10-2-2017 GANDIA, VALENCIA - COMMON CHAFFINCH (FEMALE) (Fringilla coelebs)

The Eurasian chaffinch, or simply the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), presents a striking dichotomy in plumage between the sexes. The male is resplendent with a blue-grey cap and rust-red underparts, while the female's attire is more subdued, though both genders boast two white wing bars and white sides to their tails. The male's robust voice is a herald of spring, as he sings from exposed perches to court a mate.

To identify the male chaffinch, look for the black forehead, blue-grey crown, and rust-red breast, which fades to a pale creamy-pink on the belly. The wings feature a white panel on the coverts and a buff-white bar on the secondaries and inner primaries. Females and juveniles are more muted with grey-brown shades above and paler below, but retain the distinctive wing markings.

The Eurasian chaffinch, or simply the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), presents a striking dichotomy in plumage between the sexes. The male is resplendent with a blue-grey cap and rust-red underparts, while the female's attire is more subdued, though both genders boast two white wing bars and white sides to their tails. The male's robust voice is a herald of spring, as he sings from exposed perches to court a mate.

To identify the male chaffinch, look for the black forehead, blue-grey crown, and rust-red breast, which fades to a pale creamy-pink on the belly. The wings feature a white panel on the coverts and a buff-white bar on the secondaries and inner primaries. Females and juveniles are more muted with grey-brown shades above and paler below, but retain the distinctive wing markings.

Chaffinches favor wooded environments, thriving in areas where the July isotherm ranges from 12 to 30°C. They are adaptable, however, and can be found in a variety of forested landscapes across their range.

This small passerine bird is widespread across Europe and parts of Asia, extending to Siberia. It is also an introduced species in some regions, such as New Zealand and South Africa.

Chaffinches are gregarious outside the breeding season, forming flocks in open countryside. They exhibit partial migration, with birds in colder regions moving south for the winter, while those in milder areas may remain sedentary.

The male chaffinch's song is a delightful mix of trills and chirps, with regional dialects adding to the chorus. Each male typically has a repertoire of two or three song types.

Monogamous by nature, chaffinches breed once they reach one year of age. The female meticulously constructs a nest in the fork of a tree, laying a clutch of 4-5 eggs that hatch in about 13 days. The fledglings take to the wing approximately 14 days later but continue to receive parental care for several weeks thereafter.

During the breeding season, chaffinches forage in trees for invertebrates, particularly caterpillars, to feed their young. Outside this period, their diet shifts to seeds and plant material found on the ground.

With its large numbers and expansive range, the Eurasian chaffinch is classified as of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. There is no evidence of significant population declines at present.

Chaffinches must be vigilant against a variety of predators, including crows and squirrels, which may prey upon their eggs and nestlings. They are also susceptible to parasites such as the protozoal Trichomonas gallinae and the Fringilla coelebs papillomavirus, which can cause tumors on their feet and legs.

9-2-2017 KIKOPORT OLIVA, VALENCIA - COMMON KINGFISHER (FEMALE) (Alcedo atthis)

The Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is a small kingfisher widely distributed across Eurasia and North Africa. It is amongst the most colorful birds but despite its extraordinary colors, sometimes the Common kingfisher is difficult to see when it is in a dappled shade, and its colors are also not very obvious in flight. Furthermore, due to its shy nature, the Common kingfisher often remains hidden from a human's eye.

The Common kingfisher has the typical short-tailed, dumpy-bodied, large-headed, and long-billed shape. The adult male of the western European subspecies, A. a. ispida has green-blue upperparts with pale azure-blue back and rump, a rufous patch by the bill base, and a rufous ear patch. It has a green-blue neck stripe, white neck blaze and throat, rufous underparts, and a black bill with some red at the base. The legs and feet are bright red. The female is identical in appearance to the male except that her lower mandible is orange-red with a black tip. The juvenile is similar to the adult but with duller and greener upperparts and paler underparts. Its bill is black, and the legs are also initially black. Feathers are moulted gradually between July and November with the main flight feathers taking 90-100 days to moult and regrow. Some that moult late may suspend their moult during cold winter weather.

The Common kingfisher occurs throughout Europe and in Asia as far to the east as Japan, and south of the Sahara in Africa. Common kingfishers live year-round in the south, while northern populations fly south in winter away from the freezing water. In temperate regions, these birds inhabit clear, slow-flowing streams and rivers, and lakes with well-vegetated banks. They frequent scrubs and bushes with overhanging branches close to shallow open water in which they hunt. In winter Common kingfishers are more coastal, often feeding in estuaries or harbors and along rocky seashores. Tropical populations are found near slow-flowing rivers, in mangrove creeks, and swamps.

As with all kingfishers, the Common kingfisher is very territorial, mainly because each day it has to eat about 60% of its body weight. They even defend their territory against their mates and offspring. Individuals are solitary for most of the year, roosting in heavy cover beside their favorite hunting spot. When another kingfisher comes into its territory, the birds will both sit on a perch at some distance from one another and perform territorial displays, usually the display of beaks and plumage. Fights occasionally occur, one bird grabbing the other one’s beak and trying to hold their opponent under the water. Their flight is very fast, causing their wings to seem like a blue haze. These birds communicate vocally and are well known for a long, trilling call like a repetition of the sound “chee”. During mating, the male whistles loudly to a female and will chase her through and above the trees. When diving for prey, their eyes are covered by a membrane and they rely on touch alone to know when they should snap their jaws shut.

Common kingfishers are serially monogamous and seek a new mate every year. They nest on their own. The female is given food by the male before copulation, usually a fish. 2-3 clutches of eggs are laid yearly, in April, and another by July, with sometimes, a third in early October. Nests are on sandy banks along streams. Sometimes they use a hole in a wall or a rotten tree stump, or a termite mound, where they dig a tunnel and at the end create a nest chamber. Both the male and the female work to excavate a 50 to 90-cm-long burrow, taking turns. 6 to 7 white eggs are laid and incubation lasts around 19 to 21 days, done by both parents. Usually, the female does the brooding at night and both parents do it during the day. Young are given food by both their parents and they fledge at about 23-24 days, sometimes more. Four days later they make their first dive. Very soon they become independent and leave the territory where they were born.

The Common kingfisher in most parts of its range is indeed common, but it is under threat from river pollution, disturbances, and human developments. It is also vulnerable to bouts of severe winter weather, as it is unable to feed when bodies of water freeze over.

Common kingfishers serve as a good indicator of the health of an ecosystem. As they feed on small aquatic animals, toxins in the water affect them severely. A strong kingfisher population therefore usually means a healthy habitat. Common kingfishers are also important predators throughout their range of small fish from freshwater habitats, thus controlling their populations.

A Common kingfisher has advanced eyesight, polarizing light being one of its abilities, reducing light’s reflection off the water.

The blue and green colors that Common kingfishers are famous for are due to iridescence, not pigment, so in a different light and from different angles they will appear to have a different color.

Kingfishers in Greek mythology were seen as the Halcyon bird, having the power to control the waves and wind.

There are 87 species of kingfisher, but the Common kingfisher is the only one that breeds in Europe.

When diving for a meal, the Common kingfisher often completely submerges in the water, with its wings folded back to form a V shape. It is even able to dive straight through thin ice after a fish.

9-2-2017 PLAYA OLIVA, VALENCIA - BLACK REDSTART (FEMALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)

The Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small, charismatic passerine bird, exhibiting a blend of dark and vibrant plumage. Males are distinguished by their dark grey to black upperparts and breast, with a striking orange-red rump and tail. Females and juveniles are more subdued in color, with grey to grey-brown feathers and the same vivid tail coloration that is the hallmark of the species.

Adult males are easily identified by their dark upperparts and black breast, contrasting with the orange-red lower rump and tail. The belly and undertail may vary from blackish-grey to orange-red, depending on the subspecies. Females and juveniles are less conspicuous, with overall greyer tones and a distinctive orange-red rump and tail. The presence of pale fringes on the secondaries forms a whitish wing panel in some subspecies.

The Black Redstart has adapted remarkably to urban environments, often found nesting in crevices or holes within buildings. Originally a dweller of stony mountainous regions, it now thrives in industrial areas with similar structural features.

This species is widely distributed across south and central Europe, Asia, and north-west Africa. It is a resident in milder regions, while populations in the northeast migrate to warmer areas during winter.

The Black Redstart is known for its robin-like movements, including quick ducks of the head and body, and frequent tail flicking. Males possess a rattling song and a tick call, adding to their distinctive presence.

9-2-2017 MARJAL DE OLIVA, VALENCIA - COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita)

The Common chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) is a widespread leaf warbler found throughout northern and temperate Europe and the Palearctic. It has a number of subspecies, some of which are now treated as full species. The female of this species is responsible for building a nest and assumes most of the responsibility for brooding and feeding the chicks, whilst the male has little involvement in nesting, but defends his territory against rivals, and attacks potential predators.

The Common chiffchaff is greenish-brown above and off-white below. It has dark legs, a fine dark bill, and a short primary projection (extension of the flight feathers beyond the folded wing). As the plumage wears, it gets duller and browner, and the yellow on the flanks tends to be lost. The newly fledged juvenile is browner above than the adult, with yellow-white underparts, but molts about 10 weeks after acquiring its first plumage. After molting, both the adult and the juvenile have brighter and greener upper parts and a paler supercilium (also known as an "eyebrow).

Common chiffchaffs breed across Europe and Asia, with isolated populations in northwest Africa, northern and western Turkey, and northwestern Iran. They are migratory birds that winter in southern and western Europe, southern Asia, and North Africa. Their breeding habitat includes open woodlands with some taller trees and ground cover for nesting purposes. In winter, Common chiffchaffs use a wider range of habitats including scrub, and willow thickets, and are often found near water. They also frequent parks, gardens, hedgerows, and cultivated areas.

Common chiffchaffs are active diurnal birds. They are generally solitary but may join small flocks including other warblers prior to migration. Chiffchaffs forage both on the ground and in bushes, low vegetation, and trees, moving restlessly through foliage or briefly hovering. They may even pick insects from the water surface. These small birds require about one-third of their weight in insects daily, and they feed almost continuously in the autumn to put on extra fat as fuel for the long migration flight. Common chiffchaffs are among the last songbirds to leave in late autumn and are one of the first to return to their breeding areas in the spring and their repetitive cheerful 'chiff-chaff' song is one of the first signs that spring has returned. Their common call is a soft and simple 'hooeet' or 'hweet' and mates communicate with each other using short 'drit' or 'it'.

9-2-2017 CAMI LES FONTS OLIVA, 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.

Mallards are found across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres; in North America, their range extends from southern and central Alaska to Mexico, the Hawaiian Islands, across the Palearctic, from Iceland and southern Greenland and parts of Morocco (North Africa) in the west, Scandinavia and Britain to the north, and to Siberia, Japan, and South Korea. Also in the east, it ranges to south-eastern and south-western Australia and New Zealand in the Southern hemisphere. Mallards are strongly migratory in the northern parts of their breeding range and winter farther south. They live in a wide range of habitats and climates, from the Arctic tundra to subtropical regions. They can be found in both fresh- and salt-water wetlands, including parks, small ponds, rivers, lakes, and estuaries, as well as shallow inlets and open seas within sight of the coastline. Water depths of less than 0.9 m (3.0 ft) are preferred, with birds avoiding areas more than a few meters deep. They are attracted to bodies of water with aquatic vegetation.

9-2-2017 KIKOPORT OLIVA, VALENCIA - MALLARD (MALE) (Anas platyrhynchos)

The mallard (/ˈmælɑːrd, ˈmælərd/) or wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa. It has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa. This duck belongs to the subfamily Anatinae of the waterfowl family Anatidae. Males have green heads, while the females (hens or ducks) have mainly brown-speckled plumage. Both sexes have an area of white-bordered black or iridescent purple or blue feathers called a speculum on their wings; males especially tend to have blue speculum feathers. The mallard is 50–65 cm (20–26 in) long, of which the body makes up around two-thirds the length. The wingspan is 81–98 cm (32–39 in) and the bill is 4.4 to 6.1 cm (1.7 to 2.4 in) long. It is often slightly heavier than most other dabbling ducks, weighing 0.7–1.6 kg (1.5–3.5 lb). Mallards live in wetlands, eat water plants and small animals, and are social animals preferring to congregate in groups or flocks of varying sizes.

The female lays 8 to 13 creamy white to greenish-buff spotless eggs, on alternate days. Incubation takes 27 to 28 days and fledging takes 50 to 60 days. The ducklings are precocial and fully capable of swimming as soon as they hatch.

9-2-2017 KIKOPORT OLIVA, VALENCIA - MALLARD (FEMALE) (Anas platyrhynchos)

The Mallard, or wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos), is a familiar and widespread dabbling duck with a presence across temperate and subtropical regions of the Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa. It has also been introduced to parts of the Southern Hemisphere. The male is renowned for its iridescent green head and white collar, while the female sports a brown-speckled plumage. Both sexes boast a speculum—a patch of feathers with iridescent purple or blue hues bordered by white. The Mallard's length ranges from 50 to 65 cm, with a wingspan of 81 to 98 cm, and it typically weighs between 0.7 and 1.6 kg.

Males during the breeding season are unmistakable with their glossy green heads, white collars, and purple-tinged brown breasts. Females are mottled brown with buff cheeks and an eye-stripe. Both sexes have the distinctive speculum on their wings. The male's bill is yellowish-orange tipped with black, while the female's is darker, ranging from black to mottled orange and brown.

Mallards are found in a variety of wetlands, including parks, small ponds, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. They prefer water depths less than 0.9 meters and are drawn to areas with aquatic vegetation.

This species is distributed across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, from Alaska to Mexico, the Hawaiian Islands, across the Palearctic, and down to southeastern and southwestern Australia and New Zealand.

Mallards are social birds that often form large flocks outside the breeding season. They are adaptable and can thrive in urban areas. The species is migratory in the northern parts of its range.

The female Mallard is known for its quintessential "quack," while the male's call is a quieter and deeper version of the female's. Vocalizations can vary by region, with urban ducks being louder than their rural counterparts.

Breeding pairs form in the fall, with the female laying 8 to 13 creamy white to greenish-buff eggs. Incubation lasts 27 to 28 days, and ducklings are precocial, swimming immediately after hatching.

Mallards are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of foods including seeds, plant matter, insects, crustaceans, and small animals. Their diet varies with the season and breeding cycle.

9-2-2017 KIKOPORT OLIVA, VALENCIA - GREYLAG GOOSE (Anser anser)

The greylag goose or graylag goose (Anser anser) is a species of large goose in the waterfowl family Anatidae and the type species of the genus Anser. It has mottled and barred grey and white plumage and an orange beak and pink legs. A large bird, it measures between 74 and 91 centimetres (29 and 36 in) in length, with an average weight of 3.3 kilograms (7 lb 4 oz). Its distribution is widespread, with birds from the north of its range in Europe and Asia migrating southwards to spend the winter in warmer places. It is the ancestor of most breeds of domestic goose, having been domesticated at least as early as 1360 BC. 

8-2-2017 SANTA POLA, MURCIA - 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.

First-year birds have a paler head, rump and underparts than those of the herring gull, more closely resembling first-year great black-backed gulls in plumage. They have a dark bill and eyes, pinkish grey legs, dark flight feathers and a well-defined black band on the tail. They become lighter in the underparts and lose the upperpart pattern subsequently. By their second winter, birds are essentially feathered like adults, save for the patterned feathers remaining on the wing coverts. However, their bill tips are black, their eyes still dark, and the legs are a light yellow flesh colour.

The call is a loud laugh which is deeper and more nasal than the call of the herring gull.

8-2-2017 EL FONDO ELCHE, MURCIA - EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)

The Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), also known as the common coot, or Australian coot, is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. It is found in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and parts of North Africa. It has a slaty-black body, a glossy black head and a white bill with a white frontal shield. The sexes are similar. Similar looking coot species are found throughout the world, with the largest variety of coot species living in South America.

The Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), also known as the common coot, or Australian coot, is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. It is found in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and parts of North Africa. It has a slaty-black body, a glossy black head and a white bill with a white frontal shield. The sexes are similar. Similar looking coot species are found throughout the world, with the largest variety of coot species living in South America.

8-2-2017 EL FONDO ELCHE, MURCIA - BLACK WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)

Striking large black-and-white wader with a thin, straight bill and bright pink legs, found in wetlands with open shallow water throughout much of Africa and Eurasia, often in brackish habitats. Some populations are migratory, departing northerly breeding grounds for warmer southern regions. Often forms noisy colonies on bare ground near water. Essentially unmistakable throughout much of its range, but compare with Pied Stilt in parts of Southeast Asia. Feeds by wading in water, picking from the water surface with its needle-like bill. In flight, long pink legs stick out far beyond the tail. Calls loudly and stridently, especially when alarmed during the breeding season.

The black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) is a widely distributed, very long-legged wader in the avocet and stilt family Recurvirostridae. Its scientific name, Himantopus himantopus, is sometimes used to generalize a single, almost cosmopolitan species. Alternatively, it is restricted to the form that is widespread in Europe, Asia and Africa, which equals the nominate group of H. himantopus sensu lato. Meanwhile, the black-necked (H. mexicanus) and white-backed stilts (H. melanurus) both inhabit the Americas; the pied stilt (H. leucocephalus) ranges from Australasia and New Zealand. Today, most sources accept between one and four actual species. The taxonomic name Himantopus comes from Greek, meaning "strap-foot" or "thong-foot".

7-2-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - RED ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY (Vanessa atalanta)

Vanessa atalanta, the red admiral or, previously, the red admirable, is a well-characterized, medium-sized butterfly with black wings, red bands, and white spots. It has a wingspan of about 2 inches (5 cm). It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. The red admiral is widely distributed across temperate regions of North Africa, the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. It resides in warmer areas, but migrates north in spring and sometimes again in autumn. Typically found in moist woodlands, the red admiral caterpillar's primary host plant is the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica); it can also be found on the false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica). The adult butterfly drinks from flowering plants like Buddleia and overripe fruit. Red admirals are territorial; females will only mate with males that hold territory. Males with superior flight abilities are more likely to successfully court females. It is known as an unusually calm butterfly, often allowing observation at a very close distance before flying away, also landing on and using humans as perches.

The forewing of this butterfly bears on a black ground an oblique vermilion bandand a group of white subapical spots. On the hindwing the larger portion of the distal margin is red, with a row of small black spots and at the anal angle an elongate blue spot. The underside is partly variegated with blue; the forewing is on the whole similar in markings to the upper, while the hindwing is brightly variegated and clouded, bearing black markings, of which those in the cell resemble a figure (on the left wing 18 or 98, on the right 81 or 89); in the middle of the costal area there is a pale patch and in the distal marginal area a row of ocellus-like spots. Sometimes, especially in the female, the red band of the forewing bearsa small white spot in the middle.

The red admiral is found in temperate regions of North Africa, North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and island regions of Hawaii, and the Caribbean.

4-1-2016 HONG KONG - JAVA SPARROW (Lonchura oryzivora)

A small, plump finch with a very thick pink bill. The black head and white cheek patch are distinctive. Juveniles have a similar color pattern but are grayer. Social; forages in flocks and roosts communally. Forages in rice fields, grasslands, meadows, and urban and suburban areas (in introduced range). Call consists of one or more musical chirps. Native to the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali, where now quite rare. Introduced widely across the globe including India, Philippines, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and the Hawaiian Islands.

The Java sparrow (Padda oryzivora) is a small passerine bird. It is a popular cage bird and has been introduced into many other countries.

The adult Java sparrow is unmistakable, with its grey upperparts and breast, pink belly, white-cheeked black head, red eye-ring, pink feet, and thick red bill. The male and the female are similar. Immature birds have brown upperparts and pale brown underparts, and a plain head. Very young birds have a black beak with a pink base.

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - BALI MYNA (Leucopsar rothschildi)

The Bali myna (Leucopsar rothschildi), also known as Rothschild's mynah, Bali starling, or Bali mynah, locally known as jalak Bali, is a medium-sized (up to 25 cm (9.8 in) long), stocky myna, almost wholly white with a long, drooping crest, and black tips on the wings and tail. The bird has blue bare skin around the eyes, greyish legs and a yellow bill. Both sexes are similar. It is critically endangered and in 2020, fewer than 50 adults were assumed to exist in the wild.

The Bali myna is restricted to the island of Bali (and its offshore islands) in Indonesia, where it is the island's only endemic vertebrate species. In 1991, the bird was designated the faunal emblem of Bali. Featured on the Indonesian 200 rupiah coin, its local name is jalak Bali 

 In its natural habitat it is inconspicuous, using tree tops for cover and–unlike other starlings–usually coming to the ground only to drink or to find nesting materials; this would seem to be an adaptation to its noticeability to predators when out in the open. The Bali mynah often gathers in groups when it is young to better locate food and watch out for predators. The vocalizations are a variety of sharp chattering calls and an emphatic tweet.

The Bali myna's diet includes fruit, seeds, worms and insects.

8-10-2014 BARX, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (MALE) (Carduelis carduelis)

3-2-2017 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)

The common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus, is a bird of prey from the kestrel group within the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In the United Kingdom, it is often simply referred to as the "kestrel." This raptor is small compared to other birds of prey but larger than most songbirds, with long wings and a distinctive long tail.

Males and females exhibit sexual dimorphism in their plumage. The male has a blue-grey cap and tail with a black tip bordered by a narrow white rim. Its back is chestnut with black spots, and the underside is buff with black streaks. The female is larger and lacks the blue-grey coloring, having a brown back with black bars and a similar underside to the male. Both sexes have a prominent black malar stripe, bright yellow cere, feet, and eye-ring, with dark toenails, bill, and iris.

The common kestrel favors open habitats such as fields, heaths, shrubland, and marshland. It does not require woodland but needs alternative perching and nesting sites like rocks or buildings. It thrives in treeless steppes and can adapt to human settlements and various landscapes, from wetlands to arid savannas.

This species has a vast range, being widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and occasionally reaching the east coast of North America. It has colonized some oceanic islands, though vagrant individuals are generally rare.

The common kestrel is diurnal and can be sedentary or migratory, depending on the region. It is known for its characteristic hunting behavior, hovering 10-20 meters above the ground before diving steeply onto prey. It is also capable of seeing ultraviolet light, which aids in detecting the urine trails of small mammals.

Breeding occurs in spring or the start of the dry season, with the kestrel preferring cavity nests in cliffs, trees, or buildings. Clutches typically consist of 3-7 eggs, which are incubated by both parents. The young fledge after 4-5 weeks and stay with the family for a short period thereafter.

The lesser kestrel and American kestrel are similar but not closely related. The lesser kestrel lacks black on the upperside except for wing and tail tips, while the American kestrel has much grey in the wings of males.

The common kestrel's diet consists almost exclusively of mouse-sized mammals, such as voles, shrews, and true mice. It may also consume small birds, particularly during the summer when fledglings are abundant. Invertebrates and arthropods can be significant food sources seasonally.

The IUCN lists the common kestrel as Least Concern. Its population has fluctuated but remains generally stable, with an estimated 1-2 million pairs globally. Some subspecies, such as those in the Canary Islands, are rarer and number less than 1000 adult birds.

3-2-2017 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - WATER PIPIT (Anthus spinoletta)

The Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta) is a small, sprightly passerine bird, a denizen of the mountains of Southern Europe and the Palearctic, extending its range eastwards to the vastness of China. This bird is a short-distance migrant, often descending to lower altitudes or seeking the openness of wet lowlands when winter's grip takes hold.

In its breeding attire, the Water Pipit dons greyish-brown upperparts, modestly streaked with a darker hue, and a pale pink-buff on the underparts, which gently fades to a whitish tone on the lower belly. The head is adorned with a grey crown and a striking broad white supercilium, while the outer tail feathers flash white. Come winter, the plumage is more subdued; the head becomes grey-brown, the supercilium less pronounced, and the upperparts bear more pronounced streaking. The underparts transition to white, with light brown streaks gracing the breast and flanks. The three subspecies show only minor variations, and both sexes present a near-identical appearance, with the young resembling the adults.

The Water Pipit is a bird of the high mountains during the breeding season, favoring alpine meadows and pastures with short grass, often near wet areas or slopes.

This species breeds in the mountainous regions of southern Europe and across Asia to central China, with some populations residing on the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica. In winter, many birds migrate to coastal wetlands, marshes, and rice fields.

2-2-2017 ADOR CAMPO, VALENCIA - LITTLE OWL (Athene noctua)

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

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

This owl favors open countryside and thrives in a variety of habitats, including agricultural lands with hedgerows and trees, orchards, woodland edges, parks, gardens, steppes, and semi-deserts. It can also be found in treeless areas such as dunes, and near human-made structures like ruins and quarries.

The Little Owl's range spans much of temperate and warmer parts of Europe, the Palearctic east to Korea, and North Africa. It has been introduced to Britain and the South Island of New Zealand, where it has established populations.

The Little Owl is known for its territorial nature, with males defending their territories from intruders. It is partly diurnal and can often be seen perched in prominent positions during the day. Its diet consists of insects, earthworms, other invertebrates, and small vertebrates. The owl is adept at swooping down on prey from its perch and is known to cache surplus food.

The Little Owl's call is a querulous "kiew, kiew," and it also produces various whistling or trilling sounds. During the breeding season, it may emit more modulated calls, and pairs can engage in duets. Near the nest, the owl may make yelping, chattering, or barking noises.

Breeding season sees increased vocal activity at night in late spring. Nests are located in a variety of places, including tree holes, cliffs, and old buildings. The female lays a clutch of about four eggs, which she incubates. The male provides food during this period, and both parents feed the chicks once hatched. Young owls fledge at about seven weeks of age.

The Little Owl can be confused with other small owl species, but its distinctive "eyebrows," yellow eyes, and flight pattern help differentiate it.

The Little Owl's diet is diverse, including mammals like mice and voles, birds, and a wide range of insects. It hunts both on the ground and in flight, and food caching behavior has been observed.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the Little Owl as "Least Concern" due to its extensive range and large overall population, which appears to be stable.

2-2-2017 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis)

The Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis, is a small, unassuming bird of the passerine family. It measures between 14.5 to 15 cm in length and weighs a mere 15 to 22 grams. Its plumage is predominantly brown above and buff below, with darker streaks adorning most of its body. The tail is brown with narrow white edges, and it stands on pale pinkish-yellow legs. A distinctive feature is its notably long hind claw, surpassing the length of its other hind toes.

When identifying the Meadow Pipit, look for its streaked appearance and listen for its weak "tsi-tsi" call. In flight, observe its song, which is a simple, repetitive tune that increases in pace towards the end. The bird's small size and long hind claw are also key identification markers.

The Meadow Pipit favors open spaces such as pastures, bogs, and moorlands. It can also be found in low-intensity agricultural areas and, during winter, in saltmarshes and occasionally open woodlands.

This species breeds across the Palearctic, from Greenland and Iceland to the Ural Mountains, and south to central France and Romania. An isolated population resides in the Caucasus Mountains. While migratory over most of its range, wintering in southern Europe, North Africa, and southwestern Asia, it remains resident year-round in western Europe.

The Meadow Pipit is a terrestrial bird, feeding on the ground and using elevated perches to scan for predators. It is known to move to the coast or lowlands during winter, even in areas where it is considered resident.

The call of the Meadow Pipit is a soft "tsi-tsi." Its song, delivered during a short song flight, is a simple melody that quickens as it progresses.

Nests are well-concealed on the ground in dense vegetation. Clutches typically contain two to seven eggs, which hatch after 11 to 15 days. Fledging occurs 10 to 14 days post-hatching, and the species often raises two broods per year. The Meadow Pipit is a frequent host for the cuckoo's parasitic breeding strategy.

The Meadow Pipit can be confused with the Red-throated Pipit, which has more pronounced streaking and an orange-red throat in summer, and the Tree Pipit, which is larger, less streaked, and has stronger facial markings and a shorter hind claw.

Its diet consists mainly of insects and other invertebrates, favoring prey less than 5 mm in length. During winter, it also consumes seeds from grasses, sedges, rushes, heather, and crowberry berries.

The Meadow Pipit is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, there has been a noted decline in populations, particularly in French farmland, where numbers have dropped by 68% over the past 17 years.

2-2-2017 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)

The great egret, known scientifically as Ardea alba, is a majestic bird with a stately bearing and an impressive wingspan. This large egret is adorned with all-white plumage and can stand up to a meter tall. It is a cosmopolitan species, found across temperate and tropical regions worldwide.

To identify the great egret, look for its yellow bill and contrasting black legs and feet, which may vary slightly during the breeding season. During this time, the bill may darken, and the lower legs may lighten. The great egret also sports ornamental feathers on its back when in breeding plumage. Both sexes appear identical, and juveniles resemble nonbreeding adults. The great egret can be distinguished from the intermediate egret by the gape of its bill, which extends well beyond the back of the eye.

The great egret favors habitats close to water, such as large lakes with reed beds and other extensive wetlands. It nests in colonies, often at heights of 10 to 40 feet within trees.

This bird has a vast range, occurring worldwide in suitable habitats. It is particularly common across the Sun Belt of the United States and throughout the Neotropics.

1-2-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (Spinus tristis)

The American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a small North American bird in the finch family. It is migratory, ranging from mid-Alberta to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canada–United States border to Mexico during the winter.

The only finch in its subfamily to undergo a complete molt, the American goldfinch displays sexual dichromatism: the male is a vibrant yellow in the summer and an olive color during the winter, while the female is a dull yellow-brown shade which brightens only slightly during the summer. The male displays brightly colored plumage during the breeding season to attract a mate.

The American goldfinch is a granivore and adapted for the consumption of seedheads, with a conical beak to remove the seeds and agile feet to grip the stems of seedheads while feeding. It is a social bird and will gather in large flocks while feeding and migrating. It may behave territorially during nest construction, but this aggression is short-lived. Its breeding season is tied to the peak of food supply, beginning in late July, which is relatively late in the year for a finch. This species is generally monogamous and produces one brood each year.

Human activity has generally benefited the American goldfinch. It is often found in residential areas because it is attracted to bird feeders, which increase its survival rate in these areas. Deforestation also creates open meadow areas, which are its preferred habitat.