Friday, 14 February 2020
12-2-2020 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - GRANT'S ZEBRA (FEMALE & JUVENILE) (Equus quagga ssp. boehmi)
Grant's zebra (Equus quagga boehmi) is the smallest of the seven subspecies of the plains zebra. This subspecies represents the zebra form of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and others across central Africa.
This subspecies is distributed in Zambia west of the Luangwa river west to Kariba, Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, north to the Kibanzao Plateau, and in Tanzania north from Nyangaui and Kibwezi into southwestern Kenya as far as Sotik. It can also be found in eastern Kenya and east of the Great Rift Valley into southernmost Ethiopia. It occurs as far as the Juba River in Somalia.
Duncan (1992) recognized the Upper Zambezi zebra (Equus quagga zambeziensis Prazak, 1898[2]). Groves and Bell (2004) came to the conclusion that the zebras from West Zambia and Malawi cannot be distinguished cranially and that they differ only slightly from other northern plains zebras. The minor size difference does not justify a separate subspecific status for the Upper Zambezi zebra. Therefore, they combine these zebras with Grant's zebra (Equus quagga boehmi).
This northern subspecies is vertically striped in front, horizontally on the back legs, and diagonally on the rump and hind flanks. Shadow stripes are absent or only poorly expressed. The stripes, as well as the inner spaces, are broad and well defined. Northerly specimens may lack a mane. Grant’s zebras grow to be about 182 to 243 cm (6–8 ft) long and 120 to 140 cm (3.9 to 4.6 ft) tall, and generally weigh about 300 kg (660 lb). The zebras live in family groups of up to 18 led by a single stallion. Grant’s zebras typically live 20 years.
Recent civil wars in the Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Uganda have caused dramatic declines in all wildlife populations, including those of Grant’s zebra.[citation needed] It is now extirpated from Burundi. Civil war in Angola during much of the past 25 years has devastated its wildlife populations, including its once-abundant plains zebra, and destroyed the national parks administration and infrastructure. Consequently, Grant's zebra is probably extinct or nearly so in Angola, although confirmation will have to wait until future surveys are conducted.
14-2-2020 ISRAEL CAM, ISRAEL - LONG LEGGED BUZZARD (Buteo rufinus)
The Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) is a large, eagle-like raptor native to dry steppes, deserts, and open country across southeastern Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. Known for its distinct reddish plumage and prominent black patches on its underwings, it primarily hunts by scanning the ground from high vantage points.
Physical ProfileSize: Length of 50–58 cm; they are noticeably larger than the common buzzard and often recall small eagles.
Wingspan: 130–155 cm.Plumage: Highly variable (ranging from pale beige to dark rust-brown). They generally feature a rusty tail, a streaked head, and striking dark "carpal" patches at the wrists of their underwings.
Sexual Dimorphism: Females are larger and up to 15% heavier than males, averaging up to 1.3 kg.
Habitat & DistributionRange: Found from North Africa and southeastern Europe eastward through central Asia to China and India.
European Expansion: The African subspecies (Buteo rufinus cirtensis) has been naturally expanding its range northward into southern Europe (including parts of Spain and Italy) due to warming climatic conditions.
Habitat: They prefer open, uncultivated areas, scrublands, and deserts, and will build nests on cliffs, rocky outcrops, or occasionally tall trees.
Diet & Hunting StyleDiet: Consists primarily of small mammals and rodents, though they will also eat reptiles (lizards, snakes), small birds, and large insects.
Hunting Method: They often hunt from prominent perches like utility poles or low hillocks. They are also known to actively waddle along the ground searching for prey or waiting by animal burrows.
Breeding & Lifespan
Breeding Season: Lays clutches of 2–4 white eggs with reddish-brown markings between March and May.Incubation: Eggs are incubated for about 28 days.
Fledging: Chicks are ready to fly from the nest in about 45 days.Lifespan:
Thursday, 13 February 2020
12-2-2020 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - RED CRESTED POCHARD (FEMALE) (Netta rufina)
The Red-crested Pochard, Netta rufina, is a striking large diving duck. Its name is drawn from the Greek word for duck, 'Netta', and the Latin 'rufina', meaning 'golden-red', a nod to the male's vibrant plumage.
Males are resplendent with a rounded orange head, a red bill, and a contrasting black breast. Their sides are a crisp white, with a brown back and a black tail. Females, on the other hand, are clad in more subdued tones, primarily pale brown with a darker back and crown, and a whitish face. During eclipse, males resemble females but retain their red bills.
These ducks favor lowland marshes and lakes, thriving in the wetland habitats of southern Europe.
The Red-crested Pochard breeds from the steppe and semi-desert regions near the Black Sea to Central Asia and Mongolia. It is a somewhat migratory species, with northern populations wintering in the Indian Subcontinent and Africa.
Gregarious by nature, Red-crested Pochards form large flocks in the winter, often mingling with other diving ducks such as the Common Pochard. They are known to both dive and dabble for their food.
The male emits a distinctive wheezing 'veht', while the female can be heard making a series of hoarse 'vrah-vrah-vrah' calls.
Physical Characteristics
Appearance: Males (drakes) feature a fluffy chestnut-orange crown, red bill, and black body with white sides. Females are muted brown with pale cheeks and dark, capped heads.
Size: Larger than a common pochard, with a robust build.
Flight: In flight, they display a broad white stripe along the trailing edge of the wing.
Diet and Behavior
Foraging: Primarily herbivorous, eating roots, seeds, and algae, but they will also consume small molluscs, fish, and insects.
Diving/Dabbling: They are skilled divers (often 1-2 meters deep) but also frequently "upend" like dabbling ducks to feed in shallower water.
Habitat: Prefers calm, shallow, well-vegetated freshwater lakes, lagoons, and marshes.
Social: Highly gregarious, often forming large, mixed flocks with other ducks during winter.
Breeding and Lifespan
Courtship: Males perform intense courtship displays, including head-bobbing and whistling, often gathering in groups around females.
Nesting: Nests are built in thick vegetation near water, with 6-12 eggs incubated solely by the female.
Lifespan: Generally 5-15 years, with the oldest recorded wild bird reaching nearly 13 years of age.
Population and Status
Status: Classified as Least Concern, with a stable or increasing European population.
Range: Breeds in southern Europe and Central Asia, migrating to North Africa and India for the winter. They have also established a resident population in parts of England.
Interesting Facts
Hybridization: They frequently pair with other species, including Mallards, Tufted Ducks, and Common Pochards.
Name Origin: The Latin name Netta rufina roughly translates to "red-haired duck" or "red-crested duck," referring to the male's vivid, fluffy head.
Molting: During summer (June-August), males become flightless for around four weeks while they molt.
13-2-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WALL BROWN BUTTERFLY (Lasiommata megera)
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Lasiommata megera, the wall or wall brown, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae (subfamily Satyrinae). It is widespread in the Palearctic realm with a large variety of habitats and number of generations a year.
P. megera L. [— xiphie Boisd. pt (45d). Above reddish yellow, with a black mark which traverses the distal band from the cell of the forewing to the abdominal margin of the hindwing, short black stripes crossing the disc and the cell of the forewing.
The species lives in North Africa, Europe, the Caucasus, Asia Minor, the Middle East, western Siberia, northern Tian Shan, Dzungarian Alatau, Kazakhstan and Dzungaria.
Habitats include forest edges and clearings, shrubby areas in ravines and river valleys and sparse woodlands. It is also found in mountain habitats up to 0–3,000 metres (0–9,843 ft) above sea level.
The imago flies from April to October in two or three generations depending on locality and altitude. The larva feeds on grasses in the genera Festuca, Bromus, Deschampsia, Poa, Dactylis and Brachypodium.
Wednesday, 12 February 2020
12-2-2020 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (MALE) (Turdus merula)
The Common Blackbird thrives in a variety of habitats including woodlands with dense undergrowth, gardens, parks, and hedgerows. It shows a preference for deciduous trees and areas with thick vegetation.
This species is widespread across Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. It has also been introduced to Australia and New Zealand. Its range varies from resident populations in the milder regions to partially or fully migratory populations in areas with more severe winters.
The Common Blackbird is territorial, especially during breeding season, with males displaying distinctive threat behaviors to ward off rivals. Outside of breeding season, they can be more sociable, often forming small flocks. The species is known for its adaptability to urban environments, where it may overwinter more readily than in rural settings.
The male's song is a melodious and fluted warble, often heard from elevated perches during the breeding season. The Common Blackbird also has a repertoire of calls including a sharp "seee" when agitated and a "pook-pook-pook" to signal ground predators.
The Common Blackbird, Turdus merula, is a true thrush and a familiar sight in gardens and woodlands. The male is distinguished by its all-black plumage, bright yellow eye-ring, and orange-yellow bill, which darkens slightly during winter. Females and juveniles are more demure in their attire, sporting mainly dark brown feathers.
Adult males are entirely black with the exception of the yellow eye-ring and bill. Females are sooty-brown with a duller bill, and juveniles resemble females but have pale spots on their upperparts. The very young may also exhibit a speckled breast.
The Common Blackbird thrives in a variety of habitats including woodlands with dense undergrowth, gardens, parks, and hedgerows. It shows a preference for deciduous trees and areas with thick vegetation.
This species is widespread across Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. It has also been introduced to Australia and New Zealand. Its range varies from resident populations in the milder regions to partially or fully migratory populations in areas with more severe winters.
12-2-2020 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - COMMON WATERBUCK (MALE) (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ssp. ellipsiprymnus)
Common waterbucks (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) are large, water-dependent African antelopes known for a distinct white ring on their rumps, rough brown-grey coats, and a strong, musky odor. Found near lakes and rivers, they are excellent swimmers, using water to escape predators like lions and hyenas. Only males have long, ringed horns.
Key Facts about Waterbuck:
Physical Features: Standing 47–50 inches tall at the shoulder, they weigh up to 660 pounds, with males being larger and horned. Their coarse hair produces a waterproof secretion with a strong,, pungent odor.
Distinctive Rump: They are easily identified by a white ring around their rear, which acts as a visual signal for herds to follow one another through dense bush.
Water Dependency: Unlike many savanna animals, they cannot survive long without water and are always found nearby, yet they are poor at conserving it.
Habitat & Range: They occupy savanna grasslands and riverine woodlands in southern and eastern Africa.
Diet: They are herbivores that primarily graze on coarse, long grass, which makes up about 95% of their diet.
Social Behavior: They live in herds of 6 to 12, though larger groups exist. Mature males (6+ years) are territorial, while younger males join bachelor herds.
Reproduction: Females give birth to a single calf after a 7–9 month gestation. Calves are kept hidden for up to two months for protection.
Lifespan: Their typical lifespan in the wild is 11–18 years.
12-2-2020 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - YELLOW BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis)
The Yellow-billed Stork, Mycteria ibis, is a striking wader of the African continent. This medium-sized stork, with a height ranging from 90 to 105 cm, is adorned with a predominantly white plumage contrasted by a short black tail with a green and purple sheen. Its namesake yellow bill is slightly curved at the end, distinguishing it from other storks.
During the breeding season, the Yellow-billed Stork's plumage is tinged pink on the upperwings and back, and its legs turn a vivid pink. The male is generally larger with a longer bill compared to the female. Juveniles can be identified by their greyish-brown coloration, dull yellowish bill, and brown legs.
This species favors wetlands, shallow lakes, and mudflats, typically in water depths of 10-40 cm, avoiding heavily forested areas and deep waters unsuitable for their feeding techniques.
The Yellow-billed Stork is found across Eastern Africa, from Senegal and Somalia to South Africa, and in parts of Madagascar. It exhibits local migratory movements influenced by rainfall patterns.
These storks are known for their high-stepped stalking gait and impressive flight aerobatics. They are generally non-vocal but may emit hissing screams during social displays in the breeding season.
The species is mostly silent, but during the breeding season, it engages in bill clattering and a distinctive "woofing" wing beat. Nestlings produce a loud, monotonous braying call to solicit food from adults.
12-2-2020 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (FEMALE) (Turdus merula)
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The Common Blackbird, Turdus merula, is a true thrush and a familiar sight in gardens and woodlands. The male is distinguished by its all-black plumage, bright yellow eye-ring, and orange-yellow bill, which darkens slightly during winter. Females and juveniles are more demure in their attire, sporting mainly dark brown feathers.
Adult males are entirely black with the exception of the yellow eye-ring and bill. Females are sooty-brown with a duller bill, and juveniles resemble females but have pale spots on their upperparts. The very young may also exhibit a speckled breast.
The Common Blackbird thrives in a variety of habitats including woodlands with dense undergrowth, gardens, parks, and hedgerows. It shows a preference for deciduous trees and areas with thick vegetation.
This species is widespread across Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. It has also been introduced to Australia and New Zealand. Its range varies from resident populations in the milder regions to partially or fully migratory populations in areas with more severe winters.
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The Common Blackbird is territorial, especially during breeding season, with males displaying distinctive threat behaviors to ward off rivals. Outside of breeding season, they can be more sociable, often forming small flocks. The species is known for its adaptability to urban environments, where it may overwinter more readily than in rural settings.
The male's song is a melodious and fluted warble, often heard from elevated perches during the breeding season. The Common Blackbird also has a repertoire of calls including a sharp "seee" when agitated and a "pook-pook-pook" to signal ground predators.
Monogamous by nature, the Common Blackbird builds a neat, cup-shaped nest, often in dense shrubbery. The female lays three to five bluish-green eggs adorned with reddish-brown blotches. Both parents are involved in feeding the altricial chicks until they fledge.
An omnivore, the Common Blackbird forages primarily on the ground for insects, earthworms, seeds, and berries. It is adept at pulling earthworms from the soil and foraging through leaf litter for other invertebrates.
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