21-6-2026 LLUXTENT, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster)

The European bee-eater, Merops apiaster, is a bird of arresting beauty and grace. Its plumage is a kaleidoscope of warm hues, with brown and yellow adorning its upper parts, while the wings boast a vibrant green. The beak, a stark black, contrasts sharply with the bird's colorful attire. This slender avian can reach a length of 27–29 cm, including the elongated central tail feathers that add to its elegance. Both sexes are similar in appearance, though the female may sport greener shoulder feathers compared to the male's gold.

When identifying the European bee-eater, look for its distinctive coloration and sleek profile. The non-breeding plumage is more subdued, with a blue-green back and the absence of elongated central tail feathers. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but exhibit less variation in feather colors. During the moulting period, adults transition to breeding plumage, which is completed before their winter migration to Africa.

These birds favor open country in warmer climates, often found in proximity to sandy banks and river shores where they can nest and forage with ease.

The European bee-eater breeds across southern and central Europe, parts of northern and southern Africa, and western Asia. While the southern African population remains resident year-round, others migrate to tropical Africa for the winter. Occasionally, they are seen north of their typical range, with sporadic breeding in northern Europe.

Gregarious by nature, European bee-eaters nest colonially in sandy banks, with communal tendencies extending to feeding and roosting. Courtship involves the male presenting the female with large prey items, a gesture of both affection and sustenance.

The call of the European bee-eater is a melodious and liquid "prreee" or "prruup," a sound as mellow as the bird's demeanor.

Breeding season sees these birds tunneling into sandy banks to lay their spherical white eggs, with both parents sharing the duties of incubation and care. The eggs hatch after about three weeks, and the young are raised with communal diligence.

21-6-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - DELIGHTFUL MARBLED MOTH (Eublemma jucunda)

The Delightful Marbled moth (Odice jucunda, formerly Eublemma jucunda) is a small, beautifully patterned species native to the Mediterranean. Known for its striking purple, pink, and white markings, this species belongs to the family Erebidae and is primarily found in the Iberian Peninsula and southern France.

Key Species Facts

Scientific Name: Odice jucunda (Etymology: The Latin word jucunda means "pleasant" or "delightful").

Family: Erebidae.Appearance: Features highly contrasting and colorful wings—often displaying brilliant purplish-maroon tones combined with creamy, marbled patterns.

Flight Season: Double-brooded, meaning they typically fly in two generations from May to June and again in August to September.

Habitat & Distribution

Geographical Range: Primarily restricted to the warm, dry climates of southern Europe, including Spain and southern France.

Preferred Environment: Dry grasslands, disturbed ground, and areas with scrubby vegetation.

Host Plants: Like many moths in its closely related genera, the caterpillars of the Delightful Marbled moth typically feed on thistles and other closely related Asteraceae family plants. 

21-6-2026 LLUXTENT, VALENCIA - LITTLE OWL (Athene noctua)

The Little Owl, Athene noctua, is a diminutive yet distinctive bird, often associated with the goddess Athena in Greek mythology and Minerva in Roman lore. This bird is characterized by a flat-topped head, a robust, compact body, and a relatively short tail. Its plumage is a mottled greyish-brown, adorned with white spots, streaks, and bars, giving it a cryptic appearance. Both sexes are similar in size, measuring approximately 22 cm in length with a wingspan of 56 cm, and weighing around 180 grams.

The Little Owl possesses a large head, elongated legs, and striking yellow eyes. Its white "eyebrows" lend it a somewhat stern expression. Juvenile birds are somewhat duller than adults and lack the white crown spots. The species is known for its woodpecker-like bounding flight. During the moult, which occurs from July to November, males begin shedding feathers before females.

21-6-2026 LLUXTENT, VALENCIA - PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY (Vanessa cardui)

Vanessa cardui is the most widespread of all butterfly species. It is commonly called the painted lady, or formerly in North America the cosmopolitan.

V. cardui occurs in any temperate zone, including mountains in the tropics. The species is resident only in warmer areas, but migrates in spring, and sometimes again in autumn. It migrates from North Africa and the Mediterranean to Britain and Europe in May and June, occasionally reaching Iceland, and from the Red Sea basin, via Israel and Cyprus, to Turkey in March and April. The occasional autumn migration made by V. cardui is likely for the inspection of resource changes; it consists of a round trip from Europe to Africa.

21-6-2026 LLUXTENT, VALENCIA - CLOUDED YELLOW BUTTERFLY (Colias croceus)

Colias croceus, clouded yellow, is a small butterfly of the family Pieridae, the yellows and whites.

Colias croceus is one of the most widespread species in Europe. The common clouded yellow's breeding range is North Africa and southern Europe and eastwards through Turkey into the Middle East, but it occurs throughout much of Europe as a summer migrant, in good years individuals reaching Scandinavia. In Asia, its range extends into central Siberia in the north and barely into India in the south; it is not found in Central Asia.

This species is primarily an immigrant to the UK, originating from southern Europe and northern Africa. In the UK they can be seen on the south coast almost every year in varying numbers, and regularly breed there. Occurrence in the rest of the UK varies considerably from year to year, but they are increasingly observed as far north as Dumfries and Galloway. It has also been recorded in Ireland from the Raven, Co. Wexford, to Belfast, Co. Down.

19-6-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - VARIEGATED LYNX SPIDER (Oxyopes heterophthalmus)

Oxyopes heterophthalmus is a lynx spider from the family Oxyopidae, it is the type species of the genus Oxyopes and was described by Pierre André Latreille in 1804, it has a Palearctic distribution.

The palps of the male have a dorsally directed patellar apophysis, which is nearly as long as male's palpal tibia. The epigyne has a reddish-brown median part, and is broadly rounded anteriorly. The body colour is dark brown, with a whitish pattern on the dorsum. The legs are black, with bright hairs and strikingly robust spines. Both sexes are 5–7 millimetres (1⁄5–3⁄10 in) in length. Their abdomen is roughly triangular in shape and ends in a point.

Oxyopes heterophthalmus is a long legged, diurnal hunting spider which is capable of running very fast and jumping on their prey in a similar fashion to a cat, leading to their common name of lynx spider. They do not utilise webs to catch prey. Their eyesight is not as good as that of the jumping spiders but they can see their prey from a distance of up to 10 centimetres (4 in). In Great Britain adults occur in late May and June. The female spins a cocoon which is attached to a plant, she guards this until the eggs hatch.

Oxyopes heterophthalmus is normally found in mature dry heathland. It has a preference for heather and other low shrubs.

Oxyopes heterophthalmus has a Palearctic distribution. In Europe it is found in Central and Southern Europe, and is more common to the south. In Great Britain it is confined to a few sites in southern England.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - WHITE HEADED DUCK (MALE) (Oxyura leucocephala)

The White-headed Duck, Oxyura leucocephala, presents a striking figure with its distinctive plumage and stout build. Males are adorned with a white head contrasted by a black crown, a blue bill, and a body cloaked in shades of reddish-grey. Females, on the other hand, exhibit a more subdued palette with a dark bill and less vibrant colouring.

Upon encountering this species, one can identify the male by its white head, black cap, and neck, and a blue bill, while the female can be recognized by her grey-brown body, white face, and darker bill and cap. These ducks measure between 43–48 cm in length and weigh approximately 580–750 g.

The White-headed Duck favors lakes with open water and dense vegetation along the margins, which provide essential cover and nesting sites. These habitats include natural lakes and ponds as well as man-made water bodies.

This species has a breeding range that spans from Spain and North Africa to western and central Asia. Sightings have been reported north of their typical range, though the status of these observations is often uncertain due to the potential for escapees from captivity.

The White-headed Duck is an adept diver and swimmer, often opting to escape threats by swimming rather than taking flight. It exhibits a preference for aquatic environments where it can forage and seek refuge.

An omnivorous diet characterizes this species, with a strong inclination towards vegetable matter. They forage by diving and swimming underwater, and display a notable reluctance to fly.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the White-headed Duck as "Endangered." Populations have seen a significant decline over the past decade, primarily due to habitat loss and hunting. Additionally, the Spanish population faces genetic dilution from interbreeding with the introduced Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), prompting conservation efforts to eradicate the non-native species from western Europe. The species is also protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

2-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - BLACK HOODED ORIOLE (Oriolus xanthornus)

The Black-hooded oriole (Oriolus xanthornus) is a colorful passerine bird that breeds in tropical southern Asia. These are birds of open woodlands and spend most of their time in the tree canopies.

The male of this species is striking, with the typical oriole black and yellow colouration. The plumage is predominantly yellow, with a solid black hood, and black also in the wings and tail centre. The female black-hooded oriole is a drabber bird with greenish underparts, but still has the black hood. Young birds are like the female, but have dark streaking on the underparts, and their hood is not solidly black, especially on the throat.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - EURASIAN SPOONBILL (Platalea leucorodia)

The Eurasian spoonbill, or common spoonbill, is a wading bird belonging to the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae. Its scientific name is Platalea leucorodia, with "Platalea" reflecting the broad, spoon-like bill and "leucorodia" originating from Greek, meaning "white heron." This species is almost unmistakable within its range, with adult breeding plumage being predominantly white, save for dark legs, a black bill with a yellow tip, and a distinctive yellow breast patch akin to that of a pelican. It also sports a crest during the breeding season.

In flight, the Eurasian spoonbill can be recognized by its outstretched neck, contrasting with the retracted necks of herons. Non-breeding adults lack the crest and breast patch, while juveniles have a paler bill and black-tipped primary flight feathers. The species is distinguishable from the African spoonbill in winter by the latter's red face and legs and absence of a crest.

Eurasian spoonbills favor extensive, shallow wetlands with muddy or fine sandy substrates. They are found in various marshes, rivers, lakes, floodplains, bogs, and mangrove swamps, indifferent to the salinity of the water. They are particularly drawn to undisturbed islets for nesting and areas with dense vegetation and scattered trees for shelter.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - SCARLET IBIS (JUVENILE) (Eudocimus ruber)

Juvenile Scarlet Ibises have striking plumage that acts as camouflage: dull, grayish-brown feathers with a white belly and a pinkish bill. They are entirely dependent on their crustacean-rich diet to eventually develop their famous, glowing red color over their first two years of life.

Distinct Physical Traits

Coloring: When they hatch, chicks are covered in dark down. Juveniles fledge with dull, grayish-black or brown feathers on top and a white belly.

The "Red" Transformation: The iconic scarlet hue comes from carotenoid pigments in the shrimp and crabs they eat. The color change begins during their second molt (around one year of age) and takes up to two years to fully saturate.

The Beak: Juvenile bills start out pink or brownish with a dusky base and a receding black tip. They slowly develop the adult's downward-curved shape used for probing in the mud.

Behavior & SurvivalCamouflage: The brown-and-white juvenile plumage helps them blend into the mangrove and mudflat environments, keeping them hidden from predators before they gain their bright, telltale adult colors.

Swimmers: Uniquely, even before they are strong enough to fly, young Scarlet Ibises can regularly swim around their nest territory to escape danger.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - COMMON POCHARD (JUVENILE) (Aythya ferina)

The Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) is a medium-sized diving duck, belonging to the family Anatidae. It is a bird of robust build, with a sloping forehead and a relatively long bill. The male is distinguished by its chestnut head and neck, black breast and tail, and pale grey body with fine vermiculations. The female is more subdued in coloration, with a brownish body and a less vibrant head and neck.

Males can be identified by their striking chestnut head and neck, black breast, and pale grey body. They have a dark grey bill with a blue-grey band and yellow-orange to red irises, which intensify during the breeding season. Females and juveniles are less colorful, with brownish tones and grey legs and feet. The female's iris is brown, sometimes with a yellowish tinge, while juveniles have a yellow-olive iris that darkens with age.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - RED CRESTED POCHARD (MALE) (Netta rufina)

The red-crested pochard (Netta rufina) is a large diving duck. The scientific name is derived from Greek Netta "duck", and Latin rufina, "golden-red" (from rufus, "ruddy"). Its breeding habitat is lowland marshes and lakes in southern Europe and it extends from the steppe and semi-desert areas on the Black Sea to Central Asia and Mongolia, wintering in the Indian subcontinent and Africa. It is somewhat migratory, and northern birds winter further south into north Africa.

The adult male is unmistakable. It has a rounded orange head, red bill and black breast. The flanks are white, the back brown, and the tail black. The female is mainly a pale brown, with a darker back and crown and a whitish face. Eclipse males are like females but with red bills. They are gregarious birds, forming large flocks in winter, often mixed with other diving ducks, such as common pochards. They feed mainly by diving or dabbling. They eat aquatic plants, and typically upend for food more than most diving ducks.

19-6-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - INDIAN MILKWEED BUG (Spilostethus pandurus)

Spilostethus pandurus is a species of "seed bugs" belonging to the family Lygaeidae, subfamily Lygaeinae.

The species was described in 1763 by Scopoli in his "Entomologica carniolica" with locus typicus from the area around Ljubljana. Scopoli does not mention the etymology of the species name but may have named it for the Panduri infantry unit of the Habsburg monarchy.

This species can be found in the Euro-mediterranean-Turaniaan Region, with a more southern distribution than Spilostethus saxatilis.

It is present in Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Israel, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Lebanon, in the Afrotropical realm. and in the southern Asia to India and China.

Spilostethus pandurus can reach a length of 13–15 millimetres (0.51–0.59 in). Body shows a red-black coloration with a white spot in the center of the membrane.

Two wavy, broad, black, longitudinal stripes run from the front to the rear edge of the pronotum. Scutellum is black, sometimes with a small red spot at the end.

19-6-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN WHITE BANDED SPIDER (Evarcha jucunda)

Evarcha jucunda is a species of jumping spider.

It occurs naturally in the Mediterranean region, but was introduced to Belgium. It is also sometimes found in German greenhouses. Typically, it shows a large white or yellowish band surrounding the head region and a smaller one at the anterior end of abdomen. Males are black with a white line around their head and the top of their abdomen, which is brown.

The species name is derived from Latin jucundus "pleasant".

The mediterranean white-banded spider is an arachnid adorned with a vibrant, distinctive pattern that acts as a visual cue in its complex courtship rituals. Its acute vision, among the best in invertebrates, enables precision in its hunting technique, characterized by impressive leaping abilities to ambush prey. These pounces are powered by a unique internal hydraulic system, showcasing a remarkable evolutionary adaptation.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)

The roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) is a gregarious wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family, Threskiornithidae. It is a resident breeder in both South and North America. The roseate spoonbill's pink color is diet-derived, consisting of the carotenoid pigment canthaxanthin, like the American flamingo. Plume hunting in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries almost drove the roseate spoonbill to extinction. However, in recent years, the range of the species has expanded.

The bird feeds on crustaceans, bits of plant material, aquatic insects, mollusks, frogs, newts and very small fish (such as minnows) ignored by larger waders. In Brazil, researchers found roseate spoonbill diets to consist of fish, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and seeds, all foraged from limnetic/freshwater habitats. This habitat specialization, combined with the relative plasticity of great egret foraging behavior, allows the two species to minimize competition during the breeding season. Roseate spoonbills must compete for food with snowy egrets, great egrets, tricolored herons and American white pelicans.[citation needed] Roseate spoonbills are often trailed by egrets when foraging in a commensal "beater-follower" relationship, as the spoonbill's disturbance of the sediment makes prey more available to the follower. 

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - COMMON POCHARD (MALE) (Aythya ferina)

The Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) is a medium-sized diving duck, belonging to the family Anatidae. It is a bird of robust build, with a sloping forehead and a relatively long bill. The male is distinguished by its chestnut head and neck, black breast and tail, and pale grey body with fine vermiculations. The female is more subdued in coloration, with a brownish body and a less vibrant head and neck.

Males can be identified by their striking chestnut head and neck, black breast, and pale grey body. They have a dark grey bill with a blue-grey band and yellow-orange to red irises, which intensify during the breeding season. Females and juveniles are less colorful, with brownish tones and grey legs and feet. The female's iris is brown, sometimes with a yellowish tinge, while juveniles have a yellow-olive iris that darkens with age.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - COMMON SHELDUCK (MALE) (Tadorna tadorna)

The common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna, is a waterfowl species that graces the Euro-Siberian region with its presence. It is a medium-sized bird, akin to a small, short-necked goose, and is quite the sight with its white plumage contrasted by chestnut patches and a black underbelly. The head and neck are a dark, iridescent green, and the bill is a reddish-pink, with the male sporting a conspicuous knob on the forehead during the breeding season. Pink feet complete the ensemble, making this bird a striking figure in its habitat.

To identify the common shelduck, look for the distinctive reddish-pink bill and pink feet. The male, especially in breeding plumage, has a bright red bill with a prominent knob. The female is slightly smaller and has white facial markings. Both sexes have a white body with chestnut patches, a black belly, and a dark green head and neck. In flight, the green and chestnut secondary feathers become visible, contrasting with the predominantly white underwings.

The common shelduck is found in a variety of wetland habitats, including temperate lakes and rivers, as well as estuaries and tidal mudflats in winter. It has a particular fondness for salt marshes and estuaries and is known to breed in rabbit burrows, tree holes, and even haystacks.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - RED CRESTED POCHARD (JUVENILE) (Netta rufina)

The Red-crested Pochard, Netta rufina, is a striking large diving duck. Its name is drawn from the Greek word for duck, 'Netta', and the Latin 'rufina', meaning 'golden-red', a nod to the male's vibrant plumage.

Males are resplendent with a rounded orange head, a red bill, and a contrasting black breast. Their sides are a crisp white, with a brown back and a black tail. Females, on the other hand, are clad in more subdued tones, primarily pale brown with a darker back and crown, and a whitish face. During eclipse, males resemble females but retain their red bills.

These ducks favor lowland marshes and lakes, thriving in the wetland habitats of southern Europe.

The Red-crested Pochard breeds from the steppe and semi-desert regions near the Black Sea to Central Asia and Mongolia. It is a somewhat migratory species, with northern populations wintering in the Indian Subcontinent and Africa.

18-6-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY

The speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) is a butterfly found in and on the borders of woodland areas throughout much of the Palearctic realm. The species is subdivided into multiple subspecies, including Pararge aegeria aegeria, Pararge aegeria tircis, Pararge aegeria oblita, and Pararge aegeria insula. The color of this butterfly varies between subspecies. The existence of these subspecies is due to variation in morphology down a gradient corresponding to a geographic cline.

The background of the wings ranges from brown to orange, and the spots are either pale yellow, white, cream, or a tawny orange. The speckled wood feeds on a variety of grass species. The males of this species exhibit two types of mate locating behaviors: territorial defense and patrolling. The proportion of males exhibiting these two strategies changes based on ecological conditions. The monandrous female must choose which type of male can help her reproduce successfully. Her decision is heavily influenced by environmental conditions.

 The average wingspan of both males and females is 5.1 cm (2 in), although males tend to be slightly smaller than females. Furthermore, males possess a row of grayish-brown scent scales on their forewings that is absent in the females. Females have brighter and more distinct markings than males. The subspecies P. a. tircis is brown with pale yellow or cream spots and darker upperwing eyespots. The subspecies P. a. aegeria has a more orange background and the hindwing underside eyespots are reddish brown rather than black or dark gray. 

The two forms gradually intergrade into each other. Subspecies P. a. oblita is a darker brown, often approaching black with white rather than cream spots. The underside of its hindwings has a marginal pale purple band and a row of conspicuous white spots. The spots of subspecies P. a. insula are a tawny orange rather than a cream color. The underside of the forewings has patches of pale orange, and the underside of the hindwing has a purple-tinged band. Although there is considerable variation with each subspecies, identification of the different subspecies is manageable.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - BLACK NECKED SWAN (Cygnus melancoryphus)

The black-necked swan (Cygnus melancoryphus ) is the largest waterfowl native to South America.

An unmistakable bird with bold patterns, Black-necked swans are characteristic and majestic inhabitants of southern South Americas wetlands. They are easily distinguished by their immaculate white body feathers that contrast sharply with their velvety black head and neck. The bill is blue-gray in color and has a noticeable, double-lobed scarlet-colored knob, called a caruncle, at its base. The eyes are surrounded by a thin white line which goes along the sides of the head to the rear. Males and females are similar in appearance, though females are generally slightly smaller. The juvenile does not have a caruncle, and has a head and neck that is more brownish-black, with varying amounts of brownish-tipped and grayish-flecked feathers.

The Black-necked swan inhabits southern South America, from Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands northwards to Paraguay, central Chile, and southern Brazil. It lives in a wide variety of freshwater and saline habitats such as shallow coastal regions along the Pacific Ocean, estuaries, inland lakes, lagoons, and marshes. Particularly important are places that are rich with submerged aquatic vegetation.

These swans are highly social birds, and are gregarious outside of the time of the breeding season. They become territorial during the breeding season and divide up into mated pairs, nesting in small colonies or as solitary pairs, but they regroup once the young have hatched, each flock numbering thousands of birds. These flocks may move around, dependent on the climate and resources, but usually stay in the south of South America until migrating north. Black-necked swans are diurnal and most of their time is spent in water. If males need to defend their territory, they display aggressive behavior such as lowering their neck and thrusting the head forward. After fighting with beating its wings, the male returns to the female in triumph, continuously lifting its chin and calling.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - RED KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata)

 The Red-knobbed Coot, also known as the Crested Coot, is a striking waterbird with a predominantly black plumage contrasted by a distinctive white frontal shield. It is a medium-sized bird, measuring 35–42 cm in length with a wingspan of 75–85 cm. The males, slightly larger than the females, weigh between 770 and 910 grams, while females range from 455 to 790 grams. Both sexes appear similar in plumage. The species is characterized by its long, strong toes with partial webbing, an adaptation to its aquatic lifestyle.

To distinguish the Red-knobbed Coot from its close relative, the Eurasian Coot, one must look for the two small red knobs atop the facial shield, which are only present during the breeding season and are not visible from afar. The black feathering between the shield and the bill is rounded, as opposed to the pointed feature in the Eurasian Coot. Additionally, the bill of the Red-knobbed Coot has a subtle bluish-grey hue. In flight, unlike the Eurasian Coot, it lacks the white trailing edge on its secondaries.

This coot favors freshwater lakes and ponds as its primary habitat, where it can be seen swimming or walking along the water's edge.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - IBERIAN POND TURTLE (Mauremys leprosa)

The Iberian pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa), also known as the Mediterranean pond turtle or Mediterranean turtle, is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is endemic to southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa.

Including the nominotypical subspecies, there are two sub-species which are accepted:

M. leprosa leprosa (Schweigger, 1812) – Iberian pond turtle

M. leprosa saharica Schleich, 1996 – Saharan pond turtle

Mauremys leprosa is native to the western mainland Mediterranean Basin, stretching from the tip of southern France to the northwestern Maghreb (in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya). It is most frequent in the southern half of the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain)

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

The common moorhen, known scientifically as Gallinula chloropus, is a bird of the rail family, Rallidae. It is a bird of striking appearance, with a mix of black and brown plumage, a white under-tail, and white streaks along its flanks. Its legs are a vibrant yellow, and it sports a distinctive red frontal shield. The bill is a matching red with a yellow tip. Juveniles are a duller brown and do not have the red shield.

Adult moorhens can be identified by their red frontal shield, which has a rounded top and fairly parallel sides. The tailward margin of the red unfeathered area is smoothly curved. Their yellow legs and the combination of their black and brown plumage with white markings make them quite distinctive. The young are browner and lack the red shield, making them less conspicuous.

The common moorhen is found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, ponds, canals, and lakes that are rich in vegetation. It is also known to inhabit city parks with suitable water bodies.

This species has a broad distribution across many parts of the Old World. It is not found in polar regions or many tropical rainforests but is otherwise widespread, often being the most common rail species in its range.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus)

The great white pelican, known scientifically as Pelecanus onocrotalus, is a gargantuan bird, surpassed in size only by its cousin, the Dalmatian pelican. With a body length ranging from 140 to 180 cm and a wingspan stretching from 226 to 360 cm, it is one of the largest flying birds. The pelican's bill is an impressive 28.9 to 47.1 cm long, colored in hues of pink and yellow, and is accompanied by a pale-yellow gular pouch. Males are generally larger than females and exhibit a pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males averaging more than 30% heavier than females.

Adult great white pelicans are predominantly white with black flight feathers and a faint pink tinge on the neck. The bill is bluish-grey with a red tip and a yellowish gular pouch. During the breeding season, males display pinkish facial skin, while females exhibit a more orangey hue. Juveniles are distinguishable by their darker, brownish underparts and patterned underwings. 

These pelicans favor shallow, warm freshwater environments, such as lakes, swamps, and lagoons, often with dense reed beds nearby for nesting. They are also found in coastal estuarine areas and occasionally at elevations up to 1,372 m in East Africa and Nepal.

 The great white pelican breeds from southeastern Europe through Asia to Africa. It is a migratory species with populations found from Eastern Europe to Kazakhstan during the breeding season. In Africa, it is resident south of the Sahara Desert.

The great white pelican is a highly sociable bird, often forming large flocks. It is an adept swimmer and an elegant flier, known for its soaring flight with occasional slow wingbeats followed by glides. These birds are cooperative feeders, often foraging in groups.

This species is mostly silent but can emit a variety of low-pitched calls, including a deep, quiet croak in flight and deep "moooo" calls at breeding colonies.

Breeding occurs in large colonies with nests varying from stick nests in trees to ground scrapes lined with grass and other materials. The female lays 1 to 4 eggs, with incubation lasting 29 to 36 days. Chicks fledge at 65 to 75 days of age, with sexual maturity reached at 3 to 4 years.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - WHITE HEADED DUCK (MALE) (Oxyura leucocephala)

The White-headed Duck, Oxyura leucocephala, presents a striking figure with its distinctive plumage and stout build. Males are adorned with a white head contrasted by a black crown, a blue bill, and a body cloaked in shades of reddish-grey. Females, on the other hand, exhibit a more subdued palette with a dark bill and less vibrant colouring.

Upon encountering this species, one can identify the male by its white head, black cap, and neck, and a blue bill, while the female can be recognized by her grey-brown body, white face, and darker bill and cap. These ducks measure between 43–48 cm in length and weigh approximately 580–750 g.

The White-headed Duck favors lakes with open water and dense vegetation along the margins, which provide essential cover and nesting sites. These habitats include natural lakes and ponds as well as man-made water bodies.

This species has a breeding range that spans from Spain and North Africa to western and central Asia. Sightings have been reported north of their typical range, though the status of these observations is often uncertain due to the potential for escapees from captivity.

The White-headed Duck is an adept diver and swimmer, often opting to escape threats by swimming rather than taking flight. It exhibits a preference for aquatic environments where it can forage and seek refuge.

An omnivorous diet characterizes this species, with a strong inclination towards vegetable matter. They forage by diving and swimming underwater, and display a notable reluctance to fly.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the White-headed Duck as "Endangered." Populations have seen a significant decline over the past decade, primarily due to habitat loss and hunting. Additionally, the Spanish population faces genetic dilution from interbreeding with the introduced Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), prompting conservation efforts to eradicate the non-native species from western Europe. The species is also protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).