Bird, bug, butterfly and a wild variety of photos from Belarus, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland and Spain by Irish wildlife photographer Patrick J. O'Keeffe and invited guests

Showing posts with label Bulgaria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bulgaria. Show all posts

Saturday 22 November 2014

HERMANN'S TORTOISE (Testudo hermanni subspecies T. h. boettgeri) Svilengrad, Haskovo Province, Bulgaria

 
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The Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanniis) of the family Testudinidae which is in the genus Testudo. The Marginated Tortoise (Testudo marginata) and Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca) are the only other species of tortoise native to Europe.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
 
Distribution map of Hermann's Tortoise showing subspecies
By Mkljun - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4820094
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/Testudo_hermanni_range_map.jpg 

Monday 10 November 2014

EURASIAN SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis) Kaliakra, Bulgarevo, Dobrich Province, Bulgaria

 
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The Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis) is a member of the lark family Alaudidae which is in the genus Alauda.

Tuesday 4 November 2014

EASTERN IMPERIAL EAGLE (Aquila heliaca) Svilengrad, Haskovo Province, Bulgaria

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The Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) is of the family Accipitridae which is in the genus Aquila. This very large uncommon bird of prey which breeds in central and south eastern Europe as well as western and central Asia. The European population winters in north east Africa. The Asian population winters in the Middle East, northern Indian and South East Asia. Small numbers remain in the breeding areas all year round. Major prey items include hares, rabbits, susliks (a type of ground squirrel), birds and carrion. 
 
 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Saturday 25 October 2014

SARDINIAN WARBLER [Female] (Sylvia melanocephala subspecies S. m. melanocephala) Krumovitsa River, Krumovgrad, District Kardjali, Bulgaria


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Click here for detailed species information
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
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 as well as in countries bordering the Mediterranean Basin. It is also resident on the Canary Islands. Some authorities recognise up to five subspecies. The female, typical 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 / Raw Birds.com 
Up to five subspecies are generally recognised:
  • Sylvia melanocephala melanocephala - Iberia across the northern Mediterranean to western Turkey. Extends into the Maghreb from Iberia, and into Libya from Italy via Sicily. Migrates to the Sahel and oases in the Sahara in winter.
  • Sylvia melanocephala leucogastra  - Canary Islands, resident, probably some vagrancy between eastern islands and Maghreb.
  • Sylvia melanocephala momus - Near East. Resident, some local movements. 
  • Sylvia melanocephala norissae - Fayyum Warbler - probably only a local morph of momus  - Nile Delta region. Extinct since around 1940.
  • Sylvia melanocephala valverdei - Morocco south to the Tropic of Cancer, inland to the edge of the Sahara. Resident, but some seasonal movements.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardinian_warbler

Sunday 19 October 2014

BLACK STORK (Ciconia nigra) Krumovitsa River, Krumovgrad, District Kardjali, Bulgaria

 
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The Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) is of the family Ciconiidae which is in the genus Ciconia.

Friday 17 October 2014

BLACK STORK (Ciconia nigra) Krumovitsa River, Krumovgrad, District Kardjali, Bulgaria

 
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Click external link here for detailed species information
Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
 
The Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) is of the family Ciconiidae which is in the genus Ciconia.