EASTERN IMPERIAL EAGLE (Aquila heliaca) immature Bihar Plain, Furta, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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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

PALLID HARRIER (Circus macrourus) male Bihar Plain, Furta, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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The Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) is of the family Accipitridae which is in the genus Circus.This is a scarce summer breeding resident in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In recent times, it has expanded its range to the west and north in Europe. Its preferred habitats are open steppes, agricultural areas and grassland plains. Prey items include insects, rodents and small birds. The European population winters in sub Saharan Africa and the Asian population winters in the Indian sub-continent and South East Asia. 

 

 

  Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

COMMON SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY (Papilio machaon) Bihar Plain, Furta, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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In the family Papilionidae, there are 225 species of Swallowtail Butterfly (as well as a number of subfamilies) and they are mainly found in the tropical regions of the world.The Common Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) occurs in North America, Europe and Asia and many subspecies are recognised. It has a widespread distribution in Europe but is absent from Iceland and Ireland. Text © www.rawbirds.com

EURASIAN PENDULINE TIT (Male) (Remiz pendulinus) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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The Eurasian Penduline Tit (Remiz pendulinus) is found in southern and central Europe as well as central and south western Asia. The northern population is migratory and in late autumn, retreats south to spend the winter in the warmer part of its range. It is generally found near fresh water with marginal trees and shrubs. It weaves an elaborate enclosed suspended nest with an angled downward facing tunnel entrance. Food items include a wide variety of small invertebrates and seeds. Text © www.rawbirds.com 

PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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There are 65 species of heron (which includes Bitterns and Egrets). The Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) is resident in Africa and southern Asia. It is also a summer breeding resident in eastern and and western Asia as well as central and southern Europe. The northern populations are migratory and with the onset of colder weather in late autumn, they migrate south to Africa and to southern Asia to spend the winter there. This secretive species can at times be difficult to locate. Its preferred habitats are reed beds or ditches and unlike most other species of heron, it is generally no found out in the open. Text © www.rawbirds.com

BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

 

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  The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is of the family Hirundinae which is in the genus Hirundo . It is a summer resident which breeds in the Northern Hemisphere. There are small sedentary populations in some of the tropical parts of this range but during the summer it is mainly absent from the Indian sub-continent and South East Asia. This common and widespread insectivorous species feeds exclusively on small flies and midges. 

In late autumn with the onset of colder weather, when its prey items begin to diminish, it migrates south to its wintering areas. The North American population winters in Central and South America. The Eurasian population winters in sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian sub-continent, South East Asia and parts of Northern Australia. In early spring the return migration north begins. At least races are recognised.  

There are 74 species of hirundines which includes Swallows and Martins. In additional, the only known record of the Red Sea Cliff Swallow (Hirundo perdita) was of one found dead at Sanganeb Lighthouse, Sudan in May 1984.

  Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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The Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) is a species of marsh tern. There are three races recognised; Chlidonias hybrida hybrida breeds in Eurasia - Chlidonias hybrida delalandii is found in eastern and southern Africa - Chlidonias hybrida javanicus occurs on the Java Peninsula south to Australia  The northern  population is migratory and winters in West Africa, the Middle East, East Africa, the Indian sub-continent and South East Asia. This fresh water species has a scattered distribution through out its range and is in decline due to the drainage of wetlands. Text © www.rawbirds.com

WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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The Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) is a species of marsh tern. There are three races recognised; Chlidonias hybrida hybrida breeds in Eurasia - Chlidonias hybrida delalandii is found in eastern and southern Africa - Chlidonias hybrida javanicus occurs on the Java Peninsula south to Australia  The northern population is migratory and winters in West Africa, the Middle East, East Africa, the Indian sub-continent and South East Asia. This fresh water species has a scattered distribution through out its range and is in decline due to the drainage of wetlands. Text © www.rawbirds.com

RED FOOTED FALCON (Male) (Falco vespertinus) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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The Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) breeds in eastern Europe and west, central and north-central Asia, with its main range from Belarus south to Hungary, northern Serbia and Montenegro, Romania, Moldova and east Bulgaria, eastward through Ukraine and north-west and south Russia and north Kazakhstan to extreme north-west China and the upper Lena river (Russia). It winters in southern Africa, from South Africa northwards to southern Kenya (Ferguson-Lees et al. 2001).  Text © iucnredlist.org (see full species status at  http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22696432/00)

LONG EARED OWL (Roosting) (Asio otus) Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta, Hortobágy, Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar megye, Hungary

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The Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) is a widespread northern hemisphere species which occurs in North America, Europe and Asia. There are four subspecies generally recognised:  Asio otus tuftsi is found in western Canada south to northern Mexico - Asio otus wilsonianus breeds in central and eastern Canada south to eastern USA - Asio otus otus occurs in Asia, Europe and North Africa - Asio otus canariensis is endemic to the Canary Islands. The northern part of the population is migratory and disperses south before the onset of winter. Breeding habitat includes both deciduous woodland and conifer plantations with access to open country side for hunting. Prey items include a wide variety of small vertebrates, mainly mice, voles, shrews, rats and to a lesser extent reptiles and birds.  Text © www.rawbirds.com