27-7-2019 RIBADESELLA, ASTURIAS - BLACK HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

The black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) is a small gull that breeds in much of the Palearctic in Europe and Asia, and also locally in smaller numbers in coastal eastern Canada. Most of the population is migratory and winters further south, but many also remain in the milder areas of northwestern Europe. It was formerly sometimes cited as "common black-headed gull" to distinguish it from "great black-headed gull" (an old name for Pallas's gull).

Black-headed gulls were among the birds most heavily hit by the 2023 avian influenza outbreak, with over 4,000 birds killed in Great Britain by early May; similarly high mortality rates were also reported from France, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany.

The black-headed gull is a bold and opportunistic feeder. It eats insects, fish, seeds, worms, scraps, and carrion in towns, or invertebrates in ploughed fields with equal facility. It is a noisy species, especially in colonies, with a familiar "kree-ar" call.

It displays a variety of behaviour and adaptations. Some of these include removing eggshells from the nest after hatching, begging co-ordination between siblings, differences between sexes, conspecific brood parasitism, and extra-pair paternity. They are found in a variety of different habitats.

27-7-2019 RIBADESELLA, ASTURIAS - SWAN GOOSE (Anser cygnoides var. domesticus)

29-7-2019 ISABEL CATOLICA PARQUE GIJON, ASTURIAS - EMU (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

29-7-2019 ISABEL CATOLICA PARQUE GIJON, ASTURIAS - COMMON SHELDUCK (MALE) (Tadorna tadorna)

29-7-2019 ISABEL CATOLICA PARQUE GIJON, ASTURIAS - BARNACLE GOOSE (Branta leucopsis)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacle_goose

29-7-2019 ISABEL CATOLICA PARQUE GIJON, ASTURIAS - MUTE SWAN (Cygnus olor)

The mute swan, Cygnus olor, is a majestic bird, easily recognized by its all-white plumage and the distinctive orange beak bordered with black. The male, known as a cob, is noted for a prominent knob atop the beak, which is more pronounced than that of the female, or pen.

Adult mute swans measure between 125 to 160 cm in length, with a wingspan of 200 to 240 cm. The males are generally larger than females and possess a larger knob on their bill. The species is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males reaching weights up to 14.3 kg and females up to 10.6 kg. Juveniles, or cygnets, are not as bright white as adults and have a dull greyish-black bill for their first year.

Mute swans are found in a variety of wetland habitats, including lakes, ponds, rivers, and coastal areas, where they build large mounds of vegetation for nesting.

Native to Eurosiberia, the mute swan has been introduced to North America, Australasia, and southern Africa. It is partially migratory in northern latitudes, with some populations moving as far south as North Africa and the Mediterranean.

Mute swans are territorial and monogamous, often reusing the same nest each year. They are less vocal than other swan species but are known for their aggressive defense of their nests and offspring. They can be seen performing a threat display known as busking, with wings half raised and neck curved back.

While not as vocal, mute swans produce a range of sounds including grunting, hoarse whistling, and snorting. They also have a rhythmic song during courtship displays and a unique throbbing sound from their wings in flight.

Mute swans lay 4 to 10 eggs, with the female brooding for around 36 days. Cygnets typically fledge at around 120 to 150 days old.

The mute swan can be distinguished from other swan species by its orange beak with a black border and the pronounced knob on the male's beak.

Their diet consists mainly of submerged aquatic vegetation, which they reach with their long necks, and they also graze on land. They may consume small amounts of aquatic insects, fish, and frogs.

The mute swan is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a native population of about 500,000 birds. However, in some introduced regions, it is considered invasive and subject to population control measures.

29-7-2019 ISABEL CATOLICA PARQUE GIJON, ASTURIAS - MALLARD (FEMALE) (Anas platyrhynchos)

29-7-2019 ISABEL CATOLICA PARQUE GIJON, ASTURIAS - RUDDY SHELDUCK (Tadorna ferruginea)

The Ruddy Shelduck, or Brahminy Duck as it is known in India, is a striking member of the Anatidae family. This waterfowl measures 58 to 70 cm in length and boasts a wingspan of 110 to 135 cm. Its plumage is primarily orange-brown, with a paler head and starkly contrasting black tail and flight feathers. The white wing-coverts are a distinctive feature, particularly noticeable in flight.

Males are characterized by their vibrant orange-brown body and paler head, divided from the body by a slender black collar. The females, while similar in color, have a lighter head and lack the black collar. Both sexes exhibit variability in color intensity and can fade with feather aging. The bill is black, and the legs are a dark grey shade.

The Ruddy Shelduck favors inland water bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. It is often found in open areas and is less common in forested regions. It can also be found in brackish waters and saline lagoons.

This species has a broad range, with small resident populations in Northwest Africa and Ethiopia. The main breeding areas span from southeast Europe to central Asia, with migratory populations wintering in the Indian subcontinent. Notably, a stable population has established itself in the Canary Islands.

The Ruddy Shelduck is primarily nocturnal and omnivorous, feeding on a variety of grasses, grains, aquatic plants, and invertebrates. It is typically seen in pairs or small groups and can be aggressive towards others during the breeding season.

The bird's call is a series of loud, nasal honks, with discernible differences between the male and female calls. These calls vary in tone depending on the context in which they are made.

The Ruddy Shelduck forms lasting pair bonds, with the female laying a clutch of about eight eggs in secluded locations, often far from water. Both parents are involved in rearing the young, which fledge approximately eight weeks after hatching.

This species grazes on land and dabbles in shallow waters, occasionally up-ending in deeper water but never diving.

The Ruddy Shelduck is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with stable or increasing populations in central and eastern Asia. However, European populations are generally in decline due to habitat loss and hunting. The species is adaptable, which has allowed it to thrive in some new habitats such as reservoirs.

29-7-2019 ISABEL CATOLICA PARQUE GIJON, ASTURIAS - SWAN GOOSE (Anser cygnoides)

The Chinese Goose is an international breed of domestic goose, known by this name in Europe and in North America. Unlike the majority of goose breeds, it belongs to the knob geese, which derive from Anser cygnoides and are characterised by a prominent basal knob on the upper side of the bill. It originates in China, where there are more than twenty breeds of knob goose.

Unlike the majority of goose breeds, which derive from the greylag goose, Anser anser, the Chinese belongs to the knob geese, which derive from the swan goose, Anser cygnoides, and are characterised by a prominent basal knob on the upper side of the bill. As the name suggests, it is believed to have originated in China, where there are more than twenty breeds of knob goose. 

It was seen in Britain from the early eighteenth century if not before,  and was present in the United States in the latter part of that century – George Washington is believed to have kept some on his plantation at Mount Vernon.

It was included in the revised 1873 edition of The Poultry Book by William Bernhard Tegetmeier,  and was added to the Standard of Perfection of the American Poultry Association in 1874.

In the twenty-first century it is an endangered breed: it is reported to DAD-IS by seven countries – Australia, Lithuania, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Slovenia, Suriname and the UK – but none of them report population data.[2] Population data was last reported by the United Kingdom in 2002, when there were between 150 and 1000 birds. The Livestock Conservancy in the United States lists it as watch, its third level of concern.

29-7-2019 ISABEL CATOLICA PARQUE GIJON, ASTURIAS - YELLOW LEGGED GULL (JUVENILE) (Larus michahellis)

The yellow-legged gull is a large gull, though the size does vary, with the smallest females being scarcely larger than a common gull and the largest males being roughly the size of a great black-backed gull. They range in length from 52 to 68 cm (20 to 27 in) in total length, from 120 to 155 cm (47 to 61 in) in wingspan and from 550 to 1,600 g (1.21 to 3.53 lb) in weight. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 40.8 to 47.2 cm (16.1 to 18.6 in), the bill is 4.6 to 6 cm (1.8 to 2.4 in) and the tarsus is 5.6 to 7.5 cm (2.2 to 3.0 in). Adults are externally similar to herring gulls but have yellow legs. They have a grey back, slightly darker than herring gulls but lighter than lesser black-backed gulls. They are much whiter-headed in autumn, and have more extensively black wing tips with few white spots, just as lesser black-backed. They have a red spot on the bill as adults, like the entire complex. There is a red ring around the eye like in the lesser black-backed gull but unlike in the herring gull which has a dark yellow ring.

First-year birds have a paler head, rump and underparts than those of the herring gull, more closely resembling first-year great black-backed gulls in plumage. They have a dark bill and eyes, pinkish grey legs, dark flight feathers and a well-defined black band on the tail. They become lighter in the underparts and lose the upperpart pattern subsequently. By their second winter, birds are essentially feathered like adults, save for the patterned feathers remaining on the wing coverts. However, their bill tips are black, their eyes still dark, and the legs are a light yellow flesh colour.

The call is a loud laugh which is deeper and more nasal than the call of the herring gull.

29-7-2019 ISABEL CATOLICA PARQUE GIJON, ASTURIAS - YELLOW LEGGED GULL (Larus michahellis)

The yellow-legged gull is a large gull, though the size does vary, with the smallest females being scarcely larger than a common gull and the largest males being roughly the size of a great black-backed gull. They range in length from 52 to 68 cm (20 to 27 in) in total length, from 120 to 155 cm (47 to 61 in) in wingspan and from 550 to 1,600 g (1.21 to 3.53 lb) in weight. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 40.8 to 47.2 cm (16.1 to 18.6 in), the bill is 4.6 to 6 cm (1.8 to 2.4 in) and the tarsus is 5.6 to 7.5 cm (2.2 to 3.0 in). Adults are externally similar to herring gulls but have yellow legs. 

They have a grey back, slightly darker than herring gulls but lighter than lesser black-backed gulls. They are much whiter-headed in autumn, and have more extensively black wing tips with few white spots, just as lesser black-backed. They have a red spot on the bill as adults, like the entire complex. There is a red ring around the eye like in the lesser black-backed gull but unlike in the herring gull which has a dark yellow ring.

29-7-2019 ISABEL CATOLICA PARQUE GIJON, ASTURIAS - EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)

The Eurasian coot, Fulica atra, also known as the common coot or Australian coot, is a distinctive waterbird with a slaty-black body, a glossy black head, and a striking white bill topped with a white frontal shield. This bird is a member of the Rallidae family, which includes rails and crakes. Both sexes exhibit similar plumage, making them indistinguishable in the field.

Adult Eurasian coots measure 36–38 cm in length with a wingspan of 70–80 cm. Males are slightly heavier than females, weighing around 890 g compared to the females' 750 g. The species is characterized by its white bill and frontal shield, which contrast sharply with its all-black body. Juveniles are paler with a whitish breast and lack the facial shield, which develops fully by one year of age.

29-7-2019 ISABEL CATOLICA PARQUE GIJON, ASTURIAS - YELLOW LEGGED GULL (JUVENILE) (Larus michahellis)

The yellow-legged gull is a large gull, though the size does vary, with the smallest females being scarcely larger than a common gull and the largest males being roughly the size of a great black-backed gull. They range in length from 52 to 68 cm (20 to 27 in) in total length, from 120 to 155 cm (47 to 61 in) in wingspan and from 550 to 1,600 g (1.21 to 3.53 lb) in weight. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 40.8 to 47.2 cm (16.1 to 18.6 in), the bill is 4.6 to 6 cm (1.8 to 2.4 in) and the tarsus is 5.6 to 7.5 cm (2.2 to 3.0 in). Adults are externally similar to herring gulls but have yellow legs. They have a grey back, slightly darker than herring gulls but lighter than lesser black-backed gulls. They are much whiter-headed in autumn, and have more extensively black wing tips with few white spots, just as lesser black-backed. They have a red spot on the bill as adults, like the entire complex. There is a red ring around the eye like in the lesser black-backed gull but unlike in the herring gull which has a dark yellow ring.

29-7-2019 ISABEL CATOLICA PARQUE GIJON, ASTURIAS - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

The Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, is a dainty heron adorned in pure white plumage. It is characterized by a slender black beak, long black legs, and, notably in the western race, yellow feet. This elegant bird is a sight to behold with its graceful neck and poised stance.

Adult Little Egrets measure between 55–65 cm in length with a wingspan of 88–106 cm, and weigh 350–550 g. Their plumage is predominantly white, though some may exhibit bluish-grey coloration. Breeding adults boast ornate nape plumes reaching about 150 mm, along with distinctive feathers on the breast and elongated scapulars. The bill and lores are black, with greenish-grey skin at the base of the lower mandible and around the eye, which houses a yellow iris. Legs are black with contrasting yellow feet, though juveniles may have greenish-black legs and duller feet. The subspecies E. g. nigripes is distinguished by yellow skin between the bill and eye, and blackish feet.

The Little Egret frequents a variety of wetland habitats, from the shores of lakes and rivers to marshes and coastal regions. It is often found in open environments, such as mangroves, swamps, mudflats, and sandy beaches, as well as human-altered landscapes like rice fields.

The species has a broad breeding distribution across warm temperate to tropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. Northern populations are migratory, wintering in Africa and southern Asia, while others remain as permanent residents in warmer areas.

Little Egrets are social yet territorial when feeding. They exhibit a range of foraging behaviors, from active chasing to patient ambush. Their movements are often in response to the presence of other animals, which may stir up prey.

The Little Egret's vocalizations include croaking and bubbling sounds at breeding colonies and a harsh alarm call when disturbed. These calls are similar to those of the Black-crowned Night Heron and the Cattle Egret.

Breeding colonies are often mixed with other water birds. Nests are platforms of sticks located in trees, shrubs, or reed beds. Clutches typically consist of three to five bluish-green eggs, incubated by both parents for about three weeks. The young fledge at approximately six weeks old.

The diet is diverse, including fish, amphibians, small reptiles, mammals, birds, crustaceans, molluscs, insects, spiders, and worms. The Little Egret employs various hunting techniques, both in water and on land, to capture its prey.

29-7-2019 ISABEL CATOLICA PARQUE GIJON, ASTURIAS - BLACK SWAN (Cygnus atratus)

Black swans are the only entirely black swan species, with dark body plumage, white wing tips, and a red bill with a white band. They are native to Australia but have been introduced elsewhere and prefer habitats like lakes and rivers where they feed on aquatic plants. They form monogamous, lifelong bonds and both parents incubate eggs and raise their young (cygnets). 

Physical characteristics

Color: Almost entirely black with white tips on the wings, which are only visible in flight or when lifted.

Bill: Deep orange-red with a narrow white band near the tip.

Eyes: Red.

Size: Lengths are typically 110–140 cm (43–55 in), and they can weigh up to 9 kg (20 lbs).

Neck: Have the longest neck-to-body ratio of any swan species, with 24 or 25 neck vertebrae compared to a human's seven. 

Habitat and diet

Native range: Australia and Tasmania.

Introduced range: New Zealand, Europe, and other parts of the world.

Habitat: Prefer large, permanent wetlands such as lakes, rivers, ponds, and estuaries, needing at least 40 meters of clear water to take off.

Diet: Primarily herbivorous, feeding on algae, aquatic plants, and grains from cultivated fields. 

Reproduction and life cycle

Mating: Form monogamous, lifelong bonds with their mates.

Nesting: Build nests near or on the water.

Eggs: Lay 4 to 8 eggs.

Incubation: Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for 29 to 36 days.

Young: Cygnets can swim shortly after hatching and stay with their parents for several months until they are ready to fledge.

Maturity: Reach reproductive maturity in about 2 to 3 years. 

Other facts

Predators: Adults have few natural predators, but their young can be preyed upon by introduced species like cats, dogs, and foxes.

Vocalization: Make musical bugling sounds and hiss when threatened or defending their young.

Conservation status: Considered "Least Concern" by the IUCN. 

29-7-2019 GIJON, ASTURIAS - MEDITERRANEAN GULL (ichthyaetus melanocephalus)

The Mediterranean gull, Ichthyaetus melanocephalus, presents a striking figure with its distinctive white plumage, pale grey mantle, and wings adorned with white primary feathers devoid of black tips. In its breeding attire, it sports a black hood that elegantly extends down the nape, punctuated by vivid white eye crescents. The bird's bill is a robust, dark red with a black subterminal band, and its legs are longer and darker compared to its relative, the black-headed gull.

When identifying the Mediterranean gull, look for a bird slightly larger and bulkier than the black-headed gull. The adult in breeding plumage is unmistakable with its black hood and lack of black wingtip markings. In non-breeding plumage, the hood recedes, leaving a dusky mask through the eye. Juveniles can be recognized by a black terminal tail band and darker areas in the upperwings, contrasting with pale underwings.

This species favors breeding in colonies located within expansive reed beds, marshes, or on lake islands. In smaller populations, it may nest alongside black-headed gull colonies.

Originally confined to the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean, the Mediterranean gull has expanded its range dramatically, now found across Europe to the British Isles and Ireland. It winters along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.

The Mediterranean gull is a sociable bird, especially in winter, forming large flocks while feeding or roosting. It is not typically found far from coasts, as it is not a pelagic species.

At colonies, this gull is quite vocal, emitting a nasal "yeah" call that contributes to the cacophony of sounds in such bustling environments.

An opportunistic omnivore, the Mediterranean gull's diet includes fish, worms, insects, eggs, young birds, offal, and carrion.

The IUCN Red List classifies the Mediterranean gull as Least Concern. It is also protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

29-7-2019 GIJON, ASTURIAS - HOUSE SPARROW (FEMALE) (Passer domesticus)

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a member of the sparrow family Passeridae. This small bird typically measures around 16 cm (6.3 in) in length and weighs between 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females and young birds displaying pale brown and grey plumage, while males are characterized by more vibrant black, white, and brown markings.

Males can be identified by their bright black, white, and brown markings, with a distinctive black bib, white cheeks, and a grey crown. Females lack the striking head patterns of males and are predominantly buffish with softer coloration. Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally paler with less defined markings.

The house sparrow is highly adaptable and can thrive in both urban and rural environments. It is commonly found in close association with human habitation and avoids dense forests, grasslands, polar regions, and deserts far from human development.

Native to Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, and much of Asia, the house sparrow has been introduced to various regions worldwide, including parts of Australasia, Africa, and the Americas, making it one of the most widely distributed wild birds.

29-7-2019 SAN ANDRES RESERVOIR, ASTURIAS - EUROPEAN PEACOCK BUTTERFLY (Aglais io)

29-7-2019 SAN ANDRES RESERVOIR, ASTURIAS - CLEOPATRA BUTTERFLY (Gonepteryx cleopatra)

Gonepteryx cleopatra, the Cleopatra or Cleopatra butterfly, is a medium-sized butterfly of the family Pieridae.

Gonepteryx cleopatra is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 50–70 mm (2.0–2.8 in). It is a sexually dimorphic species; the female has pale yellow or greenish wings, whereas the male is darker yellow with an orange patch on the forewing. Both sexes have a forewing apical hook and brown dots in the center of each wing, and the underside of wings is light greenish yellow. The greenish color, the shape and the pronounced venation on the hindwings give to these butterflies a good camouflage, making them resemble just leaves.

The Cleopatra butterfly inhabits open woodland and scrub. The flight period is from May to August in most parts of its range, except Spain, where it is double brooded and may fly almost all year. The adult hibernates in evergreen trees and shrubs. The caterpillars feed on the buckthorns Rhamnus alaternus. When the green caterpillars are prepared to pass to the pupal stage, they tie themselves through a silk belt to the host plant, on the underside of a leaf. The green chrysalis became gradually yellow and red, revealing the colors on the wings of the adult close to flutter. In dry regions, the Cleopatra practices a vertical migration between the maquis and the mountain fir forests. It emerges in spring at low altitudes, then migrates to higher altitudes in the mountains and stays there in the summer months to descend in autumn at low altitudes.

This species is native to the Mediterranean region (Southern Europe, North Africa and West Asia).

29-7-2019 SAN ANDRES RESERVOIR, ASTURIAS - YELLOW BELLIED SLIDER TERRAPIN (Trachemys scripta.scripta)

29-7-2019 SAN ANDRES RESERVOIR, ASTURIAS - BUTTERFLY BUSH (Buddleja davidii)

Buddleja davidii (spelling variant Buddleia davidii), also called summer lilac, butterfly-bush, or orange eye, is a species of flowering plant in the family Scrophulariaceae, native to Sichuan and Hubei provinces in central China, and also Japan. It is widely used as an ornamental plant, and many named varieties are in cultivation. The genus was named Buddleja after Reverend Adam Buddle, an English botanist. The species name davidii honors the French missionary and explorer in China, Father Armand David, who was the first European to report the shrub. It was found near Ichang by Dr Augustine Henry about 1887 and sent to St Petersburg. Another botanist-missionary in China, Jean-André Soulié, sent seed to the French nursery Vilmorin, and B. davidii entered commerce in the 1890s.

B. davidii was accorded the RHS Award of Merit (AM) in 1898, and the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) in 1941.

29-7-2019 ISABEL CATOLICA PARQUE GIJON, ASTURIAS - RED CRESTED POCHARD (FEMALE) (Netta rufina)

26-7-2019 OSEJA DE SAJAMBRE - WHITE WAGTAIL (JUVENILE) (Motacilla alba)

1-8-2019 SEGOVIA, ESPANA - EURASIAN JACKDAW (Corvus monedula)