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.
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.
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.
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