4-5-2017 CORDOBA, ANDALUCIA - EGYPTIAN BIRD GRASSHOPPER (Anacridium aegyptium)

Anacridium aegyptium, the Egyptian grasshopper or Egyptian locust, is a species of insect belonging to the subfamily Cyrtacanthacridinae.

Anacridium aegyptium var. rubrispinum Bei-Bienko, 1948 - Anacridium rubrispinum Bei-Bienko, 1948

A fairly common species, the Egyptian grasshopper is present in most of Europe, the Afrotropical realm, eastern Palearctic realm, the Near East, and North Africa, and has recently been observed in Cape Town, South Africa.

These grasshoppers inhabit trees and shrubs, scrub land, maquis, and orchards in warm and bright environments, at an elevation from sea level to 1,500 m.

Anacridium aegyptium is one of the largest European grasshoppers. Adult males grow up to 30–56 mm (1.2–2.2 in) long, while females reach 46–70 mm (1.8–2.8 in) in length. Their bodies are usually gray, brown, or olive-coloured, and their antennae are relatively short and robust. The tibiae of the hind legs are blue, while the femora are orange. The hind femora have characteristic dark marks. They are also easily identified by their characteristic eyes, which have vertical black and white stripes. Their pronota show a dorsal orange stripe and several small white spots. The wings are clear with dark marks.

This species is a folivore, essentially feeding on leaves of various plants. It is a solitary species, harmless to crops. Adults are mainly seen in August and September, but they are active throughout the year. After mating, these grasshoppers overwinter as adults. Spawning occurs in spring just under the soil surface and the nymphs appear in April. These grasshoppers undergo several molts. Nymphs differ from adults in appearance; their color varies from yellow to bright green and ocher and the wings are absent or small, as they are gradually developed after each molt.

4-5-2017 CORDOBA, ANDALUCIA - ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)

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.

Adult Rock Doves typically measure between 29 to 37 cm in length, boasting a wingspan of 62 to 72 cm. They possess a dark bluish-grey head, neck, and chest, with an iridescent sheen that dances in shades of yellow, green, and reddish-purple along their neck and wing feathers. The eyes are often a vivid orange, red, or golden color, surrounded by bluish-grey skin. The bill is a muted grey-black, capped with a noticeable off-white cere, and the feet present in purplish-red hues.

Rock Doves favor open and semi-open environments where they can forage on the ground. In the wild, they roost and breed on cliffs and rock ledges, but have adapted remarkably well to urban environments where buildings mimic their natural nesting sites.

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.

Rock Doves are generally monogamous and exhibit strong parental care, with both parents tending to their young. They are gregarious outside of the breeding season, often forming large flocks. Their flight is characterized by a mix of powerful wingbeats and graceful gliding, with a distinctive V-shaped wing posture.

The Rock Dove's call is a soft, cooing sound that varies slightly depending on the context, such as an alarm call or a nest call. Non-vocal sounds include the loud flapping noise at take-off and the snapping of beaks, particularly by juveniles.

Rock Doves breed throughout the year, peaking in spring and summer. They typically lay two eggs per brood, with both parents sharing incubation duties. The young, called squabs, are fed on "crop milk" produced by both parents.

These birds are omnivorous, with a preference for plant matter such as fruits and grains. They have adapted to urban environments where they often scavenge for human-provided food sources.

The Rock Dove is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable and widespread population. However, the purity of the wild species' gene pool is threatened by interbreeding with feral pigeons.

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - RUBYSPOT (HATAERINA)

Hetaerina is a genus of damselflies in the family Calopterygidae. They are commonly known as rubyspots because of the deep red wing bases of the males. The name is from Ancient Greek: ἑταίρα (hetaira), courtesan. H. rudis, the Guatemalan rubyspot, is considered vulnerable on the IUCN Red Data List.

The Hetaerina genus alone encompasses roughly 40 species in a variety of habitats throughout the Americas. Recent phylogenetic analyses for the Heterininae subfamily suggest that the genera Mneserate and Ormenophlebia are actually nestled within their sister genus, Hetaerina, which would account for the species confusion of early Mnesarete and Hetaerina studies.

Hetaerinae species primarily inhabit streams and rivers, showing highest levels of diversity in the tropical regions of South America. Most species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of South and Central America, with only H. americana, H. titia, and H. vulnerata ranging further north than Mexico. Rubyspots, like all Odonates, are visual predators that prefer sunny environments for prey capture as well as social signaling.

22-3-2017 TROGON LODGE, COSTA RICA - VOLCANO HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus flammula)

The volcano hummingbird (Selasphorus flammula ) is a very small hummingbird, native to the Talamancan montane forests of Costa Rica and western Panama.

This tiny endemic bird inhabits open brushy areas, paramo, and edges of elfin forest at altitudes from 1850 m to the highest peaks. It is only 7.5 cm long. The male weighs 2.5 g and the female 2.8 g. The black bill is short and straight.

The adult male volcano hummingbird has bronze-green upperparts and rufous-edged black outer tail feathers. The throat is grey-purple in the Talamanca range, red in the Poas-Barva mountains and pink-purple in the Irazú-Turrialba area, the rest of the underparts being white. The female is similar, but her throat is white with dusky spots. Young birds resemble the female but have buff fringes to the upperpart plumage.

The female volcano hummingbird is entirely responsible for nest building and incubation. She lays two white eggs in her tiny plant-down cup nest 1–5 m high in a scrub or on a root below a south or east facing bank. Incubation takes 15–19 days, and fledging another 20–26.

The food of this species is nectar, taken from a variety of small flowers, including Salvia and Fuchsia, and species normally pollinated by insects. Like other hummingbirds it also takes some small insects as an essential source of protein. In the breeding season male volcano hummingbirds perch conspicuously in open areas with flowers and defend their feeding territories aggressively with diving displays. The call of this rather quiet species is a whistled teeeeuu.

This species is replaced at somewhat lower elevations by its relative, the scintillant hummingbird, Selasphorus scintilla.

The Volcano Hummingbird is restricted to the Highlands Endemism Area of ​​Costa Rica and Panama, where it is common in upland grasslands and open scrubby pastures, usually above 2000 m elevation. This tiny hummingbird is mainly green above, with a bright wine-coloured gorget in the male (replaced by dark spots in the female), a white band on the breast, and greenish (males) or pale rufous (females) elsewhere on the underparts. The tail is slightly forked in both sexes, most noticeably in males. Three subspecies have been named, differing mainly in the colour of the gorget, from purplish-grey to bright green in the southernmost form. In the non-breeding season both sexes may defend territories around certain patches of small flowers.

22-3-2017 TROGON LODGE, COSTA RICA - LESSER VIOLETEAR (Colibri cyanotus)

The lesser violetear (Colibri cyanotus ), also known as the mountain violet-ear, is a medium-sized, metallic green hummingbird species commonly found in forested areas from Costa Rica to northern South America. This species and the Mexican violetear were formerly considered as conspecific and named the 'green violetear'.

The lesser violetear is roughly medium-sized by hummingbird standards. It averages around 9.7 to 12 cm (3.8 to 4.7 in) in total length. Its bill is black and mostly straight with only a slight downward curve and measures from 1.8 to 2.5 cm (0.71 to 0.98 in). The body mass can vary from 4.8 to 5.6 g (0.17 to 0.20 oz). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 5.8 to 6.8 cm (2.3 to 2.7 in) and the tail is 3.5 to 4.3 cm (1.4 to 1.7 in). It is shining green above with a glittering violet ear-patch on the sides of its neck. Its throat and chest are a more glittering green with a shining green belly. The tail is a metallic blue-green with more bronzy central feathers and a prominent black subterminal band.

The lesser violetear breeds from the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama; mountains of northern Venezuela, and the Andes from western Venezuela to western Bolivia.

Common habitats for the lesser violetear are in the canopy and borders of subtropical and lower temperate forest, secondary woodland and scrub, and clearings and gardens in the subtropical zone on both slopes of the Andes. It is recorded mostly between altitudes of 1,200 to 2,300 m (3,900 to 7,500 ft), though they will sometimes wander as far down as 500 m (1,600 ft) in search of food sources. It generally prefers more humid and high-altitude areas, such as cloud forests, than the similar sparkling violetear and is completely absent from the central valley where the sparkling violetear is most prevalent. However, the two species will sometimes be seen in the same areas feeding at flowering Inga trees.

The lesser violetear forages alone but tends to gather at flowering trees, especially coffee-shade Inga. They feed at mid-level to canopy and often hold and defend a feeding territory. They primarily feed on nectar and small insects. The lesser violetear has been recorded as attaining the greatest flying speed ever recorded for a hummingbird, with a pair of birds having attained 90 mph (140 km/h) during a chase, although other species may be able to attain similar speeds.

Like most hummingbirds, the lesser violetear is a solitary nester. The male's only involvement in the breeding process is to attract and mate with the female. The female is then responsible for choosing a nest location, generally on a low, small horizontal branch in a protected area. The nest is small and built from various plant materials, spider webs, and down woven together to form a sturdy cup structure. Two small white eggs are laid within the nest and the female incubates them on her own. Incubation time is 14–18 days. Hatchlings are primarily fed insects due to high nutritional requirements. No information was found on the length of the nestling stage or age at fledgling. Breeding takes place though the wet.

22-3-2017 TROGON LODGE, COSTA RICA - RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (FEMALE)

22-3-2017 TROGON LODGE, COSTA RICA - LARGE FOOTED FINCH (Pezopetes capitalis)

The Large-footed Finch, Pezopetes capitalis, is a robust, terrestrial bird, notable for its impressive stature among its kin. Adults measure around 20 cm in length and weigh approximately 56 grams, making them one of the heaviest in the Passerellidae family. They exhibit a slate grey head, with the throat, forehead, and crown sides transitioning to black. The upper parts are a dark olive, while the wings and tail are black with olive fringes. The underparts are a vivid olive, with a brownish hue on the flanks and lower belly.

When identifying the Large-footed Finch, look for its slender bill, modestly sized tail, and particularly its very large and powerful feet and legs. The adult's coloration is distinct, with the contrast between the slate grey head and the black throat area being quite prominent. Juveniles can be recognized by their streaked dark olive head, blackish scaling on the upperparts, and buff-olive underparts.

This species thrives in the undergrowth of mountain forests, second growth, and bamboo clumps. It is also found in scrubby pastures and the scrubby páramo, at altitudes ranging from 2150 meters to 3350 meters.

Endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama, the Large-footed Finch is a common sight in locations such as Cerro de la Muerte.

Typically observed in pairs, the Large-footed Finch is a ground-dweller. It is known for its powerful double scratches when foraging, capable of sending debris up to 30 cm away. This bird is also known to pick berries from low bushes.

The male Large-footed Finch serenades with a song composed of whistles, warbles, chatter, and mimicry, often performed from the ground or a low perch. Additionally, the species emits a thin 'seet' call.

The female constructs a large, loose cup-shaped nest from plant material, usually situated less than 2 meters above ground in bamboo or a dense shrub. The typical clutch consists of one or two brown-marked white or blue-white eggs. The female incubates these eggs alone for a period of 12 to 14 days before they hatch.

The diet of the Large-footed Finch includes insects, spiders, and seeds, which it extracts from the leaf litter. It also consumes berries, which it gathers from low-growing vegetation.

The IUCN Red List classifies the Large-footed Finch as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers.

22-3-2017 TROGON LODGE, COSTA RICA - TALAMANCA HUMMINGBIRD (Eugenes spectabilis)

The Talamanca hummingbird (Eugenes spectabilis ) is a species of hummingbird in the "mountain gems", tribe Lampornithini in subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Costa Rica and Panama.

The Talamanca hummingbird is about 13 cm (5.1 in) long. Males weigh about 10 g (0.35 oz) and females 8.5 g (0.30 oz). Both sexes have a long straight black bill and a small white spot behind the eye.

Adult males have a dull black forehead with a dark green gloss, a metallic violet blue to purple crown, and a dull black nape and upper back. Much of the rest of the face is dark green, and the lores are a deep black. The rest of the upperparts and the tail are bronzy green to golden green; the tail feathers sometimes have grayish tips. The chin and gorget are metallic bluish green. The breast and belly are dark bronzy green, on the belly mixed with brownish gray. The undertail coverts are dull bronzy green with pale buff edges.

Adult females do not have the iridescent crown and gorget of the male. Their upperparts are dull dark green and most of the face is sooty black. The two innermost pairs of tail feathers are also dull dark green and the three outer pairs bronzy green with a black band near the end and brownish gray tips. The throat is brownish gray with buff tips to the feathers, the flanks dark green, and the breast, belly, and undertail coverts dull brownish gray with a dull green wash.

Immature birds are similar to the adult female, but have darker brown underparts with a dull buff scaly appearance. The upperparts' feathers, especially those of the crown and neck, have buffy fringes.

The Talamanca hummingbird is generally sedentary, but some individuals move to lower elevations in what might be a regular migration.

The Talamanca hummingbird is found in mountains from central Costa Rica into western Panama. In Costa Rica it occurs in the Cordillera Central and Cordillera de Talamanca and in Panama only in the Volcán Barú massif of Chiriquí Province. It inhabits oak forests and is partial to the forest's edges and clearings, and also is found in nearby secondary forest. In Costa Rica it occurs from 2,000 m (6,600 ft) up to treeline but is most common above 2,500 m (8,200 ft) and is occasionally found as low as 1,850 m (6,100 ft). In Panama it occurs between 2,000 and 2,400 m (6,600 and 7,900 ft).

22-3-2017 TROGON LODGE, COSTA RICA - TALAMANCA HUMMINGBIRD (Eugenes spectabilis)

22-3-2017 TROGON LODGE, COSTA RICA - LESSER VIOLETEAR (Colibri cyanotus)

The lesser violetear (Colibri cyanotus ), also known as the mountain violet-ear, is a medium-sized, metallic green hummingbird species commonly found in forested areas from Costa Rica to northern South America. This species and the Mexican violetear were formerly considered as conspecific and named the 'green violetear'.

The lesser violetear is roughly medium-sized by hummingbird standards. It averages around 9.7 to 12 cm (3.8 to 4.7 in) in total length. Its bill is black and mostly straight with only a slight downward curve and measures from 1.8 to 2.5 cm (0.71 to 0.98 in). The body mass can vary from 4.8 to 5.6 g (0.17 to 0.20 oz). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 5.8 to 6.8 cm (2.3 to 2.7 in) and the tail is 3.5 to 4.3 cm (1.4 to 1.7 in). It is shining green above with a glittering violet ear-patch on the sides of its neck. Its throat and chest are a more glittering green with a shining green belly. The tail is a metallic blue-green with more bronzy central feathers and a prominent black subterminal band.

The lesser violetear breeds from the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama; mountains of northern Venezuela, and the Andes from western Venezuela to western Bolivia.

Common habitats for the lesser violetear are in the canopy and borders of subtropical and lower temperate forest, secondary woodland and scrub, and clearings and gardens in the subtropical zone on both slopes of the Andes. It is recorded mostly between altitudes of 1,200 to 2,300 m (3,900 to 7,500 ft), though they will sometimes wander as far down as 500 m (1,600 ft) in search of food sources. It generally prefers more humid and high-altitude areas, such as cloud forests, than the similar sparkling violetear and is completely absent from the central valley where the sparkling violetear is most prevalent. However, the two species will sometimes be seen in the same areas feeding at flowering Inga trees.

The lesser violetear forages alone but tends to gather at flowering trees, especially coffee-shade Inga. They feed at mid-level to canopy and often hold and defend a feeding territory. They primarily feed on nectar and small insects. The lesser violetear has been recorded as attaining the greatest flying speed ever recorded for a hummingbird, with a pair of birds having attained 90 mph (140 km/h) during a chase, although other species may be able to attain similar speeds.

Like most hummingbirds, the lesser violetear is a solitary nester. The male's only involvement in the breeding process is to attract and mate with the female. The female is then responsible for choosing a nest location, generally on a low, small horizontal branch in a protected area. The nest is small and built from various plant materials, spider webs, and down woven together to form a sturdy cup structure. Two small white eggs are laid within the nest and the female incubates them on her own. Incubation time is 14–18 days. Hatchlings are primarily fed insects due to high nutritional requirements. No information was found on the length of the nestling stage or age at fledgling. Breeding takes place though the wet season into the early dry season, which varies by latitude.

4-5-2017 CORDOBA, ANDALUCIA - BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)

The Black-crowned Night Heron, scientifically known as Nycticorax nycticorax, is a medium-sized heron with a global presence, spanning parts of Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It is distinguished by its black crown and back, contrasting with a white or grey body, red eyes, and short yellow legs. Notably, it deviates from the typical heron silhouette, appearing more robust with shorter bills, legs, and necks compared to its egret and day heron relatives.

Adults boast a striking black crown and back, with the rest of their plumage primarily white or grey. Their eyes are a vivid red, and they stand on short yellow legs. During social interactions, such as greeting or courtship, they display two or three elongated white plumes that extend from the back of their heads. Males and females are similar in appearance, though males may be marginally larger. Juveniles, on the other hand, are cloaked in a dull grey-brown with pale spots and streaks, and their eyes are a more subdued orange with less vibrant legs.

These herons favor fresh and salt-water wetlands as their breeding grounds, which are found across their vast range.

The Black-crowned Night Heron breeds across various regions: from Eurasia to Africa, the Indonesian Archipelago, North and South America, and even the remote Falkland Islands. While migratory in the northern extremes, it is generally a resident species, with North American populations wintering in warmer climes from Mexico to the West Indies.

Known for their ambush hunting tactics, these herons stand motionless at the water's edge, striking at prey primarily during the night or early morning. They exhibit a diverse diet, consuming fish, amphibians, insects, and more. They are also one of the few heron species to use tools, such as bait, to fish. By day, they rest in trees or shrubbery, and outside of breeding season, some subspecies display more sociable tendencies.

The Black-crowned Night Heron is a vocal species within its colonies, often heard making a "quok" or "woc" sound.

Colonial nesters, they construct platforms of sticks in trees or on the ground in protected areas. Clutch sizes range from three to eight eggs.

The Black-crowned Night Heron can be confused with other heron species, but its distinctive black crown, back, and shorter stature help differentiate it.

Their diet is varied, including small fish, crustaceans, insects, small mammals, and even refuse. They have been observed using bait to attract fish, a rare behavior for birds.

The IUCN lists the Black-crowned Night Heron as Least Concern, indicating a stable population across its extensive range.

4-5-2017 CORDOBA, ANDALUCIA - EURASIAN JACKDAW (Corvus monedula)

The Western Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula), a member of the crow family Corvidae, is a passerine bird recognized by its black plumage with a grey nape and distinctive pale-grey irises. Measuring 34–39 centimeters in length, this bird exhibits a combination of black, grey, and iridescent blue or purple hues across its body, depending on the subspecies.

Adult Western Jackdaws have a stout, black bill and legs, with a body mostly cloaked in shiny black feathers. The head features a sheen that can be purple or blue, and the throat, primaries, and tail display a green-blue iridescence. The cheeks, nape, and neck are a contrasting light grey, and the underparts are slate-grey. Juveniles are duller with less distinct plumage and brownish eyes that turn white around one year of age.

Western Jackdaws favor a variety of habitats including wooded steppes, pastures, coastal cliffs, and urban settings. They thrive in environments where forested areas have been cleared, creating open fields and spaces.

This species is widespread across Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. It is mostly resident, but populations in the north and east migrate southward during winter months.

Western Jackdaws are gregarious and social birds, often seen in flocks. They are known for their intelligence and have been observed using tools. Pairs are monogamous and maintain strong bonds within their social groups.

The vocal repertoire of the Western Jackdaw includes a metallic "chyak-chyak" or "kak-kak" call, often heard in flight. They also emit a hoarse, drawn-out alarm call and have the ability to mimic human speech.

These birds are monogamous and build simple nests of sticks in cavities. They lay about five pale blue or blue-green eggs with brown speckles, which are incubated by the female. The young fledge in four to five weeks.

The Western Jackdaw can be confused with the Rook or, when in flight, with pigeons or choughs. However, its smaller size, faster wingbeats, and grey underwings distinguish it from other corvids.

An omnivorous and opportunistic feeder, the Western Jackdaw consumes a wide variety of plant material, invertebrates, and food waste. They exhibit various feeding methods, including jumping, pecking, and probing the soil.

The IUCN lists the Western Jackdaw as Least Concern, indicating a stable and widespread population.

4-5-2017 CORDOBA, ANDALUCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4943-Egretta-garzetta

4-5-2017 CORDOBA, ANDALUCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

The European serin, or simply the serin (Serinus serinus ), is the smallest European species of the family of finches (Fringillidae) and is closely related to the Atlantic canary. Its diet consists mainly of a combination of buds and seeds.

The European serin is a small short-tailed bird, 11–12 cm in length. The upper parts are dark-streaked greyish green, with a yellow rump. The yellow breast and white belly are also heavily streaked. The male has a brighter yellow face and breast, yellow wing bars and yellow tail sides. The song of this bird is a buzzing trill, very familiar in Mediterranean countries.

It breeds across southern and central Europe and North Africa. Southern and Atlantic coast populations are largely resident, but the northern breeders migrate further south in Europe for the winter. Open woodland and cultivation, often with some conifers, is favoured for breeding. It builds its nest in a shrub or tree, laying 3–5 eggs. It forms flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixed with other finches.

The food is mainly seeds, and, in the breeding season, insects. This small serin is an active and often conspicuous bird.

4-5-2017 CORDOBA, ANDALUCIA - EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (MALE) (Turdus merula)

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.

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.

4-5-2017 CORDOBA, ANDALUCIA - HAWFINCH (FEMALE) (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)

The hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) is a passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Coccothraustes. Its closest living relatives are the Chinese grosbeak (Eophona migratoria) and Japanese grosbeak (Eophona personata) of East Asia, and the evening grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertina) and hooded grosbeak (Hesperiphona abeillei) of North America.

This bird breeds across Europe and temperate Asia (Palearctic). It is mainly resident in Europe, but many Asian birds migrate further south in the winter. It is a rare vagrant to the western islands of Alaska.

Deciduous or mixed woodland, including parkland, with large trees – especially hornbeam – is favoured for breeding. The hawfinch builds its nest in a bush or tree, and lays 2–7 eggs. The food is mainly seeds and fruit kernels, especially those of cherries, which it cracks with its powerful bill. This large finch species is usually seen in a pair or small group.

The 16.5–18 cm long hawfinch is a bulky bull-headed bird, which appears very short-tailed in flight. Its head is orange-brown with a black eyestripe and bib, and a massive bill, which is black in summer but paler in winter. The upper parts are dark brown and the underparts orange.

The white wing bars and tail tip are striking in flight. The sexes are similar. The call is a hard chick. The song of this unobtrusive bird is quiet and mumbled.

4-5-2017 CORDOBA, ANDALUCIA - HAWFINCH (MALE) (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)

The hawfinch is distributed in the whole of Europe, Eastern Asia (Palearctic including North Japan), and North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria). It has also been sighted in Alaska, but this is reported as an accidental presence. It is not found in Iceland, parts of the British Isles, or certain Mediterranean islands. It is however found in southern Europe, such as in Spain and Bulgaria, as well as in central Europe, including parts of England and southern Sweden. The hawfinch's range has extended further north since the 1950s, and is now found as far north as Northern Norway. In Asia it can be found in the Caucasus, northern Iran, Afghanistan, Turkistan, Siberia, Manchuria and North Korea.

The hawfinch typically inhabits deciduous forests during the spring to have offspring, often in trees that bear fruit, such as oak trees. They also incur into human areas, such as parks and gardens. They can also be found in pine woods, as long as there is a source of water in the vicinity. During autumn and winter they seek food-providing forests, especially those with cherry and plum trees. As for height, the hawfinch is present in any altitude up to that which is limited by the size of the trees.

22-3-2017 TROGON LODGE, COSTA RICA - SOOTY CAPPED CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus pileatus)