Friday, 15 September 2017
13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - RUPPELL'S VULTURE (Gyps rueppelli)
Rüppell's vulture (Gyps rueppelli) is a large bird and its name comes from the 19th-century German zoologist and explorer Eduard Rüppell. It is native to the Sahel region and East Africa and its current population is decreasing due to loss of habitat, incidental poisoning, and other factors. Rüppell's vulture is considered to be the highest-flying bird, with confirmed evidence of a flight at an altitude of 11,300 m (37,000 ft) above sea level.
Rüppell's vultures are diurnal and very social birds, roosting, nesting, and feeding in large flocks. Like most vultures, they are silent, except when at their nesting ground or foraging around a carcass. They spend much of their time flying, gliding with wings held level, or using slow, powerful wing beats. They often fly at great altitudes, using strong winds or thermals for more efficient soaring. These vultures locate food by sight only, and once they see a carcass they swoop down, land a little way off, and then bound forward with wings spread and their long neck outstretched. Fights with other vultures are common as the birds struggle to get their meal, their necks often turning deep red from aggression as they hiss, grunt, and chatter at their opponent.
The Rüppell’s vulture inhabits the Sahel region in central Africa (Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Chad, and others), living in sub-Saharan grassland and woodland. It often roots and breeds around cliffs and gorges.
Rüppell’s vultures are monogamous and form strong lifelong pair bonds. In vulture courtship, a pair will circle close together near cliffs. Pairs perch next to each other for a long time and together form colonies of as many as 1,000 breeding pairs. They build their large nests out of sticks and line them with grass and leaves. Females often steal sticks from other nests for the males to arrange. Depending upon the nesting site’s location, it may be used year on year or just once. Both parents take part in incubation, brooding, and feeding the chicks. A single egg is laid each year. Incubation is for 55 days. When the chick hatches, both its parents will feed it and look after it until it is about 150 days old when it fledges. After fledging a chick remains dependent on its parents, reaching independence when the next breeding season comes. Until then, they learn how to seek and compete for food.
This formerly abundant species has suffered a rapid decline over much of its range, especially in West Africa, and is now mostly confined to protected areas. Despite being less studied than other vultures, it is known that these declines are due to the impact of agriculture on their habitat, persecution, and large-scale incidental poisoning. In West Africa, these birds have been greatly used in black magic practices.
The Ruppell's vulture is the highest-flying bird. Reportedly, a jet flying over the Ivory Coast at an altitude of 35,433 feet (10,800 meters) hit one! The Ruppell's vulture gets on the wing about two hours after sunrise and spends its entire day aloft.
Very social birds. Usually nest in loose colonies of up to 100 pairs, but have been seen in colonies up to 1,000 pairs. Colonies are found in open, arid areas. Prefers open areas, since they hunt for carcasses using sight, not smell.
Huge vulture, slightly smaller than Eurasian Griffon. Adults have dark-bodied with pale feather tips on body and shoulders, giving them a scaled appearance; also note pale bill and eye. Juveniles are dark with a characteristic pale bar on the leading edge of the underwings and have a black bill and dark eyes. Nests on cliffs and is generally silent except when squabbling at carcasses. Often encountered foraging over grasslands and soaring along cliffs and ridgelines.
Thursday, 14 September 2017
13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - CAPE PORCUPINE (Hystrix africaeaustralis)
The Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis ) or South African porcupine, is a species of Old World porcupine native to central and southern Africa.
The Cape porcupine is a large terrestrial rodent native to central and southern Africa. It is the largest rodent in Africa and also the world's largest porcupine. It is a heavily built animal, with a stocky body, short limbs, and an inconspicuous tail. The body is covered in long spines up to 50 cm (20 in) in length, interspersed with thicker, sharply pointed, defense quills up to 30 cm (12 in) long, and with bristly, blackish, or brownish fur. The spines on the tail are hollow and used to make a rattling sound to scare away predators. An erectile crest of long, bristly hairs runs from the top of the porcupine's head down to its shoulders. The spines and quills cover the back and flanks of the animal and continuing onto the tail. The quills have multiple bands of black and white along their length, and grow from regularly spaced grooves along the animal's body; each groove holding five to eight quills. The remainder of the animal, including the undersides, is covered with dark hair.
Cape porcupines are found across the whole of southern and central Africa, to southern Kenya, Uganda, and Congo at the northern edge of their range. They live in a wide range of habitats, preferring rocky crevices and caves for shelter. They are only marginally present in dense forests and the driest of deserts and are not found in swampland.
Cape porcupines are nocturnal animals, typically living as mated pairs of adults, caring for their young together. Each pair may inhabit up to 6 burrows, jointly defending their shared territory, although they typically forage singly. Both sexes scent mark their territory, although males do so more frequently, and may play a more active role in its defense. Cape porcupines are shy creatures and when attacked, their main defense mechanism is to freeze. However, if cornered, they turn vicious and charge to stab their attacker with their quills. Otherwise, porcupines may retreat into their burrow, exposing only their quills and making it hard to dislodge.
Cape porcupines are herbivores and eat mostly plant material: fruits, roots, tubers, bulbs, and bark. They may sometimes gnaw on carrion and bones.
Cape porcupines are monogamous animals that form pairs. They mate throughout the year, although births are usually most common during the rainy season, between August and March. Females typically give birth only once each year. Gestation lasts around 94 days and results in the birth of a litter of 1-3 young. Newborn pups weigh 300 to 440 grams (11 to 16 oz); they are born well-developed, with their eyes open, and initially have soft quills. Although they are born with their incisor teeth fully erupted, the remaining teeth begin to appear at 14 days. The pups are weaned at around 100 days of age, and grow rapidly for the first 20 weeks, reaching the full adult size, and reproductive maturity, at the end of their first year.
13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - GOLDEN BREASTED STARLING (Lamprotornis regius)
The golden-breasted starling (Lamprotornis regius ), also known as royal starling, is a medium-sized passerine in the starling family.
Lamprotornis regius can reach a body length of about 35 cm (14 in). The adult has a metallic green head and upper back, bright golden yellow breast and belly, dark bill and legs, white iris and metallic violet blue on wings, back, neck and its long tail feathers. Both sexes are similar. The young are duller than the adult.
The golden-breasted starling has a very large range. It is distributed in Northeastern Africa, from Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and northern Tanzania. These birds inhabit the grassland, savannah, the thickets of acacias, dry-thorn forests and shrubland.
The golden-breasted starling is a social animal, living in groups of three to twelve individuals. Adults can be found from January to June and from August to November, with a peak in January.
The golden-breasted starling molts once a year, after the breeding season. These birds are monogamous. The female usually lays between three and five pale green eggs with red speckles. It nests in tree holes, usually in tree holes that woodpeckers have left. The nest is made from leaves, roots and other vegetation. Entire family groups cooperate in raising young by gathering food and nesting materials.
Widespread throughout its habitat range, the population trend of the golden-breasted starling appears to be stable. The species is evaluated as being of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
A slim, gorgeous long-tailed starling of dry country. Iridescent green, purple, and blue decorate the upperparts, and the belly is yellow. There is a dark mask and a pale eye. The flight is weak, with the long, thin tail flapping behind. Found in dry woodland, thorn savanna, and thorn scrub, usually in small flocks. Generally shy, but can become tame in some lodges and picnic areas.
Golden-breasted starlings are found throughout eastern Africa, including Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania.
They prefer arid or semi-arid climates, and are usually found in savannas and shrublands. Although their population trend is stable, they are facing a threat from overcollection for the pet trade.
13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)
The Speckled Pigeon, known scientifically as Columba guinea, is a robust avian resident of Africa, south of the Sahara. This species is often seen in open habitats and is recognized by its rufous back and wings, which are adorned with a multitude of white speckles. The pigeon's head is a subtle grey, accented with striking red patches encircling the eyes, while the neck displays a brownish hue interlaced with white streaks. The legs of this bird are a vivid red, adding a dash of color to its otherwise muted blue-grey plumage. Both sexes appear similar, with the immature birds presenting a browner plumage and lacking the distinctive red eye patches.
When identifying the Speckled Pigeon, look for its large size, measuring at 41 cm in length. The white speckles on the rufous wings are a key feature, along with the red eye patches in adults. The bird's flight is characterized by quick, regular beats interspersed with occasional sharp flicks of the wings, typical of pigeons.
This pigeon favors open habitats and is commonly found in proximity to human settlements and cultivated lands.
The Speckled Pigeon boasts a widespread presence across much of Africa, though its distribution does exhibit significant gaps. It is a resident breeder in the region, ensuring its regular sighting throughout the year.
The Speckled Pigeon is a sociable bird, often gathering in large flocks where food sources such as grain or groundnuts are abundant. It has adapted well to human environments, frequently seen around habitation and cultivation.
The vocalization of the Speckled Pigeon is a resonant and unmistakable "doo-doo-doo," which can be heard echoing across its habitat.
Breeding pairs construct large stick nests on protected rocky outcrops, and within urban settings, they may nest atop covered pergola pillars or under deep eaves on flat roofs. The pigeon lays a clutch of two white eggs.
The diet of the Speckled Pigeon is primarily vegetable matter. It is known to feed in large numbers in areas where grains and groundnuts are readily available.
The Speckled Pigeon is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it does not face any significant threats to its population at this time.
Tuesday, 12 September 2017
9-9-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - COMMON DARTER DRAGONFLY (FEMALE) (Sympetrum striolatum)
The common darter (Sympetrum striolatum) is a dragonfly of the family Libellulidae native to Eurasia. It is one of the most common dragonflies in Europe, occurring in a wide variety of water bodies, though with a preference for breeding in still water such as ponds and lakes. In the south of its range adults are on the wing all year round.
Eggs are not laid, but broadcast from the air: the male holds the female in tandem and swings her down and forward over water. At the furthest point of the arc the female releases some of her eggs to fall on the water.
Sympetrum species are not easy to tell apart and in most areas more than one Sympetrum species will occur. Females and teneral individuals have light yellow thorax and abdomen. Males turn red as they mature. Females darken with age, becoming a dark chocolate brown, and sometimes develop a blue colouration to the bottom of the abdomen. The wings also develop a brown tinge with age. In all cases the legs have a cream or yellow stripe on a black background - this is a diagnostic feature of this species. The pterostigma of the females can be red, blue, pale blue or brown.
Adults can be seen on the wing all year round in southern Europe but in northern regions they occur from June to November.
This small dragonfly is seen in a wide variety of habitats, including lakes, ponds, canals and slow-flowing rivers. They are ambush predators, waiting on a prominent perch - such as a leaf or the top of a gate, until prey fly past, whereupon they will fly after it. They are territorial on breeding waters, often attempting to chase much bigger dragonflies away such as southern hawkers. This habit of repeatedly returning to a sunny spot allows you to easily predict where they are going to land, which is why it is one of the easiest dragonflies to photograph.
In suitable hunting areas away from water, however, they are not territorial: large numbers may assemble - groups of several hundred in a single field have been recorded - and lines of insects can be seen along the top of field gates.
Monday, 11 September 2017
11-9-2017 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
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.
The Little Egret frequents a variety of wetland habitats, from the shores of lakes and rivers to marshes and coastal regions. It is often found in open environments, such as mangroves, swamps, mudflats, and sandy beaches, as well as human-altered landscapes like rice fields.
The species has a broad breeding distribution across warm temperate to tropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. Northern populations are migratory, wintering in Africa and southern Asia, while others remain as permanent residents in warmer areas.
Little Egrets are social yet territorial when feeding. They exhibit a range of foraging behaviors, from active chasing to patient ambush. Their movements are often in response to the presence of other animals, which may stir up prey.
The Little Egret's vocalizations include croaking and bubbling sounds at breeding colonies and a harsh alarm call when disturbed. These calls are similar to those of the Black-crowned Night Heron and the Cattle Egret.
Breeding colonies are often mixed with other water birds. Nests are platforms of sticks located in trees, shrubs, or reed beds. Clutches typically consist of three to five bluish-green eggs, incubated by both parents for about three weeks. The young fledge at approximately six weeks old.
The Little Egret can be confused with other white egrets, particularly the Snowy Egret, which shares some of its New World range. However, the Little Egret is larger and has more varied foraging strategies.
The diet is diverse, including fish, amphibians, small reptiles, mammals, birds, crustaceans, molluscs, insects, spiders, and worms. The Little Egret employs various hunting techniques, both in water and on land, to capture its prey.
The Little Egret is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. Conservation measures in the 20th century have allowed populations to recover in Europe, and the species has been expanding its range. It is now successfully colonizing new areas, including the New World.
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