Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

The Iberian Chiffchaff (P. ibericus) is brighter, greener on the rump, and yellower below than Common Chiffchaf, and has a tit-tit-tit-tswee-tswee song.

It was initially named P. brehmii, but the type specimen of that taxon is not an Iberian Chiffchaff. This species is found in Portugal and Spain, west of a line stretching roughly from the western Pyrenees via the mountains of central Spain to the Mediterranean; the Iberian and Common Chiffchaffs co-occur in a narrow band along this line.

Apart from the northernmost section, the precise course of the contact zone is not well-documented. A long-distance migrant, this species winters in western Africa. There is hybridization in the contact zone, almost always between male P. ibericus and female P. c. collybita, and hybrids apparently show much decreased fitness; hybrid females appear to be sterile according to Haldane's Rule.

Regarding the latter aspect, it is interesting to note that the Iberian Chiffchaff apparently is the oldest lineage of chiffchaffs and quite distinct from the Common Chiffchaff.

Iberian Chiffchaff, Iberische Tjiftjaf, Iberienzilpzalp, Felosa-iberica, Mosquitero Iberico

Other synonyms:

Catalan: Mosquiter ibèric
Czech: Budní?ek iberský, budníèek iberský
Danish: Iberisk Gransanger
German: Iberienzilpzalp, Spanischer Zilpzalp
English: Iberian Chiffchaff, Iberian Chiff-chaff, Western Chiffchaff
Spanish: Mosquitero Ibérico
Estonian: ibeeria väike-lehelind
Basque: Mosquiter ibèric
Finnish: iberiantiltaltti
French: Pouillot ibérique
Galician: Mosquiter ibèric , Picafollas ibérico
Icelandic: Grenisöngavri
Italian: Luì iberico
Japanese: iberiachafuchafu
Latin: Phyllopneuste brehmii, Phylloscopus brehmi, Phylloscopus brehmi brehmii, Phylloscopus brehmii, Phylloscopus bremhii, Phylloscopus collybita brehmii, Phylloscopus collybita ibericus, Phylloscopus collybitus brehmii, Phylloscopus ibericus, Phylloscopus indicus
Dutch: Iberische Tjiftjaf
Polish: swistunka iberyjska, ?wistunka iberyjska
Portuguese: Felosa-ibérica
Slovenian: iberska listnica
Swedish: Iberisk gransångare
.

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

New photo of a European Goldfinch taken today.

European Goldfinch, Putter, Stieglitz, Pintassilgo, Jilguero Europeo

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

New photo of a Chaffinch taken today.

Chaffinch, Vink, Buchfink, Tentilhão-comum, Pinzón vulgar

Winter is almost over (fortunately) and the birds are getting busier. The whole winter we have been swarmed with European Serins and European Goldfinches. They are in huge flogs and it is a delightful sight.

Here is just one photo I wanted to share with you:

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

The Red Kite (Milvus milvus) is a medium-large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers. The species is currently endemic to the Western Palearctic region in Europe and northwest Africa, though formerly also occurred just outside in northern Iran. It is a rare species which is resident in the milder parts of its range in western Europe and northwest Africa, but birds from northeastern and central Europe winter further south and west, reaching south to Turkey. Vagrants have reached north to Finland and south to Israel and Libya.

Red Kite, Rode Wouw, Rotmilan, Milhafre-real, Milano real

Adults differ from juveniles in a number of characteristics:

Adults are overall more deeply rufous, compared with the more washed out colour of juveniles;
Adults have black breast-streaks whereas on juveniles these are pale;
Juveniles have a less deeply-forked tail, with a dark subterminal band;
Juveniles have pale tips to all of the greater-coverts (secondary and primary) on both the upper- and under-wings, forming a long narrow pale line; adults have pale fringes to upperwing secondary-coverts only.
These differences hold throughout most of the first year of a bird's life.
 
The Red Kite's diet consists mainly of small mammals such as mice, voles, shrews, young hares and rabbits. It also feeds on a wide variety of carrion including sheep carcasses and dead game birds. Live birds are also taken and occasionally reptiles and amphibians. Earthworms also form an important part of the diet, especially in the spring.[8]

As scavengers, red kites are particularly sensitive to poisoning[9]. Illegal poison baits set for foxes or crows are indiscriminate and kill protected birds and other animals.

At signs of danger a mother will signal the young who will "play dead" to the extent that a fox will believe them to be dead and leave them, thinking it can return to eat them later.

Adult red kites are sedentary birds, and they occupy their breeding home range all year. Each nesting territory can contain up to five alternative nest sites. Both birds build the nest on a main fork or a limb high in a tree, 12-20m high made of dead twigs and lined with grass or other vegetation and sheep’s wool.

Asturian: Milán del Rau Forcau, Milán Rauforcau
Breton: Ar barged ruz
Catalan: Milà reial
Catalan (Balears): Milà reial
Welsh: Barcud coch, Barcut, Barcutan, Boda gwennol
Danish: Rød Glente
German: Rotmilan, Rotmilanmilvus
English: European Red Kite, Red kite
Esperanto: Ru^ga milvo
Spanish: Milano Real
Estonian: Puna-harksaba
Basque: Milà reial
Finnish: Isohaarahaukka
Faroese: Glenta
French: Milan noir, Milan royal
Irish: Cúr Rua
Gaelic: Clamhan Gabhlach, Clamhan Gobhlach, Croman Lachaidh
Galician: Milà reial, Millafre real
Hungarian: Vörös kánya
Icelandic: Svölugleða
Italian: Nibbio reale
Japanese: akatobi
Cornish: Scowl
Latin: Milvus milvus, Milvus milvus milvus
Lithuanian: Rudasis peslys
Dutch: Rode wouw
Norwegian: Glente
Polish: Kania rdzawa, kania ruda, kania ruda (kania rdzawa)
Portuguese: milhafre real, Milhafre-real, Milhano
Romansh: Milan cotschen
Slovenian: rjavi škarjek, rjavi škarnik
Albanian: Huta bishtgërshërë e kuqërreme
Swedish: Glada, Röd glada
 

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula), also known as a ruddock, robinet, or (in Anglophone Europe) simply robin, is a small insectivorouspasserine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family (Turdidae), but is now considered to be an Old World flycatcher (Muscicapidae).

Robin, Roodborst, Rotkehlchen, Pisco-de-peito-ruivo, Petirrojo Europeo

Around 12.5–14.0 cm (5.0–5.5 in) in length, the male and female are similar in colouration, with an orange breast and face lined with grey, brown upperparts and a whitish belly. It is found across Europe, east to Western Siberia and south to North Africa; it is sedentary in most of its range except the far north.

The term Robin is also applied to some unrelated birds with red breasts. These include the American Robin (Turdus migratorius), which is a thrush, and the Australian red robins of the genus Petroica, which are more closely related to crows.

The European Robin was one of the many species originally described by Linnaeus in his 18th century work, Systema Naturae, under the name of Motacilla rubecula. Its specific epithet rubecula is a diminutive derived from the Latin ruber 'red'.[3] The genus Erithacus was created by French naturalist Georges Cuvier in 1800, giving the bird its current binomial name of E. rubecula.

The distinctive red breast of both sexes led to the European Robin's original name of redbreast. In the fifteenth century, when it became popular to give human names to familiar species, the bird came to be known as Robin redbreast, which was eventually shortened to Robin.[5] In American literature of the late 19th century, this robin was frequently called the English Robin. The Frisian robyntsje or robynderke is similar to the English name, while Dutch Roodborstje and French Rougegorge both refer to the distinctive red front.

The Robin belongs to a group of mainly insectivorous birds that have been variously assigned to the thrushes or "flycatchers", depending on how these groups were perceived taxonomically. Eventually, the flycatcher-thrush assemblage was re-analysed and the genus Erithacus assigned to a group of thrush-like true flycatchers, the tribe Saxicolini, that also includes the nightingale and the Old World chats.

Other synonyms

Asturian: Raitán
Breton: Ar boc’hruzig rujodenn, Ar boc'hruzig rujodenn, boc'hruzig, Brennid-ruz, Bruched-ruz, Buruig, Draouennig-vras, Kofig-ruz, Pêrig kof-ruz, Pichig-ruz, Richodell, Rujodenn, Torig-ruz
Catalan: Pit-roig, Rupit
Catalan (Balears): Rupit
Czech: Cervenka obecná
Welsh: Brongoch, Bronrhuddyn, Bronruddyn, Coch-gam, robin goch
Danish: Rødhals
German: Kehlchen, Rotkehlchen
Greek: [Kοkkinοlaimis], kοkkinοlaimis, Κοκκινολα?μης
English: European Robin, European Robin Robin, Robin
Spanish: Petirro, Petirrojo, Petirrojo Europeo
Estonian: Punarind
Basque: Pit-roig , Txantxan, txantxangorri, Txantxangorria
Finnish: Punarinta
Faroese: bringureyði, Reyðbrystingur
French: Rougegorge, Rougegorge familier
Frisian: readboarstke
Irish: paporroibo, paporrubio, pisco, spideog, Spideóg
Gaelic: Am Brù-Dhearg, Broinn Dearg, Brù-Dhearg
Galician: Paporrubio, Pit-roig
Manx: Cleean Jiarg, Spiitag, spittag
Hungarian: Vörösbegy
Icelandic: Glóbrystingur
Italian: Pettirosso, Pettirosso comune, Pettirosso europeo
Japanese: Eoropean Robin, yoaroppakomadori, yo-roppakomadori, Youroppa-komadori
Cornish: Rudhak, rudhek
Latin: Erithacus rubecula
Ladino: pietcuecen
Lithuanian: liepsnele
Macedonian: crvenoguška
Maltese: pitirross
Dutch: Roodborst
Norwegian: Rødkjelk, Rødkjelke, Rødstrupe
Occitan: papach rós, papachrós
Polish: Plochacz halny, rudzik, Rudzik zwyczajny
Portuguese: pisco de peito riuvo, pisco de peito ruivo, Pisco-de-peito-riuvo, Pisco-de-peito-ruivo
Romansh: puppen cotschen, Puppencotschen
Romanian: gusa-rosie
Romany: loli-kolinaki, lolo-kolinako
Russian: zarjanka
Sardinian: Barbarrubia
Scots: Broinn dearg
Northern Sami: guovssoloddi
Slovak: cervienka
Slovenian: tašcica
Albanian: gushëkuqi
Serbian: crvendac
Swedish: Rödhake

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

The Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the Thrush family (Turdidae), but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher (Muscicapidae).

Black Redstart, Zwarte Roodstaart, Hausrotschwanz, Rabirruivo-preto, Colirrojo Tizón

Male Phoenicurus ochruros rufiventris in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Female or immature European Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros gibraltariensis)It is a widespread breeder in south and central Europe, but very localised in Great Britain. It is resident in the milder parts of its range, but northern birds winter in southern Europe or north Africa. It nests in crevices or holes in buildings.

It is more common in Britain as a bird of passage and winter visitor. On passage it is fairly common on the east and south coasts. Migrant Black Redstarts arrive in Britain in October or November and pass on or remain to winter, returning eastward in March or April[verification needed].

Reports of Common Redstarts (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) returning early from their winter quarters sometimes refer to this species.

The Black Redstart is 13-14.5cm in length. The male has no chestnut on the flanks nor white on the forehead. The female is greyer than the Common Redstart, and at any age the grey axillaries and under wing-coverts are distinctive. In the Common Redstart these are buff or chestnut.

The "fire" of the tail labels the bird as a Redstart, but it may be distinguished from the Common Redstart, which is the same size, at 14 cm length, by its sootier appearance, even when the distinctive white wing patch is not apparent, as in immature males.

They typically frequent cliffs and stony ground, but in Britain often breed and winter in industrial complexes that have the bare areas and cliff-like buildings it favours. It will catch passing insects in flight, and migrants may or hunt in the tide-wrack for flies or tiny crustaceans. Its quick ducks of head and body are robin-like, and its tail is often flicked. The male has a rattling song and a tick call.

Asturian: Raitán Moru
Azerbaijani: Qaraca odquyruq
Breton: Ar rulosteg du
Catalan: Coa-roja de barraca, Cotxa fumada, Merla roquera
Catalan (Balears): Coa-roja de barraca
Valencian: Merla roquera
Czech: Rehek domácí
Welsh: Llostrudd du, Tinboeth du, Tingoch du
Danish: Husrødstjert
German: Hausrotschwantz, Hausrotschwanz
English: Black Redstart, Black Redtail, Blackstart, Tithy's Redstart
Esperanto: nigra ro^gvostulo, Nigra ro?vostulo
Spanish: Colirrojo Tizon, Colirrojo Tizón
Estonian: Must-lepalind
Basque: Buztangorri ilun, Buztangorri iluna, Cotxa fumada
Finnish: Mustaleppälintu
Faroese: Dimmur velreyði
French: Roguequeue noir, Rougequeue noir, Rougequeue tithys
Irish: Earrdheargán Dubh
Gaelic: Ceann Dubhan
Galician: Cotxa fumada , Rabirrubio
Manx: Kiaulleyder doo
Croatian: Crvenrepka kova?, Mrka Crvenrepka
Hungarian: Házi rozsdafarkú
Icelandic: Húsaskotta
Italian: Codirosso spazzacamino
Japanese: Kuro jou-bitaki, kurojoubitaki, Kuro-joubitaki
Cornish: Tyngough du
Latin: Phoenicurus ochruros
Limburgish: Roedbroenstartrotsliester
Maltese: Kudirross Iswed
Dutch: Zwarte Roodstaart, Zwarte roostaart
Norwegian: Svart rødstjert, Svartrødstjert
Polish: Iranka, kopciuszek, kopciuszek (zwyczajny), Kopciuszek zwyczajny
Portuguese: Rabirruivo-preto, rabiruivo preto, Rabiruivo-preto
Romansh: Cuacotschna da chasa
Scots: Ceann dubhan
Slovak: Žltochvost domový
Slovenian: šmarnica
Albanian: Bishtkuqi zeshkan
Serbian: Kucna crvenorepka
Swedish: Svart rödstjärt

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte .

The Willow Warbler (formerly called the Willow Wren) Phylloscopus trochilus, is a very common and widespread leaf warbler which breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe and Asia.

Willow Warbler, Fitis, Felosa-musical, Mosquitero de los Sauces

It was described by Linnaeus in his Systema Naturae in 1758 under the genus Motacilla.

This "warbler" is strongly migratory and the majority of the population winters in sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of the first leaf warblers to return in the spring but is later than the Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita.

This is a bird of open woodlands with trees and ground cover for nesting, including birch and willow uplands. The nest is usually built in close contact with the ground, often in low vegetation. Like most Old World warblers, this small passerine is insectivorous.

This is a typical leaf warbler in appearance, greenish brown above and off-white below. It is very similar to the Chiffchaff, but non-singing birds can be distinguished from that species by their paler legs, longer paler bill, more elegant shape and longer primary projection. Its song is a simple repetitive descending whistle.

Afrikaans: Hofsanger
Asturian: Pioyín de Ríu, Pioyín de Sebe
Azerbaijani: Bahar yarpaqgüd?ni
Breton: Ar puig-haleg
Catalan: Busquereta vulgar, Mosquiter de passa, Ull de bou de passa
Catalan (Balears): Ull de bou de passa
Valencian: Busquereta vulgar
Czech: Budnícek vetší
Welsh: Cethlydd y coed, Dryw bach y ddaear, Dryw felen, Dryw wen, Dryw’r helyg, Sywider, Telor yr helyg
Danish: Løvsanger, Lundsanger
German: Fitis, Fitislaubsänger
Emiliano-romagnolo: Becafigh
English: European Willow Warbler, European Willow-Warbler, Leaf Warbler, Northern Willow-Warbler, Willow Leaf-warbler, Willow Warbler, Willow wren, Willow-Warbler
Esperanto: fitiso
Spanish: Mosquitero común, Mosquitero de los Sauces, Mosquitero Musical
Estonian: Salu-lehelind
Basque: Mosquiter de passa , Txio hori, Txio horia
Finnish: Pajulintu
Faroese: Leyvljómari
French: Pouillot chantre, Pouillot fitis
Irish: Ceolaire Sailí, Ceólaire sailí
Gaelic: Crionag Ghiuthais
Galician: Mosquiter de passa , Picafollas musical
Manx: Drean bane, Drean Vane
Croatian: Brezov Zviždak
Hungarian: Fitisz füzike, Fitiszfüzike
Armenian: Garnanayin Geghgeghik
Icelandic: Laufsöngvari
Italian: Luí grosso, Luì grosso, LuÏ grosso
Japanese: Kitayanagi mushi-kui, kitayanagimushikui
Cornish: Telor helyk
Kwangali: Niini
Latin: Phylloscopus trochilus
Limburgish: Favet, Graastäöt, Taatsj
Maltese: Vjolin Pastard
Dutch: Fitis
Norwegian: Løvsanger
Polish: piecuszek
Portuguese: felosa musical, Felosa-musical
Romansh: Fegliarel musicant
Russian: Penochka-vesnichka
Scots: Crionag ghiuthais
Northern Sami: Rievssatcizaš
Slovak: Kolibiarik spevavý, Kolibkárik spevavý
Slovenian: kovacek, severni kovacek, severni kova?ek
Shona: Timba
Albanian: Fishkëllyesi gushëverdhë
Serbian: brezov zviždak, zviždak kovacic
Sotho, Southern: Pilipili-sa-mabelete
Swedish: Lövsångare
Swahili: Kucha-mbuga
Xhosa: Unothoyi

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

The Common Raven (Corvus corax), also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird in the crow family. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids. There are eight known subspecies with little variation in appearance—although recent research has demonstrated significant genetic differences among populations from various regions.

It is one of the two largest corvids, alongside the Thick-billed Raven, and is possibly the heaviest passerine bird; at maturity, the Common Raven is between 56 and 69 cm (22 to 27 inches) in length, with recorded weights ranging from 0.69 to 1.63 kg (1.5 to 3.6 pounds). Common Ravens typically live about 10 to 15 years in the wild, although lifespans of up to 40 years have been recorded. Young birds may travel in flocks, but later mate for life, with each mated pair defending a territory.

Common Raven, Raaf, Kolkrabe, Corvo, Cuervo Común

The Common Raven has coexisted with humans for thousands of years, and in some areas has been so successful that it is considered a pest. Part of its success comes from its omnivorous diet; Common Ravens are extremely versatile and opportunistic in finding sources of nutrition, feeding on carrion, insects and food waste, in addition to cereal grains, berries, fruit and small animals.

Some remarkable feats of problem-solving have been observed in the species, leading to the belief that it is highly intelligent. Over the centuries, it has been the subject of mythology, folklore, art and literature. In many indigenous cultures, including those of Scandinavia, ancient Ireland and Wales, Bhutan, the northwest coast of North America, Siberia and northeast Asia, the Common Raven has been revered as a spiritual figure or god.

The Common Raven was one of the many species originally described by Linnaeus in his 18th century work, Systema Naturae, and it still bears its original name of Corvus corax. It is the type species of the genus Corvus, derived from the Latin for "Raven". The specific epithet, corax/κοραξ, is the Ancient Greek word for "raven" or "crow". The name "raven" has been applied to several other (generally large) species of the genus Corvus, though they are not necessarily closely related to Corvus corax. Some, such as the Australian Raven and Forest Raven, are clearly closer to the other Australian crows. The original raven is now called the Common or Northern Raven.

Afrikaans: Kraai
Asturian: Cuergu, Cuervón, Cuervu
Bulgarian: garvan
Breton: Ar varc’hvran, Erroi, marc’hvran, Vran
Catalan: Corb, Cornella negra
Catalan (Balears): Corb
Valencian: Cornella negra
Czech: krakovec velký, krkavec, krkavec velký
Welsh: Brân, cigfran, Gigfran fawr
Danish: Ravn
German: Kolkrabe
English: American, American Raven, Common Raven, Holarctic Raven, Mexican Raven, Northern Raven, Ravan, Raven, Southwestern Raven, Western Raven
Esperanto: granda korvo, korako, korvo
Spanish: Corneja, Cuervo, Cuervo Común, Cuervo Grande, Cuevo Grande
Spanish (Honduras): Cuervo
Spanish (Mexico): cuervo común, Cuervo Grande, Cuevo Grande
Spanish (Nicaragua): Cuervo Común
Estonian:   ronk, kaaren, korp, Ronk, ronk (kaaren), Ronk, kaaren
Basque: Corb, erroi, Erroia
Finnish: Korppi
Faroese: bringuhvítur ravnur, Gorpur, Krunkur, ravnur, Svarti
French: corbeau, Grand Corbeau
Friulian: Çore, Cornile, corvat, Corvat piçul
Frisian: raven
Irish: corvo carnazal, fiach dubh
Gaelic: Biadhtach, Fidheach, Fitheach
Galician: Corb, Corvo grande, Corvo viaraz
Manx: feeagh, Feeagh Vooar
Croatian: Gavran, Vrana gavran
Hungarian: Holló
Icelandic: Hrafn, krummi
Italian: corvo, Corvo imperiale, Corvo imperiale comune
Inuktitut: Killugak, Tulugaq
Japanese: watarigarasu, Watari-garasu
Greenlandic: Killugak, Tulugaq
Karelian: Varoi
Cornish: Bran, bran vras, Marghvran
Latin: Corvus corax
Ladino: corf
Ladin: Agacion
Lithuanian: Juodvarnis, Krankis, kranklys, Krukas, Varnas
Latvian: krauklis
Macedonian: gavran
Dutch: Raaf
Norwegian: Korp, Ravn
Occitan: còrb, Gralha
Polish: kruk, kruk (zwyczajny), Kruk zwyczajny
Portuguese: Corvo, Corvo comum
Romansh: corv grond, Corv nair
Romanian: corb
Romany: kakarachi kakarachka, Korung
Russian: Voron
Sardinian: corbittu, corvai, crà, crobu, prinneddu, tivani
Scots: Biadhtach, Fidheach, fitheach
Northern Sami: bulddogas, gáranas, garjá
Slovak: krkavec
Slovenian: krokar
Albanian: Korb, korbi
Serbian: gavran
Swedish: Korp
Swahili: Aswadi kunguru
Turkmen: Gara garga, kuzgun
Turkish: Büyük Karga, Kuzgun
Sorbian, Lower: Garona, Karwona, rapak, wron
Sorbian, Upper: rapak, Wróna
 

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a cosmopolitan species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Bubulcus, although some authorities regard its two subspecies as full species. Despite the similarities in plumage to the egrets of the genus Egretta, it is more closely related to the herons of Ardea. Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion in its distribution and successfully colonised much of the rest of the world.

Cattle Egret, Koereiger, Kuhreier, Carraceiro, Garça-boieira, Garcilla Bueyera

It is a stocky white bird adorned with buff plumes in the breeding season which nests in colonies, usually near bodies of water and often with other wading birds. The nest is a platform of sticks in trees or shrubs. Unlike most other herons, it feeds in relatively dry grassy habitats, often accompanying cattle or other large mammals, since it catches insect and small vertebrate prey disturbed by these animals. Some populations of the Cattle Egret are migratory and others show post-breeding dispersal.

The adult Cattle Egret has few predators, but birds or mammals may raid its nests, and chicks may be lost to starvation, calcium deficiency or disturbance from other large birds. This species removes ticks and flies from cattle, but it can be a safety hazard at airfields, and has been implicated in the spread of tick-borne animal diseases.

The Cattle Egret has two geographical races which are sometimes classified as full species, the Western Cattle Egret, B. ibis, and Eastern Cattle Egret, B. coromandus.

Despite superficial similarities in appearance, the Cattle Egret is more closely related to the genus Ardea, which comprises the great or typical herons and the Great Egret (A. alba), than to the majority of species termed egrets in the genus Egretta. Rare cases of hybridization with Egretta caerulea, Egretta garzetta and Egretta thula have been recorded.

The Cattle Egret is a stocky heron with a 88–96 cm (35–38 in) wingspan; it is 46–56 centimetres (18–22 in) in length and weighs 270–512 grams (9.5–18.1 oz). It has a relatively short thick neck, sturdy bill, and a hunched posture. The non-breeding adult has mainly white plumage, a yellow bill and greyish-yellow legs. During the breeding season, adults of the nominate western subspecies develop orange-buff plumes on the back, breast and crown, and the bill, legs and irises become bright red for a brief period prior to pairing. The sexes are similar, but the male is marginally larger and has slightly longer breeding plumes than the female; juvenile birds lack coloured plumes and have a black bill.

The positioning of the egret’s eyes allows for binocular vision during feeding, and physiological studies suggest that the species may be capable of crepuscular or nocturnal activity. Adapted to foraging on land, they have lost the ability possessed by their wetland relatives to accurately correct for light refraction by water.

This species gives a quiet, throaty "rick-rack" call at the breeding colony, but is otherwise largely silent.

The Cattle Egret has undergone one of the most rapid and wide reaching natural expansions of any bird species. It was originally native to parts of Southern Spain and Portugal, tropical and subtropical Africa and humid tropical and subtropical Asia. In the end of the 19th century it began expanding its range into southern Africa, first breeding in the Cape Province in 1908. Cattle Egrets were first sighted in the Americas on the boundary of Guiana and Suriname in 1877, having apparently flown across the Atlantic Ocean. It was not until the 1930s that the species is thought to have become established in that area.

The species first arrived in North America in 1941 (these early sightings were originally dismissed as escapees), bred in Florida in 1953, and spread rapidly, breeding for the first time in Canada in 1962. It is now commonly seen as far west as California. It was first recorded breeding in Cuba in 1957, in Costa Rica in 1958, and in Mexico in 1963, although it was probably established before that. In Europe the species had historically declined in Spain and Portugal, but in the latter part of the 20th century it expanded back through the Iberian Peninsula, and then began to colonise other parts of Europe; southern France in 1958, northern France in 1981 and Italy in 1985. Breeding in the United Kingdom was recorded for the first time in 2008 only a year after an influx seen in the previous year. In 2008 cattle egrets were also reported as having moved into Ireland for the first time.

The massive and rapid expansion of the Cattle Egret’s range is due to its relationship with humans and their domesticated animals. Originally adapted to a commensal relationship with large browsing animals, it was easily able to switch to domesticated cattle and horses. As livestock keeping spread throughout the world it was able to occupy otherwise empty niches. Many populations of Cattle Egrets are highly migratory and dispersive, and this has helped the species’ range expansion. The species has been seen as a vagrant in various sub-Antarctic islands, including South Georgia, Marion Island, the South Sandwich Islands and the South Orkney Islands. A small flock of eight birds was also seen in Fiji in 2008.

In addition to the natural expansion of its range, Cattle Egrets have been introduced into a few areas. The species was introduced to Hawaii in 1959, and to the Chagos Archipelago in 1955. Successful releases were also made in the Seychelles and Rodrigues, but attempts to introduce the species to Mauritius failed. Numerous birds were also released by Whipsnade Zoo in England, but the species never established.

Although the Cattle Egret sometimes feeds in shallow water, unlike most herons it is typically found in fields and dry grassy habitats, reflecting its greater dietary reliance on terrestrial insects rather than aquatic prey.

Some populations of Cattle Egrets are migratory, others are dispersive, and distinguishing between the two can be difficult for this species. In many areas populations can be both sedentary and migratory. In the northern hemisphere migration is from cooler climes to warmer areas, but Cattle Egrets nesting in Australia migrate to cooler Tasmania and New Zealand in the winter and return in the spring. Migration in western Africa is in response to rainfall, and in South America migrating birds travel south of their breeding range in the non breeding season. Populations in southern India appear to show local migrations in response to the monsoons. They move north from Kerala after September. During winter, many birds have been seen flying at night with flocks of Indian Pond Herons (Ardeola grayii) on the southeastern coast of India and a winter influx has also been noted in Sri Lanka.

Young birds are known to disperse up to 5,000 km (3,100 mi) from their breeding area. Flocks may fly vast distances and have been seen over seas and oceans including in the middle of the Atlantic.

This species has a large range, with an estimated global extent of occurrence of 10 million square kilometres (3.8 square miles). Its global population estimated to be 3.8–6.7 million individuals. For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. On the other hand the expansion and establishment of the species over large ranges has led it to be classed as an invasive species (although little, if any impact has been noted yet).

This eastern race adult shows the red flush on the legs and bill present at the height of the breeding season. The Cattle Egret nests in colonies, which are often, but not always, found around bodies of water. The colonies are usually found in woodlands near lakes or rivers, in swamps, or on small inland or coastal islands, and are sometimes shared with other wetland birds, such as herons, egrets, ibises and cormorants. The breeding season varies within South Asia. Nesting in northern India begins with the onset of monsoons in May. The breeding season in Australia is November to early January, with one brood laid per season.The North American breeding season lasts from April to October.In the Seychelles, the breeding season of the subspecies B.i. seychellarum is April to October.

The male displays in a tree in the colony, using a range of ritualised behaviours such as shaking a twig and sky-pointing (raising bill vertically upwards), and the pair forms over three or four days. A new mate is chosen in each season and when re-nesting following nest failure. The nest is a small untidy platform of sticks in a tree or shrub constructed by both parents. Sticks are collected by the male and arranged by the female, and stick-stealing is rife. The clutch size can be anywhere from one to five eggs, although three or four is most common. The pale bluish-white eggs are oval-shaped and measure 45 mm x 53 mm. (1.8–2.1 in) Incubation lasts around 23 days, with both sexes sharing incubation duties. The chicks are partly covered with down at hatching, but are not capable of fending for themselves; they become endothermic at 9–12 days and fully feathered in 13–21 days. They begin to leave the nest and climb around at 2 weeks, fledge at 30 days and become independent at around the 45th day.

The Cattle Egret engages in low levels of brood parasitism, and there are a few instances of Cattle Egret eggs being laid in the nests of Snowy Egrets and Little Blue Herons, although these eggs seldom hatch. There is also evidence of low levels of intraspecific brood parasitism, with females laying eggs in the nests of other Cattle Egrets. As much as 30% extra-pair copulations have been noted.

The dominant factor in nesting mortality is starvation. Sibling rivalry can be intense, and in South Africa third and fourth chicks inevitably starve. In the dryer habitats with fewer amphibians the diet may lack sufficient vertebrate content and may cause bone abnormalities in growing chicks due to calcium deficiency. In Barbados, nests were sometimes raided by vervet monkeys, and a study in Florida reported the Fish Crow and black rat as other possible nest raiders. The same study attributed some nestling mortality to Brown Pelicans nesting in the vicinity, which accidentally, but frequently, dislodged nests or caused nestlings to fall. In Australia, Torresian Crows, Wedge-tailed Eagles and White-bellied Sea Eagles take eggs or young, and tick infestation and viral infections may also be causes of mortality.

Breeding eastern race adult with a frogThe Cattle Egret feeds on a wide range of prey, particularly insects, especially grasshoppers, crickets, flies (adults and maggots), and moths, as well as spiders, frogs, and earthworms. In a rare instance they have been observed foraging along the branches of a Banyan tree for ripe figs. The species is usually found with cattle and other large grazing and browsing animals, and catches small creatures disturbed by the mammals. Studies have shown that Cattle Egret foraging success is much higher when foraging near a large animal than when feeding singly. When foraging with cattle, it has been shown to be 3.6 times more successful in capturing prey than when foraging alone. Its performance is similar when it follows farm machinery, but it is forced to move more.

A Cattle Egret will weakly defend the area around a grazing animal against others of the same species, but if the area is swamped by egrets it will give up and continue foraging elsewhere. Where numerous large animals are present, Cattle Egrets selectively forage around species that move at around 5–15 steps per minute, avoiding faster and slower moving herds; in Africa, Cattle Egrets selectively foraged behind Plains Zebras, Waterbuck, Blue Wildebeest and Cape Buffalo. Dominant birds feed nearest to the host, and obtain more food.

The Cattle Egret may also show versatility in its diet. On islands with seabird colonies, it will prey on the eggs and chicks of terns and other seabirds. During migration it has also been reported to eat exhausted migrating landbirds. Birds of the Seychelles race also indulge in some kleptoparasitism, chasing the chicks of Sooty Terns and forcing them to disgorge food.

A conspicuous species, the Cattle Egret has attracted many common names. These mostly relate to its habit of following cattle and other large animals, and it is known variously as cow crane, cow bird or cow heron, or even elephant bird, rhinoceros egret. Its Arabic name, abu qerdan, means “father of ticks", a name derived from the huge number of parasites such as avian ticks found in its breeding colonies.

The Cattle Egret is a popular bird with cattle ranchers for its perceived role as a biocontrol of cattle parasites such as ticks and flies. A study in Australia found that Cattle Egrets reduced the number of flies that bothered cattle by pecking them directly off the skin. It was the benefit to stock that prompted ranchers and the Hawaiian Board of Agriculture and Forestry to release the species in Hawaii.

Not all interactions between humans and Cattle Egrets are beneficial. The Cattle Egret can be a potential safety hazard due to its habit of feeding in large groups in the grassy verges of airports, and it has been implicated in the spread of animal infections such as heartwater, infectious bursal disease and possibly Newcastle disease.

Other synonyms

Czech: Volavka rusohlavá
Danish: Kohejre
German: Kuhreiher
English: Cattle Egret, Western Cattle Egret
Spanish: Garcilla Bueyera, Garcita Bueyera, Garza Ganadera
Spanish (Colombia): Garcita Bueyera
Spanish (Cuba): Garza Ganadera
Spanish (Mexico): garza ganadera
Faroese: kúhegri
French: Gardeboeuf d’Afrique
Hungarian: Pásztorgém
Indonesian: Kuntul Kerbau
Icelandic: Kúhegri
Latin: Bubulcus ibis
Norwegian: Kuhegre
Swedish: Kohäger

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

The Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra, is a small European passerine bird. Formerly considered a member of the thrush family (Turdidae), it is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher (Muscicapidae). It, and similar thrush-like Muscicapidae species, are often called chats.

Whinchat, Paapje, Braunkelchen, Cartaxo-nortenho, Tarabilla Norteña

Its scientific name means "reddish rock-dweller", in reference to its habitat and overall coloration. Saxicola derives from Latin saxum ("rock") + incola ("inhabitant", "one who dwells in a certain place"). rubetra is Latin for "colored reddish" or "reddish-hued".
 
Adult femaleThe Whinchat is similar in size to its relative the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula). Both sexes have brownish upperparts, a yellowish rump, a buff throat and breast, a whitish belly, a blackish tail with white bases to the outher rectrices. The male in breeding plumage has blackish head sides almost encircled by a strong white supercilium and malar stripe and white wing patches.

The female is duller overall, in particular having pale brown head sides and a buff supercilium, malar stripe and wing patches. Males in nonbreeding plumage and immatures are similar.

The male has a whistling, crackly but soft song, consisting mainly of the tell-tale phrase fü-chack-chack. Its call is the chack noise typical for chats, or a soft whistle. On the wintering grounds, it often calls but rarely sings.

S. rubetra is a migratory insectivorous species breeding in open rough pasture or similar uncultivated grass- or shrubland in Europe east to the Ural Mountains approximately. Bracken (Pteridium) stands on rock-strewn ground are also a favorite habitat of this species. It nests in tussocks. The birds like to perch on elevated spots such as telephone wires, from where they make sallies to catch flying insects.

They winter in northern[verification needed] sub-Saharan Africa; they arrive in Western Africa at the start of the dry season. Molt of the remiges does not usually take place in winter quarters, but young birds may replace their first set of remiges before their first migration back to the breeding grounds.

Afrikaans: Europese Bontrokkie
Asturian: Bichu Gorbizu, Birchu Berizu
Breton: Ar strakig ruz, Bistrakig-rous
Catalan: Bitxac rogenc, Vitrac barba-roig
Catalan (Balears): Vitrac barba-roig
Czech: Brambornícek hnedý
Welsh: Clap yr eithin, Clef yr eithin, Clochdar eithin, Clochdar yr eithin, Clochder yr eithin, Crec yr eithin
Danish: Bynkefugl
German: Braunkehlchen
English: European Whinchat, Marsh Bushchat, Whinchat
Esperanto: brungor^gulo, Brungor?ulo
Spanish: Tarabilla Norteña
Estonian: Kadakatäks
Basque: Bitxac rogenc , Pitxartxar nabar, Pitxartxar nabarra
Finnish: Pensastasku
Faroese: Reyðstólpa
French: Tarier des prés, Tarier d’Europe, Traquet des prés, Traquet tarier
Irish: Caislín Aitinn
Gaelic: Gocan, Gocan Conaisg
Galician: Bitxac rogenc , Chasco norteño
Manx: Eean yn aittin
Hungarian: Rozsdás csaláncsúcs, Rozsdás csuk
Icelandic: Vallskvetta
Italian: Stiaccino
Japanese: mamijironobitaki, Mamijiro-nobitaki
Cornish: Chekker eythyn
Latin: Saxicola rubertra, Saxicola rubetra, Saxicola rubetra spatzi
Dutch: Paap, Paapje
Norwegian: Buskskvett
Polish: Pleszka, poklaskwa
Portuguese: cartaxo nortenho, Cartaxo-nortenho
Romansh: Puppenbrin
Russian: Lugovoy Chekan
Sardinian: Sartiarellu
Scots: Gocan
Northern Sami: Miesttarásttis
Slovenian: repaljšcica, repaljš?ica
Albanian: Ceku vetullbardhë
Serbian: obicna travarka
Swedish: Buskskvätta
Swahili: Mhozo Mchirizi-mweupe

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

The Wrynecks (genus Jynx) are a small but distinctive group of small Old World woodpeckers.

Wryneck, Draaihals, Wendehals, Torcicolo, Torcecuello Euroasiático

Like the true woodpeckers, wrynecks have large heads, long tongues which they use to extract their insect prey and zygodactyl feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backwards. However, they lack the stiff tail feathers that the true woodpeckers use when climbing trees, so they are more likely than their relatives to perch on a branch rather than an upright trunk.

Their bills are shorter and less dagger-like than in the true woodpeckers, but their chief prey is ants and other insects, which they find in decaying wood or almost bare soil. They re-use woodpecker holes for nesting, rather than making their own holes. The eggs are white, as with many hole nesters.

The two species have cryptic plumage, with intricate patterning of greys and browns. The voice is a nasal woodpecker-like call.
 
Eurasian WryneckThese birds get their English name from their ability to turn their heads almost 180 degrees. When disturbed at the nest, they use this snake-like head twisting and hissing as a threat display. This odd behaviour led to their use in witchcraft, hence to put a "jinx" on someone.

In the aftermath of German reunification in 1990, East German officials who flipped their political orientation 180 degrees to repudiate Communism were mocked as "wrynecks" (Wendehals in German) in reference to the birds’ extraordinary neck flexibility.

There are two species:

Eurasian Wryneck, Jynx torquilla
Rufous-necked Wryneck, or Red-breasted Wryneck, Jynx ruficollis 

Asturian: Ayayay
Azerbaijani: Adi burunboyuq, Adi ilanboyun
Breton: Ar penngamm-Eurazia
Catalan: Blauet, Colltort, Formiguer
Catalan (Balears): Formiguer
Valencian: Blauet
Czech: Krutihlav obecný
Welsh: Gwas y gog, Gwddfgam, Gwddfro, Pengam
Danish: Vendehals
German: Wendehals
English: Eurasian Wryneck, European Wryneck, Northern Wryneck, Wryneck
Esperanto: koltordulo
Spanish: Torcecuello, Torcecuello de África Tropical, Torcecuello Euroasiático, Tprcecuello
Estonian: Väänkael
Basque: Colltort, Lepitzuli, Lepitzulia
Finnish: Käenpiika
Faroese: Snúðurkriki
French: Torcol fourmilier
Friulian: Cocâl
Frisian: Draainekke
Irish: Cam-Mhuin
Gaelic: Geocair
Galician: Colltort, Peto formigueiro, Picapeixe, Rei-pescador
Croatian: Vijoglav, Vijoglav mravar
Hungarian: Nyaktekercs
Armenian: Vizgtsuk
Icelandic: Gauktíta
Italian: Torcicollo, Torcicollo eurasiatico
Japanese: arisui, ari-sui
Cornish: Pynnyk
Latin: Jynx torquilla
Latvian: Grozgalvis
Maltese: Bulebbiet
Dutch: Draaihals
Norwegian: Sågauk, Vendehals
Polish: Dudek, kretoglów
Portuguese: Torcicolo
Romansh: Volvachau
Russian: Vertisheyka
Sardinian: Pappaformiga
Scots: Geocair
Northern Sami: Cáihnecizáš
Slovak: krutihlav hnedý
Slovenian: vijeglavka
Albanian: Qafëdredhësi
Serbian: vijoglava
Swedish: Göktyta
Swahili: Kiseleagofu wa Ulaya
Turkish: Boyun Çeviren, Boyunçeviren
Venetian: Oselo de la Madona, Pionbin

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

The Goldfinch or European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a small passerine bird in the finch family.

It breeds across Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia, in open, partially wooded lowlands. It is resident in the milder west of its range, but migrates from colder regions. It will also make local movements, even in the west, to escape bad weather. It has been introduced to many areas of the world.

European Goldfinch, Putter, Stieglitz, Pintassilgo, Jilguero Europeo

The average Goldfinch is 12-13 cm long with a wingspan of 21-25 cm and a weight of 14 to 19 grams. The sexes are broadly similar, with a red face, black and white head, warm brown upperparts, white underparts with buff flanks and breast patches, and black and yellow wings. On closer inspection male Goldfinches can often be distinguished by a larger, darker red mask that extends just behind the eye. In females, the red face does not reach the eye. The ivory-coloured bill is long and pointed, and the tail is forked. Goldfinches in breeding condition have a white bill, with a greyish or blackish mark at the tip for the rest of the year. Juveniles have a plain head and a greyer back but are unmistakable due to the yellow wing stripe. Birds in central Asia (caniceps group) have a plain grey head behind the red face, lacking the black and white head pattern of European and western Asian birds.

The species is divided into two major groups, each comprising several races. The two groups intergrade at their boundary, so the caniceps group is not recognised as a distinct species despite its readily distinguishable plumage.

Feeding on thistles – note thistledown in billThe food is small seeds such as thistles (the Latin name is from carduus, thistle) and teasels, but insects are also taken when feeding young. It also regularly visits bird feeders in winter. They nest in the outer twigs of tall leafy trees, or even in bamboo, laying four to six eggs which hatch in 11-14 days.

In the winter they group together to form flocks of up to about 40 birds, occasionally more.

The song is a pleasant silvery twittering. The call is a melodic tickeLIT, and the song is a pleasant tinkling medley of trills and twitters, but always including the trisyllabic call phrase or a teLLIT-teLLIT-teLLIT.

In earlier times, the Goldfinch was kept as a cagebird for its song. Escapes from captivity and deliberate releases have colonised southeastern Australia and New Zealand.

 
On a birdfeederGoldfinches are attracted to back gardens in Europe and North America by birdfeeders containing niger (commercially described as nyjer) seed. This seed of an annual from South Asia is small, and high in oils. Special polycarbonate feeders with small oval slits at which the Goldfinches feed are sometimes used.

Other synonyms

Asturian: Xilgueru
Breton: Ar pabor, Kanaber, Kanaper, Pabor
Catalan: Cadernera, Pinsà mec
Catalan (Balears): Cadernera
Valencian: Pinsà mec
Czech: Stehlík obecný
Welsh: Eurbinc, Gwas y Seibi, Jac nico, Jack Nico, Nico, Nicol, Peneuryn, Pobliw, Teiliwr Llundain, Telor Llundain
Danish: Stillids, Stillits
German: Distelfink, Grauköpfiger Distelfink, Stieglitz
Emiliano-romagnolo: Muntana
English: Brittish Goldfinch, Eastern Goldfinch, Eurasian Goldfinch, European Goldfinch, Goldfinch, Gray-crowned Goldfinch, Grey-crowned Goldfinch
Esperanto: kardelo
Spanish: Cardelino, Jilguero, Jilguero Europeo, Verderón
Spanish (Argentine): Cardelino, Jilguero europeo
Spanish (Uruguay): Cardelino
Estonian: Ohakalind
Basque: Cadernera, Karnaba
Finnish: Tikli
Faroese: Fagurígða
French: Chardonneret, Chardonneret élégant
Frisian: Putter
Irish: Gealún fothanán, Glasair choille, Lasair Choille, Lasair coille
Gaelic: Deargan Fraoich, Lasair Choille
Galician: Cadernera, Xílgaro
Manx: Kiark my Leydee, Lossey ny Keylley
Hungarian: Tengelic, Tengelice
Icelandic: Þistilfinka
Italian: Cardellino, Cardellino eurasiatico, Cardellino europeo, Montà
Brescian: Montà
Japanese: goshikihiwa, Goshiki-hiwa
Cornish: Owrdynk
Latin: Carduelis carduelis, Carduelis carduelis carduelis
Limburgish: Keep
Lithuanian: Dagilis
Maltese: Gardell
Dutch: Putter
Norwegian: Stillits
Portuguese: Pintassilgo, pintassilgo-europeu
Portuguese (Brazil): Pintassilgo-europeu
Romansh: Chardelin
Sardinian: Alaldoro, Cadrallìa, Cardulina, Gardanera, Gardeglia, Malasinnora, Manigalinu, Zingrulina
Scots: Lasair choille
Slovenian: lišcek, liš?ek
Albanian: Gardalina, Gardalinë
Swedish: Steglits

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

The Pied Flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family, one of the four species of Western Palearctic black-and-white flycatchers. It breeds in most of Europe and western Asia. It is migratory, wintering mainly in western Africa.

Pied Flycatcher, Bonte Vliegenvanger, Trauerschnäpper, Papa-moscas-preto, Papamoscas Cerrojillo

This is a 12-13.5 cm long bird. The breeding male is mainly black above and white below, with a large white wing patch, white tail sides and a small forehead patch. The Iberian subspecies iberiae (known as Iberian Pied Flycatcher) has a larger forehead patch and a pale rump. Non-breeding males, females and juveniles have the black replaced by a pale brown, and may be very difficult to distinguish from other Ficedula flycatchers, particularly the Collared Flycatcher, with which this species hybridizes to a limited extent.

The bill is black, and has the broad but pointed shape typical of aerial insectivores. As well as taking insects in flight, this species hunts caterpillars amongst the oak foliage, and will take berries. It is therefore a much earlier spring migrant than the more aerial Spotted Flycatcher, and its loud rhythmic and melodious song is characteristic of oak woods in spring.

They are birds of deciduous woodlands, parks and gardens, with a preference for oak trees. They build an open nest in a tree hole, and will readily adapt to an open-fronted nest box. 4-10 eggs are laid.

The very similar Atlas Flycatcher (Ficedula speculigera), of the mountains of north west Africa was formerly classed as subspecies of the Pied Flycatcher.

Other synonyms

Asturian: Mosqueru Pintu
Breton: Ar flouperig brizh, Kelienaerig
Catalan: Mastegatatxes, Mosquiter de Schwarz, Papamosques negre
Catalan (Balears): Papamosques negre
Valencian: Mosquiter de Schwarz
Czech: Lejsek cernohlavý
Welsh: Clochder y mynydd, Gwybedog brith, Gwybedwr du a gwen
Danish: Broget fluesnapper
German: Trauerschnaepper, Trauerschnäpper
English: European Pied Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Western Pied Flycatcher
Spanish: Papamoscas Cerrojillo, Papamoscas collarino
Estonian: Metstikk, Must-kärbsenäpp
Basque: Euli-txori beltz, Mastegatatxes
Finnish: Kirjosieppo
Faroese: Flekkunápur
French: Gobemouche noir
Frisian: Bûnte Miggesnapper
Irish: Cuilire Alabhreac, Cuilire Alabhreach
Gaelic: Breacan Sgiobalt
Galician: Mastegatatxes
Manx: Skybbyltagh
Croatian: Crnoglava Muharica
Hungarian: Kormos légykapó
Armenian: Khaytabghet Chanchvors
Icelandic: Flekkugrípur
Italian: Balia nera
Japanese: segurohitaki, Seguro-hitaki
Cornish: Gwybessor gwyn ha du
Latin: Ficedula atricapilla, Ficedula hypoleuca
Dutch: Bonte Vliegenvanger
Norwegian: Sv.hv.fluesnapper, Svarthvit fluesnapper
Polish: mucholówka zalobna, Mucho?ówka ?a?obna
Portuguese: papa moscas preto, Papa-moscas-preto
Romansh: sgnappamustgas nair
Scots: Breacan glas
Northern Sami: Girjelivkkár
Slovenian: crnoglavi muhar, ?rnoglavi muhar
Albanian: Mizakapësi i zi
Serbian: Crnoglava šarena muharica, šarena muharica
Swedish: Svartvit flugsnappare
Turkish: Kara sinekkapan

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds retreat in winter from the ice in colder regions. It has become common in summer even inside the Arctic circle along the Norwegian coast.

Gray Heron, Blauwe reiger, Graureiher, Garça-real, Garza Real

It is a large bird, standing 90-100 cm tall, with a 175-195 cm wingspan and a weight of 1-2 kg. Its plumage is largely grey above, and off-white below. Adults have a white head with a broad black supercilium and slender crest, while immatures have a dull grey head. It has a powerful, pinkish-yellow bill, which is brighter in breeding adults. It has a slow flight, with its long neck retracted (S-shaped). This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks. The call is a loud croaking "fraaank". The Australian White-faced Heron is often incorrectly called Grey Heron.

It is closely related and similar to the American Great Blue Heron, which differs in slightly larger size, and chestnut-brown flanks and thighs.

It feeds in shallow water, catching fish, frogs, and insects with its long bill. Herons will also take small mammals, reptiles and occasionally walbler nestlings, plovers, young and adult snipes, takes ducklings and tern chicks and other small birds. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim.

In the Netherlands, the Grey Heron has become a very common species in recent decades by moving into urban environments in great numbers. There, the herons hunt as they usually would but also make use of food discarded by humans, will visit feeding times in zoos to birds such as penguins and pelicans and some individuals even make use of people feeding them at their homes.

This species breeds in colonies in trees close to lakes, the seashore or other wetlands, although it will also nest in reedbeds. It builds a bulky stick nest.

Other synonyms

Afrikaans: Bloureier
Araucanian: Xürla
Mapundungun: Xürla
Tibetan: Kam ka
Breton: Ar gerc’heiz louet, Gerc’heiz, Kerc’heiz, Marc’harid-gouzoug-hir
Bosnian: Caplja
Catalan: Agró blau, Bernat pescaire, Garsa
Catalan (Balears): Agró blau
Valencian: Agró blau, Garsa
Czech: Volavka popelavá
Welsh: Crêyr glas, Crëyr glas, Crychydd, Garan
Danish: Fiskehejre
German: Fischreiher, Graureiher
Emiliano-romagnolo: Sghéirz
English: Common Heron, European Blue Heron, European Common Heron, European Heron, Gray Heron, Grey Heron, Heron, Mauritanian Heron
Esperanto: Griza ardeo
Spanish: Garza Gris, Garza Real
Estonian: Hallhaigur
Basque: Bernat pescaire, Lertxun, Lertxun hauskara
Finnish: Harmaahaikara
Faroese: Hakaspjað, Hegri, Pinnur í reyv
French: Héron cendré, Héron huppé, Héron pâle
Frisian: Ielreager
Irish: Corr éisc, Corr Réisc
Gaelic: Corra Riathach, Corra-Ghritheach
Galician: Bernat pescaire, Garza real
Guarani: Hoko, Kuarahy mimby, Mbaguar?
Manx: Coar ny hastan, Coayr, Coayr Glass, Coayr ny Hastan
Croatian: Siva CapljaHungarian: Szürke gém
Indonesian: Cangak Abu, Cangkak abu
Icelandic: Gráhegri
Italian: Airon, Airóne, Airone cenerino, Airòun, Aurana
Modenese: Airòun
Napulitano: Airóne, Aurana
Paduan: Airon
Japanese: aosagi, Ao-sagi
Kwangali: Samunkoma
Latin: Ardea cinerea, Ardea cinerea cinerea
Ligurian: Perdigiorni
Lithuanian: Govaras, Kumpakaklis, Pilkasis garnys, Pilkasis starkus
Malagasy: Langoromavo, Vano, Vanokasira
Malay: Pucung Seriap, Seriap
Maltese: Russett griz, Russett Gri?
Dutch: Blauwe Reiger
Flemish: Reiger
Norwegian: Fiskeheire, Gråhegre, Heire
Occitan: Bernat pescaire
Polish: czapla siwa
Portuguese: garça real, garça-cinza, Garça-real, Garca-real-europeia, garça-real-européia
Portuguese (Brazil): garça-cinza, Garca-real-europeia, Garça-real-européia
Quechua: Wajjchilla
Romansh: Irun grisch
Sardinian: Garza, Menga, Mengoni, Perdigiorronadas
Scots: Corra ghritheach, Corra riathach
Northern Sami: Háigir
Slovak: Volavka popolavá
Slovenian: siva caplja, siva ?aplja, sivacaplja
Albanian: Çapka e përhime, Çapka e përhimë
Sotho, Southern: Kokolofitoe
Swedish: Grå häger, Gråhäger, Häger
Swahili: Koikoi Kijivu, Kongoti, Korongo
Venetian: Sgarza
Xhosa: Isikhwalimanzi

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

The Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It breeds in most of Europe and western Asia, and is migratory, wintering in Africa and south western Asia. It is declining in parts of its range.

Spotted Flycatcher, Grauwe Vliegenvanger, Grauschnäpper, Papa-moscas-cinzento, Papamoscas Gris

This is an undistinguished looking bird with long wings and tail. The adults have grey-brown upperparts and whitish underparts, with some streaking on the breast. The legs are short and black, and the bill is black and has the broad but pointed shape typical of aerial insectivores. Juveniles are browner than adults and show the spots on the upperparts which give this species its name.

Spotted Flycatchers hunt from conspicuous perches, making sallies after passing flying insects, and often returning to the same perch. Their upright posture is characteristic.

They are birds of deciduous woodlands, parks and gardens, with a preference for open areas amongst trees. They build an open nest in a suitable recess, often against a wall, and will readily adapt to an open-fronted nest box. 4-6 eggs are laid.

Interestingly, most European birds cannot discriminate between their own eggs and those of other species. The exception to this are the hosts of the Common Cuckoo, which have had to evolve this skill as a protection against that nest parasite. Spotted Flycatcher shows excellent egg recognition, and it is likely that it was once a host of the Cuckoo, but became so good at recognising the intruder’s eggs that it ceased to be victimised. A contrast to this is the Dunnock, which appears to be a recent Cuckoo host, since it does not show any egg discrimination.

The flycatcher’s call is a thin, drawn out soft and high pitched tssssseeeeeppppp, slightly descending in pitch.

Other synonyms:

Afrikaans: Europese Vlieevanger, Europese Vlieëvanger
Asturian: Mosqueru
Breton: Ar flouper kelien
Catalan: Papamosques, Papamosques gris
Catalan (Balears): Papamosques
Czech: Lejsek šedý
Welsh: Cylionydd, Gwybedog, Gwybedog ddu a gwyn, Gwybedog mannog, Gwybedwr brith, Gwybedwr mannog, Pryfetwr brith
Danish: Grå fluesnapper
German: Grauer Fliegenschnäpper, Grauschnaepper, Grauschnäpper
English: Brown-streaked Flycatcher, European Spotted Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher
Spanish: Papamoscas Gris, Papamoscas pardo
Estonian: Hall-kärbsenäpp
Basque: Euli-txori gris, Euli-txori grisa, Papamosques gris
Finnish: Harmaasieppo
Faroese: Gránápur
French: Gobemouche gris
Frisian: Feale Miggesnapper
Irish: Cuilire Liath, Cuilsealgaire
Gaelic: Breacan Glas
Galician: Papamoscas cincento, Papamosques gris
Manx: Skybbyltagh breck
Croatian: Muharica, Siva muharica
Hungarian: Szürke légykapó
Armenian: Mokhraguyn Chanchvors
Icelandic: Grágrípur
Italian: Pigliamosche, Pigliamosche comune, Pigliamosche europeo
Japanese: Muna-fu hitaki, munafuhitaki
Cornish: Gwybessor bryth
Latin: Muscicapa striata
Dutch: Grauwe Vliegenvanger, Vliegenvanger
Norwegian: Grå fluesnapper, Gråfluesnapper
Polish: Mucholówka szara
Portuguese: papa moscas cinzento, Papa-moscas-cinzento
Romansh: Sgnappamustgas grisch
Russian: Seraya Mukholovka>
Scots: Breac glas sgiobalta
Northern Sami: Ráneslivkkár
Slovak: muchár sivý, Muchárik sivý
Slovenian: sivi muhar
Albanian: Mizakapësi i përhimë
Sotho, Southern: Kapantsi-tubatubi
Swedish: Grå flugsnappare, Grå flugsnäppare
Swahili: Shore Kidari-michirizi
Turkish: Benekli sinekkapan, Çizgili Sinekkapan, Lekeli Sinek-Yutan

Not in the Alentejo but interesting anyway:

The Red-Billed Chough species falls under the crow family. It is easily recognized by its features that include a longish curved beak and red coloring, red legs and pitch-black plumages that glisten in the sun. They are known to mate for life and also remain at their breeding site. Nests can be found on cliff faces and caves. But concern has grown over an area in Portugal where there once was an abundance of Red-Billed Choughs, and nests were an ordinary site. The surrounding area of Chaos has not recorded a sighting of a Red-Billed Chough in a long time, and steps are being taken to correct the loss of these birds to the area.

The herding of goats in the Chaos countryside was once a very active form of agriculture, but as the agricultural lands began to be abandoned, the vegetation and brush started growing at such a rate that the Red-Billed Choughs could no longer forage underneath the bushes as they used to, and the insects that used to breed in the goat excrement and provide these birds with extra nutrition are also no longer found here since the goats were removed. Efforts are therefore being made to revive the industry of goat herding to enable the Red-Billed Choughs to once again populate the area.

The project has enlisted the assistance of two candidates who herd the newly acquired goats, as well as monitoring the birds, natural herbs and orchids which are found in the area. To raise funds, the project has brought in a tourist angle, allowing visitors to Portugal to be goat herders for a day explore the beautiful landscape and receive a guided tour of the natural wonders and sites in the Chaos countryside. In addition, organic cheese production is a product that potential goat herders can invest in, especially as the project is incorporating tourism into their attempt to save the Red-Billed Chough population. It is hoped that the project will jumpstart the industry of goat herding and in doing so, provide the Red-Billed Chough with a habitat again. These endangered birds can be saved, with dedication from the project, assistance of the community and support from visitors and tourists. Tourists will be able to explore a new world while playing a vital role in saving the Red-Billed Chough in Portugal.

Spotted on our property Monte Horizonte today.

The Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs, is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae, also called a spink. Its large double white wing bars, white tail edges and greenish rump easily identify this 14–16 cm long species. The breeding male is unmistakable, with his reddish underparts and a blue-grey cap. The female is drabber and greener, but still obvious.

Chaffinch, Vink, Buchfink, Tentilhão-comum, Pinzón vulgar

This bird is widespread and very familiar throughout Europe. It is the most common finch in western Europe. Its range extends into western Asia, northwestern Africa, the Azores and Madeira. In the Canary Islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria it coexists with its sister species, the endemic Blue Chaffinch.

It was introduced from Britain into a number of its overseas territories in the 18th and 19th centuries. In South Africa a very small breeding colony in the suburb of Camps Bay near Cape Town is the only remnant of one such introduction.

It uses a range of habitats, but open woodland is favoured, although it is common in gardens and on farmland. It builds its nest in a tree fork, and decorates the exterior with moss or lichen to make it less conspicuous. It lays about six eggs.

This bird is not migratory in the milder parts of its range, but vacates the colder regions in winter. The coelebs part of its name means "bachelor". This species was named by Linnaeus; in his home country of Sweden, where the females depart in winter, but the males often remain. This species forms loose flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixed with Bramblings. This bird occasionally strays to eastern North America, although some sightings may be escapees.

The food of the Chaffinch is seeds, but unlike most finches, the young are fed extensively on insects.

The powerful song is very well known, and its fink or vink sounding call gives the finch family its English name. Males typically sing two or three different song types, and there are regional dialects too.

Other synonyms

Afrikaans: Gryskoppie
Asturian: Pimpím, Pin-Pin
Breton: Ar pintig, Pint, Pintig
Catalan: Pardal d'ala blanca, Pinsà, Pinsà comú
Catalan (Balears): Pinsà
Valencian: Pardal d'ala blanca
Czech: Penkava obecná, P?nkava obecná, pìnkava obecná
Welsh: Asgell arian, Asgell fraith, Asgell-arian, Binc-binc, Brig y coed, Ji-binc, Jin jin, Pia'r gwinc, Pwynt, Winc
Danish: Bogfinke
German: Buchfink, Finkenlerche
English: Chaffinch, Chaffinch Chaffinch, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Chaffinch, European Chaffinch
Esperanto: fringo
Spanish: Gorrión molinero, Pinzón Común, Pinzon Vulgar, Pinzón vulgar
Estonian: Metsvint
Basque: Pinsà comú , Txonda arrunta, Txonta arrunt
Finnish: Peippo
Faroese: Bókfinka, Bókígða
French: Pinson des arbres
Frisian: Skelfink
Irish: Bricín beatha, Gealún cátha, Rí Rua, Ríura
Gaelic: Breacan Beithe, Bricein Beithe, Briecan Beatha
Galician: Pimpín, Pinsà comú
Manx: Ushag Veg Vreck, Ushag y Choan, Ushag y choau
Croatian: Zeba, Zeba bitkavica
Hungarian: Erdei pinty
Armenian: Amurik
Icelandic: Bókfinka
Italian: Fringuello, Fringuello comune
Japanese: zuaoatori, Zuao-atori
Cornish: Tynk
Latin: Fringilla coelebs
Lithuanian: Kikilis, Šilagaidis
Latvian: Žube
Maltese: Sponsun
Dutch: Vink
Norwegian: Bokfink, Tvint'n, Uverspekk
Polish: zieba
Portuguese: Tentelhão-comum, tentilhão, Tentilhão-comum
Romansh: Fringhel
Russian: Zyablik
Sardinian: Lineddu, Pappadrigu, Pappatrigu, Passariargia, Tintillu, Zoni
Scots: Breacan beithe, Briecan beatha
Northern Sami: Beibboš
Slovak: pinka lesná
Slovenian: šcinkavec
Albanian: Borës, Zborak, Zboraks, Zog bore
Serbian: obicna zeba
Swedish: Bofink