30-7-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - EURASIAN GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)

The great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), a robust seabird, is cloaked in predominantly black plumage. It is a member of the cormorant family, with a widespread distribution. The species exhibits considerable size variation across its range, with males generally larger than females. Notable features include a longish tail and a distinctive yellow throat-patch. During the breeding season, adults boast white patches on their thighs and throat.

To identify the great cormorant, look for its large size, heavy build, and thick bill. It lacks a crest and its plumage does not have a green tinge, distinguishing it from the common shag. In North America, it is bulkier than the double-crested cormorant and has less yellow on the throat and bill. The white thigh patches are a key identifier.

Great cormorants are found in a variety of aquatic environments including seas, estuaries, freshwater lakes, and rivers. They often nest in colonies close to these water bodies.

This species has a broad distribution, breeding across the Old World, Australia, and the Atlantic coast of North America. Northern populations tend to migrate southward in winter, seeking coasts rich in fish. 

Great cormorants are generally silent but may emit guttural noises at breeding colonies. They are known for their wing-drying posture, often seen with wings outstretched to dry after diving.

Mostly silent, the great cormorant vocalizes with guttural sounds in the vicinity of its breeding colonies.

Great cormorants typically nest in colonies near wetlands, rivers, or sheltered inshore waters, often returning to the same site annually. Their nests are constructed from sticks and can be located in trees, on cliff ledges, or on predator-free ground. They lay clutches of three to five pale blue or green eggs, which are incubated for about 28 to 31 days.

These birds are piscivorous, diving to catch fish such as wrasses, sand smelt, flathead, and common soles. They exhibit seasonal dietary shifts, preferring larger fish in colder temperatures. Their foraging efficiency is influenced by the size of the prey rather than the quantity.

The great cormorant is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Conservation efforts have led to a population rebound, with approximately 1.2 million birds in Europe alone. However, their increasing numbers have led to conflicts with fisheries due to predation on fish stocks.

2-8-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - AFRICAN PENGUIN (Spheniscus demersus)

The African penguin, known scientifically as Spheniscus demersus and colloquially as the Cape penguin or South African penguin, is a flightless bird distinguished by its streamlined body and flippers adapted for life in the water. Adults typically weigh between 2.2 and 3.5 kilograms and stand 60 to 70 centimeters tall. Notable for the pink patches of skin above their eyes and a stark black facial mask, their upper parts are a contrasting black against the white underparts, which are adorned with spots and a distinctive black band.

To identify the African penguin, look for the unique pink gland above their eyes, which becomes more vibrant as they regulate their temperature. Their black and white plumage is a classic example of countershading, providing camouflage from predators. Each penguin has a unique pattern of black spots on the chest, akin to human fingerprints. Males are generally larger with longer beaks than females.

These penguins are found along the coastlines of southern Africa, with colonies established on various islands and some mainland sites. They prefer nesting in burrows or under vegetation to protect against predators and the hot sun.

The African penguin is endemic to the southwestern coast of Africa, breeding on 24 islands between Namibia and Algoa Bay, South Africa. Notably, they have also established colonies on the mainland near Cape Town.

African penguins are monogamous and known for their loud, donkey-like calls. They are pursuit divers, hunting for fish and squid, and can travel up to 20 kilometers from shore. They are social birds, breeding in colonies and often forming crèches for their young.

The African penguin's vocalizations are varied and serve multiple functions, from mate recognition to territorial defense. Their most famous call is a loud braying, which has earned them the nickname "jackass penguin."

Breeding occurs throughout the year, with peaks varying by location. Nests are made in burrows or under cover to protect from the heat. Two eggs are laid, and both parents share incubation duties. Chicks join crèches after about a month, and parents continue to forage at sea to feed them.

The African penguin is similar in appearance to the Humboldt, Magellanic, and Galápagos penguins, with which it shares the genus Spheniscus. However, it can be distinguished by its unique chest markings and the single black band across the chest.

Their diet consists mainly of pelagic fish like sardines and anchovies, as well as squid and small crustaceans. They are known to consume up to 540 grams of prey daily, which can increase when feeding older chicks.

The African penguin is classified as Endangered, with a rapid decline in population due to several threats, including oil spills, historical exploitation for their eggs, competition with fisheries, and habitat degradation. Conservation efforts are underway, including habitat protection, pollution mitigation, and captive breeding programs.

2-8-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - EASTERN WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus)

The Great white pelican is a huge bird - only the Dalmatian pelican is, on average, larger among pelicans. The male has a downward bend in the neck and the female has a shorter, straighter beak. The plumage is predominantly white except on remiges, with a faint pink tinge on the neck and a yellowish base on the foreneck. The primary feathers are black, with white shafts at the bases, occasionally with paler tips and narrow fringes. The secondary feathers are also black but with a whitish fringe. The upperwing coverts, underwing coverts, and tertials are white. The forehead is swollen and pinkish skin surrounds the bare, dark eyes having brown-red to dark brown irides. It has fleshy-yellow legs and pointed forehead-feathers where meeting the culmen. In breeding season, the male has pinkish skin while the female has orangey skin on its face. The bill is mostly bluish-grey, with a red tip, reddish maxilla edges, and a cream-yellow to yolk-yellow gular pouch. The white plumage becomes tinged-pink with a yellow patch on the breast, and the body is tinged with yellowish-rosy. It also has a short, shaggy crest on the nape. The white covert feathers contrast with the solid black primary and secondary feathers. The legs are yellow-flesh to pinkish orange. Both male and female are similar, but the female is smaller and has brighter orange facial skin in the breeding season. The juvenile has darker, brownish underparts that are palest at the rump, center of the belly, and uppertail coverts. The underwing coverts are mostly dull-white, but the greater coverts are dark and there is a dark brownish bar over the lesser coverts. The rear tertials upperwing coverts mostly have paler tips with a silvery-grey tinge on the greater secondary coverts and tertials. It has dark flight feathers and brown-edged wings. The head, neck, and upperparts, including the upperwing coverts, are mostly brown - this is the darkest part of the neck. The facial skin and the bill, including its gular pouch, are greyish to dusky greyish. The forehead, rump, and abdomen are white, and its legs and feet are grey. Its blackish tail occasionally has a silvery-grey tinge. Its underparts and back are initially browner and darker than those of the Dalmatian pelican, and the underwing is strongly patterned, similar to the juvenile Brown pelican.

The Great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) that lives in the shallow swamps in Africa is one of the largest flying birds in the world. It has the abilities of multiple birds, such as long flights and swimming. Its unique characteristic is the “gular pouch” inside its beak. Its legs are short and strong with fully webbed toes that allow it to propel itself in water and to take off from the surface of the water. They are powerful fliers and often travel in flocks in a V-formation to reduce drag for the group.

Resident populations of Great white pelicans are found the whole year round south of the Sahara Desert in Africa. Migratory populations inhabit Eastern Europe to Kazakhstan when it is the breeding season and during the winter in northeast Africa and Iraq to the north of India and southern Vietnam. In Europe, they occur in freshwater lakes, marshes, swamps, or deltas, wherever there are sufficient amounts of grasses or reed beds for nesting. In Africa, they are found in lowlands and freshwater or alkaline lakes. Shallow, warm water is needed for the fishing technique of these birds.

Great white pelicans live, breed, migrate, feed, and fly in formation in large colonies. Fishing is usually over by 8-9 a.m. and they spend the remainder of the day on small islands or sandbars resting, preening, and bathing. They bathe by ducking their head and body into the water while flapping their wings. When hot, they will spread their wings or gape to cool down. Large flocks may congregate at traditional roosts, these places also being used after fishing tips as daytime resting sites. They sometimes perch in trees, but usually, they roost on the ground. To defend his territory, a male threatens intruders by gaping, clapping his bill, and bowing, attacking with his bill if necessary. These birds are generally silent except in the breeding season when the adults make low, hoarse display calls.

Great white pelicans are monogamous and form long-term pair bonds. During the breeding season, a male behaves territorially: gaping, bowing, and clapping his bill, and may attack other males with his bill if they come too close. April or May is when the breeding season commences in temperate zones, but in Africa, it is essentially all year round, and in India, it runs from February until April. Males display their head crest and their brightly colored pouch. A pair will build a rudimentary nest from sticks on the ground or in a tree. They typically nest in colonies, along shallow lakes, in swamps, or on islands. Two eggs are usually laid and are incubated by the female for 31 days. Chicks fledge at 75 to 85 days, reaching reproductive maturity when three to four years old.

2-8-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - EASTERN WHITE PELICAN (JUVENILE) (Pelecanus onocrotalus)

The great white pelican, known scientifically as Pelecanus onocrotalus, is a gargantuan bird, surpassed in size only by its cousin, the Dalmatian pelican. With a body length ranging from 140 to 180 cm and a wingspan stretching from 226 to 360 cm, it is one of the largest flying birds. The pelican's bill is an impressive 28.9 to 47.1 cm long, colored in hues of pink and yellow, and is accompanied by a pale-yellow gular pouch. Males are generally larger than females and exhibit a pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males averaging more than 30% heavier than females.

Adult great white pelicans are predominantly white with black flight feathers and a faint pink tinge on the neck. The bill is bluish-grey with a red tip and a yellowish gular pouch. During the breeding season, males display pinkish facial skin, while females exhibit a more orangey hue. Juveniles are distinguishable by their darker, brownish underparts and patterned underwings.

These pelicans favor shallow, warm freshwater environments, such as lakes, swamps, and lagoons, often with dense reed beds nearby for nesting. They are also found in coastal estuarine areas and occasionally at elevations up to 1,372 m in East Africa and Nepal.

The great white pelican breeds from southeastern Europe through Asia to Africa. It is a migratory species with populations found from Eastern Europe to Kazakhstan during the breeding season. In Africa, it is resident south of the Sahara Desert.

2-8-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - DOUBLE BARRED FINCH (Taeniopygia bichenii)

The double-barred finch, a diminutive and charming bird, measures a mere 10 to 11 centimeters in length. It boasts a distinctive white face encircled by a striking black band, which has earned it the nickname "owl finch." The upperparts and throat are cloaked in a warm brown, while the underparts gleam white. A second black line elegantly separates the throat from the underparts, adding to its unique appearance. The wings are adorned with a tasteful brown and white pattern. Both sexes share a similar plumage, though the juveniles present a more subdued, browner version of the adults. The subspecies S. b. annulosa is set apart by its black rump, contrasting with the white rump of the nominate form.

When observing these finches, look for the characteristic double-barred pattern on their face and breast. The white face with a complete black border is a key feature, as is the second black line across the lower throat. Their flight is undulating, and the wing pattern is quite noticeable when they take to the air.

The double-barred finch is found in a variety of dry habitats, including savannahs, tropical dry grasslands, and shrublands, where it can often be seen flitting about in search of sustenance.

This species is endemic to Australia, with its presence recorded in the northern and eastern regions of the continent. It is divided into two subspecies: S. b. annulosa inhabits the north of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, while S. b. bichenovii is found from north Queensland to southeast New South Wales.

The double-barred finch is a sociable creature, often seen in flocks. It is granivorous, meaning its diet primarily consists of grains. These finches construct their nests in grasses, bushes, or low trees, and a typical clutch comprises four to six eggs.

The call of the double-barred finch is a gentle 'tet' or a more pronounced 'peew.' Its song is a delicate fluting, reminiscent of the zebra finch, and can be described as a soft, melodic warble.

Nesting occurs in grasses, bushes, or low trees, where these finches lay clutches of four to six eggs. The breeding behavior of these birds is marked by their communal nature, often nesting in close proximity to one another.

The double-barred finch may be confused with other munia-like birds, but its unique face and breast markings, as well as its distinctive call and song, set it apart from its relatives.

As granivores, double-barred finches primarily feed on seeds. They can be observed foraging on the ground or in low vegetation, often in the company of their flock.

The IUCN Red List categorizes the double-barred finch as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers.

30-7-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - EURASIAN GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)

The great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), a robust seabird, is cloaked in predominantly black plumage. It is a member of the cormorant family, with a widespread distribution. The species exhibits considerable size variation across its range, with males generally larger than females. Notable features include a longish tail and a distinctive yellow throat-patch. During the breeding season, adults boast white patches on their thighs and throat.

To identify the great cormorant, look for its large size, heavy build, and thick bill. It lacks a crest and its plumage does not have a green tinge, distinguishing it from the common shag. In North America, it is bulkier than the double-crested cormorant and has less yellow on the throat and bill. The white thigh patches are a key identifier.

Great cormorants are found in a variety of aquatic environments including seas, estuaries, freshwater lakes, and rivers. They often nest in colonies close to these water bodies.

This species has a broad distribution, breeding across the Old World, Australia, and the Atlantic coast of North America. Northern populations tend to migrate southward in winter, seeking coasts rich in fish. 

Great cormorants are generally silent but may emit guttural noises at breeding colonies. They are known for their wing-drying posture, often seen with wings outstretched to dry after diving.

Mostly silent, the great cormorant vocalizes with guttural sounds in the vicinity of its breeding colonies.

Great cormorants typically nest in colonies near wetlands, rivers, or sheltered inshore waters, often returning to the same site annually. Their nests are constructed from sticks and can be located in trees, on cliff ledges, or on predator-free ground. They lay clutches of three to five pale blue or green eggs, which are incubated for about 28 to 31 days.

These birds are piscivorous, diving to catch fish such as wrasses, sand smelt, flathead, and common soles. They exhibit seasonal dietary shifts, preferring larger fish in colder temperatures. Their foraging efficiency is influenced by the size of the prey rather than the quantity.

The great cormorant is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Conservation efforts have led to a population rebound, with approximately 1.2 million birds in Europe alone. However, their increasing numbers have led to conflicts with fisheries due to predation on fish stocks.

30-7-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - WHITE EYED DUCK (Aythya australis)

The hardhead (Aythya australis ), also known as the white-eyed duck, is the only true diving duck found in Australia. The common name "hardhead" has nothing to do with the density of the bird's skull, instead referring to the difficulty encountered by early taxidermists in processing the head. Hardheads are found in wetter, coastal regions of Australia, particularly in the south-east, but are known to disperse as far afield as New Guinea, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.

Hardheads are smaller than most ducks, usually not reaching much more than 45 cm long but sometimes reaching 60 cm, and noticeably more rounded in overall form than most ducks. Both male and female are a fairly uniform chocolate-brown above, with rufous flanks and white undersides (which are often not visible if the duck is in the water). The trailing edges and almost the entire underside of the wings are white. In the male, the eyes are a striking white, in the female, brown.

30-7-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - COMMON POCHARD (Aythya ferina)

The Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) is a medium-sized diving duck, belonging to the family Anatidae. It is a bird of robust build, with a sloping forehead and a relatively long bill. The male is distinguished by its chestnut head and neck, black breast and tail, and pale grey body with fine vermiculations. The female is more subdued in coloration, with a brownish body and a less vibrant head and neck.

Males can be identified by their striking chestnut head and neck, black breast, and pale grey body. They have a dark grey bill with a blue-grey band and yellow-orange to red irises, which intensify during the breeding season. Females and juveniles are less colorful, with brownish tones and grey legs and feet. The female's iris is brown, sometimes with a yellowish tinge, while juveniles have a yellow-olive iris that darkens with age.

The Common Pochard favors marshes and lakes with at least a meter of water depth for breeding. These habitats provide the necessary cover and food resources for the species.

This species has a widespread distribution across the Palearctic. It breeds mainly in the steppe regions of Scandinavia and Siberia and winters in the south and west of Europe. In the British Isles, it breeds in eastern England and lowland Scotland, with increasing numbers in Northern Ireland and sporadically in the Republic of Ireland.

Common Pochards are gregarious, forming large flocks in winter, often alongside other diving duck species. They are strong fliers, capable of reaching speeds of 49-54 mph in direct flight.

The male is generally silent but may emit a soft whistle during courtship. The female produces a soft growl when disturbed, and ducklings have a short contact call, which becomes higher and faster when they are distressed.

The female constructs a platform nest of plant material, lined with down, either on the ground near water or over water on a platform. Clutches typically consist of 8-10 greenish-grey eggs, with incubation beginning only after the entire clutch is laid. The species is known for high rates of conspecific brood parasitism.

The male Common Pochard can be confused with the male Canvasback, which has an all-dark bill, or the Redhead, which has a yellow iris and a greyer back.

Common Pochards feed on plant material, seeds, small fish, molluscs, and aquatic invertebrates, obtained by diving or dabbling. They often forage in association with Bewick's and Whooper Swans, benefiting from the swans' sediment-disturbing activities.

The Common Pochard is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Despite its large range and population, there have been significant declines in several regions, attributed to habitat transformation, urbanization, overhunting, and introduced predators like the American mink. Conservation efforts are complicated by the diversity of languages spoken across its range.

2-8-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)

The grey heron (Ardea cinerea) is a long-legged wading bird of the heron family, Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia, and also parts of Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but some populations from the more northern parts migrate southwards in autumn. A bird of wetland areas, it can be seen around lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes and on the sea coast. It feeds mostly on aquatic creatures which it catches after standing stationary beside or in the water, or stalking its prey through the shallows.

Standing up to 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) tall, adults weigh from 1 to 2 kg (2 to 4 lb). They have a white head and neck with a broad black stripe that extends from the eye to the black crest. The body and wings are grey above and the underparts are greyish-white, with some black on the flanks. The long, sharply pointed beak is pinkish-yellow and the legs are brown.

Raising a nest full of baby herons is hard work! During the breeding season, some Gray Herons spend up to 23 hours per day foraging and some travel up to 38 km (24 miles) from their nest in search of food.

Gray Herons usually feed on smaller fish, 10–25 cm (4–10 inches) long, but some ambitious individuals take fish weighing up to 500 grams (1.1 pounds) and eels that are up to 60 cm (24 inches) long.

Gray Herons live in Eurasia and Africa, but rare individuals stray from their normal range to places like the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. Despite the Gray Heron's similarity to Great Blue Heron, some observers have also documented this species from the Atlantic Coast of mainland North America, from Newfoundland to Virginia, and also from Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.

2-8-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - BLACK SWAN (Cygnus atratus)

The black swan (Cygnus atratus) is a striking large waterbird, native to the southeastern and southwestern regions of Australia. It is characterized by its predominantly black plumage and a distinctive red bill, with a pale bar and tip. The legs and feet are a greyish-black hue. Males, known as cobs, are marginally larger than females, or pens, and possess a longer, straighter bill. Juveniles, referred to as cygnets, display a greyish-brown coloration with pale-edged feathers.

Adult black swans range from 110 to 142 centimeters in length and weigh between 3.7 and 9 kilograms. Their wingspan stretches from 1.6 to 2 meters. Notably, they have the longest neck relative to body size among swans, which is typically curved into an elegant "S" shape.

Black swans inhabit a variety of wetland environments, including fresh, brackish, and saltwater lakes, as well as swamps and rivers with abundant underwater and emergent vegetation. They are also found in permanent wetlands and ornamental lakes, and may occasionally venture into flooded pastures, tidal mudflats, or the open sea near islands or the coast.

Within Australia, black swans are common in the wetlands of the southwest and east, and their range extends to adjacent coastal islands. They are nomadic birds, with migration patterns influenced by climatic conditions, such as rainfall or drought.

Black swans are highly sociable and can be observed either alone or in groups, sometimes numbering in the hundreds or thousands. They are known for their strong, undulating flight, often forming a line or a "V" formation. On the water, they may carry their feathers or wings raised in an aggressive display.

The black swan is known for its musical and far-reaching bugle-like sound, which can be heard both on the water and in flight. It also emits a range of softer crooning notes and can whistle, particularly when disturbed during breeding and nesting.

Black swans are monogamous breeders, with both partners sharing incubation and cygnet-rearing duties. They typically nest in the wetter winter months, constructing large mounds of reeds, grasses, and weeds. Clutches usually contain four to eight greenish-white eggs, incubated for about 35-40 days.

In poor light or at a distance, black swans may be mistaken for magpie geese in flight. However, they can be distinguished by their longer necks and slower wingbeats.

The diet of the black swan is predominantly herbivorous, consisting mainly of aquatic and marshland plants. They feed by dipping their heads under shallow water or up-ending in deeper waters, and are also capable of filter feeding at the water's surface.

2-8-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - GOULDIAN FINCH (Zenaida auriculata)

The Gouldian finch, also known as Gould's finch or the rainbow finch, is a passerine bird celebrated for its vibrant plumage. Males are particularly striking, with a medley of black, green, yellow, and red markings, and a distinctive purple chest. Females, while still colorful, are slightly less vivid and have a lighter mauve chest. These birds measure approximately 125–140 mm in length and exhibit head color variations in the wild, including red, black, or yellow, which were once thought to represent different species.

To identify the Gouldian finch, look for the bird's bright colors and distinctive head markings. Males have a purple chest, while females have a mauve chest. The presence of prominent rounded tubercles with an opalescent sheen at the back of the gape is another characteristic feature, though they are not phosphorescent as once believed.

Gouldian finches are native to the savannas of northern Australia, where they prefer areas with scattered trees and grasslands.

These finches are found predominantly in the Kimberley and Northern Territory regions of Australia.

Gouldian finches are gregarious outside the breeding season, forming mixed flocks with other finch species that can number in the thousands. They exhibit nomadic tendencies during the dry season, moving in search of food and water.

Breeding occurs in tree hollows during the early dry season when food is abundant. Males perform a bobbing dance and ruffle their feathers to attract females. After mating, females lay clutches of 4–8 eggs, with both parents sharing brooding duties. Chicks are born with brightly colored gapes and vocalize loudly to be fed in the dark nest. Remarkably, females can influence the sex of their offspring based on the head color of their mate to manage genetic compatibility.

Gouldian finches are primarily seed eaters, consuming up to 30% of their body weight daily. They feed on a variety of grass seeds, with sorghum being a staple during the breeding season. They forage on the ground during the dry season and rely on spinifex grass seeds during the wet season.

The Gouldian finch is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, its population has suffered a dramatic decline due to habitat loss, with numbers plummeting from hundreds of thousands to an estimated 2,500 or fewer in the wild. The primary threats include extensive late dry season wildfires, cyclones, and climate change, which affect both breeding sites and food availability.

2-8-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - SOUTHERN BALD IBIS (Geronticus calvis)

The southern bald ibis (Geronticus calvus ) is a large bird found in open grassland or semi-desert in the mountains of southern Africa. Taxonomically, it is most closely related to its counterpart in the northern regions of Africa, the waldrapp (Geronticus eremita). As a species, it has a very restricted homerange, limited to the southern tips of South Africa in highland and mountainous regions.

This large, glossy, blue-black ibis has an unfeathered red face and head, and a long, decurved red bill. It breeds colonially on and amongst rocks and on cliffs, laying two or three eggs which are incubated for 21 days before hatching. It is a large bird that feeds and roosts in substantial groups. It feeds on insects, small reptiles, rodents and small birds. They do little vocalizing other than occasional gobbling sounds.

The ibises are gregarious long-legged wading birds with long down-curved bills; they form one subfamily of the Threskiornithidae, the other subfamily being the spoonbills. The two Geronticus species differ from other ibises in that they have unfeathered faces and heads, breed on cliffs rather than in trees, and prefer arid habitats to the wetlands used by their relatives. The species is currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, however, it is in no immediate danger of extinction.

The southern bald ibis (Geronticus calvus) is an uncommon bird endemic to the highlands of the southern African region. In South Africa, the species’ total breeding population is estimated around 4 600 birds. However, little is known about the biology of this species.

Its plumage is dark green with iridescent streaks of green, violet and bronze. The neck displays long feathers that are a blue-green shade. As adults, its shoulders display shades of copper. However, as juveniles, the plumage is predominantly a dull grey color. The bird's Latin name, Geronticus calvus, is translated as “bald, old man”, referring to the bird's featherless, wrinkled head and face. The head is the key feature in recognizing this species due to the evident bare whitish skin. On the top of the head, there is a red dome-shaped crown. The bills of these birds are down-curved and red, along with their legs. Similarly, their eyes are also colored an orange-red shade.

The southern bald ibis is a species with a very restricted homerange. It is estimated that there are only 4 600 breeding birds of this species in the South African region. The species is confined to the eastern regions of South Africa and are restricted to the highland and mountainous regions. Its range extends from the highlands of Lesotho extending into Eswatini. The birds may migrate short distances within their designated home ranges.

These birds are cliff-nesters and breed in the open areas of mountain faces, as well as river gorges and sometimes around waterfalls. Their breeding habitat is composed mainly of mountainous grasslands that range in altitude from 1 200 to 2 000 meters above sea level. The grassland areas are labeled as ‘sour’ due to the low nutritional value of the foliage in late summer and early autumn due to the previous grazing of mammals.

This species is insectivorous and feeds predominantly on insects and other small terrestrial invertebrates. It is a forager, alternating between feeding in harvested maize fields, overgrazed pastures and burnt grasslands. They walk along the land while pecking and probing the ground. The main component of its diet is the caterpillar of the maize stalk borer, Busseola fusca. This bird will also turn over feces and leaves to search for prey including caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, earthworms, snails and sometimes frogs, small dead mammals and birds.

Throughout July and the first half of August, before laying their eggs, the birds are found foraging in maize fields. In the second half of August and early September, during the incubation period, the birds are seen alternating between the maize fields, grazed pastures and burnt grasslands. Finally, in the nestling phase of September and October, they forge in maize fields, but more frequently in ploughed fields. It is only on rare occasions that ibises are seen in tall grasses and almost never in marshy areas. These birds avoid the tall grasses due to the hindering of their mobility and the potential hiding of their prey. This area would require a slow-walk feeding technique, whereas this bird is known to use a fast-walk technique for their feeding. They also appear to avoid foraging in areas very close to their nesting sites

Their predominant feeding area, the burnt grasslands, are termed “sour” due to the low availability of nutrients. These areas are burned every 1 to 3 years to clear any excess of foliage. In winter and spring, the ibises feed in the burned areas where new growth is emerging and scavenge for any available insects. Their breeding season is linked with the burning period of these crops. Therefore, successful breeding and survival is partially dependent on the availability of these burned grasslands.

The southern bald ibis nests in cliffs and breeds on open ledges. Due to the mostly inaccessible nature of these areas, observations during breeding season are difficult to obtain. However, these birds are known to breed predominantly in colonies, while some pairs decide to nest away from the rest. The females lay their eggs anywhere from late July to mid-October. Following this, the young develop feathers for flight around mid-October and into the month of December.

Their nests are made mostly of sticks and grass. On average, the collection of these materials begins around two weeks before the first egg is laid. Once the first egg is laid, incubation lasts from 26 to 32 days. The incubating birds change their position and rotate the egg more frequently around three days before the hatch day. Once hatched, the chicks spend the first 7 to 10 days feeding from their parent via regurgitation. After 35 days, the young leave the nest to wander around and after 40 to 50 days, the chicks are able to fly, but still spend most of their time on the ledges of the cliff or in their nest.

2-8-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - BATELEUR EAGLE (Terathopius ecaudatus)

The Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) is a medium-sized eagle known for its striking appearance and unique flight characteristics. It is the sole member of the genus Terathopius and is closely related to snake eagles. Adults are predominantly black with chestnut on the mantle, rump, and tail, and have distinctive red facial skin and feet. Juveniles are drab brown with paler scaling. The species is characterized by a very large head, small bill, large feet, short legs, long wings, and an exceptionally short tail, which is even shorter in adults.

Adult Bateleurs are unmistakable with their black and chestnut plumage, grey wing patches, and bright red cere and feet. In flight, they exhibit elongated, narrow wings that appear pinched at the bases and pointed at the tips. The juvenile's longer tail and uniform brown coloration distinguish it from adults.

Bateleurs favor open savanna habitats with some trees and dry woodlands across Sub-Saharan Africa. They require leafy trees for nesting and are often found near watercourses.

This species is widespread throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and marginally into Arabia. It is more common in protected areas and has experienced significant declines in certain regions.

Bateleurs are highly aerial, spending much time soaring with a distinctive rocking motion. They are solitary but may form loose congregations at rich feeding areas. They are sensitive to disturbance, especially at the nest, and can become unusually tame in captivity.

Bateleurs are generally silent but may emit a loud, raucous "schaaaa-aw" when excited or during courtship. They also produce resonant barking calls and softer calls near the nest.

Bateleurs build small but sturdy stick nests in large trees and lay a single egg. They may take up to 7 to 8 years to reach full maturity. The species is known for its elaborate courtship displays.

Juvenile Bateleurs could be confused with brown snake eagles due to their similar size and proportions, but the latter have yellow eyes and longer legs.

Bateleurs have a generalist diet that includes carrion and a wide range of live prey, such as mammals, birds, and reptiles. They forage from flight, often descending in tight spirals to investigate potential food.

The Bateleur is classified as Endangered by the IUCN due to pronounced population declines caused by habitat destruction, pesticide usage, and persecution. The species is mostly confined to protected areas today.

Bateleur is French for 'tightrope-walker'. This name was probably chosen because of its distinctive aerial acrobatics.

A very distinctive, short-tailed eagle. Young birds are uniformly dark brown, and adults are mostly black with a bright red face and legs. Sexes differ, especially in flight, and can be told by the width of the black band on the back edge of the white underwing: narrow in females, broad in males. It flies low when foraging, with wings raised above the body and rocking from left to right in an unstable-looking fashion. Bateleurs hunt small animals and eat carrion, and they are often among the first raptors to arrive at a carcass.

30-7-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - HEWITSON'S LONGWING BUTTERFLY (Heliconius hewitsoni)

Heliconius hewitsoni is a species of brush-footed butterfly in the genus Heliconius.

This butterfly has black wings with two white stripes on the forewing. The undersides of the wings are similar but also contain small red patches close to the body. The caterpillar is yellow and green and consumes Passifloraceae. It pupates in groups in a chrysalis that is pale yellow to pale brown and covered in black veins and spines.

Heliconius hewitsoni can be found on the Pacific Slope of western Panama and Costa Rica. It is found in forests, usually in the canopy.

30-7-2017 CENTRAL PARK, BUDAPEST - BANDED ORANGE HELICONIAN BUTTERFLY (Dryadula phaetusa)

Dryadula is a monotypic genus of the butterfly family Nymphalidae. Its single species, Dryadula phaetusa, known as the banded orange heliconian, banded orange, or orange tiger, is native from Brazil to central Mexico, and in summer can be found rarely as far north as central Florida. Its wingspan ranges from 86 to 89 mm, and it is colored a bright orange with thick black stripes in males and a duller orange with fuzzier black stripes in females.

It feeds primarily on the nectar of flowers and on bird droppings; its caterpillar feeds on passion vines including Passiflora tetrastylis. It is generally found in lowland tropical fields and valleys.

This species is unpalatable to birds and belongs to the "orange" Müllerian mimicry complex.

Prior to their mating season, males of this species congregate by the hundreds on patches of moist soil that contain mineral salts, a behavior known as mud-puddling. When they cannot find such deposits, the insects visit various animals to drink salty secretions from their skin and nostrils.

The genus Dryadula Michner, 1942, is monotypic; the type species is Papilio phaetusa Linnaeus, 1758 (Syst. Nat. 10 ed., 1: 478). The type locality, given as "Indiis", is supposed to refer to the West Indies or northern South America.