Friday, 27 August 2021
13-8-2021 PARQUE DE JESUITAS, SALAMANCA - 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.
Thursday, 26 August 2021
13-8-2021 PARQUE DE JESUITAS, SALAMANCA - WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus)
The willow warbler was formally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Motacilla trochilus. The willow warbler is now one of around 80 species placed in the genus Phylloscopus that was introduced by the German zoologist Friedrich Boie in 1826. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek phullon meaning "leaf" and skopos meaning "seeker" (from skopeo, "to watch"). The specific epithet is Ancient Greek meaning "wren".
Before the English name was standardised to willow warbler by William Yarrell in 1843, it was sometimes called "willow wren".
Three subspecies are recognised. There is a clinal reduction in green and yellow plumage tones from west to east, with central birds browner and easternmost birds predominantly greyish:
P. t. trochilus (Linnaeus, 1758). Breeds Europe (from the Pyrenees and Alps northward) except northern Scandinavia, winters west Africa.
P. t. acredula (Linnaeus, 1758). Breeds northern Scandinavia east to western Siberia, winters central Africa.
P. t. yakutensis (Ticehurst, 1935). Breeds eastern Siberia, winters eastern and southern Africa.
The willow warbler is a typical leaf warbler in appearance, 11–12.5 cm (4.3–4.9 in) long and 7–15 g (0.25–0.53 oz) weight. It is greenish brown above and off-white to yellowish below; the wings are plain greenish-brown with no wingbars. Juveniles are yellower below than adults. It is very similar to the chiffchaff, but non-singing birds can be distinguished from that species by their paler pinkish-yellow legs (dark brown to blackish in chiffchaff), longer paler bill, more elegant shape and longer primary projection (wingtip). Its song is a simple repetitive descending whistle, while the contact call is a disyllabic 'hoo-eet', distinct from the more monosyllabic 'hweet' of chiffchaffs.
All populations are highly migratory, with the subspecies P. t. yakutensis migrating up to 12,000 km (7,500 mi) from eastern Siberia to southern Africa along the Asian–East African Flyway, one of the longest migrations of any for a bird of its size. Approximate timings are:
October to March: wintering in sub-Saharan Africa.
Mid-March to mid-May: migrates and arrives in the breeding range.
Late April to August: breeding season, usually only one brood but rarely two.
August to October: migrates back to Africa.
13-8-2021 PARQUE DE JESUITAS, SALAMANCA - EURASIAN BLUE TIT (Cyanistes caeruleus)
The Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) is a small passerine bird easily recognizable by its blue and yellow plumage. The bird is famed for its acrobatic skills, as it can cling to the outermost branches and hang upside down when looking for food.
A typical Eurasian blue tit has an azure-blue crown and dark blue line passing through the eye, and encircling the white cheeks to the chin, giving the bird a very distinctive appearance. The forehead and a bar on the wing are white. The nape, wings, and tail are blue and the back is yellowish-green. The underparts are mostly sulphur-yellow with a dark line down the abdomen. The bill is black, the legs bluish grey, and the irides dark brown. The sexes are similar, but under ultraviolet light, males have a brighter blue crown. Young blue tits are noticeably more yellow.
Eurasian blue tits are widespread and common resident breeders throughout temperate and subarctic Europe and in parts of the Middle East. They inhabit deciduous or mixed woodlands with a high proportion of oak, shrubland with scattered trees, and hedgerows. These small birds are also common in parks, gardens, and even in the center of towns.
Eurasian blue tits are usually resident and non-migratory birds. They are social and often form mixed winter flocks with Great tits. These small birds are active during the day spending most of their time searching for food in trees, bushes, and sometimes on the ground. Blue tits are very active and agile when foraging; they will often ascend a trunk in short jerky hops, imitating a treecreeper, and can hang from almost anywhere. As a rule, they roost in ivy or evergreens, but in harsh winters will roost wherever there is a suitable small hole, be it in a tree or nesting box.
Eurasian blue tits sing and call throughout the year. Songs are mostly used in late winter and spring to defend the territory or to attract mates. Calls are used for multiple reasons. The birds inform one another of their location in trees by means of contact-calls.
They use alarm-calls to warn others (including birds of other species) about the presence of predators in the neighborhood. Scolding, for example, is used when a ground predator (e.g. fox, cat, or dog), a low-flying predator, or a perched owl is noticed. Sometimes this is followed by mobbing behavior in which birds gather together in flocks to counter a predator. The alarm whistle warns other birds about the proximity of a Eurasian sparrowhawk, a northern goshawk, a common buzzard, or other flying predators that form a potential danger in the air.
Wednesday, 25 August 2021
13-8-2021 PARQUE DE JESUITAS, SALAMANCA - EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (MALE) (Turdus merula)
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The Common Blackbird, Turdus merula, is a true thrush and a familiar sight in gardens and woodlands. The male is distinguished by its all-black plumage, bright yellow eye-ring, and orange-yellow bill, which darkens slightly during winter. Females and juveniles are more demure in their attire, sporting mainly dark brown feathers.
Adult males are entirely black with the exception of the yellow eye-ring and bill. Females are sooty-brown with a duller bill, and juveniles resemble females but have pale spots on their upperparts. The very young may also exhibit a speckled breast.
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The Common Blackbird thrives in a variety of habitats including woodlands with dense undergrowth, gardens, parks, and hedgerows. It shows a preference for deciduous trees and areas with thick vegetation.
This species is widespread across Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. It has also been introduced to Australia and New Zealand. Its range varies from resident populations in the milder regions to partially or fully migratory populations in areas with more severe winters.
17-8-2021 ZAMORA, SALAMANCA - EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (JUVENILE) (Passer montanus)
The Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus) is a charming passerine bird, easily recognized by its rich chestnut crown and nape, and a distinctive black patch on each pure white cheek. Both sexes are similarly adorned, and the juveniles mirror the adults, albeit with slightly duller hues. This species is somewhat smaller than the closely related house sparrow, and its size is approximately 12.5–14 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 21 cm.
To identify the Eurasian tree sparrow, look for the kidney-shaped black ear patch on each white cheek, the black chin and throat, and the light brown upperparts streaked with black. The wings bear two narrow white bars, and the legs are pale brown. The bill is lead-blue in summer, darkening almost to black in winter. Unlike the house sparrow, there is no sexual dimorphism in plumage, making both males and females equally easy to identify.
24-8-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EXTANT MANTIS (Suborder Eumantodea)
Amelidae is a family of small to medium-sized praying mantises, commonly known as dwarf mantises, which were previously classified under the family Mantidae. They are characterized by extreme sexual dimorphism, with winged, slender males and brachypterous (short-winged), stubby-bodied females. They are primarily found in the Mediterranean region, Africa, Asia, and North America.
Key Facts about the Family Amelidae
Physical Characteristics:
Size: Generally small, with species like Ameles spallanzania reaching lengths of 18–40 mm.
Sexual Dimorphism: Males are slender and winged, while females are more robust, with reduced wings (brachypterous) and are unable to fly.
Structure: They have short, thick fore femora (usually less than 4 times longer than wide) and a short, stout pronotum.
Head Shape: The vertex of the head is typically straight or convex.
Coloration: Colors range from brown, green, ochre, to grey, allowing them to blend into their environment.
Behavior and Biology:
Reproduction: Similar to Mantis religiosa, females of some species, such as A. spallanzania, may cannibalize males during mating.
Courtship: Males often perform unique courtship, such as the snake-like movements seen in the "Snake-tail Mantis" (Ameles serpentiscauda) to avoid being eaten.
Habitat: They prefer warm, dry, and sunny places with sparse vegetation, such as Mediterranean scrubs.
Life Cycle: Adults are usually found from late spring to late summer, with nymphs hatching around July.
Distribution and Habitat:
They are predominantly found in the Mediterranean basin (from Morocco to Greece and southern Europe).
They are well-adapted to arid and rocky, sparse vegetation environments.
They are rapidly expanding their range northward in Europe.
Identification:
The identification of Amelidae species, particularly in the genus Ameles, requires careful analysis of both external morphology (like eye shape, pronotum length) and male genitalia.
They are often confused with other species, making detailed taxonomic studies crucial.
Conservation Status:
Some species, like Ameles serpentiscauda, are considered potentially threatened due to habitat loss.
19-8-2021 CIUDAD RODRIGO, SALAMANCA - BLACK REDSTART (MALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)
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The Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small, charismatic passerine bird, exhibiting a blend of dark and vibrant plumage. Males are distinguished by their dark grey to black upperparts and breast, with a striking orange-red rump and tail. Females and juveniles are more subdued in color, with grey to grey-brown feathers and the same vivid tail coloration that is the hallmark of the species.
Adult males are easily identified by their dark upperparts and black breast, contrasting with the orange-red lower rump and tail. The belly and undertail may vary from blackish-grey to orange-red, depending on the subspecies. Females and juveniles are less conspicuous, with overall greyer tones and a distinctive orange-red rump and tail. The presence of pale fringes on the secondaries forms a whitish wing panel in some subspecies.
The Black Redstart has adapted remarkably to urban environments, often found nesting in crevices or holes within buildings. Originally a dweller of stony mountainous regions, it now thrives in industrial areas with similar structural features.
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