nests are constructed close together in nesting trees, which are reused annually until the trees collapse. The species tends to roost in similar environments, including mangroves, sandy islands, cliffs, coral reefs, and sand dunes.

The nest of the Pink-backed Pelican is a substantial heap of sticks, situated anywhere from 10 to 50 meters above the ground. The female typically lays two to three large white eggs. Chicks feed by delving deep into the adult's pouch to consume partially digested, regurgitated fish.

The diet of the Pink-backed Pelican consists mainly of fish, including cichlids like Haplochromis and Tilapia, which can weigh up to 450 grams, though they typically range from 80 to 290 grams. Amphibians also form part of their diet. These pelicans often fish in groups to capture their prey.

The Pink-backed Pelican is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of widespread decline.