Tuesday, 1 June 2021
Monday, 31 May 2021
31-5-2021 CARRION DE CALATRAVA, LA MANCHA - SPANISH IMPERIAL EAGLE (Aquila adalberti)
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The Spanish imperial eagle, known scientifically as Aquila adalberti and also referred to as the Iberian imperial eagle, is a majestic bird of prey native to the Iberian Peninsula. This large raptor is adorned with distinctive white "epaulettes" on its shoulders, a feature that has led to its historical moniker, the white-shouldered eagle. The species is named in honor of Prince Adalbert of Bavaria.
Adult Spanish imperial eagles are darker than their eastern imperial and golden eagle counterparts, with a rich blackish-brown plumage extending from throat to belly. The white band on their shoulders and leading edge of the wing is more pronounced than in the eastern species. Their nape and crown are a pale tawny color, contrasting with the golden-yellow of the golden eagle. Juveniles are markedly different, with a pale straw-sandy color and broad black bands on their wings. In flight, they exhibit a flatter wing profile compared to the golden eagle's upturned dihedral.
The Spanish imperial eagle favors the dehesa woodlands of central and southwest Spain, where it finds mature trees for nesting and open shrubby areas for hunting.
This species is predominantly found in central and southwest Spain and parts of Portugal. It is a resident bird, not known for migration. While stable presence in Morocco is debated, immature birds are known to visit during dispersion.
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Spanish imperial eagles are shy and territorial, preferring areas with minimal human disturbance. They breed from February to April, constructing large nests in mature trees, often near wetlands. The average clutch size is two to three eggs, but typically only one to two fledglings survive per nest.
Nesting occurs in dry, mature woodlands, with nests built close to areas rich in prey. The species is sensitive to human disturbance, which can lead to nestling mortality alongside other factors such as predation and siblicide.
The diet of the Spanish imperial eagle primarily consists of European rabbits. Following a decline in rabbit populations, the eagles have adapted to hunt a variety of vertebrates, including water birds, partridges, pigeons, crows, and occasionally larger mammals like foxes.
The Spanish imperial eagle is classified as Vulnerable. Conservation efforts have led to a recovery from near extinction in the 1960s to a population of over 300 pairs by 2011. Threats include habitat loss, human encroachment, collisions with powerlines, and a decline in rabbit populations, their primary prey.
Sunday, 30 May 2021
30-5-2021 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - EUROPEAN ROLLER (Coracias garrulas)
The European roller (Coracias garrulus) is the only member of the roller family of birds to breed in Europe. Its overall range extends into the Middle East, Central Asia and the Maghreb.
The European roller is found in a wide variety of habitats, avoiding only treeless plains. Nests usually in tree holes. It winters in Southern Africa - primarily in dry wooded savanna and bushy plains.
The European roller is a bird of warmer regions. The nominate subspecies breeds in northern Africa from Morocco to Tunisia, in southern and east-central Europe, and eastwards through northwestern Iran to southwestern Siberia. The subspecies C. g. semenowi breeds from Iraq and southern Iran east through Kashmir and southern Kazakhstan to Xinjiang. The European range was formerly more extensive, but there has been a long-term decline in the north and west, with extinction as a nesting bird in Sweden and Germany. The European roller is a long-distance migrant, wintering in Africa south of the Sahara in two distinct regions, from Senegal east to Cameroon and from Ethiopia west (with observations in the Degua Tembien mountains) to Congo and south to South Africa. Some populations migrate to Africa through India.
30-5-2021 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - EUROPEAN ROLLER (Coracias garrulas)
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This species is assessed as Least Concern. The population size and range are large and do not approach the thresholds for listing as Vulnerable and, although the population is still believed to be declining, the declines are not thought to be sufficiently rapid to warrant listing as Near Threatened. The European population is still thought to be declining but at a less severe rate and the Central Asian population is not thought to be suffering significant declines. Conservation actions in several countries have contributed to national recoveries.
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In Europe, the breeding population is estimated to number 75,000-158,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015). The European population is thought to hold around 40% of the global breeding range; therefore a very approximate estimate of the global population is 188,000-395,000 mature individuals or 282,000-593,000 individuals. The species is here placed in the band 100,000-499,999 mature individuals and 200,000-600,000 individuals.
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Spectacular and distinctive: overall brilliant blue, with a rusty back and a stout, crowlike bill; juvenile plumage duller overall. Favors open and semiopen country with scattered trees and wooded patches; often takes larger insects, such as grasshoppers. Mostly seen singly or in small groups, perched on prominent perches, such as bare snags and wires, as well as on the ground. Quiet outside of the breeding season, when birds give harsh rasping calls.
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Friday, 28 May 2021
Thursday, 27 May 2021
Tuesday, 25 May 2021
20-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)
The African grey hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus) is a notable member of the hornbill family, a group of mainly tropical near-passerine birds. This species, with a length of 45–51 cm (18–20 in), is considered large, though it ranks among the smaller hornbills. Exhibiting a plumage of subdued grey and brown, the bird is darker on the head, flight feathers, and elongated tail. A distinctive white line graces each side of the crown, extending down the back and becoming visible only during flight.
Males can be distinguished by their dark upper mandible adorned with a creamy-yellow mark or stripe, while females boast a tricoloured, red-tipped mandible. Both sexes have a small casque on the upper bill, more pronounced in males. Juveniles resemble adults but initially have uniformly blackish bills. The flight of the African grey hornbill is characterized by a distinctive undulating pattern.
The African grey hornbill is partial to open woodlands and savannahs, where it can be found perched or in flight, traversing the expansive African skies.
This species is a widespread resident breeder across sub-Saharan Africa and extends its range into the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula.
The African grey hornbill is a sociable bird, often seen in pairs or small family groups. It is known for its piping "pee-o pee-o pee-o" call, a sound that resonates through its preferred habitats.
The call of the African grey hornbill is a distinctive and repetitive piping sequence, often rendered as "pee-o pee-o pee-o," which it uses to communicate within its habitat.
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During the breeding season, the female lays two to four white eggs in a tree hollow. The entrance is sealed with a mixture of mud, droppings, and fruit pulp, leaving only a narrow slit for the male to pass food to the enclosed female and later, the chicks. As the nest becomes crowded, the female breaks free to assist in feeding the growing brood.
An omnivorous bird, the African grey hornbill's diet consists of insects, fruits, and occasionally reptiles. It predominantly forages in the trees, plucking its varied diet from the foliage.
The IUCN Red List categorizes the African grey hornbill as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant immediate threats to its survival.
Sunday, 23 May 2021
20-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - COMMON RED FACED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius indicus ssp. transvaalensis)
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The red-faced mousebird is a social, fruit-eating bird native to southern Africa, easily identified by its slaty-grey body, red facial skin, and long tail. They live in small flocks, preen each other, and breed between June and February, laying clutches of 2–6 eggs. Their diet consists primarily of fruit, but they also eat flowers, nectar, and leaves.
Identification
Appearance: Slaty-grey with a reddish facial patch, pale forehead, and a long, streamlined tail.Size: Approximately \(33\) cm long, with the tail making up more than half the length.Juveniles: Lack the crest and have a greenish facial mask.
Behavior and social structure Gregarious: Almost always found in small flocks, typically of 3 to 10 individuals, and are very sociable.Social interactions: Engage in mutual preening and roost together at night.Vocalization: Give a distinctive, high-pitched call in flight.
22-5-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Idaea ostrinaria)
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Idaea ostrinaria (Coral-bordered Wave) is a small geometrid moth found in European, Mediterranean, and Western Asian xerophilous (dry) habitats, typically at 0–800m altitude. It features a characteristic coral-red bordered wing and is polyphagous, with larvae feeding on withered foliage and detritus from herbaceous plants like thyme (Thymus) and heliotrope (Heliotropium).
Key Facts about Idaea ostrinaria:
Scientific Classification: Belongs to the order Lepidoptera, family Geometridae, and subfamily Sterrhinae.
Habitat: Prefers dry, coastal areas, and warm, open landscapes.
Appearance: Known for its reddish or "coral-bordered" wing markings, often featuring a delicate, pale, or brownish-grey ground color.
Larval Diet: Polyphagous, meaning they eat a variety of plants, including Labiatae (mint family), Boraginaceae, Campanulaceae, Convolvulaceae, and Caryophyllaceae.
Range: Primarily found in South-West Europe, the Mediterranean region, and parts of Western Asia.
Flight Season: Frequently observed in late spring and summer months (e.g., June sightings).
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