5-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PSILOTHRIX VIRIDICOERULEA (subfamily Dasytinae)

Psilothrix viridicoerulea is a soft-winged flower beetle in the subfamily Dasytinae, family Melyridae. It is recognizable by its brilliant metallic bluish-green coloration and black erect hairs covering its elongated body. Common across Mediterranean Europe and the Iberian Peninsula, these beetles are most active in spring.

Key Facts

Size and Color: They are small, typically ranging between 4.8 and 7.0 mm in length. Their striking metallic, shiny blue-green exoskeleton gives them excellent camouflage on vegetation.

Diet: While the larval stages are xylwood-feeders (living in or on wood), the adults are active flower visitors. They are important spring pollinators that feed on the pollen of various blooming plants, particularly Asteraceae (daisies).

Habitat: They are easily found in meadows, gardens, and along roadsides, heavily favoring regions with abundant springtime floral blooms.

Behavior: They are diurnal and are among the earliest beetles to appear on flowers at the beginning of spring, peaking around April before gradually declining toward the end of the season.

Morphology: They have a distinctly punctuated upper surface covered in stiff, black hairs. The male pygidium (last segment of the abdomen) features a distinct small, V-shaped notch that helps differentiate them from similar species.

5-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GREAT TIT (Parus major)

7-5-2017 SEVILLE , ANDALUCIA - HOUSE SPARROW (MALE) (Passer domesticus)

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world. It is a small bird that has a typical length of 16 cm (6.3 in) and a mass of 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). Females and young birds are coloured pale brown and grey, and males have brighter black, white, and brown markings. One of about 25 species in the genus Passer, the house sparrow is native to most of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, and a large part of Asia. Its intentional or accidental introductions to many regions, including parts of Australasia, Africa, and the Americas, make it the most widely distributed wild bird.

The house sparrow is strongly associated with human habitation, and can live in urban or rural settings. Though found in widely varied habitats and climates, it typically avoids extensive woodlands, grasslands, polar regions, and hot, dry deserts far away from human development. For sustenance, the house sparrow routinely feeds at home and public bird feeding stations, but naturally feeds on the seeds of grains, flowering plants and weeds. However, it is an opportunistic, omnivorous eater, and commonly catches insects, their larvae, caterpillars, invertebrates and many other natural foods.

7-5-2017 SEVILLE , ANDALUCIA - MALLARD (MALE) (Anas platyrhynchos)

Male Mallards have a dark, iridescent-green head and bright yellow bill. The gray body is sandwiched between a brown breast and black rear. Females and juveniles are mottled brown with orange-and-brown bills. Both sexes have a white-bordered, blue “speculum” patch in the wing.

Unlike larger waterfowl such as the Tundra Swan, which mate for life, Mallard pairs only stay together for a season. Courtship and pair formation begin each fall and winter. Groups of males display for a hen with a variety of behaviors, including head and tail shaking, head-bobbing, dipping, and whistling.

The female Mallard has between five and 14 light green eggs that she incubates for 30 days.

The ducklings are lead to water as soon as their soft, downy feathers are dry. ...

Most Mallard ducks live for one or two years, but some can live as long as 16 years!

Mallards swim with their tail held above the water.

29-2-2020 SAN CARLOS PARQUE, MADRID - EURASIAN MAGPIE (Pica pica)

The Eurasian magpie or common magpie (Pica pica) is a resident breeding bird throughout the northern part of the Eurasian continent. It is one of several birds in the crow family (corvids) that are designated as magpies, and it belongs to the Holarctic radiation of "monochrome" magpies. In Europe, the term "magpie" is used by English speakers as a synonym for the Eurasian magpie: the only other species of magpie in Europe is the Iberian magpie (Cyanopica cooki), which is restricted to the Iberian Peninsula. Despite sharing a name and similar colouration, they are not closely related to the Australian magpie, which is an artamid.

The Eurasian magpie is one of the most intelligent birds. The expansion of its nidopallium is approximately the same in its relative size as the brains of chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and humans. It is one of the few bird species known to pass the mirror test.

The range of the magpie extends across temperate Eurasia from Portugal, Spain and Ireland in the west to the Kamchatka Peninsula.

Magpies prefer open countryside with scattered trees and magpies are normally absent from treeless areas and dense forests. They sometimes breed at high densities in suburban areas such as parks and gardens. They can often be found close to city centres. In Sweden, magpies are exclusively associated with human settlements. It is extremely rare to find a magpie more than a few hundred metres from a human dwelling. Based on archaeological finds, it has been suggested that magpies became scavengers around human communities perhaps as early as during the Scandinavian Bronze Age, but certainly during the Scandinavian Iron Age.

Magpies are usually sedentary and tend to stay close to their nesting territories in winter. However, those living near the northernmost limits of their range, in Sweden, Finland, and Russia, may move south in harsh weather conditions.

13-4-2017 HUELVA, SPAIN - HOUSE SPARROW (MALE) (Passer domesticus)

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world. It is a small bird that has a typical length of 16 cm (6.3 in) and a mass of 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). Females and young birds are coloured pale brown and grey, and males have brighter black, white, and brown markings. One of about 25 species in the genus Passer, the house sparrow is native to most of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, and a large part of Asia. Its intentional or accidental introductions to many regions, including parts of Australasia, Africa, and the Americas, make it the most widely distributed wild bird.

The house sparrow is strongly associated with human habitation, and can live in urban or rural settings. Though found in widely varied habitats and climates, it typically avoids extensive woodlands, grasslands, polar regions, and hot, dry deserts far away from human development. For sustenance, the house sparrow routinely feeds at home and public bird feeding stations, but naturally feeds on the seeds of grains, flowering plants and weeds. However, it is an opportunistic, omnivorous eater, and commonly catches insects, their larvae, caterpillars, invertebrates and many other natural foods.

8-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CASE BEARING LEAF BEETLE (Genus Lachnaia)

Case-bearing leaf beetles (genus Lachnaia) are a fascinating group of leaf beetles (family Chrysomelidae) found primarily in North Africa and Southern Europe (especially Spain). They are highly distinct due to their mobile, portable excremental cases (made of feces and plant matter) and their highly specialized larval life cycle.

Key Physical & Behavioral Facts

The "Mobile Home": The defining trait of the genus is their housing. The female beetle lays an egg and covers it in a plate of her own excrement. Upon hatching, the larva carries this plate, continuously adding its own waste and plant debris to it as it grows. It lives inside this tubular case, dragging it around and sticking its head and legs out to feed.

Aposematism: Adult beetles often boast vibrant, metallic, or highly contrasting colors (e.g., bright orange/red with black spots, or metallic green). This bright warning coloration is an evolutionary defense against predators.

Diet & Impact: Adults are herbivores that feed on the foliage and flowers of various scrubland and woodland plants, including oaks (Quercus), hazels (Corylus), mastic trees, and hawthorn. While harmless to large trees, large swarms can become a detrimental pest to commercial growers or young saplings in nurseries.

 Ant-Nest Dwellers (Myrmecophily): The larvae of several Lachnaia species are known to live in the nests of ants. They safely scavenge inside the ant nest while being protected by their durable armor.

Ant-Nest Dwellers (Myrmecophily): The larvae of several Lachnaia species are known to live in the nests of ants. They safely scavenge inside the ant nest while being protected by their durable armor.

Activity Period: Adults are typically most active and easily spotted in early spring to early summer (e.g., April to June) when they feed to gain energy.

Common Species in Spain & EuropeLachnaia variolosa: One of the most common species in Spain, measuring 6-11mm in length, and often found on open scrubland and woodland edges.

Lachnaia cylindrica: Frequently found across the Iberian Peninsula and southern France, active between March and June.

Lachnaia italica: Widespread in Italy and recently spreading to surrounding regions, known to feed on fruit tree seedlings like plums and cherries.

Lachnaia sexpunctata: A widely distributed species also known as the six-spotted leaf beetle, recognized by its distinct elytral (forewing) markings.

4-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - FALSE BLISTER BEETLE (Family Oedemeridae)

4-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - LONG JOINTED BEETLE (Lagria grenieri)

Lagria grenieri is a species of beetle belonging to the family Tenebrionidae, subfamily Lagriinae (often referred to as long-jointed beetles or lagriid beetles). 

Here are the key facts about Lagria grenieri:

Appearance and Identification: The species is characterized by a completely black body, with the exception of the elytra (wing covers), which are yellow and covered with long yellow hairs. They have a narrow pronotum (the top part of the thorax) and elytra that are clearly enlarged towards the back.

Sexual Dimorphism: Males and females are easily distinguished. Males are generally smaller and narrower than females. A key identifying feature is that in males, the last antennomere (terminal segment of the antenna) is as long as the following five segments combined.

Habitat and Distribution: Lagria grenieri was originally described from France but is distributed across the Iberian Peninsula. It is found in Spain and has been recorded in the Balearic Islands, including Mallorca.

Taxonomy: It belongs to the genus Lagria, in the tribe Lagriini.

Biology: Like other beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, Lagria grenieri is a part of the Coleoptera order (beetles). While not specifically highlighted as a pest in the search results, they are part of the broader group known to have complex, often symbiotic, relationships with microorganisms. 

4-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BURROWING BUG (Cydnus aterrimus)

4-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GREY LEAVED CISTUS (Cistus albidus)

Cistus albidus, the grey-leaved cistus, is a shrubby species of flowering plant in the family Cistaceae, with pink to purple flowers, native to south-western Europe and western north Africa.

Cistus albidus grows up to 1 m (3 ft) tall. Its leaves are oblong to elliptical in shape, usually 2–5 cm (0.8–2.0 in) long by 0.5–2 cm (0.2–0.8 in) wide. They have three prominent veins and are densely covered with short hairs, producing a greyish-white appearance. The flowers are arranged in cymes of one to seven individual flowers, each 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in) across with five purple to pink petals and five sepals.

Cistus albidus is native to the west of Southern Europe and western North Africa, particularly around the Mediterranean, including Portugal, Spain, the Balearic Islands, France, Corsica, Italy, Sardinia, and Morocco.

4-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HOUSE SPARROW (FEMALE) (Passer domesticus)

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a member of the sparrow family Passeridae. This small bird typically measures around 16 cm (6.3 in) in length and weighs between 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females and young birds displaying pale brown and grey plumage, while males are characterized by more vibrant black, white, and brown markings.

Males can be identified by their bright black, white, and brown markings, with a distinctive black bib, white cheeks, and a grey crown. Females lack the striking head patterns of males and are predominantly buffish with softer coloration. Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally paler with less defined markings.

4-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BLUE ROCK THRUSH (MALE) (Monticola solitarius)

The blue rock thrush (Monticola solitarius ) is a species of chat. This thrush-like Old World flycatcher was formerly placed in the family Turdidae. It breeds in southern Europe, northwest Africa, and from Central Asia to northern China and Malaysia. The blue rock thrush is the official national bird of Malta and was shown on the Lm 1 coins that were part of the country's former currency.

The blue rock thrush is a starling-sized bird, 21–23 cm (8.3–9.1 in) in length with a long slim bill. The breeding male of the nominate subspecies is unmistakable, with all blue-grey plumage apart from its darker wings. Females and immatures are much less striking, with dark brown upperparts, and paler brown scaly underparts. The male of the subspecies M. s. philippensis has rufous-chestnut plumage from the mid-breast down to the undertail. Both sexes lack the reddish outer tail feathers of rock thrush.

The male blue rock thrush sings a clear, melodious call that is similar to, but louder than the call of the rock thrush.

21-5-2017 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (MALE) (Passer montanus)

The Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus) is a charming passerine bird, easily recognized by its rich chestnut crown and nape, and a distinctive black patch on each pure white cheek. Both sexes are similarly adorned, and the juveniles mirror the adults, albeit with slightly duller hues. This species is somewhat smaller than the closely related house sparrow, and its size is approximately 12.5–14 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 21 cm.

To identify the Eurasian tree sparrow, look for the kidney-shaped black ear patch on each white cheek, the black chin and throat, and the light brown upperparts streaked with black. The wings bear two narrow white bars, and the legs are pale brown. The bill is lead-blue in summer, darkening almost to black in winter. Unlike the house sparrow, there is no sexual dimorphism in plumage, making both males and females equally easy to identify.

In Europe, the Eurasian tree sparrow is typically found in lightly wooded open countryside, while in eastern Asia, it is more common in urban settings. It prefers nesting in natural cavities, holes in buildings, or even the abandoned nests of other large birds. This species is not typically found in mountainous regions, despite its scientific name suggesting otherwise.

The Eurasian tree sparrow has a broad distribution across temperate Eurasia and Southeast Asia, and it has been introduced to other regions such as the United States. Its range extends from Europe across Asia to the Lena River and south to the northern regions of Turkey, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and North Korea.

29-4-2020 PARQUE NAT DE CABANEROS, CIUDAD REAL - LESSER KESTREL (Falco naumanni)

The lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni, is a diminutive raptor, measuring 27–33 cm in length with a wingspan of 63–72 cm. It is often mistaken for the common kestrel but can be distinguished by its relatively shorter wings and tail. The male is characterized by a grey head and tail, lacking the common kestrel's dark spotting and black malar stripe, and displaying grey patches in the wings.

To identify the lesser kestrel, look for the absence of dark talons, a feature unique to this species, with their talons being a distinctive whitish-horn color. However, this is only noticeable at very close range. The male's lack of dark spotting on the back and the absence of a black malar stripe are also key identification markers. The female and young birds are paler than their common kestrel counterparts, and their call—a harsh "chay-chay-chay"—is distinct from the common kestrel's "kee-kee-kee."

 It is a small bird of prey, 27–33 cm (11–13 in) in length with a 63–72 cm (25–28 in) wingspan. It looks very much like the larger common kestrel but has proportionally shorter wings and tail. It shares a brown back and barred grey underparts with the larger species. The male has a grey head and tail like male common kestrels, but lacks the dark spotting on the back, the black malar stripe, and has grey patches in the wings.

The lesser kestrel favors open country, often nesting colonially on buildings, cliffs, or in tree holes.

This species has a breeding range that spans from the Mediterranean across to Afghanistan, Central Asia, China, and Mongolia. It is a summer migrant, wintering in Africa and Pakistan, and occasionally reaching as far as India and Iraq. It is rare north of its breeding range and is experiencing a decline in its European range.

10-3-2020 THATTEKAD BIRD SANCTUARY, INDIA - ROCK DRAGON (Psammophilus dorsalis) PHOTO COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/31408-Psammophilus-dorsalis

3-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria)

3-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CATALONIA WALL LIZARD (Podarcis liolepis)

Podarcis liolepis, the Columbretes wall lizard or Catalan wall lizard, is very similar to the other lizards in the genus Podarcis. This species was formerly described as a subspecies of the Iberian wall lizard, but has now been elevated to species status. These are slender lizards with long tails, narrow tapered heads and long thin toes, and stout legs. Colours are variable, although generally grey-brown. 

Often very subtle spots and stripes along the back and flanks can be seen and these can be more distinguished in the female. The underside is a much lighter cream or beige with sometimes a reddish tint. Adults grow 15–20 cm in length from the nose to tip of the tail. Body length can be a little as one third of the total body length, the tail making up the other two thirds.

1-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - RHOPTRIA ASPERARIA MOTH (Family Geometridae)

4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) PHOTO COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

The Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, is a dainty heron adorned in pure white plumage. It is characterized by a slender black beak, long black legs, and, notably in the western race, yellow feet. This elegant bird is a sight to behold with its graceful neck and poised stance.

Adult Little Egrets measure between 55–65 cm in length with a wingspan of 88–106 cm, and weigh 350–550 g. Their plumage is predominantly white, though some may exhibit bluish-grey coloration. Breeding adults boast ornate nape plumes reaching about 150 mm, along with distinctive feathers on the breast and elongated scapulars. The bill and lores are black, with greenish-grey skin at the base of the lower mandible and around the eye, which houses a yellow iris. Legs are black with contrasting yellow feet, though juveniles may have greenish-black legs and duller feet. The subspecies E. g. nigripes is distinguished by yellow skin between the bill and eye, and blackish feet.

4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - INDIAN PEAFOWL (Pavo cristatus) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

7-3-2020 THATTEKAD, INDIA - COMMON HILL MYNA (Gracula religiosa)

The Common Hill Myna, Gracula religiosa, is a robust, starling family member, cloaked in a glossy black plumage with a striking purple hue on its head and neck. This bird, approximately 29 cm in length, is adorned with bright orange-yellow patches of naked skin and fleshy wattles on the side of its head and nape, distinguishing it from its relatives.

When perched, the large white wing patches of the Common Hill Myna are mostly concealed, yet they become quite conspicuous in flight. The bird's bill and strong legs are a vivid yellow, complemented by yellow wattles on the nape and under the eye, which vary subtly in shape among the species' subspecies.

The Common Hill Myna is an arboreal creature, preferring the tree-tops at the forest's edge, where it moves in large, noisy groups.

This species is native to the hill regions of South Asia and Southeast Asia, extending from Kumaon division in India through Nepal, Bhutan, and Arunachal Pradesh, and further east to southern China, Thailand, and northern Indonesia to Palawan in the Philippines.

The Common Hill Myna exhibits a unique sideways hop along branches, unlike the jaunty walk typical of other mynas. It is most vocal at dawn and dusk, and while it does not mimic other birds in the wild, it is an exceptional mimic of human speech in captivity.

1-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN HOUSE GECKO (Hemidactylus turcicus)

The Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) is a species of house gecko native to the Mediterranean region, from which it has spread to many parts of the world including parts of East Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the Southern and Southeastern United States. It is commonly referred to as the Turkish gecko as represented in its Latin name and also as the moon lizard because it tends to emerge in the evening.

A study in Portugal found H. turcicus to be totally nocturnal, with its highest activity around 02:00. It is insectivorous, rarely exceeds 15 cm (5.9 in) in length, has large, lidless eyes with elliptical pupils, and purple or tan-colored skin with black spots, often with stripes on the tail. Its belly or undersides are somewhat translucent. What impact this gecko has on native wildlife in the regions to which it has been introduced is unknown.

In many parts of the world, the range of H. turcicus is increasing, and unlike many other reptiles, it appears to be highly resistant to pesticides. The increase may be explained as a consequence of having few predators in places where it has been introduced, and also of its tendency to take shelter in the cracks and unseen areas of human homes, for example inside walls. Reliance on human habitation has thus contributed to the species' proliferation, similar to rodents. In some Eastern Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, harming H. turcicus is taboo due to its benign nature, and it is often kept as a house pet.

1-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BLUE APHYLLANTHES (Aphyllanthes monspeliensis)

Aphyllanthes is a genus of flowering plants with only one species, Aphyllanthes monspeliensis, endemic to the western Mediterranean region. It is the only genus in the Aphyllanthoideae, a subfamily of the family Asparagaceae. Aphyllanthoideae was formerly treated as a separate family, Aphyllanthaceae.

Aphyllanthes are popular rock garden plants due to their preferred habitat. Because they originate from the Mediterranean, they are adapted to hot and dry conditions. Additionally, their large and bright flowers are an attractive trait which has resulted in the increased cultivation of this species for market.

1-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BLUE ROCK THRUSH (FEMALE) (Monticola solitarius)

The blue rock thrush is a starling-sized bird, 21–23 cm (8.3–9.1 in) in length with a long slim bill. The breeding male of the nominate subspecies is unmistakable, with all blue-grey plumage apart from its darker wings. Females and immatures are much less striking, with dark brown upperparts, and paler brown scaly underparts. The male of the subspecies M. s. philippensis has rufous-chestnut plumage from the mid-breast down to the undertail. Both sexes lack the reddish outer tail feathers of rock thrush.

The male blue rock thrush sings a clear, melodious call that is similar to, but louder than the call of the rock thrush.

The European, north African and southeast Asian birds are mainly resident, apart from altitudinal movements. Other Asian populations are more migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa, India and southeast Asia. This bird is a very uncommon visitor to northern and western Europe.