1-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus)

The Blacksmith Lapwing (or Plover) is a bold, black, white, and gray African bird named for its loud, metallic "tink-tink-tink" call, like a hammer on an anvil, used to defend its wetland territory and nest. These monogamous, territorial birds use a sharp spur on their wing for aggressive defense, dive-bombing threats, even elephants, and feed on invertebrates from mudflats and grasslands. They build simple ground nests near water and are common, widespread, and not currently threatened. 

Key Facts:

Name Origin: Its distinctive loud, metallic call sounds like a blacksmith's hammer, hence the name.

Appearance: Striking black, white, and gray patterns with bold patches, red eyes, and a sharp spur on its wrist (carpal spur) used for defense, notes Wikipedia.

The Blacksmith Lapwing (or Plover) is a bold, black, white, and gray African bird named for its loud, metallic "tink-tink-tink" call, like a hammer on an anvil, used to defend its wetland territory and nest. These monogamous, territorial birds use a sharp spur on their wing for aggressive defense, dive-bombing threats, even elephants, and feed on invertebrates from mudflats and grasslands. They build simple ground nests near water and are common, widespread, and not currently threatened. 

Key Facts:

Name Origin: Its distinctive loud, metallic call sounds like a blacksmith's hammer, hence the name.

Appearance: Striking black, white, and gray patterns with bold patches, red eyes, and a sharp spur on its wrist (carpal spur) used for defense, notes Wikipedia.

Habitat: Found in sub-Saharan Africa, favoring wetlands, mudflats, grasslands, and even artificial areas like airports and salt pans.

Diet: Eats terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, including insects, worms, mollusks, and crustaceans, often foraging by dashing or foot-trembling in shallow water.

Behavior: Very territorial and vocal, fiercely defending nests and young by diving at predators, including large mammals like elephants.

Nesting: Builds simple scrapes in the ground near water, laying 3-4 eggs, incubated by both parents.

Conservation: Common and widespread, considered of Least Concern, with range potentially expanding. 

Defense Tactics:

Loud alarm calls.

Aerial dives and swoops.

Spreading wings, extending neck, pointing bill at intruder.

Using sharp carpal spurs aggressively. 

9-6-2019 KWHAI CAMP, BOTSWANA - SOUTHERN WHITE CROWNED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus angustimens)

The Southern White-crowned Shrike (Eurocephalus anguitimens) is a social, insect-eating bird of African savannas, known for its striking white crown and black mask, living in family groups that cooperatively raise young in neat cup nests, and hunting insects and small prey from conspicuous perches, often impaling them like other shrikes. They are monogamous, found in countries like Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, and have a distinctive, shrill call. 

Key Facts:

Appearance: Large-headed, bulky bird with a distinct white crown, black mask, ashy-brown back, and off-white underparts.

Habitat: Arid savannas, dry woodlands, and riverine forests in Southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe).

Social Behavior: Lives in family groups (pairs plus 1-6 helpers) that cooperate in nesting and chick-rearing.

Diet: Primarily insects (caterpillars, beetles, ants) but also small vertebrates, hawking them from perches or hunting on the ground.

Hunting: Perches high to watch for prey, often impaling surplus food on thorns or barbed wire.

Nesting: Builds a thick, cup-shaped nest of grass and spiderwebs in tree forks, with helpers assisting.

Reproduction: Lays 2-5 eggs, incubated for about 20 days; chicks fledge in around 3 weeks.

Vocalization: Known for a distinctive, shrill, plover-like call, "kleeew-keeuw".

Name: Called Kremetartlaksman in Afrikaans; Eurocephalus means "broad-headed" in Greek. 

6-6-2019 MOREMI CAMP, BOTSWANA - COMMON OSTRICH (Struthio camelus)

The common ostrich (Struthio camelus), the planet's largest bird, is a flightless avian native to Africa. It is a member of the ratite family, which includes other flightless birds like emus and kiwis. The ostrich is known for its impressive size, long neck, and powerful legs, which allow it to reach speeds of up to 70 km/h (43 mph) in short bursts. Males are typically larger than females and boast striking black and white plumage, while females are predominantly brown.

Adult males are characterized by their black feathers with white wings and tail. Females and young males are more subdued in color, displaying grayish-brown feathers. The ostrich's head and neck are sparsely feathered, revealing their skin, which can vary from gray to pinkish tones. They have large eyes, adapted for spotting predators at great distances, and long, muscular legs with two-toed feet.

Ostriches are adapted to a variety of habitats, from savannas to deserts across Africa. They are capable of surviving in extreme conditions, from the scorching heat to areas with scarce water.

Once found throughout Africa and parts of Asia, the common ostrich's range has been reduced due to hunting and habitat loss. Today, they are primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, with some populations in North Africa and the Sahel region.

Ostriches are nomadic, often traveling in small groups that can range from 5 to 50 individuals. They are known for their running ability, using their speed as a primary defense mechanism. When threatened, they may lie flat against the ground to avoid detection or deliver powerful kicks to defend themselves.

The common ostrich produces distinct vocalizations, including booming calls by males during the mating season, which can be heard over long distances.

Ostriches have complex mating behaviors, with males courting females through elaborate dances and displays. They are known for their communal nesting practices, where several females may lay their eggs in a single nest for incubation.

The Somali ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes), once considered a subspecies, is now recognized as a separate species. It can be distinguished by its blue-gray neck and legs.

Ostriches are omnivores, primarily consuming plant matter such as seeds, shrubs, and fruits, but they will also eat invertebrates and small reptiles. They lack teeth and ingest pebbles to aid in grinding food in their gizzard.

The common ostrich is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, though certain subspecies, like the North African ostrich, are under greater threat and are listed in CITES Appendix I, which restricts international trade.

6-6-2019 KHWAI CAMP, BOTSWANA - WATTLED CRANE (Grus carunculatus)

The wattled crane (Grus carunculata) is a large, threatened species of crane found in wetlands and grasslands of eastern and southern Africa, ranging from Ethiopia to South Africa. Some authorities consider it the sole member of the genus Bugeranus.

The wattled crane occurs in eleven countries in eastern and southern Africa, including an isolated population in the Ethiopia Highlands. More than half of the world's wattled cranes occur in Zambia, but the single largest concentration occurs in the Okavango Delta of Botswana.

The wattled crane has been spotted in Uganda for the first time in 2011, seen in the Kibimba Rice region in the eastern side of the country. This sighting brings the total number of bird species in Uganda to 1040.

In April 2018, a new population of Wattled Cranes was discovered in Angola.

Wattled cranes inhabit fairly inaccessible wetlands under most conditions. It requires shallow marsh-like habitats with a good deal of sedge-based vegetation. All cranes are omnivorous. The principal food of the wattled crane is mainly aquatic eating the tubers and rhizomes of submerged sedges and water lilies. It is one of the more herbivorous of extant cranes. The other primary portion of the diet consists of aquatic insects. They will supplement the diet with snails, amphibians and snakes when the opportunity arises. Roughly 90% of foraging done by this species occurs in shallow waters. They typically forage by digging vigorously with their bill into the muddy soil. On occasion, it will eat grain and grass seed as well, but does so much less often than the other three African crane species.

There does seem to be some seasonal movements in this crane species, but they are not well-known. Movements seem to be dictated by local water conditions rather than by seasonal temperature variations. During local floods, the number of wattled cranes can increase from almost none to as much as 3,000 individuals. 

These movements, in pursuit of ideal feeding conditions, seem more opportunistic movement rather than a fixed migration pattern. On the other hand, there has been observed a migration movement from the high to the low plateaus in Mozambique for the species.

5-6-2019 MOREMI CAMP, BOTSWANA - MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer)

The Marabou Stork, Leptoptilos crumenifer, is a formidable presence in the avian world, with its massive stature and striking appearance. It stands tall at approximately 152 centimeters and can weigh up to 9 kilograms. Its wingspan is a sight to behold, stretching up to 3.7 meters, rivaling even the Andean condor in breadth. The marabou is adorned with a black back, contrasting white underparts, and a distinctive bare head and neck. Its bill is robust, and it sports a pink gular sac at its throat, a neck ruff, and white legs. Both sexes appear similar, though the female is typically smaller, and juveniles are browner with a less pronounced bill.

To identify the Marabou Stork, look for its large size, bare head, and neck, along with its black back and white underparts. The bird's enormous bill and pink throat sac are also key characteristics. When in flight, note that unlike most storks, the Marabou Stork flies with its neck retracted, resembling a heron.

The Marabou Stork is native to sub-Saharan Africa, where it can be found in a variety of habitats, both wet and arid. It often resides near human habitation, particularly around landfill sites.

4-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax)

The tawny eagle (Aquila rapax) is a large bird of prey. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Its heavily feathered legs mark it as a member of the subfamily Aquilinae, also known as booted eagles. Tawny eagles have an extensive but discontinuous breeding range that constitutes much of the African continent as well as the Indian subcontinent, with rare residency in the southern Middle East. Throughout its range, it favours open dry habitats such as semideserts, deserts steppes, or savanna plains. Despite its preference for arid areas, the species seldom occurs in areas where trees are entirely absent. It is a resident breeder which lays one to three eggs in a stick nest most commonly in the crown of a tree. 

The tawny eagle is perhaps the most highly opportunistic of all Aquilinae, and often scavenges on carrion or engages in kleptoparasitism towards other carnivorous animals but is also a bold and active predator, often of relatively large and diverse prey. It is estimated that tawny eagles can reach the age of 16 years old. Nonetheless, precipitous declines have been detected throughout the tawny eagle's range. Numerous factors, particularly loss of nesting habitat due to logging and global warming, as well as persecution (largely via poisoning) and other anthropogenic mortality (largely through contact with various manmade objects) are driving the once numerous tawny eagle perhaps to the brink of extinction.

The tawny eagle is considered to appear "inelegant, scruffy-looking" but has a fairly characteristic aquiline silhouette. The species has a fairly long neck and long deep bill with a gape line level with the eye, moderately long wings with fairly pronounced "fingers" and a slightly rounded to almost square-ended and shortish tail, which can be more reminiscent of the tail of a vulture than that of other eagles. The feathering on the legs is extensive and can appear almost baggy-looking. The bill and head are strong and bold, the body well-proportioned and feet are powerful while the countenance is quite fierce-looking. While perching, the tawny eagle tends to sit rather upright, often on stumps, posts, low trees or treetops for long periods of the day or may descend to the ground to walk somewhat unsteadily with a more horizontal posture. The wingtips when perched are roughly even with the tip of the tail. Adults have variably colored eyes, ranging from yellow to pale brown to yellow brown, while those of juveniles are dark brown. Both the cere and feet are yellow at all ages. 

The tawny eagle is polymorphic with considerable individual variation in plumage, resulting in occasional disparities in plumages that can engender confusion in some. In adulthood, they can vary in coloration from all dark grey-brown to an occasionally streaky (or more plain) foxy-rufous to buffish-yellow. Most adults are usually a general grey-brown or rufous-tawny color, with occasional pale spotting visible at close quarters on the nape and belly, coverts uniformly toned as the body. The nape is consistently dark and uniform despite the feathers often being tipped paler with other feathers in adults, lacking the contrasting paler feathers often seen in other Aquila. Females, in addition to being slightly larger, may tend to be slightly darker and more streaked than the males. The most blackish-brown individuals tend to occur in India. Adults often show relatively little varying colors apart from their somewhat blacker wing and tail feathers, though when freshly molted great wing coverts and secondaries may show small pale tips which may form pale lines along closed wing has tawny upper parts and blackish flight feathers and tail.

Tawny eagles have an extremely extensive natural distribution. The African population can be found in three, fairly discrete populations. One of these is found in North Africa in south-central Morocco, possibly northern Algeria, southwestern Mauritania, Senegambia, southern Mali, central and southern Niger eastward through southern Chad, northern and central Sudan to most of Ethiopia and Somalia (but for the northeast and central-east). The north African population is scarce. In Morocco, they are heavily depleted with a few populations left in some regions such as Tarfaya, Tan-Tan and Souss-Massa. They are likely extirpated from Tunisia, where they were once frequent. In West Africa, some tawny eagles occur in Gambia, Togo, Nigeria and (though possibly not breeding) in Ivory Coast and Ghana. In east Africa and central Africa, the tawny eagle is found in central and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and throughout the drier portions of Uganda and in the entire nations of Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia (quite often residing in the Luangwa valley and the Chambeshi drainage), Malawi and Mozambique. In east Africa, it is considered perhaps the most widely distributed and regularly sighted brown eagle. In southern Africa, the tawny eagle is found throughout Zimbabwe (now often rare apart from Matabeleland and Chipinga Uplands), Botswana (still regular in Okavango Delta) and some areas of Namibia, southern and western Angola (Cuando Cubango, Cunene, Huíla Namibe, to Malanje), Eswatini, Lesotho and northern and central parts of South Africa, i.e. mainly north of the Orange River but sometimes down to the Cape Province.

31-5-2019 THORNTREE CAMP, ZAMBIA - WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis)

Halcyon senegalensis, known as the Woodland Kingfisher, is a widespread African tree kingfisher recognized by its blue back, black wings with white patches, and reddish bill, contrasting with a white throat and belly, often seen near woodland and savanna habitats south of the Sahara, noted by the BIRDA app. 

It's a distinctive bird in the kingfisher family, frequently identified by its bold colors and noisy calls, despite not always being near water like some kingfishers. 

30-5-2019 VICTORIA FALLS, ZAMBIA - GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maxima ssp maxima)

The giant kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) is the largest kingfisher in Africa, where it is a resident breeding bird over most of the continent south of the Sahara Desert, other than the arid southwest.

The first formal description of the giant kingfisher was by the German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas in 1769 under the binomial name Alcedo maxima. The current genus Megaceryle was erected by the German naturalist Johann Jakob Kaup in 1848.

There are two subspecies:

M. m. maxima (Pallas, 1769) – Senegal and Gambia to Ethiopia and south to South Africa

M. m. gigantea (Swainson, 1837) – Liberia to northern Angola and western Tanzania, island of Bioko

The nominate subspecies M. m. maxima occurs in wooded savanna while M. m. gigantea prefers tropical rainforest.

The giant kingfisher is 42–46 cm (16.5–18 in) long, with a large shaggy crest, a large black bill and fine white spots on black upperparts. The male has a chestnut breast band and otherwise white underparts with dark flank barring. The female has a white-spotted black breast band and a chestnut belly. The forest race M. m. gigantea is darker, less spotted above, and more barred below than the nominate race, but the two forms intergrade along the forest edge zone.

The call is a loud wak wak wak.

In South Africa breeding takes place between September and January, in Zimbabwe from August to March, in Zambia March to April and in Liberia December to January.

The giant kingfisher is monogamous and a solitary breeder. The nest is a long horizontal tunnel that is excavated into a river bank by both sexes using their feet and bills. The entrance hole is 11 cm (4.3 in) high and 15 cm (5.9 in) wide. The tunnel is typically 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in length but a tunnel of 8.5 m (28 ft) has been recorded. A clutch of around three eggs is laid in a chamber at the end of the tunnel.

28-5-2022 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN BLACK TIT (Melaniparus niger)

The southern black tit or simply black tit (Melaniparus niger) is a species of bird in the tit family Paridae, which is native to woodland habitats in southern Africa.

It occurs chiefly in tropical and subtropical savanna woodland, in a semicircular arc from Angola to the Eastern Cape, South Africa. It prefers woodland dominated by broad-leaved trees, most importantly miombo, Combretum species, and Burkea africana. It is especially common in the woodlands of western Zimbabwe, where densities can reach as high as fifty birds per square kilometre.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN CORDONBLEU (MALE) (Uraeginthus angolensis)

The blue waxbill (Uraeginthus angolensis), also called southern blue waxbill, blue-breasted waxbill, southern cordon-bleu, blue-cheeked cordon-bleu, blue-breasted cordon-bleu and Angola cordon-bleu, is a common species of estrildid finch found in Southern Africa. It is also relatively commonly kept as an aviary bird.

The blue waxbill has powder-blue face, breast, rump, and flanks with pale brown upperparts. The female is paler than the male and the blue is confined to the rump, tail, head, and upper breast, with the rest of the underparts being buffy brown. They measure 12–13 cm in length.

The call is a soft 'seee-seee', often repeated as bird flits through the lower parts of bush and scrub.

The blue waxbill occurs in southern Africa from Cabinda and the Congo to Kenya and Tanzania in the east south to northern South Africa. It may have been introduced to the islands of São Tomé and to Zanzibar.

The blue waxbill occurs in a variety of habitats but generally prefers well-watered and semi-arid savanna, particularly where umbrella thorns Vachellia tortilis grow, also occupying natural growth in cultivated land, mopane Colosphermum mopane and forest edges.

25-5-2019 MANA POOLS , ZIMBABWE - EASTERN NICATOR (Nicator gularis)

The Eastern Nicator, scientifically known as Nicator gularis, is a captivating species of songbird belonging to the family Nicatoridae. This avian wonder was once referred to as the "yellow-spotted nicator," though this moniker has since been reassigned to its relative, the Western Nicator.

While observing these birds, one may note their absence of distinctive yellow spots, a feature now attributed to their Western counterparts.

The Eastern Nicator thrives in a variety of environments, including subtropical or tropical dry forests, dry savannas, and moist shrublands. These habitats offer the perfect blend of cover and foraging opportunities for this species.

This bird graces the landscapes of several African countries, including Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Birdwatchers in South Africa may find it as far south as Mtunzini in northern KwaZulu-Natal, while those in East Africa can spot it in lowland areas and along the Zambezi River's inland stretches.

Diet and Feeding

The Eastern Nicator is an insectivore, skillfully hunting insects to sustain itself.

24-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - SPINY CROSSANDRA (Crossandra spinescens)

Crossandra spinescens is a woody perennial subshrub native to parts of southern Africa that has striking flowers in shades of orange, yellow, or red. The "spinescens" part of the name refers to the spiny margins on the plant's bracts, the leaf-like structures that enclose the flowers. It thrives in full sun and rocky or woodland habitats but can be cultivated in well-draining soil. 

Characteristics

Appearance: A woody perennial herb or small shrub that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall.

Leaves: Glossy, dark green, and oval- or lance-shaped.

Flowers: Tubular and very striking, with colors ranging from yellow and orange to red. They are found in terminal inflorescences.

Distinguishing feature: The flower bracts have spiny margins.

Habitat: Rocky slopes, mopane woodlands, and streamsides. 

Cultivation

Light: Prefers full sun.

Soil: Thrives in well-draining soil, such as a normal potting mix, and is often found in rocky or woodland environments.

Watering: Water regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. 

23-5-2019 RAYA REAL, COTO DE REY - IBERIAN LYNX (Lynx pardinus)

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is one of the four extant species of the Lynx, a genus of medium-sized wild cats. It is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. Fossils suggest that it has been present in Iberia since the end of the Early Pleistocene around 1 million years ago. It is a monotypic species and is thought to have evolved from Lynx issiodorensis.

The Iberian lynx population declined in the 20th century primarily due to overhunting, poaching, fragmentation of suitable habitats, and the population decline of its main prey species, such as the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), caused by myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease. By the turn of the 21st century, the Iberian lynx was on the verge of extinction, as only 94 individuals survived in two isolated subpopulations in Andalusia in 2002. Since then, conservation measures have been implemented, which included improving habitat, restocking of rabbits, translocating, reintroducing, and monitoring Iberian lynxes. Between 2012 and 2024, the population had increased from a low of 326 individuals to some 2,021, leading to its reclassification as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

22-5-2019 HWANGE, ZIMBABWEE - THREE BANDED COURSER (Rhinoptilus cinctus)

The Three-banded Courser, Rhinoptilus cinctus, is a distinctive bird belonging to the family Glareolidae. It presents a unique appearance with its three prominent bands across its head and neck.

To identify the Three-banded Courser, look for its characteristic head pattern with three dark bands. The bird's overall plumage is a blend of earthy tones, providing excellent camouflage in its natural habitat.

This species thrives in semi-arid environments, where it can blend seamlessly with the sandy and stony terrain.

The Three-banded Courser is found across a broad range of the African continent, including countries such as Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, Somaliland, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Observing the behaviour of the Three-banded Courser reveals its adeptness at remaining inconspicuous within its habitat, a survival trait that serves it well against potential predators.

15-5-2019 BOTANICAL GARDENS, BARCELONA - BLACK BURROWING BUG ( Cydnus aterrimus)

Cydnus aterrimus is a species of burrowing bug in the family Cydnidae. It is found in the Caribbean, Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China), North America, and Southern Asia.

15-5-2019 BOTANICAL GARDENS, BARCELONA - CATALONIAN WALL LIZARD (Podarcis liolepis)

Podarcis liolepis, the Columbretes wall lizard or Catalan wall lizard, is very similar to the other lizards in the genus Podarcis. This species was formerly described as a subspecies of the Iberian wall lizard, but has now been elevated to species status. These are slender lizards with long tails, narrow tapered heads and long thin toes, and stout legs. Colours are variable, although generally grey-brown. Often very subtle spots and stripes along the back and flanks can be seen and these can be more distinguished in the female. The underside is a much lighter cream or beige with sometimes a reddish tint. Adults grow 15–20 cm in length from the nose to tip of the tail. Body length can be a little as one third of the total body length, the tail making up the other two thirds.

15-5-2019 BOTANICAL GARDENS, BARCELONA - MARSH FRITILLARY (Euphydryas aurinia)

 

The marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. Commonly distributed in the Palearctic region, the marsh fritillary's common name derives from one of its several habitats, marshland. The prolonged larval stage lasts for approximately seven to eight months and includes a period of hibernation over the winter. The larvae are dependent on the host food plant Succisa pratensis not only for feeding but also for hibernation, because silken webs are formed on the host plant as the gregarious larvae enter hibernation. Females lay eggs in batches on the host plant and are, like other batch-layers, selective about the location of oviposition because offspring survivorship levels for batch-layers are more tied to location selection than they are for single-egg layers.

As of 2019 the butterfly's global conservation status is considered of least concern, but it has faced rapid decline and is considered regionally vulnerable or endangered over much of its range.

14-5-2019 MIRO PARQUE, BARCELONA - MONK PARAKEET (Myiopsitta monachus)

The Monk Parakeet, also known as the Quaker Parrot, is a small and vibrant green parrot with a greyish breast and a greenish-yellow abdomen. This charming bird is a member of the true parrot family, Psittacidae, and is known for its relatively long lifespan of 20-30 years.

Adult Monk Parakeets measure approximately 29 cm (11 in) in length with a wingspan of 48 cm (19 in), and an average weight of 100 g (3.5 oz). The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females being 10-20% smaller than males. They possess bright-green upperparts, a pale gray forehead and breast with darker scalloping, and very light-green to yellow underparts. Their remiges are dark blue, and they have a long, tapering tail. The bill is a notable orange color. Vocalizations include a loud and throaty chape(-yee) or quak quaki quak-wi quarr, and screeches skveet.

Monk Parakeets are adaptable birds that originally inhabit temperate to subtropical areas of South America. They are known to build stick nests in trees or on man-made structures, a unique behavior among parrots.

Native to South America, these birds are common in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. They have established feral populations in North America and Europe, mainly in urban areas and regions with climates similar to their native habitat.

Monk Parakeets are gregarious and often breed colonially. They construct large communal nests with separate entrances for each pair. These nests can become quite sizable and may house other species. The birds are known to have helper individuals that assist with feeding the young, a behavior known as kin selection.

The Monk Parakeet's call is a distinctive and throaty chape(-yee) or quak quaki quak-wi quarr, with screeches of skveet. These vocalizations are important for communication within the species.

These parakeets breed in colonies, with nests that can house multiple pairs. Each pair has its own entrance to the communal nest. They lay five to 12 white eggs, which hatch in about 24 days.

The Cliff Parakeet (Myiopsitta luchsi) is similar in appearance but is considered a separate species due to morphological, behavioral, and geographical differences.

Monk Parakeets are known to feed on various seeds, fruits, and vegetation. In their native range, they are sometimes considered agricultural pests due to their feeding habits.

The Monk Parakeet is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, in some introduced areas, they are subject to control measures due to concerns about their impact on local ecosystems and agriculture.

14-5-2019 MIRO PARQUE, BARCELONA - SARDINIAN WARBLER (MALE) (Sylvia melanocephala)

The Sardinian warbler, Curruca melanocephala, presents itself as a charming and distinctive bird of the Mediterranean. The males are adorned with a sleek grey back and pristine whitish underparts, crowned with a striking black head, a pure white throat, and captivating red eyes. The females, on the other hand, exhibit a more subdued palette, with brown upperparts and buff underparts, complemented by a subtle grey head.

When attempting to identify the Sardinian warbler, look for the male's black head and red eyes, which contrast with the white throat and grey back. Females can be recognized by their brown and buff coloration with a greyish head. The variability in plumage, including the presence or absence of a reddish hue, can be a helpful clue in distinguishing between subspecies.

This typical warbler favors open landscapes and cultivated areas, where it can find bushes suitable for nesting. Its preference for such environments makes it a familiar sight in the Mediterranean countryside.

The Sardinian warbler is a resident of the southernmost regions of Europe, extending its range into Asia in Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean. While not extensively migratory, some individuals do venture to North Africa for the winter, and the species has been known to appear as a vagrant as far as Great Britain.

4-4-2018 PHINDA FOREST LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - WHITE BROWED SCRUB ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys)

The White-browed Scrub Robin, or Red-backed Scrub-Robin, is a small, unassuming bird with a distinctive pale superciliary stripe that graces its face like an elegant brow. Both sexes share a similar appearance, with a plumage that varies subtly across their range. The bird's overall length ranges from 14.0 to 16.5 cm, from the tip of its bill to the end of its tail.

Upon encountering this species, one should note the clear white tips on the greater and lesser wing coverts, which are a hallmark of the bird. The tail, a blend of greyish brown to rufous tones, features a black subterminal band and white tips that are particularly noticeable when the bird fans its tail. The breast may exhibit streaking, and the flanks are tinged with tawny buff, though this can vary among individuals and subspecies.

The White-browed Scrub Robin is a versatile inhabitant of woodlands and savannas, from arid to mesic environments. It thrives in areas with sufficient cover, such as open scrub or thickets, and is often found in grassy locales that are conducive to nesting.

This bird's range extends across a swath of sub-Saharan Africa, from Angola to Zimbabwe, and from Ethiopia to South Africa. It occupies a variety of latitudes, from tropical to temperate zones.

The White-browed Scrub Robin is a sedentary bird, generally remaining within its territory throughout the year. It is known for its skittish yet curious nature, often singing from the seclusion of dense shrubbery. On the ground, it moves with a distinctive hop as it forages, and it frequently flicks and fans its tail—a behavior shared with its close relatives.

13-5-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (JUVENILE) (Muscicapa striata)

The Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, is a modestly adorned yet charming small passerine bird belonging to the Old World flycatcher family. It is a migratory species, breeding across Europe and the Palearctic as far as Siberia, and spending the winter months in Africa and southwestern Asia. Despite its widespread presence, there is concern over its decline in certain areas.

Adult Spotted Flycatchers possess grey-brown upperparts and a somewhat pallid underbelly. Their crown and breast are streaked, which is the origin of their common name. They have short, black legs and a black bill shaped to suit their insectivorous diet. Juveniles can be distinguished by their browner plumage and the presence of spots on their upperparts.

These birds favor deciduous woodlands, parks, and gardens, particularly those with open spaces amidst trees.

The Spotted Flycatcher has a broad breeding range, extending from Europe to western Siberia and northwest Africa. During the non-breeding season, they migrate to southern Africa.

With an upright posture, these flycatchers are often seen hunting from prominent perches, darting out to snatch flying insects and frequently returning to the same spot.

The call of the Spotted Flycatcher is a soft, high-pitched, and slightly descending 'tssssseeeeeppppp'.

The Spotted Flycatcher constructs an open nest in a recess, often against a wall, and is amenable to using open-fronted nest boxes. Clutches typically consist of 4-6 eggs. Remarkably, they exhibit excellent egg recognition, a likely evolutionary response to past parasitism by the common cuckoo.

The Mediterranean flycatcher, previously considered a subspecies, is similar in appearance but has been recognized as a separate species due to genetic differences.

As aerial insectivores, Spotted Flycatchers feed on flying insects, which they catch in mid-air from their vantage points.

13-5-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GREAT TIT (Parus major)

The great tit (Parus major) is a small passerine bird, easily recognized by its black head and neck, striking white cheeks, olive upperparts, and vibrant yellow underparts. This bird is the most widespread species in the genus Parus, found across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of North Africa.

Males are characterized by their bright plumage, with a black bib that extends down the belly, bordered by a lemon-yellow breast. Females and juveniles are similar but have duller coloration. The black line down the belly is also narrower and sometimes broken in these birds.

Great tits favor a variety of woodland habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, forest edges, and even urban parks and gardens. They are also found in riverine woodlands and, in some regions, boreal taiga.

12-5-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MOORISH GECKO (Tarentola mauritanica)

Moorish geckos are native to the Mediterranean and North Africa, but have been introduced to the Americas and Asia. They are nocturnal, but may bask in the sun, have robust, flattened bodies with rough skin, and use adhesive toe pads to climb walls and other vertical surfaces. They eat insects and other invertebrates and can change the intensity of their color to adapt to their environment, being darker in daylight and paler at night. 

Appearance and physical characteristics

Size: Adults can grow up to 15 cm (6.25 inches) in length, including the tail.

Color: Their color varies from brownish-grey to brown, with darker or lighter spots for camouflage. Color intensity can change based on light levels.

Skin: They have a robust, flattened body covered in prominent, conical tubercles (warts) that give them a rough, spiny appearance.

Head: The head is flat with a broad, obtuse mouth and large eyes with vertical pupils and no eyelids.

Feet: Their fingers have adhesive pads, which allow them to climb vertical surfaces like walls and glass.

Tail: The tail can break off to escape predators and regenerates, but the new tail lacks tubercles. 

Habitat and behavior

Native range: They are found in the Mediterranean coastal areas of Europe and North Africa, including countries like Spain, France, and Morocco.

Introduced range: They have been introduced to other parts of the world, including the United States (California, Florida) and South America.

Preferred environment: They thrive in both natural rocky areas and human-modified habitats, such as buildings, stone walls, and ruins.

Activity: They are primarily nocturnal but may also be active during the day, especially when basking in the sun.

Vocalization: Males make squeaking sounds to defend their territory. 

Diet

Carnivorous: They are carnivores that primarily eat insects and other small invertebrates.

Opportunistic feeding: They often congregate near lights to hunt insects that are attracted to the light.