24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - CRESTED PIGEON (Ocyphaps lophotes)

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

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

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

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/62529-Platalea-ajaja

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - HOUSE MOUSE (Mus musculus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/44705-Mus-musculus

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - GOLDEN BREASTED STARLING (Lamprotornis regius)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/145110-Lamprotornis-regius

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus)

The crowned lapwing (Vanellus coronatus), or crowned plover, is a bird of the lapwing subfamily that occurs contiguously from the Red Sea coast of Somalia to southern and southwestern Africa. It is an adaptable and numerous species, with bold and noisy habits. It is related to the more localized black-winged and Senegal lapwings, with which it shares some plumage characteristics.

The crowned lapwing is easily recognized by its combination of brown and white colours, with most tellingly, a black crown intersected by an annular white halo. Adults are noisy and conspicuous.

Males measure on average 3% larger than females. Juveniles are dull versions of adults, vermiculated on the wings and mantle, the legs yellowy rather than red and the bill lacking the red base.

Crowned lapwings prefer short, dry grassland which may be overgrazed or burnt, but avoid mountains. In higher-rainfall areas such as parts of Zambia and Zimbabwe, they occur mainly as dry-season visitors. In dry regions of northern Botswana, however, they are attracted in large numbers when good rainfall occurs. In southern Africa their highest concentrations are to be found in the dry central Kalahari region.

Crowned lapwings and the more localized black-winged lapwings sometimes associate and do not show mutual aggression, even within breeding territories. Different crowned lapwing males do however posture aggressively when nesting territories are established. The loser in an encounter assumes a special posture to signal his defeat.

Bare-part colours of males brighten in the breeding season. Different types of display flights lure the female to the defended territory. A female accepting the male and territory will follow the male during his display flight. Mates may be retained for life. Egg-laying is timed to precede the rainy season and most incubating is done by the female. The male assists only on hot days, when he either incubates or shades the nest.

Their diet consists of a variety of insects, but termites and ants form an important component. These insects are often extracted from the dung of large mammals. They feed mainly by surface pecking as opposed to digging.

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - GREATER BLUE EARED STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)

The greater blue-eared starling, or Lamprotornis chalybaeus, is a striking bird adorned in glossy blue-green plumage with a purple-blue belly and a distinctive blue ear patch. This bird measures approximately 22 cm in length and sports a short tail. The iris of this species is a vivid yellow or orange, adding to its captivating appearance. Both sexes exhibit similar coloration, though juveniles can be distinguished by their duller feathers and blackish-brown underparts.

When identifying the greater blue-eared starling, look for its glossy blue-green upperparts and purple-blue belly. The blue ear patch is a key feature, along with its bright yellow or orange iris. Juveniles are less lustrous and have darker underparts. This species can be confused with the lesser blue-eared starling, but the latter's blue belly does not extend forward of the legs.

The greater blue-eared starling is commonly found in open woodland environments, where it thrives and breeds.

This bird has a broad range across the African continent, from Senegal in the west, stretching east to Ethiopia, and then southward through eastern Africa to northeastern South Africa and Angola. It is known to undertake seasonal migrations within this range.

The greater blue-eared starling is a highly social bird, often seen in large flocks that may include other starling species. It is also known to roost communally in reedbeds, thorn bushes, or acacia trees, sometimes sharing these spaces with other birds.

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus)

The Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus) is a bold, black-and-white, medium-sized bird (28–31 cm, ~114–213g) commonly found near wetlands in Eastern and Southern Africa. Known for its metallic “tink-tink” call, this highly territorial bird often nests on the ground, defending eggs from predators, including Nile monitors and lions. 

Key Facts About the Blacksmith Lapwing:

Appearance & Behavior: Characterized by a distinctive gray, black, and white plumage, white crown, and red eyes. They are often seen in pairs and act aggressively to defend nests or chicks, often diving at predators. 

Habitat: Strongly tied to wetlands, lakeshores, rivers, and flooded grasslands, though they often frequent artificial water sources.  

Diet: Feeds on invertebrates, including mollusks, crustaceans, worms, and various insects. 

Breeding & Eggs: They are monogamous and nest on the ground, with females typically laying 3 to 4 greenish-brown eggs that are highly camouflaged. 

Gestation & Development: Incubation lasts for 24 to 28 days by both parents. The chicks are precocial (active shortly after hatching) and remain with their parents for about 40 days before becoming independent. 

Predators: Eggs and chicks are threatened by raptors, snakes, and monitors. Adults are known to aggressively drive off larger animals like buffalo and lions that threaten their nesting sites, say Facebook posts and Oiseaux.net. 

Name Origin: The common name derives from their loud, rhythmic alarm call, which sounds exactly like a blacksmith striking an anvil.

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - GREY WOLF (Canis lupus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/42048-Canis-lupus

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - BLACK SWAN (Cygnus atratus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/6914-Cygnus-atratus

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - EUROPEAN FALLOW DEER (MALE) (Dama dama)

The European fallow deer (Dama dama), also known as the common fallow deer or simply fallow deer, is a species of deer native to Eurasia. It is one of two living species of fallow deer alongside the Persian fallow deer (Dama mesopotamica). It is historically native to Turkey and possibly the Italian Peninsula, Balkan Peninsula, and the island of Rhodes near Anatolia. 

During the Pleistocene it inhabited much of Europe, and has been reintroduced to its prehistoric distribution by humans. It has also been introduced to other regions in the world.

The male fallow deer is known as a buck, the female is a doe, and the young a fawn. Globally, adult bucks are 140–160 cm (55–63 in) long, 85–95 cm (33–37 in) in shoulder height, and typically 60–100 kg (130–220 lb) in weight, while does are 130–150 cm (51–59 in) long, 75–85 cm (30–33 in) in shoulder height, and 30–50 kg (66–110 lb) in weight.[3] However, regional variations occur; for example, bucks in southern England average 88.8 cm (35.0 in) in shoulder height and about 66.1 kg (146 lb) in weight, while does there average 80.7 cm (31.8 in) in height and about 45.2 kg (100 lb) in weight. Globally, the largest bucks may measure 190 cm (75 in) long and weigh 150 kg (330 lb).[3] Fawns are born in spring around 30 cm (12 in) and weigh around 3–4 kg (6+1⁄2–9 lb). Their lifespan is around 12–16 years.

Much variation occurs in the coat colour of the species, with four main variants: common, menil, melanistic, and leucistic – a genuine colour variety, not albinistic. White is the lightest coloured, almost white; common and menil are darker, and melanistic is very dark, sometimes even black (and is easily confused with the sika deer).

Common: Chestnut coat with white mottles, it is most pronounced in summer with a much darker, unspotted coat in the winter. The light-coloured area around the tail is edged with black. The tail is light with a black stripe.

Menil: Spots are more distinct than common in summer and no black is seen around the rump patch or on the tail. In winter, spots are still clear on a darker brown coat.

Melanistic (black): All year the coat is black, shading to greyish-brown. No light-coloured tail patch or spots are seen.

During the Last Interglacial (also known as the Eemian) around 130-115,000 years ago and prior, European fallow deer were widely distributed over Europe, occurring as far north as the British Isles. During the Last Glacial Period (115,000-11,700 years ago) the range of the species collapsed due to unfavourable climate conditions, surviving in refugia in Anatolia and probably the Balkans and possibly elsewhere, though the fossil record of their distribution during this time is sparse.

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - BLACK FACED IBIS (Theristicus melanopis)

The black-faced ibis (Theristicus melanopis) is a species of bird in the family Threskiornithidae. It is found in grassland and fields in southern and western South America. It has been included as a subspecies of the similar buff-necked ibis, but today all major authorities accept the split. The black-faced ibis also includes the Andean ibis (T. branickii) as a subspecies. Some taxonomic authorities (including the American Ornithological Society) still do so.

It has a total length of approximately 75 centimetres (30 in). The head, neck and lower chest are buffish, the crown and nape are cinnamon, the upperparts and (often incomplete) chest-band are grey, the belly and flight feathers are black, and the wing-coverts are whitish (though not contrasting strongly with the grey upperparts). The bill, throat-wattle and bare skin around the eyes are blackish and the legs are red.

The similar buff-necked ibis is almost entirely restricted to warm regions, has contrasting large white wing-patches, a dark grey (not buff) lower chest, and its throat-wattle is smaller than in the black-faced ibis.

The black-faced ibis is mainly found in southern South America, ranging throughout most of southern and central Argentina and Chile, where it occurs from sea-level to an altitude of approximately 2,500 metres (8,200 ft). It also occurs very locally in coastal Peru. While it remains fairly common in Argentina and Chile, this species has now been almost entirely extirpated from the Peruvian part of its range.

Overall the species is not threatened, and consequently assigned Least Concern by the IUCN.

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - BLACK NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4836-Himantopus-mexicanus

 

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - WOOD DUCK (FEMALE) (Aix sponsa)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/7107-Aix-sponsa

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - SCARLET IBIS (Eudocimus ruber)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/3750-Eudocimus-ruber

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - WOOD DUCK (MALE) (Aix sponsa)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/7107-Aix-sponsa

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - SIAMESE FIREBACK (Lophura diardi)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1114-Lophura-diardi

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - EDWARD'S PHEASANT (MALE) (Lophura edwardsi)

                                            https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1093-Lophura-edwardsi

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - KEA (Nestor notabilis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/18941-Nestor-notabilis

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - SUMATRAN TIGER (Panthera tigris ssp. sondaica)

The Sumatran tiger is a population of Panthera tigris sondaica on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It is the only surviving tiger population in the Sunda Islands, as the Bali and Javan tigers went extinct during the 20th century.

Sequences from complete mitochondrial genes of 34 tigers support the hypothesis that Sumatran tigers are diagnostically distinct from existing mainland subspecies. In 2017, the Cat Classification Task Force of the Cat Specialist Group revised felid taxonomy and recognizes the living and extinct tiger populations in Indonesia as P. t. sondaica.

Analysis of DNA is consistent with the hypothesis that Sumatran tigers became isolated from other tiger populations after a rise in sea level that occurred at the Pleistocene to Holocene transition about 12,000–6,000 years ago. In agreement with this evolutionary history, the Sumatran tiger is genetically isolated from all living mainland tigers, which form a distinct group closely related to each other. The isolation of the Sumatran tiger from mainland tiger populations is supported by multiple unique characters, including two diagnostic mitochondrial DNA nucleotide sites, ten mitochondrial DNA haplotypes and 11 out of 108 unique microsatellite alleles. The relatively high genetic variability and the phylogenetic distinctiveness of the Sumatran tiger indicates that the gene flow between island and mainland populations was highly restricted.

The Sumatran tiger was described based on two zoological specimens that differed in skull size and striping pattern from Bengal and Javan tiger specimens. It is darker in fur colour and has broader stripes than the Javan tiger. Stripes tend to dissolve into spots near their ends, and on the back, flanks and hind legs are lines of small, dark spots between the regular stripes. The frequency of stripes is higher than in other subspecies. Males have a prominent ruff, which is especially marked in the Sumatran tiger.

The Sumatran tiger is one of the smallest tigers. Males measure between the pegs 2.2 to 2.55 m (7 ft 3 in to 8 ft 4 in) in head-to-body length, with the greatest skull length of 295 to 335 mm (11.6 to 13.2 in) and weigh 100 to 140 kg (220 to 310 lb). Females weigh 75 to 110 kg (165 to 243 lb) and measure 2.15 to 2.30 m (7 ft 1 in to 7 ft 7 in) in length between the pegs with a greatest length of skull of 263 to 294 mm (10.4 to 11.6 in).

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - YELLOW CARDINAL (gubernatrix cristata)

The yellow cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata) is a species of South American bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is the only member of its genus, Gubernatrix.

It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, temperate shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, and temperate grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss and from pet trade trappers for sale as exotic pets. Males are trapped at a higher rate than females, and the yellow cardinal is considered endangered due to the constant entrapment. Countering woody plant encroachment can contribute to habitat restoration.

There was a study conducted that looked at the vocalization of the yellow cardinal in its habitat. It was found that there was some variation with the diuca finch.

The current global population of Gubernatrix cristata is between 1000 and 2000. Studies have shown that there are some genetic differences between different populations. Another study has shown that the yellow cardinal presents plasticity in song production, with small differences in song among four different populations.

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - BLACK BULBUL (Hypsipetes leucocephalus)

The black bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus), also known as the Himalayan black bulbul or Asian black bulbul, is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found primarily in the Himalayas, its range stretching from India eastward to Southeast Asia. It is the type species of the genus Hypsipetes, established by Nicholas Aylward Vigors in the early 1830s.5 There are a number of subspecies, mostly varying in the shade of the body plumage which ranges from grey to black, and some also occur in white-headed morphs, as also suggested by its specific epithet leucocephalus, literally "white head". The legs and bill are always rich orange-red.BlackBerry. 

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - BALKAN GREEN LIZARD (Lacerta trilineata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/35871-Lacerta-trilineata