Thursday, 23 January 2020
23-1-2020 SUECA, VALENCIA - CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
The western cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. Most taxonomic authorities lump this species and the eastern cattle egret together (called the cattle egret), but some (including the International Ornithologists' Union) separate them. Despite the similarities in plumage to the egrets of the genus Egretta, it is more closely related to the herons of Ardea. Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion in its distribution and successfully colonised much of the rest of the world in the last century.
It is a white bird adorned with buff plumes in the breeding season. It nests in colonies, usually near bodies of water and often with other wading birds. The nest is a platform of sticks in trees or shrubs. Western cattle egrets exploit drier and open habitats more than other heron species. Their feeding habitats include seasonally inundated grasslands, pastures, farmlands, wetlands and rice paddies. They often accompany cattle or other large mammals, catching insect and small vertebrate prey disturbed by these animals. Some populations of the cattle egret are migratory and others show post-breeding dispersal.
Wednesday, 22 January 2020
22-1-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)
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European robins occur in Eurasia east to Western Siberia, south to Algeria, and on the Atlantic islands as far west as the Central Group of the Azores and Madeira. Irish and British robins are largely resident but a small minority, usually female, migrate to southern Europe during winter, a few as far as Spain. Scandinavian and Russian robins migrate to Britain and western Europe to escape the harsher winters. European robins prefer spruce woods in northern Europe, contrasting with their preference for parks and gardens in Ireland and Great Britain. These may also be found in grasslands, shrubby vegetation, hedgerows with some tall trees, orchards, and farmlands.
European robins are active during the day, however, they may also hunt insects on moonlit nights or near artificial light at night. These are generally solitary and territorial birds, and males are noted for their highly aggressive territorial behavior. They will fiercely attack other males and competitors that stray into their territories and may even attack other small birds without apparent provocation.
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European robins communicate using a variety of calls, including a ticking note that usually indicates anxiety or mild alarm. During the breeding season, robins produce a fluting, warbling song. Both the male and female sing during the winter, when they hold separate territories; the song then sounds more plaintive than the summer version.
The female typically moves a short distance from the summer nesting territory to a nearby area that is more suitable for winter feeding. The male keeps the same territory throughout the year. During the breeding season, males usually initiate their morning song an hour before civil sunrise and usually terminate their daily singing around thirty minutes after sunset. They may also sing at night, especially in urban areas that are artificially lit during the night.
22-1-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EGYPTIAN BIRD GRASSHOPPER (Anacridium aegyptium)
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Anacridium aegyptium, the Egyptian grasshopper or Egyptian locust, is a species of insect belonging to the subfamily Cyrtacanthacridinae.
A fairly common species, the Egyptian grasshopper is present in most of Europe, the Afrotropical realm, eastern Palearctic realm, the Near East, and North Africa, and has recently been observed in Cape Town, South Africa.
These grasshoppers inhabit trees and shrubs, scrub land, maquis, and orchards in warm and bright environments, at an elevation from sea level to 1,500 m.
Anacridium aegyptium is one of the largest European grasshoppers. Adult males grow up to 30–56 mm (1.2–2.2 in) long, while females reach 46–70 mm (1.8–2.8 in) in length. Their bodies are usually gray, brown, or olive-coloured, and their antennae are relatively short and robust. The tibiae of the hind legs are blue, while the femora are orange. The hind femora have characteristic dark marks. They are also easily identified by their characteristic eyes, which have vertical black and white stripes. Their pronota show a dorsal orange stripe and several small white spots. The wings are clear with dark marks.
This species is a folivore, essentially feeding on leaves of various plants. It is a solitary species, harmless to crops. Adults are mainly seen in August and September, but they are active throughout the year. After mating, these grasshoppers overwinter as adults. Spawning occurs in spring just under the soil surface and the nymphs appear in April. These grasshoppers undergo several molts. Nymphs differ from adults in appearance; their color varies from yellow to bright green and ocher and the wings are absent or small, as they are gradually developed after each molt.
Tuesday, 21 January 2020
2-1-2015 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HOUSE SPARROW (FEMALE) (Passer domesticus)
You can find House Sparrows most places where there are houses (or other buildings), and few places where there aren’t. Along with two other introduced species, the European Starling and the Rock Pigeon, these are some of our most common birds. Their constant presence outside our doors makes them easy to overlook, and their tendency to displace native birds from nest boxes causes some people to resent them. But House Sparrows, with their capacity to live so intimately with us, are just beneficiaries of our own success.
The best way to find a House Sparrow is to visit an urban area and watch for a conspicuous, tame sparrow hopping on the ground (it might help to bring a sandwich or some birdseed). You can easily attract them with food and they may feed out of your hand. In the countryside, look out for bright, clean versions of the city House Sparrow around barns, stables, and storehouses.
28-8-2018 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BLOOD SPOTTED SUGAR ANT (Camponotus cruentatus)
Camponotus cruentatus, commonly known as the red carpenter ant, is a species of large ant belonging to the genus Camponotus. These ants are typically reddish-brown in color and can grow up to 1.5 cm in length. They are known for their ability to excavate wood and create extensive galleries, making them important decomposers in forest ecosystems. Camponotus cruentatus colonies are typically found in dead or decaying wood, where they forage for food and tend to aphids for their honeydew.
Saturday, 18 January 2020
18-2-2020 BIOPARQUE AMARU - CARUNCULATED CARACARA (Phalcoboenus carunculatus) CAM
The carunculated caracara (Daptrius carunculatus) is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae, the falcons and caracaras. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
The carunculated caracara was formerly placed in the genus Phalcoboenus. Molecular genetic studies found that the genus Milvago was polyphyletic with the chimango caracara sister to the genus Phalcoboenus and the yellow-headed caracara sister to the genus Daptrius. As the genetic divergence was relatively shallow, the polyphyly was resolved by expanding the genus Daptrius to include the species formerly placed in the genera Milvago and Phalcoboenus.
The carunculated caracara is 50 to 56 cm (20 to 22 in) long with a wingspan of 112 to 119 cm (44 to 47 in). The sexes' plumages are alike. Adults are mostly glossy black with a bold pattern of white streaks on their breast. Their lower belly, undertail coverts, underside of the wing, and tips of the flight and tail feathers are pure unmarked white. Their cere and the bare skin on their face and throat are bright orange to deep red, and wrinkles ("caruncles") in the throat skin give the species its English name and specific epithet. Their iris is hazel to blackish gray and their legs and feet bright yellow. Juveniles are tawny to dark brown with some white mottling on the head, rump, and underparts. Their legs and feet are dusky.
The carunculated caracara is found in the Andes from southwestern Colombia to southern Ecuador. It inhabits the temperate zone above treeline, where the landscape is páramo or grassy pastures with scattered bushes. In elevation it mostly ranges between 3,000 and 4,000 m (9,800 and 13,100 ft) but has been recorded as high as 4,700 m (15,400 ft).
As far as is known the carunculated caracara is a year-round resident, but is somewhat nomadic within its range, gathering in flocks that may number
The carunculated caracara is omnivorous and highly opportunistic. Its diet includes worms, insects and their larvae, other invertebrates, amphibians, small lizards and mammals, nestling birds, carrion, and vegetable matter like grain. It usually forages by walking or running on the ground but will do so in low-level flight. In often feeds in small groups among cattle or llamas.
The carunculated caracara usually lays eggs during September and October, though there are records from later. It usually builds a stick nest on a cliff ledge but one has been recorded in a tree. The clutch size usually is two eggs. The incubation period, time to fledging, and details of parental care are not known.
Friday, 17 January 2020
Thursday, 16 January 2020
16-1-2020 CANAL LES FONTS OLIVA, VALENCIA- COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild)
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The Common Waxbill, known scientifically as Estrilda astrild and colloquially as the St Helena Waxbill, is a diminutive passerine bird of the estrildid finch family. This species is adorned with a bright red bill reminiscent of sealing wax, which is the origin of its name. The adult Common Waxbill measures approximately 4 to 5 inches in length, with a wingspan of 4.5 inches, and weighs between 3/5 to 3/4 ounce. Its plumage is primarily grey-brown, intricately barred with dark brown, and it possesses a distinctive red stripe through the eye. The cheeks and throat are whitish, and the underparts may exhibit a pinkish hue with a reddish stripe along the belly's center, varying by subspecies. The rump is brown, while the tail and vent are dark. Females are similar to males but are paler with less red on the belly. Juveniles are duller with little or no red on the belly, fainter dark barring, and a black bill.
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To distinguish the Common Waxbill from similar species, observe the rump and vent colors. The black-rumped waxbill has a black rump and pale vent, while the crimson-rumped waxbill features a dark bill, red rump, and some red on the wings and tail. The black-lored waxbill, restricted to the Democratic Republic of Congo, has a black stripe through the eye instead of red.
Common Waxbills favor open landscapes with long grass and rank vegetation. They are often found near water in marshes and among reeds. These birds are known to be quite tame, venturing into gardens, parks, and farmland.
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Native range
The Common Waxbill is native to sub-Saharan Africa, with approximately 17 subspecies distributed across East, Central, and Southern Africa, avoiding desert or dense forest regions. In West Africa, they are more localized, with populations centered around Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast.
Introduced range
The species has been introduced to various regions worldwide, including islands around Africa, parts of Europe, the Americas, and the Pacific. In Europe, it has become widespread in Portugal and is expanding through Spain.
Common Waxbills are gregarious, often foraging in flocks that can number in the hundreds or thousands. They typically feed by clinging to grass stems and picking seeds from flower heads but will also forage for fallen seeds on the ground. Regular drinking is necessary, as their seed diet contains little water.
The Common Waxbill produces a variety of twittering and buzzing calls, along with a distinctive high-pitched flight call. Its simple song is harsh and nasal, descending on the last note.
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The nest of the Common Waxbill is a large ball of grass stems with a long entrance tube, usually situated low amongst dense vegetation. A second "cock's nest" may be built atop the main nest. They lay four to seven white eggs, incubated for 11 to 13 days, with fledging occurring 17 to 21 days post-hatching. Both parents are involved in incubation and chick feeding. Breeding seasons vary globally, and nests may be parasitized by the pin-tailed whydah.
The Common Waxbill's diet is predominantly grass and millet seeds, with insects consumed occasionally, especially during the breeding season. Guinea grasses, crabgrass, and Echinochloa species are significant dietary components.
The Common Waxbill is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable global population.
16-1-2020 OLIVA PLAYA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola)
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The European stonechat, Saxicola rubicola, is a small, charming passerine bird, once thought to be a member of the thrush family but now placed within the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. This species exhibits a striking sexual dimorphism, with males donning a black plumage with vibrant orange throats and females wearing a more subdued brown.
Males in their summer plumage are unmistakable with their black heads, orange throats, and white bellies. They also sport a distinctive white half-collar and small white patches on the wings and rump. Females, on the other hand, are predominantly brown with less pronounced white wing patches. Both sexes have notably short wings, which are shorter than those of their migratory relatives.
The European stonechat favors heathlands, coastal dunes, and open grasslands dotted with shrubs, brambles, and heather. These habitats provide the perfect backdrop for their active foraging and breeding behaviors.
This species is widely distributed across Europe, reaching as far east as Ukraine and the South Caucasus, and can also be found in parts of North Africa.
15-1-2020 SUECA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
The great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), a robust seabird, is cloaked in predominantly black plumage. It is a member of the cormorant family, with a widespread distribution. The species exhibits considerable size variation across its range, with males generally larger than females. Notable features include a longish tail and a distinctive yellow throat-patch. During the breeding season, adults boast white patches on their thighs and throat.
To identify the great cormorant, look for its large size, heavy build, and thick bill. It lacks a crest and its plumage does not have a green tinge, distinguishing it from the common shag. In North America, it is bulkier than the double-crested cormorant and has less yellow on the throat and bill. The white thigh patches are a key identifier.
Great cormorants are found in a variety of aquatic environments including seas, estuaries, freshwater lakes, and rivers. They often nest in colonies close to these water bodies.
This species has a broad distribution, breeding across the Old World, Australia, and the Atlantic coast of North America. Northern populations tend to migrate southward in winter, seeking coasts rich in fish.
Wednesday, 15 January 2020
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