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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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Showing posts with label Canon 7D. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canon 7D. Show all posts
Thursday, 30 July 2015
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax subspecies C. c. canariensis) Las Penitas Mirador, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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 |
Monday, 1 June 2015
KENTISH PLOVER (1st winter) (Charadrius alexandrinus) Salines del Carmen, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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| CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
Saturday, 16 May 2015
GREENISH BLACK TIP BUTTERFLY (Euchloe charlonia) La Oliva, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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| CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Greenish Black-tip butterfly (Euchloe charlonia) is found in North Africa, the Middle East and on the Canary Islands. A closely related species, the Spanish Black-tip (Euchloe bazae), first described in 1982, is scarce/vulnerable and is only present in two regions on mainland Spain. On the Eastern Canary Islands (Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and the Chinijo Archipelago) less than twenty species of butterfly occur. Because of the bare arid nature terrain and frequently windy conditions on Fuerteventura Island, butterflies are usually encountered in sheltered valleys and lush gardens. Greenish Black-tip on the other hand tends to favour more open type habitat where photographing it is made all the more difficult by the ever present wind. It is on the wing from December to June. Text © www.rawbirds.com |
Wednesday, 13 May 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 |
Thursday, 7 May 2015
COMMON BUZZARD (Buteo buteo subspecies B. b. insularum) La Oliva, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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| CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
Saturday, 2 May 2015
Tuesday, 28 April 2015
TRUMPETER FINCH (Male) (Bucanetes githagineus subspecies B. g. amantum) Las Parcelas, Betancuria, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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The Trumpeter Finch (Bucanetes githagineus) occurs mainly in North West Africa and the Middle East. There is a small breeding population in South East Spain and it has recently expanded its breeding range into Turkey. This stocky, heavy billed finch is normally found in arid, stony, semi desert type habitat. Bucanetes githagineus subspecies B. g. amantum is endemic to the Canary Islands and is one of four subspecies recognised. On Fuerteventura, the track which runs alongside the goat farm at Las Parcelas and the surrounding plain are well-known area for them. Trumpeter Finches normally occur in small flocks but become dispersive during the breeding season (April) and they then can be difficult to locate. This striking male is in full breeding plumage. Text © www.rawbirds.com |
Sunday, 26 April 2015
TRUMPETER FINCH (Female) (Bucanetes githagineus subspecies B. g. amantum) Las Parcelas, Betancuria, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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The Trumpeter Finch (Bucanetes githagineus) occurs mainly in North West Africa and the Middle East. There is a small breeding population in South East Spain and it has recently expanded its breeding range into Turkey. This stocky, heavy billed finch is normally found in arid, stony, semi desert type habitat. Bucanetes githagineus subspecies B. g. amantum is endemic to the Canary Islands and is one of four subspecies recognised. On Fuerteventura, the track which runs alongside the goat farm at Las Parcelas and the surrounding plain are well-known area for them. Trumpeter Finches normally occur in small flocks but become dispersive during the breeding season (April) and they then can be difficult to locate. The female depicted here is collecting goat hairs presumably as nest lining material. Text © www.rawbirds.com |
Monday, 13 April 2015
BROWN RAT Rattus norvegicus Betancuria Marker Mirador, Municipio de Betancuria, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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| CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
Wednesday, 4 March 2015
LESSER SHORT TOED LARK Calandrella rufescens ssp.C.r. polatzeki 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 |
Thursday, 26 February 2015
BLACK BELLIED SANDGROUSE [Male] (Pterocles orientalis) 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
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
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The Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis) is a gamebird of the family Pteroclididae which is in the genus Pterocles. The nominate race breeds in Iberia, northwest Africa, the Canary Islands, Turkey, Iran, Cyprus and Israel. The eastern race (P. o. arenarius) occurs in Kazakhstan, western China and northern Pakistan. It is a partial migrant, with central Asian populations moving to Pakistan and northern India for the winter.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-bellied_sandgrouse
Monday, 23 February 2015
BLACK BELLIED SANDGROUSE [Female] (Pterocles orientalis) 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
The Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis) is a gamebird of the family Pteroclididae which is in the genus Pterocles. The nominate race breeds in Iberia, northwest Africa, the Canary Islands, Turkey, Iran, Cyprus and Israel. The eastern race (P. o. arenarius)
occurs in Kazakhstan, western China and northern Pakistan. It is a
partial migrant, with central Asian populations moving to Pakistan and
northern India for the winter.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-bellied_sandgrouse
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Sunday, 15 February 2015
RUDDY SHELDUCK (Male) Tadorna ferruginea Los Molinos Reservoir, Las Parcelas, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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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. |
Sunday, 8 February 2015
EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops) 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
Click here to see distribution map and to hear calls
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 Canary 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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Tuesday, 3 February 2015
TRUMPETER FINCH (Male) Bucanetes githagineus Las Parcelas, Betancuria, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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The Trumpeter Finch (Bucanetes githagineus) occurs mainly in North West Africa and the Middle East. There is a small breeding population in South East Spain and it has recently expanded its breeding range into Turkey. This stocky, heavy billed finch is normally found in arid, stony, semi desert type habitat. Bucanetes githagineus subspecies B. g. amantum is endemic to the Canary Islands and is one of four subspecies recognised. On Fuerteventura, the track which runs alongside the goat farm at Las Parcelas and the surrounding plain are well-known area for them. Trumpeter Finches normally occur in small flocks but become dispersive during the breeding season (April) and they then can be difficult to locate. |
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
SPECTACLED WARBLER (Male) Sylvia conspicillata Ssp S. c. orbitalis Tindaya, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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The Spectacled Warbler occurs mainly in the Western Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and Cyprus. The endemic subspecies Sylvia conspicillata orbitalis is resident on most of the scattered group of islands in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, known as the Macaronesia Islands. Within this group, it does not occur on the Azores but is commonly found on the Canary Islands. Because of the arid semi desert type habitat on Fuerteventura Island it has a very local distribution. This species along with the Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala leucogastra) are the only warblers breeding on Fuerteventura. Like most Sylvia warblers it is skulking by nature and can be very un-obliging when it comes to having its photograph taken.
Friday, 9 January 2015
Sunday, 4 January 2015
SARDINIAN WARBLER (Male) Sylvia melanocephala ssp. S. m. leucogastra Las Penitas, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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The Sardinian Warbler found on the Canary Islands is classified as a separate subspecies (Sylvia melanocephala leucogastra). It is shorter winged and has a thicker bill when compared to its mainland European counterpart. At times, it can be quite skulking as was the case here. As it hid in a Shrubby Launaea bush, it tried its best not to be photographed.
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