Showing posts with label Birds of Spain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birds of Spain. Show all posts
Saturday 29 July 2017
Monday 3 July 2017
EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops) Albufera Marsh, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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The Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) is a very striking member of the family Upupidae which is in the genus Upupa. It derives its English name from its distinctive
call. It
occurs in Europe, Asia and North Africa where it is predominantly a
summer resident
which winters in sub Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. It is absent from
the northern parts of Eurasia. Southern populations, including those on the Balearic Islands, are sedentary. Formerly considered a single species, the Hoopoe has now been
split into three species, the African Hoopoe (Upupa africana), the Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) and the
Madagascan Hoopoe (U. marginata).
A fourth species the Saint Helena Hoopoe (U. antaios), now
extinct, occurred on Saint Helena Island.
Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
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Monday 5 June 2017
CATTLE EGRET [WESTERN] (Bubulcus ibis) Pollença, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a species of heron of the family Ardeidae which is in the genius Bubulcus.
Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, it has undergone
a rapid expansion and has successfully colonised much of the temperate
zones of the world. There are two geographical races which are sometimes
classified as full species, the Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis ibis) and the Eastern Cattle Egret (B. ibis coromandus).
The eastern subspecies breeds in Asia and Australasia, and the western
form occupies the rest of the range, including the Americas. Some
authorities recognise a third subspecies, (B. i. seychellarum) which occurs on the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean.
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Monday 24 April 2017
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata) Boquer Valley, Formentor Peninsula, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE The Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) is a small Old World passerine in the family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Muscicapa. It is the commonest and the most widespread flycatcher found in Europe and western Asia. It is one of five species of migratory flycatcher which are summer breeding residents in Europe. In late spring, it returns from its wintering areas in southern Africa and southwestern Asia. Its preferred habit is open deciduous woodland. Main prey items include small flying invertebrates and caterpillars. By September with its food supply in decline, the return migration south begins. Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds.com |
Saturday 15 April 2017
BLACK WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) Male on left + juvenile Salinas d'Es Trenc, Salinas de Lavante, Campos, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) is one of three species of stilt, the others two are Black Stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) and Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus). It is resident in Africa and also breeds across the temperate parts of Europe and Central Asia where it is a summer resident that migrates south for the winter to sub Saharan Africa, the Indian sub-continent and South East Asia. Within the warmer parts of this range, there is a sedentary population. In addition, there are also four subspecies or races recognised, which some authorities consider to be full species:
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Monday 3 April 2017
Friday 17 March 2017
Wednesday 8 March 2017
SARDINIAN WARBLER [Male] (Sylvia melanocephala) Boquer Valley, Formentor Peninsula, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
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The Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala) is a small mainly
insectivorous warbler of the family Sylviidae which is in the genus Sylvia. It is commonly
encountered in southern and eastern Europe and around the Mediterranean
Basin as well as on the Canary Islands. Up to five subspecies are
recognised by some authorities. The female, typically of most sylvia warblers, has drabber
plumage, it is grey headed with brownish upper parts and the under parts
are washed buff. This species normally occurs in shrubby type habitat
as well as in parks and gardens.
Text: © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / RawBirds.com
Friday 3 March 2017
WESTERN [PURPLE] SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio) Albufera Marsh, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see tha former distribution map of Purple Swamphen subspecies and to hear calls |
The Western Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) is a large member of the rail family Rallidae which is in the genus Porphyrio. This chicken-sized bird, with its large feet, bright plumage and red bill and frontal shield is easily recognisable in its native range. It used to be considered the nominate subspecies of the Purple Swamphen which has now been split into six full species It is found in Iberia, France, Sardinia and northwest Africa to Tunisia.
The Purple Swamphen has been split into the following species:
- Western Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) - southwest Europe and northwest Africa
- African Swamphen (Porphyrio madagascariensis) - sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar
- Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) - Middle East, through the Indian subcontinent to southern China and northern Thailand, introduced Florida, USA
- Black-backed Swamphen (Porphyrio indicus) - southeast Asia to Sulawesi
- Philippine Swamphen (Porphyrio pulverulentus) - Philippine islands
- Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) - Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_swamphen
Friday 10 February 2017
EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra) Albufera Marsh, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear callsThe Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) is a member of the rail and crake family Rallidae which is in the genus Fulica. It occurs in Eurasia, northern Africa and Australia. It has recently expanded its range into New Zealand. In the milder parts of its range, it is sedentary but in the northern more colder region, it migrates further south and west for the winter. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_coot |
Tuesday 31 January 2017
BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) Albufera Marsh, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear callsThe Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), more commonly known as Night Heron, is a medium sized heron in the family Ardeidae which is in the genus Nycticorax. It is the most widespread heron in the world but is absent from large parts of North Africa, Northern Eurasia and Australasia as well as the more northern and colder regions. There are four subspecies or races generally recognised. The northern populations are migratory and winter in the southern parts of the range. |
Friday 20 January 2017
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) Albufera Marsh, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) is a small member of the heron family Ardeidae
which also includes Bitterns and Herons. It is found in the temperate
parts of Eurasia and Africa as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Over the last 60 years or so this species has greatly expanded its range
including recolonising its former breeding areas in Northern Europe. It
first bred in the Caribbean in the mid 1990’s and is increasingly being
recorded along the North American eastern seaboard.
Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Rawbirds.com |
Saturday 31 December 2016
CATTLE EGRET [WESTERN] (Bubulcus ibis) Pollença, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE |
The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a species of heron of the family Ardeidae which is in the genius Bubulcus. Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion and has successfully colonised much of the temperate zones of the world. There are two geographical races which are sometimes classified as full species, the Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis ibis) and the Eastern Cattle Egret (B. ibis coromandus). The eastern subspecies breeds in Asia and Australasia, and the western form occupies the rest of the range, including the Americas. Some authorities recognise a third subspecies, (B. i. seychellarum) which occurs on the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattle_egret
Saturday 24 December 2016
BALEARIC WARBLER [Male] (Sylvia balearica) Boquer Valley, Formentor Peninsula, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
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The Balearic Warbler (Sylvia balearica) is a small passerine of the family Sylviidae which is in the genus Sylvia. It is endemic to the Balearic Islands (but is absent from Menorca), Spain. It is very closely related to and is similar in appearance to Marmora's Warbler (Sylvia sarda) who together with Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata) and Tristram's Warbler (Sylvia deserticola) form a super group within the genus Sylvia. This insectivorous species occurs in open rocky coastal habitat with thorny bushes, broom and heather which provide cover and nesting areas.
Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds.com
Text © Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds.com
Saturday 8 August 2015
CREAM COLOURED COURSER (Cursorius cursor ) Pájara, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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World-wide, there are eight species of Courser and they occur in arid semi desert type habitat. Five are confined to Africa, Burchell’s Courser (Cursorius rufus), Heuglin’s Courser (Rhinoptilus cinctus), Temminck’s Courser (Cursorius temminckii), Two-banded Courser (Rhinoptilus africanus) and Violet-tipped Courser (Rhinoptilus chalcopterus). Two are mainly restricted to the Indian sub-continent, Indian Courser (Cursorius cormandelicus) and Jerdon’s Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus) which was thought to be extinct but was rediscovered in 1986. The Cream-coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor) has a scattered distribution across North Africa, the Middle East and South West Asia. It is also resident on the Eastern Canary Islands where some authorities recognise Cursorius cursor bannermanii as an endemic subspecies. Text © www.rawbirds.com |
Thursday 30 July 2015
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax subspecies C. c. canariensis) Las Penitas Mirador, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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The Common Raven or Northern Raven (Corvus corax) has a widespread distribution across the Northern Hemisphere. A minimum of eight subspecies are recognised including Corvus corax canariensis which is confined to the
Canary Islands. It is smaller in body structure, has a smaller more
decurved bill and shows an oily brown gloss to its plumage. Ravens are
normally very wary but at this location, they are tame because titbits can be scavenged from the tourists which pull in at this mirador (viewing
area). This area overlooks the lush valley and reservoir at Las
Penitas, an important area for wildlife on Fuerteventura.Text © www.rawbirds.com
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Sunday 26 July 2015
BARBARY PARTRIDGE (Alectoris barbara subspecies A. b. koenigi) Las Parcelas, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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The Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara)
is a North African gamebird. It is also native to the Mediterranean
island of Sardinia. On the Iberian Peninsula there is a small colony at
Gibraltar. The endemic subspecies Alectoris barbara koenigi
occurs on the Canary Islands. On Fuerteventura, although uncommon, it is
found throughout the island where at times it can be difficult to
locate.
Text © www.rawbirds.com |
Thursday 23 July 2015
FUERTEVENTURA STONECHAT or CANARY ISLAND STONECHAT (Saxicola dacotiae) male at La Oliva, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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Click external link here for detailed species information
The Fuerteventura Stonechat or Canary Island Stonechat (Saxicola dacotiae) is of the chat family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Saxicola. |
Tuesday 21 July 2015
RUDDY SHELDUCK (Male) (Tadorna ferruginea) Los Molinos Reservoir, Las Parcelas, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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| CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information Central Asia is the main stronghold of the Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) where it is a summer resident which winters predominantly on the Indian sub-continent and in South East Asia. There are five other species of shelduck, none of which are found in the Americas. The Common Shelduck (Tadorna Tadorna) occurs in Europe, North Africa and Central Asia. Four species are resident in the Southern Hemisphere, Cape Shelduck (Tadorna carna) in southern Africa, Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides) in south east and western Australia, Radjah Shelduck (Tadorna radjah) in the East Indies and northern Australia and Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna varigata) in New Zealand. A seventh species the Crested Shelduck (Tadorna cristata) was found mainly in northern Korea and was last reliably reported in 1964.There was a further report in 1971 but it is now probably extinct. Ruddy Shelduck has recently been discovered breeding in the Ethiopian Mountain. In the Eastern Mediterranean, the stronghold is Turkey. In the Western Mediterranean, there are two small populations in North West Africa, one in Tunisia and the other in western Morocco. Formally a vagrant to the Canary Islands, it first bred on Fuerteventura in 1994 where it has now become established. Text © www.rawbirds.com |
Saturday 18 July 2015
SOUTHERN GREY SHRIKE (Lanius meridionalis subspecies L. m. koenigi) La Oliva, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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| CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE See below for detailed species information Great Grey Shrike comprises nine subspecies. Nominate excubitor occurs in northern and central Europe whilst homeyeri (sometimes known as ‘Steppe Shrike’) breeds from south-east Europe through the Ural mountains into western Siberia. Further east, sibiricus (‘North Siberian Shrike’) breeds in central and eastern Siberia, with leucopterus, mollis, bianchii and funereus occupying restricted areas in Central and East Asia. Two subspecies – borealis and invictus (known collectively as ‘Northern Shrike’) – occur in North America. A further eleven grey shrike forms are currently treated as ‘Southern Grey Shrike’ Lanius meridionalis (Cramp et al. 1993).The taxonomy of the ‘Great Grey Shrikes’ is in a state of considerable flux. DNA evidence fails to support the current two species split, and at least six potential species have been identified though not formally proposed (Olsson 2010). In particular, a deep genetic divide is identified between a clade containing (amongst others) excubitor, homeyeri and leucopterus and one containing (amongst others) sibiricus, mollis, bianchii, funereus,borealis and invictus. This suggests a split between a new more tightly-defined ‘Great Grey Shrike’ encompassing the former three subspecies and ‘Northern Grey Shrike’ Lanius borealis encompassing the latter five. See full text reference at http://www.bbrc.org.uk/species-information-riact/owls-to-shrikes |
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