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Thursday, 4 January 2018

3-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - GREYLAG GOOSE (Anser anser)


The Greylag Goose (Anser anser) is a large and robust member of the waterfowl family Anatidae, easily recognized by its mottled and barred grey and white plumage. It boasts an orange beak, pink legs, and a sizeable stature, measuring between 74 and 91 centimeters in length and weighing an average of 3.3 kilograms. This species is the progenitor of most domestic goose breeds and exhibits a wide distribution across Europe and Asia.

Adult Greylag Geese have a rotund body, a thick and long neck, and a large head and bill. Their legs and feet are pink, and their bill is orange or pink with a white or brown nail. The wingspan ranges from 147 to 180 centimeters. Males are typically larger than females, and the eastern subspecies rubirostris is larger than the nominate subspecies. The plumage is greyish brown with a darker head and paler underparts, with black spotting that varies among individuals. Juveniles can be identified by their lack of black speckling and greyish legs.


Greylag Geese breed in a variety of wetland habitats, including moorlands, marshes, lakes, and coastal islands. They prefer areas with dense vegetation for cover. In winter, they occupy semi-aquatic habitats such as estuaries, marshes, flooded fields, and agricultural lands.

The Greylag Goose has a Palearctic distribution, with the western subspecies breeding from Iceland to central Europe and the eastern subspecies from Romania to northeastern China. Northern populations often migrate southwards to spend the winter in warmer regions, while many populations are resident year-round.


Greylag Geese are known for their lifelong monogamous pair bonds. They are gregarious and form flocks, which provides safety in numbers. Family groups stay together, migrating southwards in autumn and separating the following year. They are herbivorous, feeding mainly on grasses, and can cause damage to agricultural crops.

The call of the Greylag Goose is a loud cackling, similar to that of domestic geese. They use various calls for different situations and can recognize individual geese by voice. Flocks produce a sound reminiscent of baying hounds.

Greylag Geese mate for life and nest on the ground among vegetation. They lay a clutch of three to five eggs, which the female incubates. Both parents defend and rear the young, who are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching.


The Greylag Goose can be confused with other grey geese of the genus Anser, but its larger size, bulkier body, and specific plumage pattern help distinguish it.

The diet consists mainly of grasses, but also includes grains, tubers, and occasionally small aquatic animals. They have adapted to feed on agricultural crops, which has led to conflicts with farmers.

The Greylag Goose is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable and widespread population. However, some local populations may face threats from habitat loss and conflicts with agriculture.

3-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)


The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is a statuesque wading bird belonging to the family Ardeidae. It is a familiar sight in both rural and urban settings, often seen standing stoically along the water's edge. An adult Grey Heron is a large bird, reaching up to 100 cm in height, with a wingspan between 155 to 195 cm. It weighs between 1 to 2 kg. The plumage is predominantly ashy-grey above, with a greyish-white underbelly and some black on the flanks. A striking feature is the white head and neck adorned with a broad black stripe that extends from the eye to the black crest. The beak is pinkish-yellow, long, and sharply pointed, while the legs are a brown hue.

When identifying the Grey Heron, look for the white head with the black supercilium and crest, the long grey neck, and the ashy-grey wings and back. The underparts are lighter, and the legs are long and brown. Juveniles can be distinguished by their duller grey neck and smaller crest. The beak is a useful indicator of age, being brighter in breeding adults.


Grey Herons are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of watery habitats including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, and coastal environments. They require shallow waters for foraging or areas with shelving margins where they can wade.

Native to temperate Europe and Asia, as well as parts of Africa, the Grey Heron has a broad range. Northern populations may migrate southwards in autumn, while others remain resident year-round. Vagrant sightings have occurred in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and parts of North America.

The Grey Heron exhibits a slow, deliberate flight with its neck retracted in an S-shape. It is known for its solitary foraging habits, often standing motionless or stalking prey through shallow waters. It is also a communal rooster, often found in trees or cliffs at night.

The primary call of the Grey Heron is a loud croaking "fraaank." At breeding colonies, a variety of guttural and raucous noises can be heard, including greeting calls between mates and alarm calls when predators are nearby.


Breeding takes place in colonies, or heronries, typically in high trees near water. Nests are reused and added to each year. The breeding season sees a clutch of three to five bluish-green eggs laid, which both parents incubate. Chicks fledge at 7-8 weeks old.

The Grey Heron can be confused with the larger North American Great Blue Heron or the South American Cocoi Heron. However, it can be distinguished by its size and the coloration of its flanks and thighs.

Grey Herons are apex predators within their ecosystem, feeding on a variety of aquatic creatures such as fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects. They have also been known to consume small mammals and juvenile birds.

The Grey Heron is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable and widespread population.

3-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, 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.

This species is resident throughout its range, which extends from the Iberian Peninsula to the Amur Valley, and from Scandinavia to the Middle East. It is generally non-migratory, except in harsh winters when it may move to more temperate areas.

Great tits are known for their intelligence and adaptability. They exhibit a range of foraging behaviors and can solve problems with insight learning. They are also cavity nesters and are monogamous, with both parents involved in raising the chicks.

3-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)







3-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (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.

This species has a broad distribution across many parts of the Old World. It is not found in polar regions or many tropical rainforests but is otherwise widespread, often being the most common rail species in its range.

3-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - DOMESTIC GREYLAG GOOSE (Anser anser var. domesticus)



Tuesday, 2 January 2018

21-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)


Tropical kingbirds appear to be monogamous. In most parts of the species' range, they are permanent residents and remain together in pairs year-round.(Sibley 2014)[page needed] The call is a high-pitched twittering trill, tree-e-e-e-e-e-e, with a more complex version sung by the male at dawn.

Their breeding habitat is semi-open areas with trees and shrubs, including gardens and roadsides. Tropical kingbirds like to observe their surroundings from a prominent open perch, usually high in a tree, undertaking long flights to acrobatically catch insects in mid-air (hawking), sometimes hovering to pick food off vegetation (gleaning). The insects preyed upon include beetles, bees, wasps, termites, butterflies, moths, dragonflies and grasshoppers. They also eat some berries and fruit from such diverse species as tamanqueiro (Alchornea glandulosa), common guava (Psidium guajava), the Annonaceae, Cymbopetalum mayanum and gumbo-limbo (Bursera simaruba); foraging for these even in disturbed habitat. As they keep mainly to the upper levels of trees, they find little profit in following mixed-species feeding flocks in the understory.

Aplomado falcons have been known to prey on adult tropical kingbirds, while eggs and young have been attacked by swallow-tailed kites and chestnut-mandibled toucans. These birds aggressively defend their territory against intruders, even much larger birds such as magnificent frigatebirds, toucans, caracaras or hawks. In a study in Parque Nacional de La Macarena of Colombia, parasitism by microfilariae and trypanosomas (presumably T. everetti) was infrequently recorded in tropical kingbirds.

The male and female inspect potential sites together before selecting a site, typically a fork or crotch high in a tree (up to 20 m (66 ft) high) but sometimes just a few metres above water.(Sibley 2014)[page needed] The female builds a bulky, sloppy-looking, shallow nest of vines, rootlets, twigs, weeds, and grasses; it is unlined or lined with hair. Nests average about 13.2 cm (5.2 in) across and 7.6 cm (3.0 in) tall, with interior cup about 7.6 cm (3.0 in) across and 4.1 cm (1.6 in) deep.

The female incubates the typical clutch of two to four eggs for approximately 16 days, and the nestlings fledge in another 18 or 19 days. The eggs are whitish or pale pink with variable amounts of dark blotching.

21-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - CLAY COLOURED THRUSH (Turdus grayi)


The clay-colored thrush (Turdus grayi) is a common Middle American bird of the thrush family (Turdidae). It is the national bird of Costa Rica, where it is well known as the yigüirro (Spanish: [ʝi'ɣwiro]). Other common names include clay-colored robin.

It ranges from South Texas (where it is rapidly expanding its range) to northern Colombia. West and north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, it is limited to the Atlantic slope, except for a population around Oaxaca City, Mexico that probably originates from escaped cage birds. In much of its range it is familiar in yards and gardens, similar to some other thrushes such as the American robin, the Eurasian blackbird, and the song thrush.

In general appearance and habits it resembles other Turdus thrushes such as the American robin. It is about the same length or slightly smaller: 23–27 cm (9.1–10.6 in), and weighs 74–76 g (2.6–2.7 oz) on average. The plumage is brownish, somewhat lighter below than above, lightest on the flanks. Birds from humid regions are darker than those from dry regions. The throat is faintly streaked. Immature birds have faint mottling on the back and underparts. The bill is greenish-yellow with a dark base, the legs are pinkish or flesh-colored, and the irises are reddish—all useful identification points.

23-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGAINVILLEA, COSTA RICA - BLUE GREY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)


The Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus, is a medium-sized songbird of the tanager family, Thraupidae. It presents a delightful palette of blue hues, with a light bluish head and underparts, and darker blue upperparts. A distinctive shoulder patch, varying in color among subspecies, adds to its charm. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with the immature birds showing a much duller plumage.

Adults measure between 16–18 cm in length and weigh approximately 30–40 grams. They possess a short and quite thick bill. The shoulder patch coloration is a key feature for identification, ranging from lavender to dark blue or white, depending on the subspecies.

The Blue-gray Tanager is found in open woodlands, cultivated areas, and gardens. It is a species that has adapted well to human-altered landscapes.

This species has a broad range, extending from Mexico through Central America, South America to northeast Bolivia, and northern Brazil, encompassing all of the Amazon Basin except its southernmost part. It has also been introduced to Lima, Peru, and is native to the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Blue-gray Tanager is known for being a common, restless, and confiding bird, often seen in pairs or small groups. It is quite at home in human habitation and is known to partake of cultivated fruits such as papayas.

21-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGAINVILLEA, COSTA RICA - BALTIMORE ORIOLE (FEMALE) (Icterus galbula)


The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) is a small icterid blackbird, a migratory breeding bird common in eastern North America. The male's vibrant orange and black plumage is reminiscent of the coat-of-arms of the 17th-century Lord Baltimore, hence the name. This medium-sized passerine typically measures 17–22 cm in length with a wingspan of 23–32 cm. Adults are characterized by white bars on the wings, with males boasting a more pronounced orange hue on the underparts, shoulder patch, and rump, while females and juveniles display a more subdued yellow-brown and dull orange-yellow coloration.

Orioles primarily feed on insects, berries, and nectar. They are adept at foraging in trees and shrubs and are known to sip at hummingbird feeders. They play an important ecological role by consuming pests such as the forest tent caterpillar moth.


Males are distinguished by their black head and back with bright orange to yellow-orange underparts and a solid black tail. Females and juveniles are less boldly colored, with a mix of brown and orange hues. All adults have distinctive white wing bars, which are useful for identification from a distance or in flight.

Baltimore orioles favor open woodland, forest edges, and partially wooded wetlands. They are also found in orchards, farmland, urban parks, and suburban areas with woodlots. During winter, they inhabit flowering canopy trees, often over shade coffee plantations.

The Baltimore oriole breeds from the Canadian Prairies and eastern Montana eastward through southern Canada and the eastern United States, migrating to winter in Central America and northern South America. They are rare vagrants to Western Europe.


Outside of mating season, Baltimore orioles are solitary. They are monogamous, though extra-pair copulation is not uncommon. Males establish territories in the spring and perform various displays to attract females. After mating, the female weaves a remarkable hanging nest where she lays her eggs.

The male's song is a series of sweet whistles, while calls include a nasal "veeer" and a low chatter. Females also sing, especially when defending their nests. Both sexes emit specific warning calls during confrontations.

Baltimore orioles are generally monogamous and solitary outside the breeding season. The female constructs a hanging, pouch-like nest at the end of a branch, where she lays 3-7 eggs. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after about two weeks.

The Baltimore oriole may be confused with the Bullock's oriole, but the latter has a more western distribution. Other similar species include the Scott's and Audubon's orioles, which differ in their coloration and range.

The Baltimore oriole is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, its population has experienced a decline due to factors such as habitat loss and Dutch elm disease, which has reduced nesting sites.

Monday, 1 January 2018

21-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGAINVILLEA, COSTA RICA - BALTIMORE ORIOLE (MALE) (Icterus galbula)


The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) is a small icterid blackbird, a migratory breeding bird common in eastern North America. The male's vibrant orange and black plumage is reminiscent of the coat-of-arms of the 17th-century Lord Baltimore, hence the name. This medium-sized passerine typically measures 17–22 cm in length with a wingspan of 23–32 cm. Adults are characterized by white bars on the wings, with males boasting a more pronounced orange hue on the underparts, shoulder patch, and rump, while females and juveniles display a more subdued yellow-brown and dull orange-yellow coloration.

Males are distinguished by their black head and back with bright orange to yellow-orange underparts and a solid black tail. Females and juveniles are less boldly colored, with a mix of brown and orange hues. All adults have distinctive white wing bars, which are useful for identification from a distance or in flight.

Baltimore orioles favor open woodland, forest edges, and partially wooded wetlands. They are also found in orchards, farmland, urban parks, and suburban areas with woodlots. During winter, they inhabit flowering canopy trees, often over shade coffee plantations.

The Baltimore oriole breeds from the Canadian Prairies and eastern Montana eastward through southern Canada and the eastern United States, migrating to winter in Central America and northern South America. They are rare vagrants to Western Europe.

Outside of mating season, Baltimore orioles are solitary. They are monogamous, though extra-pair copulation is not uncommon. Males establish territories in the spring and perform various displays to attract females. After mating, the female weaves a remarkable hanging nest where she lays her eggs.

Sunday, 31 December 2017

31-12-2017 OLIVA MARJAL, 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.

31-12-2017 CAMI LES FONTS OLIVA, VALENCIA - WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba)


The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small, elegant passerine bird, a member of the family Motacillidae, which includes pipits and longclaws. This slender bird measures between 16.5 to 19 cm in length, with East Asian subspecies reaching up to 21 cm. It is characterized by its long, constantly wagging tail, a behavior that has become synonymous with the genus. Weighing an average of 25 g, the White Wagtail can live up to 12 years in the wild.

Adult White Wagtails exhibit a distinctive plumage with a combination of grey, black, and white. The bird's upper parts are generally grey, with a white face, belly, and breast. Males during the breeding season may show a darker back, and the species is known for its sharp, brisk call and more melodious song during courtship.

The White Wagtail is commonly found in open country, often in close proximity to human habitation and water sources. It shows a preference for bare areas which facilitate the sighting and pursuit of prey. This bird has adapted well to urban environments, utilizing paved areas such as parking lots for foraging.

This species has a vast breeding range across Europe, the Asian Palearctic, parts of North Africa, and has a presence in Alaska. It is a migratory bird, with populations moving to Africa and parts of Asia during the winter. In Great Britain and Ireland, the darker subspecies known as the Pied Wagtail is more prevalent.


The White Wagtail is known for its perpetual tail wagging, a behavior that remains somewhat enigmatic but is thought to be a signal of vigilance to predators. It is a monogamous bird that defends its breeding territory with determination.

The call of the White Wagtail is a sharp "chisick," softer than that of the Pied Wagtail. Its song is more structured and is used by males to attract females rather than to mark territory.

White Wagtails are monogamous breeders, with both sexes contributing to nest building. The nest is often placed in crevices or holes near water or in human-made structures. The species lays three to eight cream-colored, speckled eggs, which both parents incubate. Chicks fledge after 12 to 15 days and continue to be fed for a week thereafter.

The Pied Wagtail, particularly the subspecies M. a. yarrellii, is similar but has a darker back and is found in Great Britain and Ireland. Other subspecies vary in wing, back, and head coloration.

The diet of the White Wagtail primarily consists of insects and small invertebrates, including beetles, dragonflies, flies, and crustaceans. It continues to feed on insects even in winter, unlike many other insectivorous birds in temperate climates.

31-12-2017 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - MALLARD (MALE) (Anas platyrhynchos)


Male Mallards have a dark, iridescent-green head and bright yellow bill. The gray body is sandwiched between a brown breast and black rear. Females and juveniles are mottled brown with orange-and-brown bills. Both sexes have a white-bordered, blue “speculum” patch in the wing.
Unlike larger waterfowl such as the Tundra Swan, which mate for life, Mallard pairs only stay together for a season. Courtship and pair formation begin each fall and winter. Groups of males display for a hen with a variety of behaviors, including head and tail shaking, head-bobbing, dipping, and whistling.


The female Mallard has between five and 14 light green eggs that she incubates for 30 days.

The ducklings are lead to water as soon as their soft, downy feathers are dry. ...

Most Mallard ducks live for one or two years, but some can live as long as 16 years!

Mallards swim with their tail held above the water.

The mallard or wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa. This duck belongs to the subfamily Anatinae of the waterfowl family Anatidae.  Mallards live in wetlands, eat water plants and small animals, and are social animals preferring to congregate in groups or flocks of varying sizes.

31-12-2017 CAMI LES FONTS OLIVA, VALENCIA - MALLARD (FEMALE) (Anas platyrhynchos)


The Mallard, or wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos), is a familiar and widespread dabbling duck with a presence across temperate and subtropical regions of the Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa. It has also been introduced to parts of the Southern Hemisphere. The male is renowned for its iridescent green head and white collar, while the female sports a brown-speckled plumage. Both sexes boast a speculum—a patch of feathers with iridescent purple or blue hues bordered by white. The Mallard's length ranges from 50 to 65 cm, with a wingspan of 81 to 98 cm, and it typically weighs between 0.7 and 1.6 kg.

Males during the breeding season are unmistakable with their glossy green heads, white collars, and purple-tinged brown breasts. Females are mottled brown with buff cheeks and an eye-stripe. Both sexes have the distinctive speculum on their wings. The male's bill is yellowish-orange tipped with black, while the female's is darker, ranging from black to mottled orange and brown.


Mallards are found in a variety of wetlands, including parks, small ponds, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. They prefer water depths less than 0.9 meters and are drawn to areas with aquatic vegetation.

This species is distributed across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, from Alaska to Mexico, the Hawaiian Islands, across the Palearctic, and down to southeastern and southwestern Australia and New Zealand.

Mallards are social birds that often form large flocks outside the breeding season. They are adaptable and can thrive in urban areas. The species is migratory in the northern parts of its range.

The female Mallard is known for its quintessential "quack," while the male's call is a quieter and deeper version of the female's. Vocalizations can vary by region, with urban ducks being louder than their rural counterparts.

Breeding pairs form in the fall, with the female laying 8 to 13 creamy white to greenish-buff eggs. Incubation lasts 27 to 28 days, and ducklings are precocial, swimming immediately after hatching.

31-12-2017 CAMI LES FONTS OLIVA, VALENCIA - HOUSE SPARROW (MALE) (Passer domesticus)


The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world. It is a small bird that has a typical length of 16 cm (6.3 in) and a mass of 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). Females and young birds are coloured pale brown and grey, and males have brighter black, white, and brown markings. One of about 25 species in the genus Passer, the house sparrow is native to most of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, and a large part of Asia. Its intentional or accidental introductions to many regions, including parts of Australasia, Africa, and the Americas, make it the most widely distributed wild bird.
The house sparrow is strongly associated with human habitation, and can live in urban or rural settings. Though found in widely varied habitats and climates, it typically avoids extensive woodlands, grasslands, polar regions, and hot, dry deserts far away from human development. For sustenance, the house sparrow routinely feeds at home and public bird feeding stations, but naturally feeds on the seeds of grains, flowering plants and weeds. However, it is an opportunistic, omnivorous eater, and commonly catches insects, their larvae, caterpillars, invertebrates and many other natural foods.

31-12-2017 CAMI LES FONTS OLIVA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN GREENFINCH (Chloris chloris)


The European greenfinch, or simply greenfinch, is a small passerine bird belonging to the finch family Fringillidae. Exhibiting a predominantly green plumage with yellow accents on the wings and tail, the male is a vibrant sight, while the female and juveniles are more subdued with brownish tones. This bird measures approximately 15 cm in length with a wingspan ranging from 24.5 to 27.5 cm, resembling the size and shape of a house sparrow.

To identify the European greenfinch, look for its thick and conical bill, a characteristic of seed-eating birds. The male's plumage is a striking green with yellow flashes on the wings and tail, whereas the female and young birds are more muted with brownish backs. The male's display flight is akin to a butterfly, a dance to charm its mate.

The greenfinch favors woodland edges, farmland hedges, and gardens with dense vegetation for breeding. It nests in trees or bushes within these habitats.

This bird has a broad range across Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia. It is mainly sedentary, but some populations in the northernmost regions migrate southwards in colder months. The species has also been introduced to Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay, and Argentina.

The greenfinch is known for its social nature, often seen in flocks outside the breeding season. It exhibits a breeding season from March to June, with fledglings emerging in early July. The species is capable of producing multiple broods annually.

The song of the greenfinch is a delightful mix of trills and twitters, interspersed with distinctive wheezes, contributing to the rich tapestry of sounds in its natural environment.

The female greenfinch constructs the nest and incubates the eggs, typically laying 4-6 eggs per clutch. Eggs are incubated for about 13-14 days, with chicks being fed an insect larva-rich diet initially, followed by a seed paste as they grow.

31-12-2017 CAMI LES FONTS OLIVA, VALENCIA - COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita)


The Common Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita, is a diminutive and sprightly leaf warbler known for its distinctive, onomatopoeic song. This small, migratory passerine is characterized by its greenish-brown upperparts and off-white underparts, with a weight ranging from 6 to 8 grams and a length of 10-12 centimeters.

In the field, look for the Common Chiffchaff's short whitish supercilium, fine dark bill, and dark legs. Its primary projection is short, and the plumage may appear duller and browner as it wears. Juveniles are browner above with yellow-white underparts, but they soon acquire brighter plumage after their first moult.

The Common Chiffchaff breeds in open woodlands with a mix of taller trees and ground cover across northern and temperate Europe, Asia, and parts of north Africa. It prefers woodland with trees at least 5 meters high and an undergrowth of grasses and nettles.

31-12-2017 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN SPOTTED CHAFER (Oxythyrea funesta)


Oxythyrea funesta is a phytophagous beetle species belonging to the family Cetoniidae, subfamily Cetoniinae.

Common name is “white spotted rose beetle”.

This beetle is present in most of Europe, in the eastern Palearctic realm, and in the Near East.


Larvae are up to 30 mm long, they feed on plant roots and can remain until next spring in the soil.

The adults appear early in the spring, they grow up to 8–12 millimetres (0.31–0.47 in) and can mostly be encountered from May through July. They are considered an insect pest that do not just feed on pollen, but rode the floral organs, especially damaging light in color buds and flowers.


Their colour is black, more or less bronzed. Most of the specimens show six white spots in two longitudinal rows on the pronotum and many others on the elytra. They are completely covered with white pubescence (easily visible in profile). Older specimens usually have no hairs, as they are rubbed off with time.

Subspecies
Oxythyrea funesta var. consobrina Villa
Oxythyrea funesta var. deleta Mulsant

Saturday, 30 December 2017

29-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - RUFOUS BACKED WREN (Campylorhynchus capistratus)


The rufous-backed wren, a member of the Troglodytidae family, is a songbird that captivates with its striking plumage. Adults measure around 17 cm in length and tip the scales between 29 to 42 grams. They boast a black crown and eyestripe, which are elegantly offset by a white supercilium. Their nape is a warm rufous, while the upperparts are a blend of cinnamon to chestnut, adorned with black and white streaks, particularly noticeable on the rump. Wings and tail feature a barred pattern of black and greyish-white, and the underparts are a pristine white. Juveniles present with more subdued upperparts and buff underparts.


To identify the rufous-backed wren, look for the distinctive black crown and eyestripe, separated by a white supercilium. The rufous nape and streaked upperparts with black and white, especially on the rump, are key characteristics. The barred wings and tail, along with the white underparts, are also indicative of this species.

This wren favours dry forests, open woodlands, scrub, second growth, and savannas. It thrives mainly on the Pacific side of central mountain ranges, from sea level up to 800 meters in Costa Rica and up to 1,400 meters in El Salvador.

The rufous-backed wren is a resident breeding bird found from southwest Mexico to northwestern Costa Rica. Its range is divided among six subspecies, each occupying distinct geographical areas within this region.

The rufous-backed wren is known for its active foraging in low vegetation, often in pairs or family groups. It has adapted to living near human settlements and may occasionally indulge in table scraps. When handling prey, these wrens exhibit a behaviour of thrashing it with their beak before consumption.


The song of the rufous-backed wren is a delightful composition of melodic, pure-tone syllables with multiple frequency changes, forming phrases that vary slightly among subspecies. Their calls are equally diverse, with a wide range even within each subspecies.

Breeding rufous-backed wrens construct spherical nests with a side entrance, lined with seed down, and placed 1.5 to 8 meters high in thorny trees or shrubs. They sometimes nest near wasps for protection against predators. The female incubates the eggs, which are white or greenish with brown or black spots, for about two weeks, and the fledglings leave the nest after a similar period. Families often roost together in dormitory nests post-breeding.

The diet of the rufous-backed wren primarily consists of insects and other invertebrates, which they actively seek out in low vegetation.

The IUCN has classified the rufous-backed wren as Least Concern. Although the population has not been quantified since the species was split, it is suspected to be stable with no significant declines or threats.

Friday, 29 December 2017

29-12-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CLEOPATRA BUTTERFLY (Gonepteryx cleopatra)


A striking butterfly, the male is bright yellow with conspicuous orange forewings which are clearly visible in flight and make it unmistakable. Unfortunately the species never opens its wings when settled, but with patience and luck it is possible to capture the upperside as a butterfly takes off from a flower.

Identification & Similar species: The bright orange of the male upperside forewing is unmistakable. It is replaced by similar species on the Canary Islands. The female is very similar to other Gonepteryx species, wing shape may help but this is a variable feature and may not always be reliable.


Distribution & Flight: South Europe northwards to south France and north Africa. Hibernated specimens fly in early spring. A second brood is possible, but usually it is only single brooded.

Habitat & Behaviour: Bushy places with flowers. Can often be seen patroling woodland edges and hedges.

Variation: Wing shape in the female is variable, sometimes making this feature unreliable for identification purposes.

29-12-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BLACK REDSTART (FEMALE) (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.