Monday, 2 July 2018
25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - RED WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio)
Like other starlings, the red-winged starling is an omnivore, taking a wide range of seeds, berries, nectar from plants such as Aloe and Schotia brachypetala, and invertebrates, such as the beetle species Pachnoda sinuata. They may take nestlings and adults of certain bird species, such as the African palm swift. It will also scavenge on carrion and human food scrap.
The red-winged starling will obviously only perch on plant structures that will be able to support its weight; therefore when taking nectar it will choose certain species with strong, robust racemes with easily accessible flowers, such as that of Aloe ferox and Aloe marlothii, and not Aloe arborescens. Large flowers that can support the bird's weight, such as that of Strelitzia nicolai and certain Protea species, are also chosen.
Fruit species that this species may feed on include figs, such as the sycamore fig and others, marulas, date palm fruit, berries from species such as wild olive Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata and Euphorbia, and commercial fruit such as apples, grapes, citruses and others.
In rural areas, red-winged starlings are often spotted perching on livestock and game, such as cattle, klipspringers and giraffes, a trait shared by the pale-winged starling, and may take insects and ectoparasites such as ticks, much in the manner of oxpeckers.
2-7-2018 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - EPAULET SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (Orthetrum chrysostigma)
Orthetrum chrysostigma, the epaulet skimmer, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Burundi as well as Canary Islands, Israel, and Portugal. It was recorded in the Maltese Islands in 2010. One was also spotted in Tel Aviv, Israel in August 2022.
25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - DEMOISELLE CRANE (Anthropoides virgo)
The Demoiselle Crane, Grus virgo, is the smallest member of the crane family, presenting an elegant figure with a length of 85–100 cm (33.5–39.5 in), standing 76 cm (30 in) tall, and boasting a wingspan of 155–180 cm (61–71 in). Weighing between 2–3 kg (4.4–6.6 lb), it is characterized by its delicate stature and maiden-like appearance, which earned its name from Queen Marie Antoinette.
This species can be distinguished by its long white neck stripe and a notable black plumage that extends from the foreneck down over the chest in a plume. Although similar in plumage to the common crane, the Demoiselle Crane is slightly smaller in size.
The Demoiselle Crane inhabits a range of environments across central Eurosiberia, from the Black Sea to Mongolia and Northeast China, with a small breeding population also found in Turkey.
As migratory birds, those from western Eurasia winter in Africa, while their Asian counterparts, including those from Mongolia and China, spend the winter in the Indian subcontinent.
The Demoiselle Crane is known for its balletic dancing display, which is considered more graceful and less leaping than that of the common crane. This species also undertakes long migratory journeys and has inspired various cultural references due to its graceful form and migratory patterns.
Sunday, 1 July 2018
25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - SPOTTED THICK NEE (Burhinus capensis)
The Spotted Thick-knee, also known as the Spotted Dikkop or Cape Thick-knee, is a bird of notable stature, reaching up to 45.5 cm in height. It is adorned with brown-and-white speckled plumage that blends seamlessly into the grasslands and savannas it calls home. The bird's head is large and round, crowned with a prominent yellow eye, while its short, stout beak is well-suited to its diet. In flight or when displaying its characteristic wings-raised stance, it reveals a striking contrast in its plumage. Its legs are long and yellow, and the tibiotarsal joint is notably expanded, a feature that has given rise to its common name.
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To identify the Spotted Thick-knee, look for its long yellow legs and the distinctive thickening at the knee joint. Its camouflage plumage can make it challenging to spot, but the bird's large, round head and prominent yellow eyes are key distinguishing features. When it takes to the air or assumes its unique pose with wings aloft, the contrasting patterns of its plumage become quite apparent.
This species thrives in the grasslands and savannas, where its mottled plumage provides excellent camouflage against the backdrop of these ecosystems.
The Spotted Thick-knee is native to sub-Saharan Africa, with a range that spans from Senegal, Mali, and Mauritania in the west, across to Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and down to South Africa in the east and south. It is also found in south Yemen.
The Spotted Thick-knee is a nocturnal creature, often squatting on the ground during the day, which makes it quite elusive. It is a ground hunter, preying on insects, small mammals, and lizards.
The Spotted Thick-knee lays usually two eggs, with a two-day interval between them. The eggs are marked with sepia brown and ash grey on a pale, clay-coloured background. Nesting occurs on the ground, with a scrape lined with grasses, feathers, pebbles, and twigs. Both male and female parents are involved in rearing the young, bringing food to the nest and defending it vigorously. They may even feign injury to distract predators from their offspring.
The Spotted Thick-knee can be confused with the Water Thick-knee but can be distinguished by the distinct wing pattern of the Water Thick-knee.
The diet of the Spotted Thick-knee consists of insects, small mammals, and lizards, which it hunts on the ground.
The Spotted Thick-knee is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN, thanks to its extensive range and stable population numbers.
1-7-2018 CAMPO DE ARROZ FAVARA, VALENCIA - BLACK WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)
The Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus, is a slender wader known for its strikingly long, pink legs and contrasting black-and-white plumage. This elegant bird is a member of the avocet and stilt family, Recurvirostridae.
Adult Black-winged Stilts measure 33–36 cm in length. They possess a long, thin black bill and display a distinctive black and white coloration. The head and neck are predominantly white, with variable black markings depending on the sex and subspecies. Males typically have a glossy or greenish sheen on their black backs, while females exhibit a more brownish tinge. During flight, their long legs trail behind, and their wingbeats are steady.
These birds favor marshes, shallow lakes, and ponds as their breeding grounds. They are also known to inhabit coastal areas during migration and in the winter months.
The Black-winged Stilt has a wide range, extending across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some populations migrate to coastal regions in winter, while others in milder climates may remain resident or engage in short-range movements.
Black-winged Stilts are often seen foraging in shallow waters, gracefully picking insects and crustaceans from the surface. They are known to nest in small groups, sometimes alongside avocets, and exhibit a variety of courtship behaviors, including intricate displays and duets.
The flight call of the Black-winged Stilt is a sharp and clear kleek, typically heard during its aerial maneuvers.
Nests are simple bare spots on the ground near water. These birds are communal nesters and may breed in loose colonies. They have been known to breed as far north as Britain, with recent successful breeding events recorded in Southern and Northern England.
The Black-winged Stilt can be confused with other stilt species, such as the Black-necked Stilt (H. mexicanus) in the Americas, the White-backed Stilt (H. melanurus), and the Pied Stilt (H. leucocephalus) in Australasia and New Zealand.
Their diet consists mainly of insects and crustaceans, which they deftly pick from the water's surface or from wet sand.
The IUCN lists the Black-winged Stilt as Least Concern, indicating a stable global population. However, they are protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in their conservation.
11-7-2018 BROSQUIL, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
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The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a small mammal native to southwestern Europe and northwest Africa. It is known as an invasive species because it has been introduced to countries on all continents with the exception of Antarctica, and has caused many problems within the environment and ecosystems.
The European rabbit is smaller than the European hare and Mountain hare and lacks black ear tips, as well as having proportionately shorter legs. The fur of the European rabbit is generally greyish-brown, but this is subject to much variation. The guard hairs are banded brown and black, or grey, while the nape of the neck and scrotum are reddish. The chest patch is brown, while the rest of the underparts are white or grey. A white star shape is often present on kits' foreheads but rarely occurs in adults. The whiskers are long and black, and the feet are fully furred and buff-coloured. The tail has a white underside, which becomes prominent when escaping danger. This may act as a signal for other rabbits to run. Moulting occurs once a year, beginning in March on the face and spreading over the back. The underfur is completely replaced by October-November. The European rabbit exhibits great variation in colour, from light sandy to dark grey and completely black. Such variation depends largely on the amount of guard hairs relative to regular pelage.
1-7-2018 CAMPO DE ARROZ FAVARA, VALENCIA - SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)
The Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides, is a diminutive member of the heron family, measuring a mere 44–47 cm in length, with a compact body of 20–23 cm and a wingspan stretching 80–92 cm. This species is adorned with a buff-brown back and, during the summer months, adults boast elongated neck feathers that add to their allure.
In the field, one may identify the Squacco Heron by its stocky build, abbreviated neck, and stout bill. Its back is cloaked in a buff-brown hue. When in flight, the heron undergoes a remarkable transformation, revealing a predominantly white plumage that contrasts starkly with its resting appearance.
The Squacco Heron favors marshy wetlands in temperate regions for its habitat, where the water is warm and inviting.
Originating from the Old World, the Squacco Heron breeds in the southern reaches of Europe and extends into the Greater Middle East. When not breeding, it migrates to winter in the African continent.
This species is migratory by nature, seeking the warmer climates of Africa to spend the winter. It is seldom seen north of its breeding grounds. The Squacco Heron has been observed as a vagrant in the Fernando de Noronha islands and, on rarer occasions, in mainland South America. It nests in modest colonies, often in the company of other wading birds, and constructs its nests from sticks on platforms in trees or shrubs.
The Squacco Heron selects freshwater locales across Europe and the Middle East to breed, later migrating southward to the Sub-Saharan African region. During the breeding season, they lay a clutch of three to four eggs.
Adept at foraging, the Squacco Heron feeds on a diet consisting of fish, frogs, and insects, making the most of its wetland environment.
The IUCN Red List currently classifies the Squacco Heron as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.
Non-breeding Squacco Herons share certain physical characteristics with other heron species such as the Indian Pond Heron and the Malagasy Pond Heron, including tawny plumage, lighter streaking, a smaller bill, and narrower wing tips.
The Squacco Heron uses freshwater localities throughout Europe and the Middle East as breeding grounds to later migrate south to the Sub-Saharan African region. Non-breeding Squacco Herons share similar traits with other heron species like the Indian Pond Heron and Malagasy Pond Heron which show tawny color plumage, lighter streaking, smaller bill, and narrower wing tips.
The squacco heron is a migrant, wintering in Africa. It is rare north of its breeding range. The species has been recorded in Fernando de Noronha islands, and more rarely in mainland South America, as a vagrant. This is a stocky species with a short neck, short thick bill and buff-brown back. In summer, adults have long neck feathers. Its appearance is transformed in flight, when it looks very white due to the colour of the wings.
The squacco heron's breeding habitat is marshy wetlands in warm countries. The birds nest in small colonies, often with other wading birds, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. Three to four eggs are laid. They feed on fish, frogs and insects.
1-7-2018 CAMPO DE ARROZ FAVARA, VALENCIA - BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
The Black-crowned Night Heron, scientifically known as Nycticorax nycticorax, is a medium-sized heron with a global presence, spanning parts of Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It is distinguished by its black crown and back, contrasting with a white or grey body, red eyes, and short yellow legs. Notably, it deviates from the typical heron silhouette, appearing more robust with shorter bills, legs, and necks compared to its egret and day heron relatives.
These herons favor fresh and salt-water wetlands as their breeding grounds, which are found across their vast range.
The Black-crowned Night Heron breeds across various regions: from Eurasia to Africa, the Indonesian Archipelago, North and South America, and even the remote Falkland Islands. While migratory in the northern extremes, it is generally a resident species, with North American populations wintering in warmer climes from Mexico to the West Indies.
Known for their ambush hunting tactics, these herons stand motionless at the water's edge, striking at prey primarily during the night or early morning. They exhibit a diverse diet, consuming fish, amphibians, insects, and more. They are also one of the few heron species to use tools, such as bait, to fish. By day, they rest in trees or shrubbery, and outside of breeding season, some subspecies display more sociable tendencies.
The Black-crowned Night Heron is a vocal species within its colonies, often heard making a "quok" or "woc" sound.
Colonial nesters, they construct platforms of sticks in trees or on the ground in protected areas. Clutch sizes range from three to eight eggs.
The Black-crowned Night Heron can be confused with other heron species, but its distinctive black crown, back, and shorter stature help differentiate it.
Their diet is varied, including small fish, crustaceans, insects, small mammals, and even refuse. They have been observed using bait to attract fish, a rare behavior for birds.
The IUCN lists the Black-crowned Night Heron as Least Concern, indicating a stable population across its extensive range.
25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - RED WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio)
The red-winged starling is territorial, aggressive and intolerant when nesting, and will attack other species, including domestic animals and humans. When not breeding, red-winged starlings are highly gregarious and will associate with other members of their species in large flocks.
This starling is a cliff nester, breeding on rocky cliffs, outcrops and gorges. The red-winged starling builds a lined nest of grass and twigs, and with a mud base, on a natural or structural ledge. It lays two to four, usually three, blue eggs, spotted with red-brown. The female incubates the eggs for 13–14 days, with another 22–28 days to fledge. This starling is commonly double-brooded. It may be parasitised by the great spotted cuckoo.
It is preyed upon by other birds such as peregrine falcons, lanner falcons, tawny eagles, cape eagle-owls, pied crows, and gymnogene.
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