7-7-2018 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - EURASIAN SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis)

The Eurasian skylark (Alauda arvensis) is a passerine bird in the lark family, Alaudidae. It is a widespread species found across Europe and the Palearctic with introduced populations in Australia, New Zealand and on the Hawaiian Islands. It is a bird of open farmland and heath, known for the song of the male, which is delivered in hovering flight from heights of 50 to 100 metres (160 to 330 ft). The sexes are alike. It is streaked greyish-brown above and on the breast and has a buff-white belly.

The female Eurasian skylark builds an open nest in a shallow depression on open ground well away from trees, bushes and hedges. She lays three to five eggs which she incubates for around 11 days. The chicks are fed by both parents but leave the nest after eight to ten days, well before they can fly. They scatter and hide in the vegetation but continue to be fed by the parents until they can fly at 18 to 20 days of age. Nests are subject to high predation rates by larger birds and small mammals. The parents can have several broods in a single season.

 

6-7-2018 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster)

4-7-2018 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)

5-7-2018 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - LARGE WALL BROWN BUTTERFLY (Lasiommata maera)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/123629-Lasiommata-maera

4-7-2018 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - BLACK WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)

4-7-2018 ULLAL DE BALDOVI, VALENCIA - SWAMP SMARTWEED (Persicaria hydropiperoides)

Persicaria hydropiperoides, commonly called swamp smartweed, mild waterpepper, false waterpepper, or sometimes simply waterpepper, is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family. It has a widespread distribution across much of North America and South America. Its preferred habitat is in moist, saturated to inundated soils growing in full sun to partial shade; such as swamp forests, marshes, streams, shorelines, and ditches. It is sometimes semi-aquatic.

Swamp smartweed is quite variable and is sometimes divided into several varieties, some of which may be better treated as species in their own right.

In general, swamp smartweed is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing upright or erect and approaching a maximum height of one meter (40 inches). Roots may emerge from nodes on the lower stem. The bristly lance-shaped leaves are around 10 centimeters (4 inches) long. The leaves have sheathing stipules known as ochreae. The spike-like inflorescence produces many pinkish flowers each about 3 millimeters wide.

Swamp smartweed is reported to be edible, as are all species in the genus Persicaria. Although its close relatives Persicaria hydropiper and Persicaria punctata are known to possess a hot or pungent quality when consumed, swamp smartweed is said to lack the same pungency by at least one author.

4-7-2018 ULLAL DE BOLDOVI, VALENCIA - NOMAD DRAGONFLY (FEMALE) (Sympetrum fonscolombii)

The red-veined darter or nomad (Sympetrum fonscolombii) is a dragonfly of the genus Sympetrum.

Sympetrum fonscolombii was named under the protonym Libellula fonscolombii by the Belgian entomologist Edmond de Sélys Longchamps, in 1840, in honor of the French entomologist Étienne of Fonscolombe (hence the species name). Its name is sometimes spelt fonscolombei instead of fonscolombii but Askew (2004) gives the latter as the correct spelling.

Sympetrum fonscolombii can reach a body length of 38–40 millimetres (1.5–1.6 in). This species is similar to other Sympetrum species but a good view with binoculars should give a positive identification, especially with a male.

Males have a red abdomen, redder than many other Sympetrum species. The frons and the thorax are red-brown. The eyes are brown above and blue/grey below. The wings have red veins and the wing bases of the hind-wings are yellow. The pterostigma is pale yellow with a border of black veins.

Female are similar but the abdomen is ochre yellow, not red, with two black lines along each side. The wings have yellow veins at the costa, leading edge and base, not red veins as found in the males. The legs of both sexes are mostly black with some yellow.

Immature males are like females but often with more red and a single line along each side of the abdomen.

Male S. fonscolombii can be mistaken for Crocothemis erythraea as both are very red dragonflies with yellow bases to the wings, red veins and pale pterostigma. However C. erythraea has no black on the legs, a broader body and no black on the head. Also C. erythraea females do not oviposit in tandem. The gestalt image of these two species is different and with some experience are easy to tell apart.

4-7-2018 ULLAL DE BOLDOVI, VALENCIA - MALLARD (FEMALE) (Anas platyrhynchos)

4-7-2018 ULLAL DE BOLDOVI, VALENCIA - FIELD BINDWEED (Convolvulus arvensis)

Convolvulus arvensis, or field bindweed, is a species of bindweed in the Convolvulaceae native to Europe and Asia. It is a rhizomatous and climbing or creeping herbaceous perennial plant with stems growing to 0.5–2 metres (1.6–6.6 ft) in length. It is usually found at ground level with small white and pink flowers.

Other common names, mostly obsolete, include lesser bindweed, European bindweed, withy wind (in basket willow crops), perennial morning glory, small-flowered morning glory, creeping jenny, and possession vine.

Field bindweed was first described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in the Species Plantarum. In the following centuries, many subspecies, varieties, and synonymous taxa were discovered and described as purportedly new species in places including China, Russia, Egypt, and Morocco.[citation needed] New species and forms were described as far as Chile, Mexico, and the state of California when botanists encountered the plant there, although it is not native to these areas.

4-7-2018 ULLAL DE BOLDOVI, VALENCIA - EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)

4-7-2018 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - COLLARED PRATINCOLE (Glareola pratincola)

4-7-2018 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)

4-7-2018 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - LITTLE TERN (Sternula albifrons)

8-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - CHACMA BABOON (Papio ursinus)

Chacma baboons are found throughout southern Africa, ranging from South Africa north to Angola, Zambia, and Mozambique. They live in diverse habitats from woodlands to savannas, steppes, and sub-deserts. Chacma baboons are found in the Kalahari Desert as well as on the alpine slopes of the Drakensberg. They usually sleep on hills, cliffs, or large trees and during the day, avoid arid areas with a lack of water.

The Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) is a member of the Old World monkey family. It is one of the largest of all monkeys. Located primarily in southern Africa, the chacma baboon has a wide variety of social behaviors, including a dominance hierarchy, collective foraging, adoption of young by females, and friendship pairings. In general, the species is not threatened, but hunting, trapping, and accidents kill or remove many baboons from the wild, thereby reducing their numbers and disrupting their social structure.

The Chacma baboon is perhaps the longest species of monkey and it is also one of the heaviest. Adult males can in some instances be about twice as long and three times as heavy as adult females. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of this baboon is its long, downward-sloping face. The Chacma baboon is generally dark brown to gray in color, with a patch of rough hair on the nape of its neck. Unlike the males of northern baboon species (Guinea, hamadryas, and Olive baboons), Chacma males do not have a mane. The three subspecies are differentiated by size and color. The Cape chacma is a large, heavy, dark-brown, and has black feet. The Gray-footed chacma is slightly smaller than the Cape chacma, lighter in color and build, and has gray feet. The Ruacana chacma generally appears to be a smaller, less darkly colored version of the Cape chacma.

25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - SILVERY CHEEKED HORNBILL (Bycanistes brevis)

25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - BUDGERIGAR (Melopsittacus undulatus)

The Budgerigar, also known as the common parakeet, shell parakeet, or affectionately as the budgie, is a small and vibrant seed-eating parrot. In the wild, its plumage is primarily a bright green and yellow, adorned with black scalloped markings on the nape, back, and wings. Captivity has given rise to a kaleidoscope of color variations including blues, whites, and greys, with some even sporting charming crests.

Adult budgerigars can be distinguished by the color of their cere, the fleshy area containing the nostrils above the beak. Males typically boast a blue cere, while females exhibit a brown or beige cere, particularly when in breeding condition. Juveniles present a more uniform purplish-pink cere, regardless of sex. These birds are also characterized by their iridescent cheek patches and the distinctive throat spots that adorn each side of their neck.

Budgerigars thrive in the drier regions of Australia, favoring habitats such as scrublands, open woodlands, and grasslands. Their ability to adapt to the harsh inland conditions has been remarkable, a testament to their resilience and nomadic lifestyle.

Native to Australia, budgerigars have also been introduced to other regions, including Florida in the United States. Their distribution in the wild is closely linked to the availability of food and water, which can lead to large, nomadic flocks in search of sustenance.

Budgerigars are gregarious and nomadic, often seen in flocks that can swell to great numbers when conditions are favorable. They exhibit a variety of social behaviors, including mutual preening and feeding, indicative of their affectionate nature. In flight, they are agile and can switch between speeds with remarkable ease.

25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - SWINHOE'S PHEASANT (Lophura swinhoii)

Swinhoe's pheasant (Lophura swinhoii ), also known as the Taiwan blue pheasant, is a bird of the pheasant subfamily in the fowl family Phasianidae. It is endemic to Taiwan. Along with the Mikado pheasant and Taiwan blue magpie, two other Taiwan endemics, Swinhoe's pheasant is sometimes considered an unofficial national symbol for Taiwan, as it bears the colours of the national flag (red, white, and blue).

The male Swinhoe's pheasant can grow up to 79 cm. He has a glossy blue-purple chest, belly, and rump, white nape, red wattles, white tail feathers, and a white crest. The female is brown marked with yellow, arrow-shaped spots and complex barring patterns, and has maroon outer rectrices. The juvenile male is dark blue with brown and yellow patterns on its wings. Swinhoe's pheasants can also be distinguished from the Mikado pheasant by having red legs.

During display, the male's wattles become engorged and he performs a display consisting of a hop followed by running in a circle around females. A frontal display with the tail fanned is occasionally observed. He also does a wing-whirring display like other Lophura pheasants.

Swinhoe's pheasant is found in the mountains of central Taiwan, where it lives in primary broadleaf forest up to 2,300 m in elevation.

25-3-2018 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - BLACK AND WHITE CASQUED HORNBILL (Bycanistes subcylindricus)

The black-and-white-casqued hornbill is found in wooded habitats in central and western Africa, ranging from western Kenya to Côte d'Ivoire with an isolated population in north Angola. The black-and-white-casqued hornbill is found mostly in Ivory-Coast, with smaller populations in its surrounding countries for West-African populations. The Central-African populations are mostly in Uganda and Kenya as well as Cameroon with smaller populations in Gabon, Tanzania and Central Africa. They are tropical birds that live in regions with high amounts of forests and is rarely seen in on flat lands, especially due to its arboreal nature.

The black-and-white-casqued hornbill (Bycanistes subcylindricus) also known as the grey-cheeked hornbill, is a large black and white hornbill. It has an oversized blackish bill with a large casque on top. The female is slightly smaller than the male and has a significantly smaller casque. It is a monogamous species, and pairs nest in suitable tree cavities. The female usually lays up to two eggs. The diet consists mainly of figs, fruits, insects and small animals found in the trees.

Widespread and still locally common, the black-and-white-casqued hornbill is assessed as least concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Bycanistes subcylindricus is a moderately large bird of 60 to 70 cm with a wing span of 70 to 96  cm. It is recognizable by its black plummage for the higher body and wings alongside and white plummage on the lower body and wings with black feathers amongst the white feathers of the tail, particularly the top tail feathers and the base of the tail feathers. It has a yellow-brownish bill and flattened casque, which are enlarged in males. Females have a smaller casque and a black bill. The purpose of the casque is unknown for males, although suggested to be for sexual characterization. The black-and-white-casqued hornbill has very mobile eyes which is not a common trait in birds. This means that its eyes themselves can move in their socket, while other birds tend to have to move their heads to see. It is capable of displaying emotions through the feathers at the top of the head, which allows it to communicate its emotional state. While males weight between 1 kg and 1.5 kg, the females weight between 1 kg and 1.25 kg.

The black-and-white-casqued hornbill is found in wooded habitats in central and western Africa, ranging from western Kenya to Côte d'Ivoire with an isolated population in north Angola. The black-and-white-casqued hornbill is found mostly in Ivory-Coast, with smaller populations in its surrounding countries for West-African populations. The Central-African populations are mostly in Uganda and Kenya as well as Cameroon with smaller populations in Gabon, Tanzania and Central Africa. They are tropical birds that live in regions with high amounts of forests and is rarely seen in on flat lands, especially due to its arboreal nature.

The diet of the black-and-white-casqued hornbill consist mostly of fruits, which includes relatively small fruits or pieces of larger fruits. While some may consider this bird, like many other hornbills, to be limited to such food, it has been noted that they are very much capable of hunting small animals, including lizards and the eggs of other birds. Most of the frugal diet of the black-and-white-casqued hornbill comes from figs. The black-and-white-casqued hornbill does not consume water directly and seems to instead hydrate itself from the water contained in the fruits that represent most of its diet. It is capable of precise and delicate handling of edibles by using its beak skillfully in conjunction with its esophagus.

25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - ANGULATE TORTOISE (Chersina angulata)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angulate_tortoise

25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - SILVERY CHEEKED HORNBILL (Bycanistes brevis)

25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - RUSSET NAPED WOOD RAIL (Aramides albiventris)

The russet-naped wood rail, also known as the rufous-naped wood rail, is a medium-sized bird with a robust build, characterized by its striking plumage and sturdy legs. Adults typically measure between 33 to 40 cm in length and weigh approximately 450 to 600 grams. Both sexes appear similar, with a thick dark yellow bill tipped in light green, a deep red eye, and legs and feet ranging from red to pink. Their plumage is a tapestry of colors: a slate gray adorns the forehead, crown, and hindneck, while a chestnut patch graces the back of the head. The back is a grayish olive, and the tail is black. A white chin and upper throat transition to gray sides of the neck, lower throat, and upper breast. The breast and upper belly are a pale tawny cinnamon, fading into a pale band that separates them from the black lower belly, vent, and undertail coverts. Juveniles, however, lack the white belly and instead have dark gray underparts with tawny flecks.

When identifying the russet-naped wood rail, look for the distinctive chestnut patch on the back of the head, the pale tawny cinnamon breast, and the black lower belly. The thick bill and red to pink legs are also key features. Juveniles can be distinguished by their lack of a white belly and the presence of tawny flecks on their dark gray underparts.

This species thrives in a variety of environments, both wet and dry. It can be found in marshes, swamp forests, river and stream corridors, thorn forests, semi-evergreen forests, and mangrove forests, as long as dense cover is available.

The russet-naped wood rail is distributed from Mexico to Costa Rica, with five subspecies occupying specific regions. These include eastern Mexico, the Pacific slope of southern Mexico to southern Guatemala and El Salvador, the Yucatán Peninsula through Belize to northern Guatemala, the Caribbean slope of Honduras and Nicaragua, and northeastern Costa Rica.

The russet-naped wood rail is a permanent resident throughout its range, known for its secretive nature. It typically forages in dense vegetation but may also feed in the open, particularly along stream banks. It has been observed feeding in grassy areas near forests as well.

The vocal repertoire of the russet-naped wood rail is quite varied, described as a "rapid, crazed-sounding, rollicking, popping, and clucking series." It produces a range of sounds, from sharp shrieks and harsh cackles to growls when disturbed, as well as low grunting clucks. This bird is most vocal during twilight and nighttime.

The breeding season of the russet-naped wood rail is not well documented, but breeding-condition adults have been noted at various times throughout the year. Its nest is a shallow bowl made of sticks and plant fibers, often situated above water in a bush, vines, or a tree. Clutch sizes range from three to seven eggs, but the incubation period and time to fledging are currently unknown.

25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - TRUMPETER HORNBILL (Bycanistes bucinator)