31-5-2021 CARRION DE CALATRAVA, LA MANCHA - SPANISH IMPERIAL EAGLE (Aquila adalberti)

The Spanish imperial eagle, known scientifically as Aquila adalberti and also referred to as the Iberian imperial eagle, is a majestic bird of prey native to the Iberian Peninsula. This large raptor is adorned with distinctive white "epaulettes" on its shoulders, a feature that has led to its historical moniker, the white-shouldered eagle. The species is named in honor of Prince Adalbert of Bavaria.

Adult Spanish imperial eagles are darker than their eastern imperial and golden eagle counterparts, with a rich blackish-brown plumage extending from throat to belly. The white band on their shoulders and leading edge of the wing is more pronounced than in the eastern species. Their nape and crown are a pale tawny color, contrasting with the golden-yellow of the golden eagle. Juveniles are markedly different, with a pale straw-sandy color and broad black bands on their wings. In flight, they exhibit a flatter wing profile compared to the golden eagle's upturned dihedral.

The Spanish imperial eagle favors the dehesa woodlands of central and southwest Spain, where it finds mature trees for nesting and open shrubby areas for hunting.

This species is predominantly found in central and southwest Spain and parts of Portugal. It is a resident bird, not known for migration. While stable presence in Morocco is debated, immature birds are known to visit during dispersion.

Spanish imperial eagles are shy and territorial, preferring areas with minimal human disturbance. They breed from February to April, constructing large nests in mature trees, often near wetlands. The average clutch size is two to three eggs, but typically only one to two fledglings survive per nest.

Nesting occurs in dry, mature woodlands, with nests built close to areas rich in prey. The species is sensitive to human disturbance, which can lead to nestling mortality alongside other factors such as predation and siblicide.

The diet of the Spanish imperial eagle primarily consists of European rabbits. Following a decline in rabbit populations, the eagles have adapted to hunt a variety of vertebrates, including water birds, partridges, pigeons, crows, and occasionally larger mammals like foxes.

The Spanish imperial eagle is classified as Vulnerable. Conservation efforts have led to a recovery from near extinction in the 1960s to a population of over 300 pairs by 2011. Threats include habitat loss, human encroachment, collisions with powerlines, and a decline in rabbit populations, their primary prey.

30-5-2021 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - EUROPEAN ROLLER (Coracias garrulas)

The European roller (Coracias garrulus) is the only member of the roller family of birds to breed in Europe. Its overall range extends into the Middle East, Central Asia and the Maghreb.

The European roller is found in a wide variety of habitats, avoiding only treeless plains. Nests usually in tree holes. It winters in Southern Africa - primarily in dry wooded savanna and bushy plains.

The European roller is a bird of warmer regions. The nominate subspecies breeds in northern Africa from Morocco to Tunisia, in southern and east-central Europe, and eastwards through northwestern Iran to southwestern Siberia. The subspecies C. g. semenowi breeds from Iraq and southern Iran east through Kashmir and southern Kazakhstan to Xinjiang. The European range was formerly more extensive, but there has been a long-term decline in the north and west, with extinction as a nesting bird in Sweden and Germany. The European roller is a long-distance migrant, wintering in Africa south of the Sahara in two distinct regions, from Senegal east to Cameroon and from Ethiopia west (with observations in the Degua Tembien mountains) to Congo and south to South Africa. Some populations migrate to Africa through India. 

30-5-2021 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - EUROPEAN ROLLER (Coracias garrulas)

This species is assessed as Least Concern. The population size and range are large and do not approach the thresholds for listing as Vulnerable and, although the population is still believed to be declining, the declines are not thought to be sufficiently rapid to warrant listing as Near Threatened. The European population is still thought to be declining but at a less severe rate and the Central Asian population is not thought to be suffering significant declines. Conservation actions in several countries have contributed to national recoveries.

In Europe, the breeding population is estimated to number 75,000-158,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015). The European population is thought to hold around 40% of the global breeding range; therefore a very approximate estimate of the global population is 188,000-395,000 mature individuals or 282,000-593,000 individuals. The species is here placed in the band 100,000-499,999 mature individuals and 200,000-600,000 individuals.

Spectacular and distinctive: overall brilliant blue, with a rusty back and a stout, crowlike bill; juvenile plumage duller overall. Favors open and semiopen country with scattered trees and wooded patches; often takes larger insects, such as grasshoppers. Mostly seen singly or in small groups, perched on prominent perches, such as bare snags and wires, as well as on the ground. Quiet outside of the breeding season, when birds give harsh rasping calls.

28-5-2021 MERIDA, ESTEMADURA - 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.

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.

28-5-2021 MERIDA, ESTEMADURA - EURASIAN SPOONBILL (Platalea leucorodia)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/3731-Platalea-leucorodia

25-5-2021 TABLAS DE DAMIEL, LA MANCHA - CRESTED LARK (Galerida cristata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/578607-Galerida-cristata

 

26-5-2021 TALARUBIAS, EXTREMADURA - CRESTED LARK (Galerida cristata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/578607-Galerida-cristata

 

27-5-2021 MERIDA, EXTRAMADURA - EUROPEAN GREENFINCH (Chloris chloris)

The European greenfinch, or simply greenfinch, is a small passerine bird belonging to the finch family Fringillidae. Exhibiting a predominantly green plumage with yellow accents on the wings and tail, the male is a vibrant sight, while the female and juveniles are more subdued with brownish tones. This bird measures approximately 15 cm in length with a wingspan ranging from 24.5 to 27.5 cm, resembling the size and shape of a house sparrow.

To identify the European greenfinch, look for its thick and conical bill, a characteristic of seed-eating birds. The male's plumage is a striking green with yellow flashes on the wings and tail, whereas the female and young birds are more muted with brownish backs. The male's display flight is akin to a butterfly, a dance to charm its mate.

The greenfinch favors woodland edges, farmland hedges, and gardens with dense vegetation for breeding. It nests in trees or bushes within these habitats.

This bird has a broad range across Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia. It is mainly sedentary, but some populations in the northernmost regions migrate southwards in colder months. The species has also been introduced to Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay, and Argentina.

25-5-2021 TABLAS DE DAMIEL, LA MANCHA - CORN BUNTING (Emberiza calandra)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/145291-Emberiza-calandra

 

20-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)

The African grey hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus) is a notable member of the hornbill family, a group of mainly tropical near-passerine birds. This species, with a length of 45–51 cm (18–20 in), is considered large, though it ranks among the smaller hornbills. Exhibiting a plumage of subdued grey and brown, the bird is darker on the head, flight feathers, and elongated tail. A distinctive white line graces each side of the crown, extending down the back and becoming visible only during flight.

Males can be distinguished by their dark upper mandible adorned with a creamy-yellow mark or stripe, while females boast a tricoloured, red-tipped mandible. Both sexes have a small casque on the upper bill, more pronounced in males. Juveniles resemble adults but initially have uniformly blackish bills. The flight of the African grey hornbill is characterized by a distinctive undulating pattern.

The African grey hornbill is partial to open woodlands and savannahs, where it can be found perched or in flight, traversing the expansive African skies.

This species is a widespread resident breeder across sub-Saharan Africa and extends its range into the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula.

The African grey hornbill is a sociable bird, often seen in pairs or small family groups. It is known for its piping "pee-o pee-o pee-o" call, a sound that resonates through its preferred habitats.

The call of the African grey hornbill is a distinctive and repetitive piping sequence, often rendered as "pee-o pee-o pee-o," which it uses to communicate within its habitat.

During the breeding season, the female lays two to four white eggs in a tree hollow. The entrance is sealed with a mixture of mud, droppings, and fruit pulp, leaving only a narrow slit for the male to pass food to the enclosed female and later, the chicks. As the nest becomes crowded, the female breaks free to assist in feeding the growing brood.

An omnivorous bird, the African grey hornbill's diet consists of insects, fruits, and occasionally reptiles. It predominantly forages in the trees, plucking its varied diet from the foliage.

The IUCN Red List categorizes the African grey hornbill as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant immediate threats to its survival.

20-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - COMMON RED FACED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius indicus ssp. transvaalensis)

The red-faced mousebird is a social, fruit-eating bird native to southern Africa, easily identified by its slaty-grey body, red facial skin, and long tail. They live in small flocks, preen each other, and breed between June and February, laying clutches of 2–6 eggs. Their diet consists primarily of fruit, but they also eat flowers, nectar, and leaves. 

Identification 

Appearance: Slaty-grey with a reddish facial patch, pale forehead, and a long, streamlined tail.Size: Approximately \(33\) cm long, with the tail making up more than half the length.Juveniles: Lack the crest and have a greenish facial mask. 

Behavior and social structure Gregarious: Almost always found in small flocks, typically of 3 to 10 individuals, and are very sociable.Social interactions: Engage in mutual preening and roost together at night.Vocalization: Give a distinctive, high-pitched call in flight. 

22-5-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - STINK BUG ( Family Pentatomidae)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/508136-Sciocoris-sideritidis

 

22-5-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Idaea ostrinaria)

Idaea ostrinaria (Coral-bordered Wave) is a small geometrid moth found in European, Mediterranean, and Western Asian xerophilous (dry) habitats, typically at 0–800m altitude. It features a characteristic coral-red bordered wing and is polyphagous, with larvae feeding on withered foliage and detritus from herbaceous plants like thyme (Thymus) and heliotrope (Heliotropium). 

Key Facts about Idaea ostrinaria:

Scientific Classification: Belongs to the order Lepidoptera, family Geometridae, and subfamily Sterrhinae.

Habitat: Prefers dry, coastal areas, and warm, open landscapes.

Appearance: Known for its reddish or "coral-bordered" wing markings, often featuring a delicate, pale, or brownish-grey ground color.

Larval Diet: Polyphagous, meaning they eat a variety of plants, including Labiatae (mint family), Boraginaceae, Campanulaceae, Convolvulaceae, and Caryophyllaceae.

Range: Primarily found in South-West Europe, the Mediterranean region, and parts of Western Asia.

Flight Season: Frequently observed in late spring and summer months (e.g., June sightings). 

22-5-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GRASS MOTH (METASIA CUENCALIS)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/468398-Metasia-cuencalis

 

22-5-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - ANGLE MOTH (Ortaliella perspersata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/937434-Ortaliella-perspersata

 

22-5-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CARPET MOTH (Almeria kalischata)

Almeria kalischata is a species of lepidopteran insects, more specifically moths, belonging to the family Geometridae.

The scientific authority on the species is Staudinger, having been described in 1870.

This is a species present in Portuguese and Spanish territory.

 

21-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN BUSHBUCK (MALE) (Tragelaphus scriptus)

The Cape bushbuck (Tragelaphus sylvaticus), also known as imbabala, is a common, medium-sized bushland-dwelling, and a widespread species of antelope in sub-Saharan Africa. It is found in a wide range of habitats, such as rain forests, montane forests, forest-savanna mosaic, savanna, bushveld, and woodland. It stands around 90 cm (35 in) at the shoulder and weigh from 45 to 80 kg (99 to 176 lb). They are generally solitary, territorial browsers.

Cape bushbucks stand around 90 cm (35 in) at the shoulder and weigh from 60 to 80 kg (130 to 180 lb) in males and 25 to 60 kg (55 to 132 lb)in females. They have a light brown coat, with up to seven white stripes and white splotches on the sides. The white patches are usually geometrically shaped and on the most mobile parts of their bodies, such as the ears, chin, tail, legs, and necks. The muzzles are also white. Horns, found only on the males, can reach over half a metre and have a single twist. At 10 months old, young males sprout horns that are particularly twisted and at maturity form the first loop of a spiral.

21-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN BROAD BORDERED GRASS YELLOW BUTTERFLY (Eurema brigitta ssp. brigitta)

The Broad-bordered Grass Yellow is a very common butterfly in grassland and savanna habitats, occurring over all of South Africa with the exception of most of the Western and Northern Cape provinces. They’re also widely distributed over the rest of Africa, the islands in the India Ocean, India, south-east Asia, and  Australia. Adults can be seen throughout the year, flying low to the ground, perching on flowers and blades of grass and often congregating at muddy puddles. At rest they’ll often hang below small plants, looking like dead leaves moving in the breeze. Adults have a wingspan of around 3.5cm. 

20-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - TROPICAL ANOMIS MOTH (Anomis flava)

Anomis flava, the cotton looper, tropical anomis or white-pupiled scallop moth, is a moth of the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775. It is found in large parts of the world, including China, Hawaii, São Tomé and Príncipe, the Society Islands, Thailand, New Zealand, and Australia (New South Wales, Norfolk Island, Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia). Subspecies Anomis flava fimbriago is found in North America.

The wingspan is about 28 mm.

The larvae feed on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Hibiscus cannabinus and Legnephora moorei and Gossypium hirsutum. 

20-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - CHOBE DWARF GECKO (Lygodactylus chobiensis)

The Okavango dwarf gecko or Chobe dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus chobiensis) is a species of gecko found along the Chobe and Zambesi Rivers and into the Okavango Delta, and into Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

A large dwarf gecko (normally 25–30 mm in snout–vent length) with males being slightly larger than the females. It has a blue-grey back covered with large pale spots and a yellow belly. The male throat may be black or pale yellow and has two dark chevrons.

They mature at around 9 months and have a lifespan of 18 months.

The Okavango dwarf gecko is normally arboreal and can found on tree trunks and sometimes buildings of the tropical savanna and flooded grasslands. It prefers to forage high up in trees and can often be found on acacia, baobab and mopane trees.

Their diet is mainly ants and termites.

Reproduction occurs throughout the year and two hard-shelled eggs (5 × 6.5 mm) are laid every 8 weeks beneath the tree bark or in disused termite mound. The eggs hatch in about 125 days and the young geckos are about 30 mm in length.

20-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - EMERALD SPOTTED WOOD DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos)

The emerald-spotted wood dove or emerald-spotted dove (Turtur chalcospilos) is a bird of the family Columbidae, resident across eastern and southern Africa. It is a species of open drier deciduous woodland and second growth. It is absent from evergreen rainforests and semidesert areas.

The emerald-spotted wood dove is a small plump pigeon, typically 20 cm in length. Its back, hindneck, wings, and tail are pale grey-brown, and the folded wings have green metallic patches. There are blackish bands on the lower back and tail. The forehead, crown, and nape are bluish-grey, fading to pinkish-grey on the throat. The underparts are mauve-pink, becoming whiter on the belly.

The bill of this dove is blackish with a red base. The sexes are similar, but the female may be slightly duller than the male. The immature has duller green spots and buff fringes to the feathers. When flying, the black-billed wood dove is told from this species by its bright chestnut underwings.

The call is in three parts: two soft long coos, followed by a series of slow descending coos lasting 10 seconds, and concluding with 4 seconds of rapid coos, which decrease in volume.

This species shows some geographical variation in plumage, but differences are clinal, and emerald-spotted wood dove is now considered to be monotypic.

20-5-2021 TURIA GARDENS, VALENCIA - EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (FEMALE) (Turdus merula)

Female Eurasian Blackbirds (Turdus merula) are distinct from their glossy-black, yellow-billed male counterparts. They are dark sooty-brown with a brownish-white throat, a dull yellowish-brown bill, and a faintly speckled or mottled breast. Females weigh about 80–125 grams and measure 23.5–29 cm in length.

Appearance and Camouflage

Unlike the iconic deep black plumage and bright orange-yellow eye-rings of the males, female Eurasian Blackbirds have adapted a cryptic, earthy appearance. Their dark brown upperparts and subtly streaked breast feathers provide vital camouflage against predators while they sit on nests in dense thickets and hedgerows.

Nesting and Reproduction

Females handle the heavy lifting during the breeding season. They construct a sturdy, deep cup-shaped nest using dry grass, small twigs, leaves, and moss, binding it together with mud and lining it with fine grass. They typically lay a clutch of 2 to 5 bluish-green or pale blue eggs, which are heavily mottled with reddish-brown spots. The female incubates the eggs alone for roughly 12 to 14 days, though both parents share the responsibility of feeding the hatchlings.

Diet and Foraging Behavior

Eurasian Blackbirds are highly flexible omnivores. During the spring and summer, females actively hunt protein-rich foods, using their bills to probe leaf litter and turn over mulch in search of earthworms and insects. In the autumn and winter, their diet shifts to accommodate available resources, and they heavily rely on berries, fallen fruit, and seeds.

Vocalization

Though males are universally celebrated for their rich, fluting caroling songs, female Eurasian Blackbirds also sing. A female's song is generally quieter, shorter, and less complex than the male's, typically performed softly during the courtship period or when defending their territory.

20-5-2021 TURIA GARDENS, VALENCIA - EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (MALE) (Turdus merula)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/12716-Turdus-merula

 

20-5-2021 TURIA GARDENS, VALENCIA - EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (FEMALE) (Turdus merula)

The Common Blackbird, Turdus merula, is a true thrush and a familiar sight in gardens and woodlands. The male is distinguished by its all-black plumage, bright yellow eye-ring, and orange-yellow bill, which darkens slightly during winter. Females and juveniles are more demure in their attire, sporting mainly dark brown feathers.

Adult males are entirely black with the exception of the yellow eye-ring and bill. Females are sooty-brown with a duller bill, and juveniles resemble females but have pale spots on their upperparts. The very young may also exhibit a speckled breast.