BIRDWALKERMONDAY WILDLIFE BLOG

This Blog contains Wildlife, Plants and Bird Photos from Walks, Safaris, Birding Trips and Vacations. Most of the pictures have been taken with my Nikon P900 and P950X cameras. Just click on any image for a larger picture. On the right column under the Blog Archive are the entries by date. Below that under Animal categories all the diffent species of Animals, Birds, Insects and Plants contained in the website are listed. Clicking on any entry will show all the entries for that species.

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

29-3-2021 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - FOREST BUFFALO (MALE) (Syncerus caffer ssp. nanus)

The African forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus), also known as the dwarf buffalo or the Congo buffalo, is the smallest subspecies of the African buffalo. It is related to the Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer), the Sudan buffalo (Syncerus caffer brachyceros), and the Nile buffalo (Syncerus caffer aequinoctialis). However, it is the only subspecies that occurs mainly in the rainforests of Central Africa and Western Africa, with an annual rainfall around 1,500 mm (59 in). It has been proposed to represent a distinct species, Syncerus nanus.

The African forest buffalo is a small subspecies of the African buffalo. Cape buffaloes weigh 425 to 870 kg (937 to 1,918 lb), whereas African forest buffaloes are much lighter, weighing in at 250 to 320 kg (550–705 lbs). Weight is not the only differentiation, however; this subspecies has a reddish-brown hide that is darker in the facial area. The shape and size of the horns distinguish African forest buffalo from the other subspecies. African forest buffalo have much smaller horns than their savanna counterparts the Cape, Sudan and Nile buffalo. Cape buffalo horns often grow and fuse together, but African forest buffalo horns rarely fuse.

29-3-2021 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - FOREST BUFFALO (FEMALE) (Syncerus caffer ssp. nanus)

29-3-2021 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - PYGMY HIPPOPOTAMUS (Choeropsis liberiensis)

The pygmy hippopotamus or pygmy hippo (Choeropsis liberiensis) is a small hippopotamid which is native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily in Liberia, with small populations in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast. It has been extirpated from Nigeria and possibly Guinea-Bissau.

The pygmy hippopotamus is reclusive and nocturnal. It is one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae, the other being its much larger relative, the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) or Nile hippopotamus. The pygmy hippopotamus displays many terrestrial adaptations, but like the common hippopotamus, it is semiaquatic and relies on water to keep its skin moist and its body temperature cool. Behaviors such as mating and giving birth may occur in water or on land. The pygmy hippopotamus is herbivorous, feeding on ferns, broad-leaved plants, grasses, and fruits it finds in the forests.

31-3-2021 GANDIA, VALENCIA - SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/52592-Pararge-aegeria

29-3-2021 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - PANTHER CHAMELEON (Furcifer pardalis)

The panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) is a species of chameleon found in the eastern and northern parts of Madagascar in a tropical forest biome. Additionally, it has been introduced to Réunion and Mauritius, as well as the state of Florida within the United States.

Panther chameleons grow 16-20" (40–51 cm) long, with females typically being smaller than males. In a form of sexual dimorphism, males are more vibrantly colored than the females. Another form of sexual dimorphism is in size, it has been concluded that males are much larger and heavier than females and therefore seen as a large sex difference in body size. Coloration varies with location, and the different color patterns of panther chameleons are commonly referred to as 'locales', which are named after the geographical location in which they are found. Panther chameleons from the areas of Nosy Be, Ankify, and Ambanja are typically a vibrant blue, and those from Ambilobe, Antsiranana, and Sambava are red, green or orange. The areas of Maroantsetra and Tamatave yield primarily red specimens. Numerous other color phases and patterns occur between and within regions. Females generally remain tan and brown with hints of pink, peach, or bright orange, no matter where they are found, but there are slight differences in patterns and colors among the different color phases.

31-3-2021 GANDIA, VALENCIA - CRETAN TREE MALLOW (Malva multiflora)

This distinctive mallow with pale pink or whitish flowers is one of the few wildflowers of the Iberian Peninsula and Mediterranean region to survive the heat past May, which may be due to its ability to form deep roots that gain access to what little water remains in the soil once the summer temperatures soar.

This annual or biennial plant usually grows to between 0.3 and 1.5m in height but can sometimes reach 2m. Small Tree Mallow is also known as Cretan Mallow. Lavatera cretica is a synonym of Malva multiflora.

Small Tree Mallow, or Cretan Mallow, can be found throughout the Mediterranean region. This wildflower is also native to Britain, where is a rare find.

This member of the Mallow family of plants occurs mainly on cultivated and disturbed ground, along waysides and in waste ground.

31-3-2021 GANDIA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (MALE) (Serinus serinus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/9236-Serinus-serinus

31-3-2021 GANDIA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis)

The Goldfinch is a colourful finch with a bright red face and yellow wing patch. It's a very sociable bird, often breeding in loose groups. It has a delightful twittering song and call. Their fine beaks allow them to extract otherwise inaccessible seeds from thistles and teasels. Increasingly, they are visiting bird tables and feeders. In winter, many UK Goldfinches migrate as far south as Spain.

The European goldfinch is illegally trafficked and can be found in countries worldwide, including the United States.

They attach their nests to tree twigs using spider silk.

Males and females look similar, but males have slightly larger red face masks that extend to their eyes.

They are frequent visitors to backyard feeders, especially those containing niger seeds.

They forage by hovering over plants and will occasionally feed upside down.

The European goldfinch or simply the goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a small passerine bird in the finch family that is native to Europe, North Africa and western and central Asia. It has been introduced to other areas, including Australia, New Zealand and Uruguay.

The breeding male has a red face with black markings around the eyes, and a black-and-white head. The back and flanks are buff or chestnut brown. The black wings have a broad yellow bar. The tail is black and the rump is white. Males and females are very similar, but females have a slightly smaller red area on the face.

The goldfinch is often depicted in Italian Renaissance paintings of the Madonna and Child.

The average European goldfinch is 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) long with a wingspan of 21–25 cm (8.3–9.8 in) and a weight of 14 to 19 g (0.49 to 0.67 oz). The sexes are broadly similar, with a red face, black and white head, warm brown upper parts, white underparts with buff flanks and breast patches, and black and yellow wings.

On closer inspection, male European goldfinches can often be distinguished by a larger, darker red mask that extends just behind the eye. The shoulder feathers are black, whereas they are brown on the female. In females, the red face does not extend past the eye. The ivory-coloured bill is long and pointed, and the tail is forked. Goldfinches in breeding condition have a white bill, with a greyish or blackish mark at the tip for the rest of the year. Juveniles have a plain head and a greyer back but are unmistakable due to the yellow wing stripe. Birds in central Asia (the caniceps group) have a plain grey head behind the red face, lacking the black and white head pattern of European and western Asian birds. Adults moult after the breeding season, with some individuals beginning in July and others not completing their moult until November. After moult birds appear less colourful, until the tips of the newly grown feathers wear away.

31-3-2021 GANDIA, VALENCIA - SPOTLESS STARLING (Sturnus unicolor)

The Spotless Starling, known scientifically as Sturnus unicolor, is a member of the starling family, Sturnidae. It bears a striking resemblance to its cousin, the Common Starling, but is distinguished by its slightly larger size, measuring 21-23 cm in length and weighing between 70-100 grams. Its plumage is a glossy, oily black, which may exhibit purple or green iridescence under bright light. Notably, during the spring and summer, its feathers are completely devoid of spots, while in winter, it sports only minuscule pale spots.

To identify the Spotless Starling, look for its longer throat feathers, which are double the length of those on the Common Starling, creating a pronounced "beard" especially visible when the bird vocalizes. Its legs are a vivid pink, and the bill color changes with the seasons: yellow with a bluish or pinkish base in summer, and a duller, often blackish hue in winter. Juveniles present a dull brown plumage, darker than their common counterparts, with a black bill and brown legs.

The Spotless Starling is quite adaptable, inhabiting a variety of open environments from farmlands and olive groves to urban areas. It thrives particularly well in open grazed holm oak woods and in cities like Gibraltar, where it is a common sight.

This bird has a more restricted range compared to the Common Starling, being native to the Iberian Peninsula, Northwest Africa, southernmost France, and the islands of Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia. It is largely sedentary, with its population having expanded northward in recent decades.

The Spotless Starling is a sociable creature, often seen in sizeable flocks that can number up to 100,000 in the winter months. These flocks may include Common Starlings as well. It exhibits a strong, direct flight and, like its relative, walks rather than hops.

A vocal bird, the Spotless Starling is an accomplished mimic. Its calls are reminiscent of the Common Starling but are notably louder.

As a cavity-nesting species, the Spotless Starling makes its home in tree holes, buildings, and cliff crevices. It typically lays a clutch of three to five eggs.

An omnivorous bird, the Spotless Starling's diet includes a wide array of invertebrates, berries, and human-provided food scraps.

31-3-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GREAT TIT (Parus major)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/203153-Parus-major

29-3-2021 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - FOREST SITATUNGA (Tragelaphus spekii ssp. gratus)

Social organization: Sitatunga are semi-social, non territorial, and sedentary. Swamps are highly productive ecosystems and sitatunga's can live at densities of 55/km^(2) or higher. Females tend to form herds and males associate together or with females until sub adult. As adults, males avoid one another.

Activity: Sitatunga's move through the swamp along established pathways. These have numerous side branches leading to feeding grounds and neighbouring riverine forest. They are active both diurnally and nocturnally and may move into marshy land at night. They typically feed at any hour in areas where they are protected. They also lie on platforms of vegetation that each animal prepares for itself by repeated circling and trampling. They also stand and ruminate in the water.

Locomotion: Sitatunga's are slow and clumsy land runners, but their plunging run works well in water. Their broad and splayed hooves keep them from sinking in soft ground as deeply as other ungulates. They are usually slow and inconspicuous, and are good swimmers.

Vocal communication: Males often bark at night, sometimes as an alarm signal, or perhaps as a way of announcing their location. Females have a single higher-pitched bark. A male following a female in a low stretch may utter a suppressed roar. (Estes, 1991)

Alchornea cordifolia, common around Lake Victoria, provides a favourite browse for sitatunga. Foraging takes place in both dry land and swamp. Sitatunga select plants in the flowering stage. They often emerge at night from swamplands to graze on nearby dry land, as well as in adjacent forests where they browse on foliage and creepers. Feeding activity is apt to be concentrated in a small area of swamp for many days at a time, then they suddenly shift to new grounds. Sitatunga feed while immersed up to their shoulders and move slowly through the vegetation. Sometimes forelegs may be immersed while hind legs are elevated. They may rear to reach flowers of tall reeds, sedges, grasses and foliage, and males have been known to break branches with their horns. When feeding on long leaves, a sitatunga wraps its tongue around a clump, pulls it into its mouth, and crops it with its incisors.

Tuesday, 30 March 2021

29-3-2021 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - HOUSE SPARROW (MALE) (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.

29-3-2021 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - FOSSA (Cryptoprocta ferox)

The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox; /ˈfɒsə/ FOSS-ə or /ˈfuːsə/ FOO-sə;[3] Malagasy: [ˈfusə̥]) is a slender, long-tailed, cat-like mammal that is endemic to Madagascar. It is a member of the carnivoran family Eupleridae.

The fossa is the largest mammalian carnivore on Madagascar and has been compared to a small cougar, as it has convergently evolved many cat-like features. Adults have a head-body length of 70–80 cm (28–31 in) and weigh between 5.5 and 8.6 kg (12 and 19 lb), with the males larger than the females. It has semi-retractable claws (meaning it can extend but not retract its claws fully) and flexible ankles that allow it to climb up and down trees head-first, and also support jumping from tree to tree. A larger relative of the species, Cryptoprocta spelea, probably became extinct before 1400.

The species is widespread, although population densities are usually low. It is found solely in forested habitat, and actively hunts both by day and night. Over 50% of its diet consists of lemurs, the endemic primates found on the island; tenrecs, rodents, lizards, birds, and other animals are also documented as prey. Mating usually occurs in trees on horizontal limbs and can last for several hours. Litters range from one to six pups, which are born altricial (blind and toothless). Infants wean after 4.5 months and are independent after a year. Sexual maturity occurs around three to four years of age, and life expectancy in captivity is 20 years. The fossa is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. It is generally feared by the Malagasy people and is often protected by their fady taboo. The greatest threat to the fossa is habitat destruction.

Its taxonomic classification has been controversial because its physical traits resemble those of cats, yet other traits suggest a close relationship with viverrids. Its classification, along with that of the other Malagasy carnivores, influenced hypotheses about how many times mammalian carnivores have colonized Madagascar. With genetic studies demonstrating that the fossa and all other Malagasy carnivores are most closely related to each other forming a clade, recognized as the family Eupleridae, carnivorans are now thought to have colonized the island once, around 18–20 million years ago.

The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) is Madagascar’s largest mammalian carnivore and apex predator. Endemic to the island's forests, these solitary hunters reach up to 6 feet in length (half of which is a tail used for balance) and weigh between 12 and 26 pounds.

Key Biological and Behavioral Facts:

Anatomy: The fossa exhibits a unique blend of traits. Despite looking like a cross between a cat, a dog, and a mongoose, DNA places it in the mongoose family (Eupleridae).

Agility: Its semi-retractable claws and highly flexible ankles allow it to climb trees headfirst and leap between branches with ease.

Diet: Over 50% of its diet consists of lemurs, though it also hunts wild pigs, rodents, birds, and reptiles.

The Name: The genus name Cryptoprocta translates to "hidden anus," referring to an anal pouch that conceals the area.

Conservation Status: Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, the fossa's population is decreasing due to severe habitat loss from deforestation in Madagascar.

29-3-2021 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus)

The greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus, stands as the most widespread and largest member of the flamingo family. This majestic bird is adorned with pinkish-white plumage, save for the red wing coverts and contrasting black primary and secondary flight feathers. The bill is a striking pink with a black tip, and the legs are a uniform pink, completing the iconic look of this species.

Adult greater flamingos can be identified by their height, ranging from 110 to 150 cm, and their weight between 2 and 4 kg. The largest males can reach up to 187 cm tall and weigh 4.5 kg. Observers should note the distinctive coloration, with the majority of the body being pinkish-white, red wing coverts, and black flight feathers. The pink bill with a black tip and entirely pink legs are also key identification features. The call of the greater flamingo is reminiscent of a goose-like honking.

Greater flamingos favor mudflats and shallow coastal lagoons with saline water, where they can be seen stirring the mud with their feet in search of food.

This species is common in the Old World, with a range that includes Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, the Levant, and Southern Europe. Notably, they are found in coastal regions and along water bodies such as the Nile River, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean.

Greater flamingos are social birds, often found in large flocks. They feed with their heads down, filtering out sustenance from the water with their specially adapted bills. During the breeding season, these birds engage in a fascinating display of spreading uropygial secretions over their feathers to enhance their color, a behavior likened to applying "make-up."

The vocalization of the greater flamingo is a distinctive honking, similar to that of a goose, which can be heard over considerable distances.

The species lays a single chalky-white egg on a mud mound, a typical breeding behavior for flamingos.

Greater flamingos feed on a diet that includes small shrimp, seeds, blue-green algae, microscopic organisms, and mollusks. They filter their food from the water with their downward-facing heads and movable upper jaws.

30-3-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN SPINY FALSE WOLF SPIDER (Zoropsis spinimana)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/127112-Zoropsis-spinimana

30-3-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SARDINIAN WARBLER (MALE) (Sylvia melanocephala)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/15299-Sylvia-melanocephala

30-3-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HOUSE SPARROW (MALE) (Passer domesticus)

30-3-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EGYPTIAN LOCUST (Anacridium aegyptium)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/132892-Anacridium-aegyptium

29-3-2021 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - BEARDED BARBET (Lybius dubius)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/116944-Lybius-dubius

Monday, 29 March 2021

29-3-2021 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anastasia acuta)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/6933-Anas-acuta

Sunday, 28 March 2021

28-3-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CATALONIA WALL LIZARD (Podarcis liolepis)

Podarcis liolepis, the Columbretes wall lizard or Catalan wall lizard, is very similar to the other lizards in the genus Podarcis. This species was formerly described as a subspecies of the Iberian wall lizard, but has now been elevated to species status. These are slender lizards with long tails, narrow tapered heads and long thin toes, and stout legs. Colours are variable, although generally grey-brown. Often very subtle spots and stripes along the back and flanks can be seen and these can be more distinguished in the female. The underside is a much lighter cream or beige with sometimes a reddish tint. Adults grow 15–20 cm in length from the nose to tip of the tail. Body length can be a little as one third of the total body length, the tail making up the other two thirds.

Physical characteristics Size: Adults grow to about \(15-20\) cm long, with the tail making up two-thirds of the total length.Body shape: They are slender with a long tail, a narrow head, and long, thin toes.Color: Dorsal colors are typically grey-brown with varied patterns. Females tend to have more prominent longitudinal stripes, while males are often smaller. Some individuals also have ventral color variations, including yellow, orange/red, and white morphs.

Habitat and behavior Habitat: The species is adaptable and can be found in various environments, including rocky areas, shrubby vegetation, and even human settlements.Distribution: Its range extends from the Rhône Valley in France to the Sierra Nevada in Spain.

Activity: They are diurnal and active, often seen basking, foraging, and hiding in vegetation.Diet: They feed on small invertebrates and sometimes fruit.Reproduction: As an oviparous (egg-laying) species, females lay an average of 2.80 eggs per clutch in continental populations.