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.
  

COMMON RAVEN Corvus corax ssp C. c. canariensis 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

MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis) 1st winter at Ballyieragh North, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 

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The Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) is of the family Motacillidae which is in the genus Anthus.

GREATER SHORT TOED LARK (1st winter) Phoenicurus ochruros Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

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EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula) Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 

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 The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) is of the  family Muscicapidae which is in the genus Erithacus.

EURASIAN SISKIN (Spinus spinus) male at Croha West, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 

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 The Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus) is of the family Fringillidae which is in the genus Spinus.

Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus) distribution map

Breeding                   Resident                    Non breeding - winter
 

SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

EUROPEAN SHAG (Gulosus aristotelis subspecies P. a. aristotelis) immature at South Habour, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 

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The European Shag (Gulosus aristotelis) is of the cormorant family Phalacrocoracidae which is in the genus Gulosus. It occurs in northern and western Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, parts of North Africa as well as parts of the Black Sea Coast. This species breeds in colonies on coastal rocky cliffs and on offshore islands. Can easily be confused with Greater Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) but unlike that species, it is very rarely found inland on lakes or rivers.

  

Three subspecies are generally recognised :

• G. a. aristotelis – occurs in northwestern European Atlantic Ocean coasts
• G. a. desmarestii – occurs in the Mediterranean Basin and Black Sea coasts
• G. a. riggenbachi – occurs in northwestern African coasts
  

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

European Shag (Gulosus aristotelis) distribution map

 Breeding                  Non-breeding - winter 

 

SanoAK: Alexander Kürthy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

SONG THRUSH (Turdus philomelos) Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 

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 The Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) is of the thrush family Turdidae which is in the genus Turdus.

EUROPEAN HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus subspecies L. a. argenteus) at Keenleen, South Harbour, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

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The European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) is of the family Laridae which is in the genus Larus. There are several subspecies recognised including the Western European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus argenteus) which is resident in Ireland, Britain and the Near Continent.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula) male at the Youth Hostel Garden, Cape Clear Island, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland

 

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 The Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) or more simply known as a Blackbird is of the thrush family Turdidae which is in the genus Turdus.