24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - SOUTHERN SCREAMER (Chauna torquata)

The southern screamer (Chauna torquata) is a species of bird in family Anhimidae of the waterfowl order Anseriformes. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

The southern screamer shares genus Chauna with the northern screamer (C. chavaria). One other species, the horned screamer (Anhima cornuta) is also in family Anhimidae. The southern screamer is monotypic.

The southern screamer is one of the largest birds of southern South America at 83 to 90 cm (33 to 35 in) long and weighing about 4.4 kg (9.7 lb). Their flat wing measures 50 to 57 cm (20 to 22 in), their tail 22 to 26 cm (8.7 to 10.2 in), and their culmen 4.0 to 5.4 cm (1.6 to 2.1 in). They are stout bodied with a disproportionately small head and a "chicken-like" grayish brown bill. The sexes have the same plumage. Their head and upperparts are gray with a velvety black "collar" around the base of the neck. Their wings and tail are dusky and the wing has two sharp spurs at its manus. The front of their neck, their breast, and their sides are pale gray faintly mottled and streaked with white. Their belly is unmarked pale gray or white. Their legs and feet are rosy.

The southern screamer is found from the eastern half of Bolivia south into Argentina as far as Buenos Aires Province and east through Paraguay into southwestern Brazil and Uruguay. It has also been documented as a vagrant in southeastern Peru. It inhabits tropical and subtropical wetlands, including lakes, marshes, and flooded meadows with scattered trees.

The southern screamer is generally considered to be non-migratory. However, seasonal changes in the numbers present in coastal and inland parts of Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul suggest local movements between them.

The southern screamer is a good swimmer but prefers to move on the ground. It is an excellent flier and soarer.

The southern screamer feeds on the leaves, stems, and seeds of aquatic plants and also on some crops. They usually graze like geese but have been seen digging for food. Flocks of up to about 100 forage together in the non-breeding season.

The southern screamer forms long-term pair bonds that in some cases last for life. Males and females court with mutual preening and duet calling. They build a large nest of sticks and reeds near shallow water and often nest in about the same location for several years. The typical clutch size is three to five eggs but can be up to seven; eggs are laid in October and November. Both parents incubate the eggs and care for the young. The incubation period is 43 to 46 days; fledging occurs eight to ten weeks after hatch and the young are independent after about 12 weeks.

The southern screamer's "loud, unmelodious, double-noted trumpet call" has been further described as "a low, throaty, almost barking, brief oh-WOOOW which also sounds sometimes as be-SERK." Female's calls are somewhat weaker and higher pitched than males'. Screamers call both in flight and when perched, and the call can be heard for up to 3 km (2 mi). away.

Southern screamers are sometimes domesticated and are very good guard animals because of their loud, far-carrying, call.

Status

The IUCN has assessed the southern screamer as being of Least Concern. It has a very large range, and though its population estimate is highly variable (100,000 – 1.0 million individuals) it is believed to be stable. No immediate threats have been identified.[1] Draining of wetlands and persecution by farmers are potential threats, but "the species seems able to compensate fairly well".

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/5305-Haliaeetus-leucocephalus

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - EGYPTIAN VULTURE (Neophron percnopterus)

 

The Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), known colloquially as the white scavenger vulture or pharaoh's chicken, is a small member of the Old World vulture family. This bird is the sole representative of the genus Neophron. It is characterized by a white plumage with black flight feathers, a wedge-shaped tail, and a slender, hooked bill. The facial skin is a vivid yellow, adding a splash of color to its otherwise monochrome appearance.

In flight, the Egyptian vulture is easily recognized by its contrasting underwing pattern and distinctive tail shape. Adults have a white body with black flight feathers, while juveniles are darker with a mottled pattern. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females being slightly larger and heavier than males.

These vultures are found in a variety of habitats, ranging from arid plains to lower hills and even urban areas where they may nest on tall buildings. They are also known to inhabit cliffs and large trees.

The Egyptian vulture has a broad distribution, spanning the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, West Asia, and India. Some populations are migratory, particularly those breeding in temperate regions, which travel south during winter.

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - BLUE FACED HONEYEATER (Entomyzon cyanotis)

The blue-faced honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis), also colloquially known as the Bananabird, is a passerine bird of the honeyeater family, Meliphagidae. It is the only member of its genus, and it is most closely related to honeyeaters of the genus Melithreptus. Three subspecies are recognised. At around 29.5 cm (11.6 in) in length, the blue-faced species is large for a honeyeater. Its plumage is distinctive, with olive upperparts, white underparts, and a black head and throat with white nape and cheeks. Males and females are similar in external appearance. Adults have a blue area of bare skin on each side of the face readily distinguishing them from juveniles, which have yellow or green patches of bare skin.

Found in open woodland, parks and gardens, the blue-faced honeyeater is common in northern and eastern Australia, and southern New Guinea. It appears to be sedentary in parts of its range, and locally nomadic in other parts; however, the species has been little studied. Its diet is mostly composed of invertebrates, supplemented with nectar and fruit. They often take over and renovate old babbler nests, in which the female lays and incubates two or rarely three eggs.

24-10-2021 ATTUCA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - BLUE BELLIED ROLLER (Coracias cyanogaster)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/2264-Coracias-cyanogaster

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - WHITE HEADED VULTURE (Trigonoceps occipitalis)

The White-headed Vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis, presents a striking figure in the African skies. This medium-sized vulture, measuring 72–85 centimeters in length with a wingspan of 207–230 centimeters, is notable for its distinctive plumage. The females, slightly larger than the males, weigh an average of 4.7 kilograms, while the males tip the scales at less than 4 kilograms. The species exhibits reversed sexual dimorphism, a unique trait among its African counterparts.

This vulture is easily recognized by its contrasting black and white plumage. A white crest adorns its head, and the featherless regions of its face are a pale hue. Its beak is tinged pink, and the dark brown upper parts complement the black tail feathers. From below, the white feathers on its lower parts and legs are unmistakable. Each individual can be identified by a unique pattern in their median wing coverts.

The White-headed Vulture is adapted to mixed, dry woodlands at lower altitudes, avoiding human settlements. It thrives in thorny Acacia-dominated landscapes and can be found at elevations up to 4,000 meters in Ethiopia and around 3,000 meters in Kenya.

This vulture's range extends across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Gambia in the west, east to Somalia, and south to South Africa and Eswatini. It is a resident species, with populations concentrated in protected areas such as the Kruger National Park.

The White-headed Vulture is a solitary bird, often seen alone or in pairs, and is known to be territorial and long-lived. It builds nests predominantly in acacias or baobabs, laying a single egg post-rainy season. This species is also an opportunistic predator, occasionally hunting small mammals and reptiles.

During copulation, the White-headed Vulture emits a deep, squeak-like sound, longer than a grunt, which is considered unusual among vultures.

Breeding pairs are loyal to their territory and exhibit subtle copulation behavior. The average productivity from a study of 73 pairs was 0.69 chicks per pair.

The White-headed Vulture is unique in its appearance and can be distinguished from other vultures by its coloration and size.

Primarily a scavenger, this vulture is often the first to arrive at a carcass due to its habit of flying lower than other species. It may also hunt live prey, such as mongooses, lizards, squirrels, and hares.

The White-headed Vulture is currently classified as Critically Endangered. Its populations have been in decline since the 1940s due to habitat loss, reduced food availability, and poisoning. The species is highly sensitive to land-use changes and is now largely restrict The White-headed Vulture is a solitary bird, often seen alone or in pairs, and is known to be territorial and long-lived. It builds nests predominantly in acacias or baobabs, laying a single egg post-rainy season. This species is also an opportunistic predator, occasionally hunting small mammals and reptiles.

During copulation, the White-headed Vulture emits a deep, squeak-like sound, longer than a grunt, which is considered unusual among vultures.

Breeding pairs are loyal to their territory and exhibit subtle copulation behavior. The average productivity from a study of 73 pairs was 0.69 chicks per pair.

23-10-2021 MYCONOS, GREECE - HOODED CROW (Corvus cornix)

 

23-10-2021 MYCONOS, GREECE - PLAIN PILL WOODLOUSE (Armadillo officinalis)

              

Armadillo officinalis, commonly known as the Spanish woodlouse or hissing isopod, is a medium-sized terrestrial crustacean native to the Mediterranean basin.

Key Characteristics

• Size: Adults grow up to 2 cm (20 mm) in length.

• Appearance: Matte blue-grey or stone-grey body with distinct white edges on the carapace segments.

• Defense Mechanism: Like other pillbugs, it can roll into a tight ball when threatened, but it is uniquely known as the "hissing isopod" because it can produce a faint rattling or hissing sound by rubbing its legs against its shell.

• Lifespan: Can live up to 2 years or more under proper care.

Care and Habitat

• Environment: Prefers temperate to semi-arid conditions with a moisture gradient (a damp area with moss and a drier area with leaves) rather than high tropical humidity.

23-10-2021 MYCONOS, GREECE - ERHARD'S WALL LIZARD (Podarcis erhardii ssp. mykonensis)

Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii), also commonly called the Aegean wall lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Southeast Europe.

P. erhardii is found in the Balkan peninsula and the Aegean islands. On the mainland it ranges from Albania, North Macedonia and southern Bulgaria to the northeastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece. In the Aegean archipelago it does not occur in Milos or the surrounding islands, where it is replaced by the Milos wall lizard.

Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii), or the Aegean wall lizard, is a small, fast, diurnal reptile endemic to the Balkans and Aegean islands. Thriving in dry, rocky areas with low shrubs, the species features extreme genetic and physical diversity, with up to 28 recognized subspecies sporting varied olive-grey to green backs.

Explore these hyper-specific characteristics of the species:

Habitat & Range: Endemic to Southeast Europe. It ranges from Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria down to the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece. They live in diverse environments, from coastal sand dunes and rocky islets to mountaintops up to 2000 m in elevation.

Physical Characteristics: Exhibits sexual dimorphism. Males generally have a more greenish or olive-grey back with dark spots, while females tend to be brownish and often display distinct striped patterns. Their bellies can range from whitish and yellow to vibrant orange.

Diet & Behavior: They are excellent climbers that shelter in dense vegetation like caper bushes. They are insectivores and even scavenge marine subsidies in arid island ecosystems to sustain their diets.

Genetic Complexity: Due to the fragmented geography of the Aegean, Podarcis erhardii is incredibly diverse, with 27 of its recognized subspecies found in Greece. Researchers have fully mapped its chromosomal genome, consisting of 20 pairs including W and Z sex chromosomes.

23-10-2021 MYCONOS, GREECE - COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita)

The Common Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita, is a diminutive and sprightly leaf warbler known for its distinctive, onomatopoeic song. This small, migratory passerine is characterized by its greenish-brown upperparts and off-white underparts, with a weight ranging from 6 to 8 grams and a length of 10-12 centimeters.

In the field, look for the Common Chiffchaff's short whitish supercilium, fine dark bill, and dark legs. Its primary projection is short, and the plumage may appear duller and browner as it wears. Juveniles are browner above with yellow-white underparts, but they soon acquire brighter plumage after their first moult.

The Common Chiffchaff breeds in open woodlands with a mix of taller trees and ground cover across northern and temperate Europe, Asia, and parts of north Africa. It prefers woodland with trees at least 5 meters high and an undergrowth of grasses and nettles.

This species has a vast breeding range, extending from Europe to eastern Siberia and northward to about 70 N. It winters in southern and western Europe, southern Asia, and north Africa. The Common Chiffchaff is one of the earliest spring migrants to return to its breeding grounds and one of the last to depart in autumn.

The male Common Chiffchaff is fiercely territorial during the breeding season, defending its core territory against rivals. It exhibits a fearless nature, even attacking predators that threaten its nest. Outside the breeding season, these birds may form small flocks with other warblers.

The song is a cheerful "chiff-chaff," which heralds the arrival of spring. Calls include a "hweet" sound, less disyllabic than the calls of closely related warblers. The song is a key distinguishing feature from similar species, such as the Iberian Chiffchaff.

The female constructs a domed nest on or near the ground, lined with feathers. Clutches typically consist of 2-7 cream-colored eggs, which hatch after 13-14 days. The female assumes most of the responsibility for brooding and feeding the chicks, with the male playing a minimal role. 

23-10-2021 MYCONOS, GREECE - LESSER WHITETHROAT (Sylvia curruca)

The common whitethroat or greater whitethroat (Curruca communis) is a common and widespread typical warbler which breeds throughout Europe and across much of temperate western Asia. This small passerine bird is strongly migratory, and winters in tropical Africa, Arabia, and Pakistan.

This is a bird of open country and cultivation, with bushes for nesting. The nest is built in low shrub or brambles, and 3–7 eggs are laid. Like most warblers, it is insectivorous, but will also eat berries and other soft fruit.

In Europe, western and eastern populations of common whitethroats have contrasting moulting and pre-migratory fueling strategies to capitalise on food supplies before departing their breeding and non-breeding grounds.

23-10-2021 MYCONOS, GREECE - COMMON REDSTART (MALE) (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)

The common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), or often simply redstart, is a small passerine bird in the genus Phoenicurus. Like its relatives, it was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family, (Turdidae), but is now known to be an Old World flycatcher (family Muscicapidae).

The Common Redstart shows some affinity to the European Robin in many of its habits and actions. It has the same general carriage, and chat-like behaviour, and is the same length at 13–14.5 cm (5.1–5.7 in) long but slightly slimmer and not quite as heavy, weighing 11–23 g (0.39–0.81 oz). The orange-red tail, from which it and other redstarts get their names ("start" is an old word for "tail"), is frequently quivered. Among common European birds, only the black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) has a similarly coloured tail.

Common Redstarts prefer open mature birch, oak or, particularly in the north of the breeding range, conifer woodland with a high horizontal visibility and low amounts of shrub and understorey especially where the trees are old enough to have holes suitable for its nest. Other habitats of the species are orchards as well as villages, parks and old gardens in urban areas. In Britain the Common Redstart occurs primarily in upland areas less affected by agricultural intensification. Nests are built in cavities, e.g. natural tree holes, so dead trees or those with dead limbs are beneficial to the species; nestboxes are commonly used. A high cover of moss and lichen is also preferred.

The male in summer has a slate-grey head and upperparts, except the rump and tail, which, like the flanks, underwing coverts and axillaries are orange-chestnut. The forehead is white; the sides of the face and throat are black. The two central tail feathers are dark brown, the other tail feathers bright orange-red. The wings are grey-brown in male P. p. phoenicurus but the remiges have white outer webs forming a pale to whitish wing-patch in adult male P. p. samamisicus (see Taxonomy and systematics). The orange on the flanks shades to almost white on the belly. The bill and legs are black. In autumn, pale feather fringes on the body feathering obscure the colours of the male, giving it a washed-out appearance. 

The female is grey-brown above and buff-white or light orange below. In most females the throat is whitish, but some (older?) females show a dark bib, some even approaching males in appearance. In P. p. samamisicus, many females tend to show a light wing-patch, analogous to the males but much less prominent.

20-10-2021 RHODES, GREECE - YELLOW LEGGED GULL (JUVENILE) (Larus michahellis)

 

22-10-2021 SANTORINI, GREECE - WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN HOUSE SPARROW (FEMALE) (Passer domesticus ssp .balearoibericus)

The Western Mediterranean house sparrow female (Passer domesticus balearoibericus) is a common bird subspecies found across Mediterranean Spain, the Balearic Islands, France, and parts of southeastern Europe. Females have plain brown feathers, a pale eyebrow, and lack the bright black bib and rufous nape seen on males.

Physical Traits

Length: About 14 cm.

Plumage: Plain grey-brown underparts and a streaked brown back.

Head: Distinct pale buff supercilium (eyebrow) behind a dark eye.

Bill: Stout and conical, adapted for eating seeds.

Habitat and Behavior

Where they live: Towns, cities, farms, and coastal scrubland.

Social habits: Highly social birds that gather in noisy flocks near human structures.

Diet: Mostly seeds, grains, buds, and small insects fed to nestlings.

22-10-2021 SANTORINI, GREECE - RED ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY (Vanessa atalanta)

 

22-10-2021 SANTORINI, GREECE - ERHARD'S WALL LIZARD (Podarcis erhardii)

Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii), or the Aegean wall lizard, is a small, fast, diurnal reptile endemic to the Balkans and Aegean islands. Thriving in dry, rocky areas with low shrubs, the species features extreme genetic and physical diversity, with up to 28 recognized subspecies sporting varied olive-grey to green backs.

Habitat & Range: Endemic to Southeast Europe. It ranges from Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria down to the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece. They live in diverse environments, from coastal sand dunes and rocky islets to mountaintops up to 2000 m in elevation.

Physical Characteristics: Exhibits sexual dimorphism. Males generally have a more greenish or olive-grey back with dark spots, while females tend to be brownish and often display distinct striped patterns. Their bellies can range from whitish and yellow to vibrant orange.

Diet & Behavior: They are excellent climbers that shelter in dense vegetation like caper bushes. They are insectivores and even scavenge marine subsidies in arid island ecosystems to sustain their diets.

 

20-10-2021 RHODES, GREECE - WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN HOUSE SPARROW (FEMALE)(Passer domesticus ssp .balearoibericus)

The female Western Mediterranean House Sparrow (Passer domesticus balearoibericus) is a distinct geographic subspecies of the ubiquitous House Sparrow native to Mediterranean Spain, the Balearic Islands, southern France, and the Balkans.

Key Identification Features

Discreet Plumage: Unlike the brightly patterned male with his black bib and chestnut head, the female features an overall muted, grayish-brown coloration.

Facial Markings: She displays a characteristic buff or whitish eyebrow stripe (supercilium) extending behind the eye, paired with pale gray-brown cheeks.

Clean Underparts: Her chest and belly are completely devoid of any dark streaks or black bibs, showing a uniform pale pearly-gray tone.

Bill Morphology: Her thick, seed-cracking conical bill has a distinctive yellowish color at the base, shifting to grayish-brown toward the tip.

Geographic Range & Behavior

This particular subspecies is resident year-round throughout the Western Mediterranean Basin. Like standard house sparrows, they are highly social birds deeply adapted to human environments, populating cities, agricultural farms, and villages while avoiding dense forests. They nest dynamically in building cavities, roof tiles, and dense garden shrubbery.

20-10-2021 RHODES, GREECE - WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN HOUSE SPARROW (MALE) (Passer domesticu ssp. balearoibericus)

 

20-10-2021 RHODES, GREECE - HOODED CROW (Corvus cornix)

The Hooded Crow, known scientifically as Corvus cornix, is a striking bird found across parts of Europe and the Middle East. It is characterized by its ashy grey body contrasted with a black head, throat, wings, tail, and thigh feathers. The bird's bill, eyes, and feet are also black, creating a distinctive two-tone appearance. Males are generally larger than females, but both share the same coloration.

Adult Hooded Crows are identifiable by their grey and black plumage, with the grey parts appearing streaky due to the dark shafts. The bill and legs are black, and the iris is dark brown. Juveniles can be recognized by their duller plumage and bluish or greyish eyes, with a red mouth that fades as they mature. The wingspan of this bird is approximately 105 cm, and it weighs around 510 grams on average. 

The Hooded Crow is adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats including farmlands, coastal areas, and urban environments. It is also commonly seen in woodlands and on cliffs where it may forage or nest.

This species has a broad range, inhabiting Northern, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, as well as parts of the Middle East. In areas where its range overlaps with the Carrion Crow, hybrids can occur, though they are less common due to the Hooded Crow's reclassification as a distinct species.

The Hooded Crow is an omnivorous and opportunistic feeder, known for its intelligence and adaptability. It is a scavenger that will eat a wide variety of foods, and it is also known to hide food for later consumption. The bird's flight is described as slow and heavy, and it often flies straight.

The vocalizations of the Hooded Crow are similar to those of the Carrion Crow, with a distinctive "kraa" call note that is difficult to distinguish between the two species.

Breeding occurs at different times depending on the region, with nests typically found in tall trees, cliffs, or even buildings. The nests are made of sticks and may include seaweed, bones, and wire. The eggs are blue with brown speckles, and the female incubates them alone while being fed by the male. Young fledge after about 32 to 36 days.

The Hooded Crow can be confused with the Carrion Crow and the Rook, but its grey and black plumage makes it visually distinct. The calls of the Hooded and Carrion Crows are nearly identical, adding to potential confusion.

The diet of the Hooded Crow includes molluscs, crabs, eggs of other birds, small mammals, scraps, smaller birds, and carrion. It is known to drop shellfish from heights to break them open and will hide food for later consumption.

The Hooded Crow is not currently considered threatened and is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. It has a large population and an extensive range, with no significant decline observed in recent years.

20-10-2021 RHODES, ĢREECE - PLAIN TIGER BUTTERFLY (Danaus chrysippus)

Danaus chrysippus, also known as the plain tiger, African queen, or African monarch, is a medium-sized butterfly widespread in Asia, Australia and Africa. It belongs to the Danainae subfamily of the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. Danainae primarily consume plants in the genus Asclepias, more commonly called milkweed. Milkweed contains toxic compounds, cardenolides, which are often consumed and stored by many butterflies. Because of their emetic properties, the plain tiger is unpalatable to most predators. As a result, its colouration is widely mimicked by other species of butterflies. The plain tiger inhabits a wide variety of habitats, although it is less likely to thrive in jungle-like conditions and is most often found in drier, wide-open areas.

D. chrysippus encompasses three main subspecies: D. c. alcippus, D. c. chrysippus, and D. c. orientis. These subspecies are found concentrated in specific regions within the larger range of the entire species.

The plain tiger is believed to be one of the first butterflies depicted in art. A 3,500-year-old ancient Egyptian fresco in Luxor features the oldest known illustration of this species.

 D. chrysippus is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 7–8 cm (2.8–3.1 in). The body is black with white spots. The wings are a brownish orange, the upper side brighter and richer than the underside. The apical half of the forewing is black with a white band. The hindwing has three black spots in the centre. The wings are bordered in black and outlined with semicircular white spots. This species exhibits slight sexual dimorphism, as the male has large scent glands on his hindwings, which the female lacks. They appear as a large black spot with a white centre if viewed from the underside

D. chrysippus is a polymorphic species, so the exact colouring and patterning vary within and between populations.

It is similar in appearance to the Indian fritillary (Argynnis hyperbius), which may coexist with it.

The plain tiger is found across the entirety of Africa, where the predominant subspecies is D. c. alcippus. Its range extends across the majority of Asia throughout Indian subcontinent, as well as many south Pacific islands. The plain tiger is even present in parts of Australia. D. c. chrysippus is most common throughout Asia and in some select regions in Africa, while D. c. orientis is present in more tropical African regions as well as some African islands, including Madagascar and the Seychelles.It is also found in Southern Europe and Kuwait. These insects are considered bioinvaders in North America.

The plain tiger prefers arid, open areas, and is found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, mountains, deciduous forests, and human-tended gardens in cities and parks. It is comfortable at altitudes ranging from sea level to around 1,500 m (4,900 ft).

21-10-2021 AGIOS NIKOLAOS, GREECE - WAVYLEAF MULLEIN (Verbascum sinuatum)

 

18-10-2021 AEGEAN SEA, GREECE - SONG THRUSH (Turdus philomelos)

 

20-10-2021 RHODES, GREECE - LANG'S SHORT TAILED BLUE BUTTERFLY (Leptotes pirithous)

Leptotes pirithous, commonly known as Lang's short-tailed blue or common zebra blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae.

Leptotes pirithous is a small butterfly with a wingspan of 21–29 mm (0.83–1.14 in) in males and 24–30 mm (0.94–1.18 in) in females. The uppersides of the wings are purple bluish in males, bluish brown in female. The undersides are dark beige striped with white lines. The hindwings show marginal orange and black spots and two small tails. For the design of the undersides of the wings they can be confused with Lampides boeticus and Cacyreus marshalli.

These butterflies fly from February to November depending on the location. They are regular migrants.

The larvae feed on the flowers and fruits of Fabaceae, Rosaceae and Plumbaginaceae species, including Plumbago capensis, Indigofera, Rynchosia, Vigna, Burkea, Mundulea, Melilotus, Crataegus, Quercus suber, Medicago sativa, Trifolium alexandrinum, Arachis hypogaea, Lythrum, Calluna, Genista, Dorycnium, Lythrum salicaria, Calluna vulgaris, Onobrychis viciifolia, Ulex and Melilotus alba. A life cycle takes about four to eight weeks, depending on the temperature.

20-10-2021 RHODES, GREECE - ORIENTAL HORNET (Vespa orientalis)

The Oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) is a social insect species of the family Vespidae. It can be found in Southwest Asia, Northeast Africa, the island of Madagascar (but no reports have been made of its presence on the island for many years), the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of Southern Europe. Oriental hornets have also been found in a few isolated locations such as Mexico and Chile due to human introduction. The Oriental hornet lives in seasonal colonies consisting of caste system dominated by a queen. The hornet builds its nests underground and communicates using sound vibrations. The hornet has a yellow stripe on its cuticle (exoskeleton), which can absorb sunlight to generate a small electrical potential, and this might help supply energy for digging. The adult hornet eats nectar and fruits and scavenges for insects and animal proteins to feed to its young. Because they are scavengers, the hornets may also serve as a transmitter of disease following consumption of infected plants. The hornets are a primary pest to honey bees, attacking bee colonies to obtain honey and animal proteins. The sting of an Oriental hornet can be quite painful to humans and some humans are allergic to stings.

Oriental hornets can be found in Central Asia, southwestern Asia from Armenia and Turkey to India and Nepal, throughout the Middle East, in Northeast Africa, in some Afrotropical countries such as Ethiopia and Somalia, and in parts of Southern Europe: Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Greece, Spain, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, Sicily, Sardinia and the southern half of peninsular Italy. Oriental hornets have been introduced by humans into additional locations, including Chile, Madagascar, Mexico, and Xinjiang, China, as well as the occasional introduction via fruit into Belgium and the United Kingdom.The Oriental hornet is the only member of the genus Vespa that can be found in desert climates such as those in North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of southwestern Asia.

17-10-2021 KAVALA, GREECE - YELLOW LEGGED GULL (Larus michahellis)

The Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) is a large, robust seabird with a commanding presence. Its size can be quite variable, with the smallest females being scarcely larger than a Common Gull, and the largest males approaching the heft of a Great Black-backed Gull. Adults typically exhibit a grey back, a shade lighter than that of the Lesser Black-backed Gull, and their heads are notably whiter in the autumn months. A distinctive feature is their yellow legs, which give this species its common name.

When observing the Yellow-legged Gull, look for the yellow legs that contrast with the grey back and the white head, which becomes even whiter during the autumn. The wing tips are black with limited white spots, and adults have a red spot on the bill. The eye is surrounded by a red ring. Juveniles can be identified by their paler head, rump, and underparts, dark bill and eyes, and a black band on the tail.

This gull favors a variety of coastal environments, often nesting on sea cliffs, islands, and occasionally on buildings within urban settings. It is also known to breed on trees in some regions.

 The Yellow-legged Gull has a breeding range centered around the Mediterranean Sea, extending to the Atlantic islands and coasts as far north as Brittany and west to the Azores. Its presence is also noted on the western side of the Black Sea.

The species is known for its adaptability, with many individuals remaining in the same area year-round, while others migrate to milder regions of western Europe or head south to areas such as Senegal and the Red Sea. Post-breeding dispersal can lead to increased numbers in regions like southern England from July to October.