Sunday, 6 June 2021
6-6-2021 LA FONT EN CARROS, VALENCIA - CIRL BUNTING (Emberiza cirlus)
%2020.jpg)
The cirl bunting, Emberiza cirlus, is a passerine bird of modest size, akin to the familiar yellowhammer. It measures approximately 15.5 cm in length, with a wingspan ranging from 22 to 25.5 cm. The species is characterized by a robust bill, well-suited for seed consumption.
Males are distinguished by their vivid yellow heads, contrasted by a black crown, eyestripe, and throat. A greenish breast band adorns their yellow underparts, while their backs are cloaked in heavy brown streaks. Females, however, bear a closer resemblance to the yellowhammer, with streaked grey-brown rumps and chestnut shoulders.
Cirl buntings thrive in open areas with a smattering of scrub or trees, showing a particular fondness for sun-drenched slopes.
%2021.jpg)
This bird is native to southern Europe, the Mediterranean islands, and north Africa. It is a year-round resident in these regions, eschewing migration during the winter months. Notably, a population was introduced to New Zealand's South Island in the 19th century, where it persists.
Cirl buntings are sedentary creatures, often venturing a mere 250 meters from their nests to forage in the summer, and up to 2 kilometers in winter in search of stubble.
The male's song is a monotonous, rattling trill, reminiscent of the Arctic warbler or the terminal rattle of the lesser whitethroat.
26-5-2021 MERIDA, ESTREMADURA - WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia)
The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a majestic bird, notable for its predominantly white plumage with contrasting black flight feathers. Adults boast impressive red legs and long, pointed red beaks. They average a length of 100–115 cm from beak to tail and have a wingspan ranging from 155 to 215 cm.
To identify the White Stork, look for its white body, black wingtips, and distinctive red legs and beak. In flight, they extend their necks and legs, presenting a stretched-out appearance. Juveniles have duller beaks and legs, which become brighter as they mature.
White Storks favor open farmlands, grassy meadows, and shallow wetlands. They avoid dense vegetation, preferring areas where they can easily spot and access their prey.
The White Stork breeds across Europe, northwestern Africa, southwestern Asia, and southern Africa. It is a long-distance migrant, wintering as far south as South Africa and on the Indian subcontinent.
These social birds can be seen in flocks, especially during migration. They are monogamous breeders, with both parents involved in nest building and care of the young. They walk with a slow, steady gait and rest with their heads hunched between their shoulders.
White Storks build large stick nests, often reused for several years. Females lay clutches of usually four eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties. The young fledge after about two months but remain dependent on their parents for a short while thereafter.
The White Stork can be confused with the yellow-billed stork, great white pelican, and Egyptian vulture when seen at a distance in flight. However, differences in beak shape, leg length, and flight posture can help distinguish these species.
As carnivores, White Storks consume a variety of prey, including insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and occasionally small birds. They forage on the ground and in shallow waters.
Least Concern by the IUCN. Its populations have benefited from conservation efforts, leading to reintroduction in areas where it had previously disappeared due to changes in land use and industrialization.
26-5-2021 MERIDA, ESTREMADURA - SPOTLESS STARLING (Sturnus unicolor)
The Spotless Starling, known scientifically as Sturnus unicolor, is a member of the starling family, Sturnidae. It bears a striking resemblance to its cousin, the Common Starling, but is distinguished by its slightly larger size, measuring 21-23 cm in length and weighing between 70-100 grams. Its plumage is a glossy, oily black, which may exhibit purple or green iridescence under bright light. Notably, during the spring and summer, its feathers are completely devoid of spots, while in winter, it sports only minuscule pale spots.
To identify the Spotless Starling, look for its longer throat feathers, which are double the length of those on the Common Starling, creating a pronounced "beard" especially visible when the bird vocalizes. Its legs are a vivid pink, and the bill color changes with the seasons: yellow with a bluish or pinkish base in summer, and a duller, often blackish hue in winter. Juveniles present a dull brown plumage, darker than their common counterparts, with a black bill and brown legs.
The Spotless Starling is quite adaptable, inhabiting a variety of open environments from farmlands and olive groves to urban areas. It thrives particularly well in open grazed holm oak woods and in cities like Gibraltar, where it is a common sight.
Saturday, 5 June 2021
26-5-2021 MERIDA, ESTREMADURA - EUROPEAN GREENFINCH (Chloris chloris)
The European greenfinch (Chloris chloris) is a small passerine bird widespread throughout Europe, North Africa and Southwest Asia. It has also been introduced into Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay, and Argentina.
The European greenfinch is similar in size and shape to a House sparrow, but is mainly green, with yellow in the wings and tail. The female and young birds are duller and have brown tones on the back. The bill is thick and conical. The song contains a lot of trilling twitters interspersed with wheezes, and the male has a "butterfly" display flight.
European greenfinches are widespread throughout Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia. They are mainly residents, but some northernmost populations migrate further south. Greenfinches inhabit forests, woodland edges, farmland hedges, plantations, gardens with relatively thick vegetation, and parks.
European greenfinches are social and can form large flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixing with other finches and buntings. They are active during the daylight hours spending their time flying and hopping among tree branches in search of food. During the flight they often produce 'djururu' call and make soft 'tsooeet' and a brief 'chup'. Their song contains a lot of trilling twitters interspersed with wheezes.
European greenfinches breed in spring, starting in the second half of March and until June. Males perform their "butterfly" display flights and sing in order to attract females. Pairs nest in trees or bushes, laying 3 to 6 eggs. Incubation lasts about 13-14 days, by the female. The male feeds her at the nest during this period. Chicks are covered with thick, long, greyish-white down at hatching. They are fed on insect larvae by both parents during the first days, and later, by a frequently regurgitated yellowish paste made of seeds. They leave the nest about 13 days later, but they are not able to fly. Usually, the chicks fledge 16-18 days after hatching. Each pair typically raises two or three broods per year.
European greenfinches are not globally threatened; however, they suffer from changes in agriculture practices and are often trapped in some parts of their range.
Friday, 4 June 2021
26-5-2021 MERIDA, ESTREMADURA - ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
%2021.jpg)
The Rock Dove, commonly known as the Rock Pigeon or simply "pigeon," is a familiar bird that graces our cityscapes with its presence. This bird, with its robust body, rounded head, and stout bill, is a member of the Columbidae family. The wild form of the pigeon, Columba livia, is the progenitor of the domesticated varieties that are well-known to many. The wild Rock Dove sports a pale grey plumage adorned with two striking black bars on each wing, while domestic and feral pigeons exhibit a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns.
Originally hailing from Southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, Rock Doves have spread to cities worldwide. Their population is abundant, with millions of feral and wild birds established across the globe.
25-5-2021 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - YELLOW SALSIFY (Tragopogon dubius)
Tragopogon dubius (yellow salsify, western salsify, western goat's-beard, wild oysterplant, yellow goat's beard, goat's beard, goatsbeard, common salsify, salsify) is a species of salsify native to southern and central Europe and western Asia and found as far north and west as northern France. Although it has been reported from Kashmir and India, recent evidence[citation needed] suggests that specimens from these areas may be a different species. Western salsify has been introduced into North America where it has become widespread, being reported from all the continental United States except for a few in the far south-east, and all provinces of Canada except Newfoundland and the northern territories.
Like most salsifies, the western salsify grows as an annual or occasionally biennial forb, reaching a height of typically 20–60 cm but sometimes almost a metre. It grows typically in warm, sheltered spots with moist soil. Its yellow flower head is 4–6 cm in diameter and is likely to be seen in late spring or early summer. Buds are blue-green, tall, and tapered. The inflorescence opens early in the morning and often closes up by late afternoon. Later the plant forms a seed head that resembles that of the dandelions but is distinctly larger. The seeds themselves (known as achenes) are 2–4 cm long but featherweight, weighing about 8 mg each on average. There is some natural variation between the central and peripheral achenes in the seedhead, with the peripheral ones being generally darker and heavier, and having a higher concentration of phenolic compounds; this may enhance their survival potential.
25-5-2021 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - EURASIAN COOT (FEMALE AND JUVENILE) (Fulica atra)
%20(Fulica%20atra)%2020.jpg)
The Eurasian coot, Fulica atra, also known as the common coot or Australian coot, is a distinctive waterbird with a slaty-black body, a glossy black head, and a striking white bill topped with a white frontal shield. This bird is a member of the Rallidae family, which includes rails and crakes. Both sexes exhibit similar plumage, making them indistinguishable in the field.
Adult Eurasian coots measure 36–38 cm in length with a wingspan of 70–80 cm. Males are slightly heavier than females, weighing around 890 g compared to the females' 750 g. The species is characterized by its white bill and frontal shield, which contrast sharply with its all-black body. Juveniles are paler with a whitish breast and lack the facial shield, which develops fully by one year of age.
Thursday, 3 June 2021
25-5-2021 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)
%20%20(Gallinula%20chloropus)%2020.jpg)
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)