20-2-2021 ADOR CAMPO, VALENCIA - COMMON CHAFFINCH (FEMALE) (Fringilla coelebs)

The Eurasian chaffinch, or simply the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), presents a striking dichotomy in plumage between the sexes. The male is resplendent with a blue-grey cap and rust-red underparts, while the female's attire is more subdued, though both genders boast two white wing bars and white sides to their tails. The male's robust voice is a herald of spring, as he sings from exposed perches to court a mate.

To identify the male chaffinch, look for the black forehead, blue-grey crown, and rust-red breast, which fades to a pale creamy-pink on the belly. The wings feature a white panel on the coverts and a buff-white bar on the secondaries and inner primaries. Females and juveniles are more muted with grey-brown shades above and paler below, but retain the distinctive wing markings.

Chaffinches favor wooded environments, thriving in areas where the July isotherm ranges from 12 to 30°C. They are adaptable, however, and can be found in a variety of forested landscapes across their range.

20-2-2021 ADOR CAMPO, VALENCIA - BLACK REDSTART (MALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)

The Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small, charismatic passerine bird, exhibiting a blend of dark and vibrant plumage. Males are distinguished by their dark grey to black upperparts and breast, with a striking orange-red rump and tail. Females and juveniles are more subdued in color, with grey to grey-brown feathers and the same vivid tail coloration that is the hallmark of the species.

Adult males are easily identified by their dark upperparts and black breast, contrasting with the orange-red lower rump and tail. The belly and undertail may vary from blackish-grey to orange-red, depending on the subspecies. Females and juveniles are less conspicuous, with overall greyer tones and a distinctive orange-red rump and tail. The presence of pale fringes on the secondaries forms a whitish wing panel in some subspecies.

The Black Redstart has adapted remarkably to urban environments, often found nesting in crevices or holes within buildings. Originally a dweller of stony mountainous regions, it now thrives in industrial areas with similar structural features.

19-2-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SARDINIAN WARBLER (FEMALE) (Sylvia melanocephala)

The Sardinian warbler, Curruca melanocephala, presents itself as a charming and distinctive bird of the Mediterranean. The males are adorned with a sleek grey back and pristine whitish underparts, crowned with a striking black head, a pure white throat, and captivating red eyes. The females, on the other hand, exhibit a more subdued palette, with brown upperparts and buff underparts, complemented by a subtle grey head.

When attempting to identify the Sardinian warbler, look for the male's black head and red eyes, which contrast with the white throat and grey back. Females can be recognized by their brown and buff coloration with a greyish head. The variability in plumage, including the presence or absence of a reddish hue, can be a helpful clue in distinguishing between subspecies.

19-2-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GREAT TIT (Parus major)

The great tit (Parus major) is a small passerine bird, easily recognized by its black head and neck, striking white cheeks, olive upperparts, and vibrant yellow underparts. This bird is the most widespread species in the genus Parus, found across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of North Africa.

Males are characterized by their bright plumage, with a black bib that extends down the belly, bordered by a lemon-yellow breast. Females and juveniles are similar but have duller coloration. The black line down the belly is also narrower and sometimes broken in these birds.

Great tits favor a variety of woodland habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, forest edges, and even urban parks and gardens. They are also found in riverine woodlands and, in some regions, boreal taiga.

19-2-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HOUSE SPARROW (FEMALE) (Passer domesticus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13858-Passer-domesticus

 

19-2-2020 DECORAH IOWA, USA - BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) LIVE CAM

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a majestic bird  of prey indigenous to North America, is not actually bald. Its name derives from an older meaning of "white headed," referencing the striking contrast between its chocolate-brown body and its snow-white head and tail. The adult bald eagle is unmistakable within its range, with a robust build, a heavy head, and a powerful beak. The plumage of immature eagles is a mottled brown, with the distinctive white head and tail feathers not appearing until four to five years of age.

Adult bald eagles are primarily brown with a white head and tail, and their eyes, beak, and talons are bright yellow. Females are about 25 percent larger than males. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females being larger, averaging up to 5.6 kg (12 lb), compared to the males' average of 4.1 kg (9.0 lb). The beak is large, hooked, and yellow. Juveniles lack the white head and tail, featuring a brown plumage overlaid with white until they reach maturity.

Bald eagles favor habitats near large bodies of open water with abundant fish and old-growth trees for nesting. They are found in environments ranging from the bayous of Louisiana to the Sonoran Desert and the deciduous forests of Quebec and New England.

The bald eagle's range spans most of Canada and Alaska, all of the contiguous United States, and northern Mexico. They are migratory in the northern parts of their range and resident in the southern parts.

17-2-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PRIMROSE JASMINE (Jasminum mesnyi)

Primrose Jasmine (Jasminum mesnyi) is a vigorous, semi-evergreen shrub native to southern China and Vietnam. Known for its cascading, fountain-like habit and bright, semi-double yellow flowers, it serves as an excellent, low-maintenance ornamental plant for covering walls, slopes, or trellises.

Key Facts & Characteristics

Growth Habit: Acts as a sprawling shrub or climbing vine. Without support, it creates a mounding, arching fountain about 1.5 to 3 meters (5 to 10 feet) high and wide.

Flowers: Produces large, trumpet-shaped, semi-double yellow blossoms that resemble primroses. Unlike true white jasmines, they are generally non-fragrant.

Bloom Time: Blooms primarily from late winter to early spring, with sporadic flowers appearing into the summer.Foliage: Features glossy, dark green trifoliate leaves arranged oppositely along square, deep-green stems.

17-2-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Idaea minuscularia)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/322983-Idaea-seriata

 

17-2-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - TIGER FLY (Genus Coenosia)

Coenosia is a very large genus (more than 350 species) of true flies of the family Muscidae. Coenosia are known as tiger flies since they are predators and hunt many kinds of insects and other invertebrates.

In Denmark, fungi Strongwellsea tigrinae and Strongwellsea acerosa (from the Strongwellsea genus, order Entomophthorales) infect the flying hosts from the genus Coenosia, including species Coenosia tigrina and Coenosia testacea. While most fungi spore once the host is dead, with Strongwellsea, the host continues to live for days, carrying out normal activities and socialising with other flies while the fungus consumes its genitals, fat reserves, reproductive organs and finally its muscle, all the while shooting out thousands of spores on to other individuals. 

17-2-2021 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)

The common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus, is a bird of prey from the kestrel group within the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In the United Kingdom, it is often simply referred to as the "kestrel." This raptor is small compared to other birds of prey but larger than most songbirds, with long wings and a distinctive long tail.

Males and females exhibit sexual dimorphism in their plumage. The male has a blue-grey cap and tail with a black tip bordered by a narrow white rim. Its back is chestnut with black spots, and the underside is buff with black streaks. The female is larger and lacks the blue-grey coloring, having a brown back with black bars and a similar underside to the male. Both sexes have a prominent black malar stripe, bright yellow cere, feet, and eye-ring, with dark toenails, bill, and iris.

17-2-2021 SUECA, VALENCIA - YELLOW IRIS (Iris pseudacorus)

 It used to grow in the ditch of the fortified city of Mdina, on the island of Malta, where water was readily available, but after the renovation of the ditch it has since vanished from the area.

In some regions (including the US and South Africa) where it is not native, it has escaped from cultivation to establish itself as an invasive aquatic plant which can create dense, monotypic stands, outcompeting other plants in the ecosystem. Where it is invasive, it is tough to remove on a large scale. Even ploughing the rhizomes is often ineffective. It has been banned in some areas but is still widely sold in others for use in gardens.

Iris pseudacorus is reported as invasive in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

17-2-2021 SUECA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (FEMALE) (Gallinula chloropus)

The common moorhen, known scientifically as Gallinula chloropus, is a bird of the rail family, Rallidae. It is a bird of striking appearance, with a mix of black and brown plumage, a white under-tail, and white streaks along its flanks. Its legs are a vibrant yellow, and it sports a distinctive red frontal shield. The bill is a matching red with a yellow tip. Juveniles are a duller brown and do not have the red shield.

Adult moorhens can be identified by their red frontal shield, which has a rounded top and fairly parallel sides. The tailward margin of the red unfeathered area is smoothly curved. Their yellow legs and the combination of their black and brown plumage with white markings make them quite distinctive. The young are browner and lack the red shield, making them less conspicuous.

The common moorhen is found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, ponds, canals, and lakes that are rich in vegetation. It is also known to inhabit city parks with suitable water bodies.

17-2-2021 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria)

The speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) is a butterfly found in and on the borders of woodland areas throughout much of the Palearctic realm. The species is subdivided into multiple subspecies, including Pararge aegeria aegeria, Pararge aegeria tircis, Pararge aegeria oblita, and Pararge aegeria insula. The color of this butterfly varies between subspecies. The existence of these subspecies is due to variation in morphology down a gradient corresponding to a geographic cline.

The background of the wings ranges from brown to orange, and the spots are either pale yellow, white, cream, or a tawny orange. The speckled wood feeds on a variety of grass species. The males of this species exhibit two types of mate locating behaviors: territorial defense and patrolling. The proportion of males exhibiting these two strategies changes based on ecological conditions. The monandrous female must choose which type of male can help her reproduce successfully. Her decision is heavily influenced by environmental conditions.

The average wingspan of both males and females is 5.1 cm (2 in), although males tend to be slightly smaller than females. Furthermore, males possess a row of grayish-brown scent scales on their forewings that is absent in the females. Females have brighter and more distinct markings than males. The subspecies P. a. tircis is brown with pale yellow or cream spots and darker upperwing eyespots. The subspecies P. a. aegeria has a more orange background and the hindwing underside eyespots are reddish brown rather than black or dark gray. 

The two forms gradually intergrade into each other. Subspecies P. a. oblita is a darker brown, often approaching black with white rather than cream spots. The underside of its hindwings has a marginal pale purple band and a row of conspicuous white spots. The spots of subspecies P. a. insula are a tawny orange rather than a cream color. The underside of the forewings has patches of pale orange, and the underside of the hindwing has a purple-tinged band. Although there is considerable variation with each subspecies, identification of the different subspecies is manageable.

17-2-2021 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - COMMON SHELDUCK (Tadorna tadorna)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/7067-Tadorna-tadorna

 

17-2-2021 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4954-Ardea-cinerea

 

17-2-2021 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13729-Anthus-pratensis

 

17-2-2021 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

The Little egret (Egretta garzetta) is small elegant heron in the family Ardeidae. As an aquatic bird, it feeds in shallow water and on land, consuming a variety of small creatures. At one time common in Western Europe, the Little heron was hunted extensively in the 19th century to provide plumes for the decoration of hats and became locally extinct in Northwestern Europe and scarce in the south. Around 1950, conservation laws were introduced in southern Europe to protect the species and their numbers began to increase.

The plumage of the Little egret is normally entirely white, although there are dark forms with largely bluish-grey plumage. In the breeding season, the adult has two long plumes on the nape that form a crest. These plumes are about 150 mm (6 in) and are pointed and very narrow. There are similar feathers on the breast, but the barbs are more widely spread. 

There are also several elongated scapular feathers that have long loose barbs and may be 200 mm (8 in) long. During the winter the plumage is similar but the scapulars are shorter and more normal in appearance. The bill is long and slender and it and the lores are black. There is an area of greenish-grey bare skin at the base of the lower mandible and around the eye which has a yellow iris. The legs are black and the feet yellow. Juveniles are similar to non-breeding adults but have greenish-black legs and duller yellow feet, and may have a certain proportion of greyish or brownish feathers. The subspecies nigripes differs in having yellow skin between the bill and eye, and blackish feet. During the height of courtship, the lores turn red and the feet of the yellow-footed races turn red.

17-2-2021 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/472766-Falco-tinnunculus

 

15-2-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CUTWORM MOTH (Cerastis faceta)

The Cutworm Moth (Cerastis faceta) is a species of noctuid moth belonging to the family Noctuidae, first described by German entomologist Georg Friedrich Treitschke in 1835.

Key Characteristics & Biology

Appearance & Flight: Medium-sized (30–32 mm wingspan) with camouflaged gray-brown forewings. Adults fly early in the season, from February to April.

Larval Behavior: Nocturnal feeders on various low-growing plants that hide underground during the day.

Habitat & DistributionThis Mediterranean species is found across North Africa and Southern Europe, including regions such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, and various islands.

16-2-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SEVEN SPOTTED LADYBIRD (Coccinella septempunctata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/51702-Coccinella-septempunctata

 

15-2-2021 JALON, VALENCIA - DOMESTIC MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos var. domesticus)

The domestic mallard (Anas platyrhynchos var. domesticus) is a domesticated variety of the wild mallard raised primarily for meat, eggs, down feathers, or kept as pets and ornamental birds.

Physical Traits

• Size: Varies significantly by breed—from small ornamental types like the Appleyard (approx. 0.7 kg / 1.5 lb) up to large meat breeds like the Aylesbury or Pekin (up to 4.6 kg / 10 lb or more), compared to a wild mallard's average of 1.1 kg (2.4 lb).

• Body Shape: Bulkier abdomen and a more upright stance than wild counterparts.

• Plumage & Color: Greatly diversified through selective breeding; they often display irregular patches of white on the chest, all-dark or pied colors, crests, tufts, or completely non-standard color patterns compared to the uniform wild type.

Behavioral Traits

• Social Structure: Less territorial and generally less aggressive than wild mallards.

• Mating: Mostly promiscuous, contrasting with the strictly monogamous nature of wild mallards, though they readily interbreed with wild populations.

• Flight: Many domestic breeds are too heavy or lack the wing-to-body ratio required for sustained flight.

• Temperament: Generally tamer and more accustomed to human interaction or park environments.

According to a consensus among users on Facebook.

15-2-2021 JALON, VALENCIA - 15-2-2021 JALON, VALENCIA - MALLARD X MUSKOVY DUCK (Anas platyrhynchos × cairina moschata)

The cross between a Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and a Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) produces a unique hybrid often called a Mulard or Mule Duck. Because these two species belong to different genera, their offspring are almost always sterile, meaning they cannot reproduce.Quick Comparison & Hybrid Types

Mule Duck: Produced when the father is a Muscovy and the mother is a Mallard (or Mallard-derived breed like a Pekin). These are typically larger and used in the commercial meat industry.

Hinny: Produced when the father is a Mallard and the mother is a Muscovy. These are less common and generally smaller than Mule Ducks.

Key Facts & CharacteristicsAppearance: 

Hybrids often exhibit a "mixed" look. They may have the iridescent green sheen of a Mallard head but with the larger body and slight red or black caruncles (fleshy growths) around the bill typical of a Muscovy.

Voice: They are generally quieter than Mallards. While female Mallards are famous for their loud quack, these hybrids may only produce soft hisses, trills, or muffled quacks.

Behavior: They often display a blend of habits. They may prefer terrestrial foraging like a Muscovy but are also capable swimmers like a Mallard.

Commercial Use: In agriculture, Mulards are highly valued for their meat and foie gras production. They are considered hardier and grow faster than many purebred ducks.

Commonality: While rare in the wild, they are frequently seen in urban parks and lakes where domestic ducks of both species are often abandoned and interbreed.

15-2-2021 JALON, VALENCIA - BLACK REDSTART (MALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)

The Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small, charismatic passerine bird, exhibiting a blend of dark and vibrant plumage. Males are distinguished by their dark grey to black upperparts and breast, with a striking orange-red rump and tail. Females and juveniles are more subdued in color, with grey to grey-brown feathers and the same vivid tail coloration that is the hallmark of the species.

Adult males are easily identified by their dark upperparts and black breast, contrasting with the orange-red lower rump and tail. The belly and undertail may vary from blackish-grey to orange-red, depending on the subspecies. Females and juveniles are less conspicuous, with overall greyer tones and a distinctive orange-red rump and tail. The presence of pale fringes on the secondaries forms a whitish wing panel in some subspecies.

The Black Redstart has adapted remarkably to urban environments, often found nesting in crevices or holes within buildings. Originally a dweller of stony mountainous regions, it now thrives in industrial areas with similar structural features.

This species is widely distributed across south and central Europe, Asia, and north-west Africa. It is a resident in milder regions, while populations in the northeast migrate to warmer areas during winter.

The Black Redstart is known for its robin-like movements, including quick ducks of the head and body, and frequent tail flicking. Males possess a rattling song and a tick call, adding to their distinctive presence.

The Black Redstart's vocal repertoire includes a variety of calls, which differ among subspecies. The male's song is a rattling melody, while its call is a sharp 'tick', often heard during its active foraging.

Typically monogamous, the Black Redstart begins breeding in mid-April. Nests are built by females in sheltered nooks, lined with soft materials. Clutches consist of 4 to 6 eggs, incubated primarily by the female. Both parents tend to the fledglings, which leave the nest after 12 to 19 days.

The Black Redstart's diet includes insects, which it often catches mid-flight. It is also known to forage in coastal areas for tiny crustaceans and flies.

15-2-2021 JALON, VALENCIA - BLACK REDSTART (FEMALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13000-Phoenicurus-ochruros

 

15-2-2021 JALON, VALENCIA - COMMON CHAFFINCH (MALE) (Fringilla coelebs)

The Eurasian chaffinch, common chaffinch, or simply the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) is a common and widespread small passerine bird in the finch family. The male is brightly coloured with a blue-grey cap and rust-red underparts. The female is more subdued in colouring, but both sexes have two contrasting white wing bars and white sides to the tail. The male bird has a strong voice and sings from exposed perches to attract a mate.

The chaffinch breeds in much of Europe, across the Palearctic to Siberia. The female builds a nest with a deep cup in the fork of a tree. The clutch is typically four or five eggs, which hatch in about 13 days. The chicks fledge in around 14 days, but are fed by both adults for several weeks after leaving the nest. Outside the breeding season, chaffinches form flocks in open countryside and forage for seeds on the ground.