28-5-2016 BENIARJO, VALENCIA - COMMON HOUSE MARTIN (Delichon urbicum)

The Common house martin (Delichon urbicum) is a migratory passerine bird which breeds in Europe, North Africa and across the Palearctic; and winters in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia. It feeds on insects that are caught in flight, and it migrates to climates where flying insects are plentiful. Both the scientific and colloquial names of the bird are related to its use of human-made structures. It builds a closed cup nest from mud pellets under eaves or similar locations on buildings usually in colonies.

The Common house martin is steel-blue above with a white rump, and white underparts, including the underwings; even its short legs have white downy feathering. It has brown eyes and a small black bill, and its toes and exposed parts of the legs are pink. The sexes are similar, but the juvenile bird is sooty black, and some of its wing coverts and quills have white tips and edgings.

Population size

10-500 Mlnlnn

Life Span

5-14 years

Weight

18

goz

g oz 

Length

13

cminch

cm inch 

Wingspan

26-29

cminch

cm inch 

Common house martins breed in Europe, North Africa, and across the Palearctic and winter in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia. They prefer open country with low vegetation, such as pasture, meadows, and farmland, usually near water. They may also be found in mountains and near trees since they provide insect food and also roosting sites. On their wintering grounds, Common house martins use similar open habitats. In the tropical parts of their wintering range, like East Africa and Thailand, they occur mainly in the higher areas.

Common house martins are social birds. They spend most of their day flying for hours hunting their prey. Common house martins hunt at a height of 21 m (69 ft) during the breeding season, typically within 450 m (1,480 ft) of the nest. They will also follow the plough or large animals to catch disturbed insects. On the wintering grounds, they usually hunt at a greater height of over 50 m (160 ft). Common house martins are migrants who move on a broad front, and they usually travel in daylight. They are noisy birds, especially in their breeding colonies. The male's song, given throughout the year, is a soft twitter of melodious chirps. The contact call is a hard 'chirrrp', and the alarm is a shrill 'tseep'.

28-5-2016 BENIARJO, VALENCIA - WESTERN CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis ssp. ibis)

The Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a cosmopolitan species of heron named for its association with cattle. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Bubulcus, although some authorities regard its two subspecies as full species, the Western cattle egret and the Eastern cattle egret. Despite the similarities in plumage to the egrets of the genus Egretta, it is more closely related to the herons of Ardea.

The Cattle egret is a stocky bird. It has a relatively short, thick neck, a sturdy bill, and a hunched posture. The nonbreeding adult has mainly white plumage, a yellow bill, and greyish-yellow legs. During the breeding season, adults of the nominate western subspecies develop orange-buff plumes on the back, breast, and crown, and the bill, legs, and irises become bright red for a brief period prior to pairing. The sexes are similar, but the male is marginally larger and has slightly longer breeding plumes than the female; juvenile birds lack coloured plumes and have a black bill.

Cattle egrets are native to parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe but they have undergone a rapid expansion in their distribution and successfully colonized much of the rest of the world in the last century. Many populations of Cattle egrets are highly migratory, while others are dispersive, and distinguishing between the two can be difficult. In many areas, populations can be both sedentary and migratory. In the Northern Hemisphere, migration is from cooler climes to warmer areas, but Cattle egrets nesting in Australia migrate to cooler Tasmania and New Zealand in the winter and return in the spring. Migration in western Africa is in response to rainfall, and in South America, migrating birds travel south of their breeding range in the non-breeding season. Populations in southern India appear to show local migrations in response to the monsoons. Cattle egrets inhabit wetlands, dry grassy habitats, semi-arid steppes, floodplains, freshwater swamps, shallow marshes, and mangroves. They are often found in fields, croplands, and pastures with poor drainage. When nesting, Cattle egrets are found in woodlands near lakes or rivers, in swamps, or on small inland or coastal islands.

Cattle egrets are diurnal, feeding by day and sleeping at night. They are highly social; they feed in flocks and nest in colonies. Cattle egrets share roosting colonies with other colonial waterbirds. Adapted to foraging on land, Cattle egrets have lost the ability possessed by their wetland relatives to accurately correct for light refraction by water. They are usually found with cattle and other large grazing and browsing animals and catch small creatures disturbed by the mammals. Cattle egrets weakly defend the area around a grazing animal against others of the same species, but if the area is swamped by egrets, they will give up and continue foraging elsewhere. Where numerous large animals are present, Cattle egrets selectively forage around species that move at around 5-15 steps per minute, avoiding faster and slower moving herds; in Africa, Cattle egrets prefer to forage behind Plains zebras, Waterbuck, Blue wildebeest, and Cape buffalo. Dominant birds feed nearest to the host and thus obtain more food. Cattle egrets are usually silent but will produce a quiet, throaty ‘rick-rack’ call at the breeding colony.

26-5-2016 MONTE CORONA, ADOR - SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria)

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.

26-5-2016 MONTE CORONA, ADOR - LARGE PSAMMODROMUS LIZARD (Psammodromus algirus

Distribution: Iberia excluding the northern Atlantic coastal stretch. South west France.

English name: Large or Algerian Psammodromus

Scientific name: Psammodromus algirus (Linnaeus 1758)

Castilian: Lagartija Colilarga

Family: Lacertidae

When to see them: The Large, or Algerian Psammodromus is the most numerous of the lizard species found in Iberia. They can be active throughout the year if the temperature exceeds 15 degrees, only hibernating in areas where the temperature drops lower than this. They are generally diurnal but may also be out on summer nights.

The Large Psammodromus lizard is a long, slender lizard which has incredible agility and speed. Their tails are very long and slim sometimes up to twice the length of the body, it’s limbs are also long and thin allowing short burst of high speed. It’s head is slightly pointed.

The lizard’s back is a soft milk-chocolate brown colour and there are two creamy -yellow stripes running down each flank. The back legs up to the base of the tail are a soft rust-orange colour. The body scales are somewhat ‘jagged’ keeled, pointed and almost upturned on each scale end.

Their subtle colouration camouflages them in the habitats they frequent, against the soil and dried vegetation under shrubs in forests, woodland or more open scrubland. They may be seen out in the open, but generally stick fairly close to shrubs that they can hunt through and use as cover and shelter.

Psammodromus lizards are very agile and climb nimbly through shrubs and hedges, sometimes giving away their position as they rustle through dry leaves.

This species  adapts readily to a variety of habitats from sea level up to around 2600m in altitude in the warmer southern areas of their distribution range.

Their diet consists mainly of arthropods – beetles, spiders, grasshoppers and ants, they will also eat other small lizards and fruit or seeds.

Breeding begins in the spring and there may be two or rarely three clutches consisting of between 2 to 11 eggs. The incubation time can vary from one to six weeks with the young appearing from August through to October. The young are 2.5 to 3cm in body length and have the same colouration and patterns as the adults. This species may live up to 7 years, reaching their sexual maturity when they are two years old.

25-5-2016 MARJAL DE MOROS, SAGUNTO - COMMON POCHARD (FEMALE)

The common pochard (; Aythya ferina ) is a medium-sized diving duck. The scientific name is derived from Greek aithuia an unidentified seabird mentioned by authors including Hesychius and Aristotle, and Latin ferina, "wild game", from ferus, "wild".

The adult male has a long dark bill with a grey band, a red head and neck, a black breast, red eyes and a grey back. The adult female has a brown head and body and a narrower grey bill-band. The triangular head shape is distinctive. Pochards are superficially similar to the closely related North American redhead and canvasback.

Their breeding habitat consists of marshes and lakes with a metre or more water depth. Pochards breed in much of temperate and northern Europe and across the Palearctic. They are migratory, and spend winter in the south and west of Europe.

In the British Isles, birds breed in eastern England and lowland Scotland, in small numbers in Northern Ireland with numbers increasing gradually, and sporadically in the Republic of Ireland, where it may also be increasing. While uncommon, individuals are also occasionally seen in the south of England, and small populations are sometimes observed on the River Thames. Large numbers stay overwinter in Great Britain, after the birds retreat from Russia and Scandinavia.

25-5-2016 MARJAL DE MOROS, SAGUNTO - COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo)

The Common tern (Sterna hirundo) is a seabird that has a circumpolar distribution. it has four subspecies breeding in temperate and subarctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Its large population and huge breeding range mean that this species is classed as being of least concern, although numbers in North America have declined sharply in recent decades.

Known for its attractive plumage and graceful flight, Common terns have a slender body and a smoothly rounded head, and long pointed wings. Their breeding plumage is light silvery-gray upperparts and clear black outer primaries on its wingtips. Outside the breeding season, the birds keep some of their distinguishable black cap, but their forehead and face turn white. Their legs and bill turn black, losing their orange-red coloration. Male and female are similar in appearance throughout the year. Juvenile Common terns have pale grey upper wings with a dark carpal bar. The crown and nape are brown, and the forehead is ginger, wearing to white by autumn. The upper parts are ginger with brown and white scaling, and the tail lacks the adult's long outer feathers. Birds in their first post-juvenile plumage, which normally remain in their wintering areas, resemble the non-breeding adult but have a duskier crown, dark carpal bar, and often very worn plumage. By their second year, most young terns are either indistinguishable from adults, or show only minor differences such as a darker bill or white forehead.

26-5-2016 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SHORT TOED TREE CREEPER (Certhia brachydactylba)

The short-toed treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla ) is a small passerine bird found in woodlands through much of the warmer regions of Europe and into north Africa. It has a generally more southerly distribution than the other European treecreeper species, the common treecreeper, with which it is easily confused where they both occur. The short-toed treecreeper tends to prefer deciduous trees and lower altitudes than its relative in these overlap areas. Although mainly sedentary, vagrants have occurred outside the breeding range.

The short-toed treecreeper is one of a group of four very similar Holarctic treecreepers, including the closely related North American brown creepers, and has five subspecies differing in appearance and song. Like other treecreepers, the short-toed is inconspicuously plumaged brown above and whitish below, and has a curved bill and stiff tail feathers. It is a resident in woodlands throughout its range, and nests in tree crevices or behind bark flakes, laying about six eggs. This common, unwary, but inconspicuous species feeds mainly on insects which are picked from the tree trunk as the treecreeper ascends with short hops.

25-5-2016 MARJAL DE MOROS, SAGUNTO - COLLARED PRATINCOLE (Glareola pratincola)

The collared pratincole (Glareola pratincola ), also known as the common pratincole or red-winged pratincole, is a wader in the pratincole family, Glareolidae. As with other pratincoles, it is native to the Old World.

The genus name is a diminutive of Latin glarea, "gravel", referring to a typical nesting habitat for pratincoles. The species name pratincola means an inhabitant of meadows, from Latin pratum, prati, "meadow" and incola, "inhabitant", from incolere, "to inhabit".

Elegant, agile flier that looks like a cross between a plover and a swallow. Adult is warm gray-brown with an elegant “necklace” and red bill base. Juvenile is grayer, with white-fringed feathers. Very narrow (sometimes unnoticeable) white trailing edges to wings and dark rusty underwings distinguish this species from similar pratincoles. Usually seen in buoyant flight over open country, from dry fields to grassy wetlands with muddy shorelines. Inconspicuous on the ground; note short-legged and very long-winged “horizontal” profile. Feeds mainly in flight, sweeping back and forth like a giant swallow to snatch aerial insects.

This pratincole is 24–28 cm (9.4–11.0 in) long with a 60–70 cm (24–28 in) wingspan. It has short legs, long pointed wings, a long forked tail, and a short bill, which is an adaptation to aerial feeding. The back and head are brown, and the wings are brown with darker flight feathers. The belly is white. The underwings are chestnut, but look dark below.

Very good views are needed to distinguish this species from other pratincoles, such as the black-winged pratincole and the oriental pratincole, which may occur in its range. The latter species also has a chestnut underwing, but is shorter-tailed.

The collared pratincole is a bird of open country, and is often seen near water in the evening, hawking for insects. It is found in the warmer parts of Europe, southwest Asia and Africa. It is migratory, wintering in tropical Africa, and is rare north of the breeding range.

Pratincoles are unusual among waders in that they typically hunt their insect prey on the wing like swallows, although they can also feed on the ground.

The species lays 2–4 eggs on the ground.

25-5-2016 MARJAL DE MOROS, SAGUNTO - BLACK WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)

Black-winged stilts (Himantopus himantopus) are very long-legged wading birds. They are found in both warm and hot climates, feed on small aquatic creatures, and nest on the ground surface in small colonies.

Adult Black-winged stilts have long, pink legs, and a long, rather thin black bill. They are generally black above and white below, with a white head and neck. Males have a black back, often with a greenish gloss or sheen. Females' backs have a brownish hue, contrasting with the black remiges. In populations where the top of the head is normally white (at least in winter), females tend to have less black on the head and neck the entire year round, while males often have much more black, particularly in summer. This difference is not clear-cut, however, and males usually grow all-white head feathers in winter. Immature birds are grey, instead of black, and have a markedly sandy hue on their wings, with light feather fringes appearing as a whitish line in flight.

25-5-2016 ALBORAYA, VALENCIA - MALLARD (MALE) (Anas platyrhynchos)

The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa. Mallards live in wetlands, eat water plants and small animals, and prefer to congregate in flocks of varying sizes. Unlike many waterfowl, mallards are considered an invasive species in some regions. It is a very adaptable species, being able to live and even thrive in urban areas. This species is the main ancestor of most breeds of domestic duck, and its naturally evolved wild gene pool has been genetically polluted by the domestic and feral mallard populations.

The magnificent mallard is one of the most recognizable bird species around the world. When flying, the bird displays a purplish-blue speculum, which is outlined in white. Males of this species are particularly colorful. Breeding males have a yellow beak, dark brown chest, black and white tail as well as bright green head and neck. They exhibit a white ring at the base of their neck. In addition, the sides of breeding males and most of their wings are gray. On the other hand, the plumage of female mallards and non-breeding males is less vivid and colorful. The overall plumage of female mallards is spotted with tan and brown patches, and the head is a lighter tan, showing dark bands near the crown and eyes. Females have orange-colored beaks, covered with dark spots. Females and non-breeding males generally look alike, though the latter have yellowish beaks.

25-5-2016 ALBORAIA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN MAGPIE (Pica pica)

No bird family occupies more of a place in folklore and literature than the Corvids. They’re the subject of Edgar Allen Poe narratives, local tales of witchcraft, ominous residents of medieval prisons, and age-old children’s nursery rhymes.

They’re a symbol of both dark superstition and reverence. And while crows and ravens hold much of the spotlight, the striking and intelligent magpie more than pulls its weight in this regard.

They’re particularly smart, very social, and almost always referred to as a symbol of something bigger than themselves.

In Europe, this is usually a bad thing, in Asia, it’s often good luck. Many species are thriving, but some are in great danger.

Population size

46-228 Mlnlnn

Life Span

3-21.8 years

Weight

182-272

goz

g oz 

Length

44-46

cminch

cm inch 

Wingspan

52-62

cminch

cm inch 

20-12-2015 SINGAPORE - YELLOW BELLIED BULBUL (

The yellow-bellied bulbul (Alophoixus phaeocephalus) is a species of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is found on the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

The yellow-bellied bulbul was originally described in the genus Ixos and alternatively classified in the now defunct genus Trichixos. It was later placed in the genus Criniger until moved to the genus Alophoixus in 2009.

Alternate names for the yellow-bellied bulbul include the crestless white-throated bulbul, grey-capped bulbul, grey-headed bearded bulbul, grey-headed bulbul, white-throated bulbul and yellow-bellied bearded-bulbul. The common name 'yellow-bellied bulbul' is also used as an alternate name for the yellow-bellied greenbul. The alternate name 'grey-headed bulbul' should not be confused with the species of the same name, Pycnonotus priocephalus. The common name 'yellow-bellied bulbul' is also used as an alternate name for the white-throated bulbul. The alternate name 'white-throated bulbul' should not be confused with the species of the same name, Alophoixus flaveolus.

23-5-2016 - LA SAFOR, VALENCIA - COMMON WOOD PIGEON (Columba palumbus)

The common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus), also known as simply wood pigeon, is a large species in the dove and pigeon family (Columbidae), native to the western Palearctic. It belongs to the genus Columba, which includes closely related species such as the rock dove (Columba livia). It has a flexible diet, predominantly feeding on vegetable matter, including cereal crops, leading to them being regarded as an agricultural pest. Wood pigeons are extensively hunted over large parts of their range, but this does not seem to have a great impact on their population.

In the colder northern and eastern parts of Europe and western Asia the common wood pigeon is a migrant, but in southern and western Europe it is a well distributed and often abundant resident. In Great Britain wood pigeons are commonly seen in parks and gardens and are seen with increasing numbers in towns and cities.

Its flight is quick, performed by regular beats, with an occasional sharp flick of the wings, characteristic of pigeons in general. It takes off with a loud clattering. It perches well, and in its nuptial display walks along a horizontal branch with swelled neck, lowered wings, and fanned tail. During the display flight the bird climbs, the wings are smartly cracked like a whiplash, and the bird glides down on stiff wings. The common wood pigeon is gregarious, often forming very large flocks outside the breeding season. Like many species of pigeon, wood pigeons take advantage of trees and buildings to gain a vantage point over the surrounding area, and their distinctive call means that they are usually heard before they are seen.

Wood pigeons are known to fiercely defend their territory, and will fight each other to gain access to nesting and roosting locations. Male wood pigeons will typically attempt to drive competitors off by threat displays and pursuit, but will also directly fight, jumping and striking their rival with both wings.

This species can be an agricultural pest, and it is often shot, being a legal quarry species in most European countries. It is wary in rural areas, but often quite tame where it is not persecuted.

23-5-2016 - LA SAFOR, VALENCIA - SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata)

The Spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) is a small passerine bird found in most of Europe, Africa, and Asia. This species was described by the German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas in 1764 and has five recognized subspecies. It is declining in parts of its range.

The Spotted flycatcher is a slim bird with dull grey-brown upperparts and off-white underparts. The crown, throat, and breast are streaked with brown while the wings and tail feathers are edged with paler thin margins. The subspecies M. s. tyrrhenica has paler and warmer plumage on the upperparts, with more diffuse markings on the head and breast. The sexes are alike. Juveniles have ochre-buff spots above and scaly brown spots below.

Spotted flycatchers occur in Europe and in the Palearctic to Siberia, and winter in Africa and southwestern Asia. They prefer deciduous or woodlands, parks, and gardens with open areas amongst trees.

Population size

54-83 Mln

Life Span

2-8 years

Weight

14-20

goz

g oz 

Length

15

cminch

cm inch 

Wingspan

24

cminch

cm inch