31-5-2017 MARJAL DE MOROS, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE (Sternula albifrons)

Medium-sized dove with spotted wings, a distinctive striped neck patch and a bold white tip to the rounded tail. Found in wooded and semiopen habitats, especially farmland and heath with hedges and scattered trees. Usually rather shy; seen mainly in flight, but at times perched on utility wires. Feeds on ground, when may associate with other pigeons. Appreciably smaller and slimmer than much commoner and overall paler Eurasian Collared-Dove. Extremely similar in plumage to Oriental Turtle-Dove, but has less extensive dark centers to the wing feathers and averages pinker on the breast.

31-5-2017 MARJAL DE MOROS, VALENCIA - COLLARED PRATINCOLE (Glareola pratincola)

The Collared Pratincole, known to some as the Common Pratincole or Red-winged Pratincole, is a distinctive wader belonging to the family Glareolidae. This bird is characterized by its short legs, long pointed wings, and a long forked tail. The bill is short, an adaptation for its aerial feeding habits. Adults typically measure 24–28 cm in length with a wingspan of 60–70 cm. The plumage is a blend of brown on the back and head, with a stark white belly. The underwings are a rich chestnut, presenting a darker appearance from below.

To identify the Collared Pratincole, one must look for its chestnut underwings and deeply forked tail. It can be challenging to distinguish from similar species such as the Black-winged Pratincole and the Oriental Pratincole, especially since the latter also possesses chestnut underwings but has a shorter tail.

The Collared Pratincole thrives in open country and is frequently observed near bodies of water, particularly in the evening as it hunts for insects.

This species graces the warmer regions of Europe, southwest Asia, and Africa with its presence. It is a migratory bird, retreating to tropical Africa to overwinter and is considered a rarity north of its breeding territories.

Pratincoles are unique among waders due to their propensity to capture insect prey on the wing, akin to swallows, though they are also capable of feeding on the ground.

The Collared Pratincole is a colonial nester, with a preference for laying its eggs in shallow scrapes on open ground, often near water. The clutch consists of 2–4 eggs, which are cream in color with black or dark brown markings. Both parents share the responsibility of incubation, which lasts for 17-19 days, and the young are precocial and nidifugous, leaving the nest within 2–3 days. The fledglings take to the skies after 25–30 days.

The Black-winged Pratincole and Oriental Pratincole are the species most similar to the Collared Pratincole. The key to differentiating them lies in the details of the tail length and underwing coloration.

The Collared Pratincole's diet consists primarily of insects, which it adeptly catches in flight, demonstrating its aerial agility.

The Collared Pratincole is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is also a species protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

31-5-2017 MARJAL DE MOROS, VALENCIA - BLACK WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)

The Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus, is a slender wader known for its strikingly long, pink legs and contrasting black-and-white plumage. This elegant bird is a member of the avocet and stilt family, Recurvirostridae.

Adult Black-winged Stilts measure 33–36 cm in length. They possess a long, thin black bill and display a distinctive black and white coloration. The head and neck are predominantly white, with variable black markings depending on the sex and subspecies. Males typically have a glossy or greenish sheen on their black backs, while females exhibit a more brownish tinge. During flight, their long legs trail behind, and their wingbeats are steady.

These birds favor marshes, shallow lakes, and ponds as their breeding grounds. They are also known to inhabit coastal areas during migration and in the winter months.

The Black-winged Stilt has a wide range, extending across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some populations migrate to coastal regions in winter, while others in milder climates may remain resident or engage in short-range movements.

Black-winged Stilts are often seen foraging in shallow waters, gracefully picking insects and crustaceans from the surface. They are known to nest in small groups, sometimes alongside avocets, and exhibit a variety of courtship behaviors, including intricate displays and duets.

The flight call of the Black-winged Stilt is a sharp and clear kleek, typically heard during its aerial maneuvers.

Nests are simple bare spots on the ground near water. These birds are communal nesters and may breed in loose colonies. They have been known to breed as far north as Britain, with recent successful breeding events recorded in Southern and Northern England.

The Black-winged Stilt can be confused with other stilt species, such as the Black-necked Stilt (H. mexicanus) in the Americas, the White-backed Stilt (H. melanurus), and the Pied Stilt (H. leucocephalus) in Australasia and New Zealand.

Their diet consists mainly of insects and crustaceans, which they deftly pick from the water's surface or from wet sand.

The IUCN lists the Black-winged Stilt as Least Concern, indicating a stable global population. However, they are protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in their conservation.

31-5-2017 MARJAL DE MOROS, VALENCIA - BLACK WINGED STILT (FEMALE) (Himantopus himantopus)

These birds favor marshes, shallow lakes, and ponds as their breeding grounds. They are also known to inhabit coastal areas during migration and in the winter months.

The Black-winged Stilt has a wide range, extending across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some populations migrate to coastal regions in winter, while others in milder climates may remain resident or engage in short-range movements.

Black-winged Stilts are often seen foraging in shallow waters, gracefully picking insects and crustaceans from the surface. They are known to nest in small groups, sometimes alongside avocets, and exhibit a variety of courtship behaviors, including intricate displays and duets.

The flight call of the Black-winged Stilt is a sharp and clear kleek, typically heard during its aerial maneuvers.

Nests are simple bare spots on the ground near water. These birds are communal nesters and may breed in loose colonies. They have been known to breed as far north as Britain, with recent successful breeding events recorded in Southern and Northern England.

31-5-2017 MARJAL DE MOROS, VALENCIA - EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)

The Eurasian coot, Fulica atra, also known as the common coot or Australian coot, is a distinctive waterbird with a slaty-black body, a glossy black head, and a striking white bill topped with a white frontal shield. This bird is a member of the Rallidae family, which includes rails and crakes. Both sexes exhibit similar plumage, making them indistinguishable in the field.

Adult Eurasian coots measure 36–38 cm in length with a wingspan of 70–80 cm. Males are slightly heavier than females, weighing around 890 g compared to the females' 750 g. The species is characterized by its white bill and frontal shield, which contrast sharply with its all-black body. Juveniles are paler with a whitish breast and lack the facial shield, which develops fully by one year of age.

The Eurasian coot is found on freshwater lakes and ponds and has adapted well to urban environments, often seen in city parks and gardens with water bodies.

This bird has a broad range across the Old World, including Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of North Africa. It is a resident in milder regions but migrates south and west from much of Asia during winter.

The Eurasian coot is less secretive than many rails, often visible on open water or grasslands. It is territorial and aggressive during the breeding season, with both parents defending their territory. In non-breeding seasons, coots may form large flocks. They are reluctant flyers, preferring to run across water surfaces, and are known for bobbing their heads while swimming.

31-5-2017 MARJAL DE MOROS, VALENCIA - COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus)

The Common Redshank, Tringa totanus, is a Eurasian wader belonging to the large family Scolopacidae. Exhibiting a striking change in plumage, they don a marbled brown color during the breeding season, which transitions to a plainer greyish-brown above and whitish below in the winter. Their legs are a vibrant red, complemented by a black-tipped red bill. In flight, they reveal a distinctive white pattern up the back and on the wings.

To identify the Common Redshank, look for the red legs and the black-tipped red bill, which are characteristic of the species. The white trailing edge on the wings is also a key feature, particularly visible during flight. In breeding plumage, they exhibit a marbled brown coloration, while in winter, they adopt a less patterned greyish-brown and whitish color scheme.

Redshanks are versatile in their choice of wetland habitats, ranging from damp meadows to saltmarshes. They are often found in high densities within these environments.

This species is a widespread breeder across temperate Eurasia and migrates to winter on coasts around the Mediterranean, the Atlantic coast of Europe, and in South Asia. They are occasionally recorded as vagrants in areas such as Micronesia.

The Common Redshank is known for its wariness and its loud, piping call, which can serve as an alarm to other creatures in the vicinity.

Redshanks are not particular about their nesting sites, as long as the location is a wetland. They can nest at high densities and lay clutches of 3–5 eggs.

Their diet consists primarily of small invertebrates, which they forage for in their wetland habitats.

The IUCN considers the Common Redshank to be of Least Concern, indicating a stable population. However, it is listed as Vulnerable in Europe. The species is also protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

The Spotted Redshank, T. erythropus, is similar but can be distinguished by its longer bill and legs. In breeding plumage, it is almost entirely black, and in winter, it is very pale, contrasting with the Common Redshank's seasonal coloration.

The Common Redshank's call is a distinctive, loud "teu-teu-teu," often heard as they take to the air in alarm or while in flight.

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA COSTA RICA - BLUE GREY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)

The Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus, is a medium-sized songbird of the tanager family, Thraupidae. It presents a delightful palette of blue hues, with a light bluish head and underparts, and darker blue upperparts. A distinctive shoulder patch, varying in color among subspecies, adds to its charm. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with the immature birds showing a much duller plumage.

Adults measure between 16–18 cm in length and weigh approximately 30–40 grams. They possess a short and quite thick bill. The shoulder patch coloration is a key feature for identification, ranging from lavender to dark blue or white, depending on the subspecies.

The Blue-gray Tanager is found in open woodlands, cultivated areas, and gardens. It is a species that has adapted well to human-altered landscapes.

This species has a broad range, extending from Mexico through Central America, South America to northeast Bolivia, and northern Brazil, encompassing all of the Amazon Basin except its southernmost part. It has also been introduced to Lima, Peru, and is native to the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Blue-gray Tanager is known for being a common, restless, and confiding bird, often seen in pairs or small groups. It is quite at home in human habitation and is known to partake of cultivated fruits such as papayas.

30-5-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)

The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a migratory passerine bird, recognized as the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive bird with blue upperparts and a long, deeply forked tail, known for its graceful flight and agile maneuvers. The adult male of the nominate subspecies is 17–19 cm in length, including elongated outer tail feathers, and has a wingspan of 32–34.5 cm. It is adorned with a rufous forehead, chin, and throat, which are set apart from the off-white underparts by a broad dark blue breast band. The outer tail feathers are elongated, contributing to the iconic "swallow tail."

The barn swallow can be identified by its steel blue upperparts, a rufous face, and a dark blue breast band that separates the rufous from the off-white underparts. The deeply forked tail is a key characteristic, with a line of white spots across the upper tail's outer end. Females resemble males but have shorter tail streamers and less glossy blue coloring. Juveniles are browner with paler rufous faces and whiter underparts, lacking the adult's long tail streamers.

28-5-2017 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - YELLOW LEGGED GULL (Larus michahellis)

The yellow-legged gull is a large gull found in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, which has only recently achieved wide recognition as a distinct species. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of either the Caspian gull L. cachinnans, or more broadly as a subspecies of the herring gull L. argentatus.The genus name is from Latin Larus which appears to have referred to a gull or other large seabird, and the species name honours the German zoologist Karl Michahelles.

The yellow-legged gull is a large gull, though the size does vary, with the smallest females being scarcely larger than a common gull and the largest males being roughly the size of a great black-backed gull. They range in length from 52 to 68 cm (20 to 27 in) in total length, from 120 to 155 cm (47 to 61 in) in wingspan and from 550 to 1,600 g (1.21 to 3.53 lb) in weight. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 40.8 to 47.2 cm (16.1 to 18.6 in), the bill is 4.6 to 6 cm (1.8 to 2.4 in) and the tarsus is 5.6 to 7.5 cm (2.2 to 3.0 in). Adults are externally similar to herring gulls but have yellow legs. They have a grey back, slightly darker than herring gulls but lighter than lesser black-backed gulls. They are much whiter-headed in autumn, and have more extensively black wing tips with few white spots, just as lesser black-backed. They have a red spot on the bill as adults, like the entire complex. There is a red ring around the eye like in the lesser black-backed gull but unlike in the herring gull which has a dark yellow ring.

27-5-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria)

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.

The morphology of this butterfly varies as a gradient down its geographic cline from north to south. The northern butterflies in this species have a bigger size, adult body mass, and wing area. These measurements decrease as one moves in a southerly direction in the speckled wood's range. Forewing length on the other hand increases moving in a northerly direction. This is due to the fact that in the cooler temperatures of the northern part of this butterfly's range, the butterflies need larger forewings for thermoregulation. Finally, the northern butterflies are darker than their southern counterpart, and there is a coloration gradient, down their geographical cline.

29-5-2017 GENOVES, VALENCIA - COMMON HOUSE MARTIN (Delichon urbicum)

The Western House Martin (Delichon urbicum), sometimes known as the Common House Martin, is a migratory passerine bird belonging to the swallow family. It is characterized by a blue head and upperparts, a distinctive white rump, and pure white underparts. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with both sexes appearing similar, and juveniles displaying a sooty black coloration with white-tipped wing coverts and quills.

Adults measure approximately 13 cm in length, with a wingspan ranging from 26 to 29 cm and an average weight of 18.3 grams. They possess brown eyes, a small black bill, and pink toes and exposed leg parts. The white rump and underparts are particularly noticeable in flight, aiding in distinguishing them from other swallows.

The Western House Martin favors open country with low vegetation, such as pastures, meadows, and farmland, often near water. It is also found in urban areas and can nest in city centers if air quality permits.

This bird breeds across Europe, North Africa, and the Palearctic, migrating to sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia for the winter. It is a broad-front migrant, traveling during daylight and feeding on insects in flight.

The Western House Martin is a social bird, often breeding colonially with nests built in close proximity. It is known for its aerial agility, which it uses to evade predators such as the Eurasian Hobby.

The male's song is a soft twitter of melodious chirps, while the contact call is a hard "chirrrp." The alarm call is a shrill "tseep."

Nests are constructed from mud pellets under eaves or similar overhangs on buildings, usually in colonies. The species is known to produce two broods per year, with four to five white eggs per brood. Juveniles fledge after 22 to 32 days and are fed by parents for about a week thereafter.

The Western House Martin can be confused with the Asian House Martin (D. dasypus) and the Nepal House Martin (D. nipalense), but it is the only one with a pure white rump and underparts.

The diet consists primarily of insects caught in flight, with a preference for flies and aphids. Hunting typically occurs within 450 meters of the nest and often near open ground or water.

The Western House Martin is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with an extensive range and large population. However, there are indications of population fluctuations and declines in certain regions, attributed to factors such as weather, pesticides, and competition for nesting sites.

29-5-2017 GENOVES, VALENCIA - COMMON HOUSE MARTIN (JUVENILE) (Delichon urbicum)

The Western House Martin (Delichon urbicum), sometimes known as the Common House Martin, is a migratory passerine bird belonging to the swallow family. It is characterized by a blue head and upperparts, a distinctive white rump, and pure white underparts. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with both sexes appearing similar, and juveniles displaying a sooty black coloration with white-tipped wing coverts and quills.

Adults measure approximately 13 cm in length, with a wingspan ranging from 26 to 29 cm and an average weight of 18.3 grams. They possess brown eyes, a small black bill, and pink toes and exposed leg parts. The white rump and underparts are particularly noticeable in flight, aiding in distinguishing them from other swallows.

The Western House Martin favors open country with low vegetation, such as pastures, meadows, and farmland, often near water. It is also found in urban areas and can nest in city centers if air quality permits.

This bird breeds across Europe, North Africa, and the Palearctic, migrating to sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia for the winter. It is a broad-front migrant, traveling during daylight and feeding on insects in flight.

The Western House Martin is a social bird, often breeding colonially with nests built in close proximity. It is known for its aerial agility, which it uses to evade predators such as the Eurasian Hobby.

The male's song is a soft twitter of melodious chirps, while the contact call is a hard "chirrrp." The alarm call is a shrill "tseep."

Nests are constructed from mud pellets under eaves or similar overhangs on buildings, usually in colonies. The species is known to produce two broods per year, with four to five white eggs per brood. Juveniles fledge after 22 to 32 days and are fed by parents for about a week thereafter.

The Western House Martin can be confused with the Asian House Martin (D. dasypus) and the Nepal House Martin (D. nipalense), but it is the only one with a pure white rump and underparts.

The diet consists primarily of insects caught in flight, with a preference for flies and aphids. Hunting typically occurs within 450 meters of the nest and often near open ground or water.

The Western House Martin is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with an extensive range and large population. However, there are indications of population fluctuations and declines in certain regions, attributed to factors such as weather, pesticides, and competition for nesting sites.

21-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - BROWN CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus)

The brown-crested flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus) is a passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family.

Adult brown-crested flycatchers are probably the largest species of the Myiarchus flycatchers but vary considerably in size across their range, those in M. t. tyrannulus averaging rather smaller than the largest which are M. t. magister. They vary in length from 18 to 24 cm (7.1 to 9.4 in), averaging around 20.3 cm (8.0 in) long, and usually average somewhere between 30 and 45 g (1.1 and 1.6 oz), with extreme weighs from around 21 to 50 g (0.74 to 1.76 oz). Brown-crested flycatchers have heavy bills. The upperparts are olive brown, with a darker head and short crest. The breast is grey and the belly is lemon yellow. The brown tail feathers have rufous inner webs, the remiges have rufous outer webs, and there are two dull wing bars. The sexes are similar.

The brown-crested flycatcher is best separated from other confusingly similar Myiarchus species by its call, a rough loud "come HERE, come HERE" or "whit-will-do, whit-will-do".

24-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - GREEN BREASTED MANGO (Anthracothorax prevostii)

The Green-breasted Mango, known scientifically as Anthracothorax prevostii, is a hummingbird of striking poise. This species, with its iridescent plumage, measures between 10.3 to 12.1 cm in length and tips the scales at a delicate 5.7 to 7.0 grams.

Adult males of the Green-breasted Mango boast a metallic bronze-green crown and upperparts, with a velvety black stripe running down their chin and chest, flanked by metallic bluish-green. Their tail feathers shimmer with purple hues. Females, while similar, have less metallic green and their tail feathers are blue-black with a purple base and white tips. Both sexes have a slightly decurved dull black bill.

This species thrives in a variety of lowland tropical landscapes, from semi-open to open environments. These include shrublands, savannas, secondary forests, and mangroves, as well as human-altered areas such as parks and gardens.

The Green-breasted Mango is found from eastern Mexico through Central America, and into Colombia and Venezuela. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in the United States.

The Green-breasted Mango is mostly sedentary, though some northern populations migrate to the Pacific slope during the non-breeding season. It is known to forage at all levels of its habitat, from understory to canopy.

This species is not overly vocal, but its song is a distinctive buzzy repetition of "tsi si-si-si si-si-si," while its calls range from sharp "sip" or "sik" sounds to harsh "chik chik chik" and high, shrill twittering during confrontations.

Breeding seasons vary geographically, with some regions seeing nesting year-round. The female constructs a cup nest on a horizontal branch or even on man-made structures. Clutch size is typically two eggs, with the female solely responsible for incubation and chick rearing.

The Green-breasted Mango may be confused with other hummingbirds, but its distinctive coloration and vocalizations aid in its identification.

Nectar and arthropods make up the diet of this hummingbird. It feeds on a variety of flowering plants and is also known to visit sugar water feeders.

The IUCN lists the Green-breasted Mango as Least Concern, with a large range and no immediate threats identified. It is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the U.S.

23-3-2017 TROGON LODGE, COSTA RICA - PURPLE THROATED MOUNTAIN GEM HUMMINGBIRD

The Purple-throated Mountaingem, scientifically known as Lampornis calolaemus, is a diminutive and vibrant species of hummingbird. Measuring between 10 to 11.5 cm in length and weighing a mere 4.5 to 6 grams, these birds are adorned with a medium-length straight black bill, a distinctive white to pale buff stripe behind the eye, and a fairly long tail that adds to their elegant appearance.

Adult males of the nominate subspecies boast a glittering emerald green to bluish green forehead and crown, with metallic bronze-green upperparts that transition to bluish or grass green on the uppertail coverts. Their faces are dusky bronze green, and they feature a striking metallic violet or purple gorget. The breast shines with bright metallic green, while the flanks and belly are a more subdued bronzy green or gray. The undertail coverts are deep bronzy gray with paler gray margins, and the tail is a dull blue-black.

Adult females present bright metallic green upperparts with a bluish tinge on the uppertail coverts and a more bronzish hue elsewhere. Their faces are predominantly blackish, and the throat, breast, and belly are tawny yellow, transitioning to dull white to tawny buff on the undertail coverts. The central tail feathers and the upper half of the others are dull metallic green or bronze green, with the lower half of the outer tail feathers mostly black with pale gray tips.

The Purple-throated Mountaingem inhabits humid montane evergreen forests and cloudforests, preferring steep slopes and broken terrain. In central Costa Rica, they range from elevations of 1,200 to 2,500 meters, and can be found as low as 800 meters in the northern regions.

This species is found in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama, with three subspecies distributed across different regions. L. c. pectoralis resides from southwestern Nicaragua to northwestern Costa Rica, L. c. calolaemus in northern and central Costa Rica, and L. c. homogenes in western Panama and possibly southern Costa Rica.

Post-breeding season, some Purple-throated Mountaingems descend to elevations as low as 300 meters. Males are known to fiercely defend their feeding territories, which include patches of flowers, from both conspecifics and other hummingbird species.

The song of the Purple-throated Mountaingem is a high, thin, and dry medley of sputtering and warbling notes. Their calls are sharp and penetrating, often described as "trrrt" or a buzzy "zeet" or "zeep," with higher-pitched, scratchy, chattering notes during interactions.

Breeding occurs from October to April, coinciding with the rainy season. Females single-handedly undertake nest building, incubation, and care for the nestlings. The nest is a thick-walled open cup adorned with moss and lichen, typically situated about 2 meters above ground. Incubation lasts 17 to 18 days, with fledging occurring 22 to 23 days post-hatch.

The Purple-throated Mountaingem primarily feeds on nectar, with males defending their feeding territories vigorously. Females, less territorial, often feed by trap-lining. They are the primary pollinators of certain Rubiaceae species. Insects also form part of their diet, with males capturing them by hawking from a perch and females employing hover-gleaning tactics.

The IUCN has classified the Purple-throated Mountaingem as Least Concern. The population, estimated between 50,000 and 500,000 mature individuals, is believed to be decreasing. However, despite some habitat alteration by humans, much of their habitat remains intact, and the species has shown strong resilience to these changes.

15-11-2015 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EGYPTIAN LOCUST (Anacridium aegyptium)

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.

15-11-2015 MONTE CORONA - COAL TIT (Periparus ater)

The Coal tit (Periparus ater) is a small passerine bird widespread and common resident breeder throughout the temperate to subtropical Palearctic, including North Africa.

The Coal tit has a distinctive large white nape spot on its black head. The head, throat, and neck of the adult are glossy blue-black, setting off the off-white sides of the face (tinged grey to yellow depending on subspecies) and the brilliant white nape; the white tips of the wing coverts appear as two wingbars. The underparts are whitish shading through buff to rufous on the flanks. The bill is black, the legs lead-colored, and the irides dark brown. The young birds are duller than the adults, lacking gloss on the black head, and with the white of nape and cheeks tinged with yellow.

Coal tits are found throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They are all-year residents throughout almost all range, making only local movements in response to particularly severe weather; only the Siberian birds have a more regular migration. Coal tits prefer humid conifer forests but also frequent shrubland, conifer plantations, gardens, and urban areas.

Coal tits are social birds and often form small flocks in winter with other tits. They resemble other tits in acrobatic skill and restless activity, though they more frequently pitch on a trunk, and in little hops resemble a treecreeper. Coal tits are active during the day spending most of their time searching for food trees. They also visit gardens to feed on a variety of foods put out, particularly sunflower seeds. While searching for food, Coal tit flocks keep contact with incessant short 'dee' or 'see-see' calls. Their song is a strident 'if-he, if-he, if-he', heard most frequently from January to June, but also in autumn. The song resembles that of the Great tit, but much faster and higher in pitch. North African birds also have a 'currr' call similar to that of the European crested tit which is not found in Africa.

Coal tits breed once per year between March and late July. They prefer to nest in a hole in a rotting tree stump, often low down, and the nest is deep within the hole; holes in the ground, burrows of mice or rabbits, chinks between the stones in walls, old nests of Pica magpies or other large birds, and squirrel dreys are also occupied. The materials, moss, hair, and grass, are closely felted together, and rabbit fur or feathers are added for the lining. The female lays 7 to 11 red-spotted white eggs and incubates them for 14-16 days. The chicks hatch blind and helpless and remain in the nest for about 14 to 19 days.

Being common and widespread, Coal tits are not considered threatened at present; however, in central Europe, they experience a shortage of insect prey caused by industrial pollution.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Coal tit is 90,000,000-164,999,999 mature individuals. In Europe, the breeding population consists of 15,900,000-28,800,000 pairs, which equates to 31,800,000-57,500,000 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.

21-5-2017 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - GREATER SHORT TOED LARK (Calandrella brachydactyla)

The greater short-toed lark (Calandrella brachydactyla ) is a small passerine bird. The current scientific name is from Ancient Greek. The genus name, Calandrella, is a diminutive of kalandros, the calandra lark, and brachydactila is from brakhus, "short", and daktulos, "toe".

It breeds in southern Europe, north-west Africa, and across the Palearctic from Turkey and southern Russia to Mongolia. During migration they form large, tight flocks that move in unison; at other times they form loose flocks.

Several subspecies have been named but there is considerable geneflow and the species itself forms part of a larger complex. This is a small pale lark, smaller than the skylark. It is dark-streaked greyish-brown above, and white below, and has a strong pointed bill that is pinkish with a grey culmen. It has a pale supercilium, dark patches on each side of its neck and a dark tail. Some birds in the west of the range have a rufous crown. The sexes are similar. The greater short-toed lark is paler than the Mongolian short-toed lark which also has a shorter bill. In winter they fly in large and compact flocks that swing in synchrony. Care must be taken to distinguish this species from other similar Calandrella larks, such as the Mediterranean short-toed lark.

The nominate form breeds in Europe (Iberia, France, Italy, the Balkans and Romania) and winters in Africa. Subspecies hungarica breeds in the eastern parts of Europe while rubiginosa breeds in north-western Africa. Subspecies hermonensis (sometimes including woltersi ) breeds in Turkey, Syria and Egypt. Subspecies artemisiana (considered by some to be synonymous with longipennis ) breeds in Asia Minor and winters in southern west Asia. Subspecies longipennis breeds in Ukraine, Mongolia and Manchuria and winters in South Asia mainly in the drier zone of north-western India.

The song varies between a dry twittering and a more varied and imitative melody. Flocks will often fly together to water in the mornings at favourite spots. In the evenings they roost in open ground, with each bird squatting in a small depression made in the soil.

26-5-2017 MARJOL DE MOROS, VALENCIA - SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris rapae)

Pieris rapae is a small- to medium-sized butterfly species of the whites-and-yellows family Pieridae. It is known in Europe as the small white, in North America as the cabbage white or cabbage butterfly, on several continents as the small cabbage white, and in New Zealand as the white butterfly. The butterfly is recognizable by its white color with small black dots on its wings, and it can be distinguished from P. brassicae by its larger size and the black band at the tip of its forewings.

The caterpillar of this species, often referred to as the "imported cabbageworm", is a pest to crucifer crops such as cabbage, kale, bok choy and broccoli. Pieris rapae is widespread in Europe and Asia; it is believed to have originated in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Europe, and to have spread across Eurasia thanks to the diversification of brassicaceous crops and the development of human trade routes. Over the past two centuries, it spread to North Africa, North America, New Zealand, and Australia, as a result of accidental introductions.

 The species has a natural range across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It was accidentally introduced to Quebec, Canada, around 1860 and spread rapidly throughout North America. The species has spread to all North American life zones from Lower Austral/Lower Sonoran to Canada. Estimates show that a single female of this species might be the progenitor in a few generations of millions. It is absent or scarce in desert and semidesert regions (except for irrigated areas). It is not found north of Canadian life zone, nor on Channel Islands off the coast of southern California. By 1898, the small white had spread to Hawaii; by 1929, it had reached New Zealand and the area around Melbourne, Australia, and found its way to Perth as early as 1943. It does not seem to have made it to South America.