The Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. It breeds in open hilly country of temperate southern Europe and Asia from Portugal and Spain to Japan, India and tropical Africa. The Indian and African birds are resident, but European and other Asian birds are migratory. They winter in Africa or India and are vagrants to Christmas Island and northern Australia.

Red-rumped Swallow, Roodstuitzwaluw, Rötelschwalbe, Andorinha-dáurica, Golondrina Dáurica 

Red-rumped Swallows are somewhat similar in habits and appearance to the other aerial insectivores, such as the related swallows and the unrelated swifts (order Apodiformes). They have blue upperparts and dusky underparts.

They resemble Barn Swallows, but are darker below and have pale or reddish rumps, face and neck collar. They lack a breast band, but have black undertails. They are fast fliers and they swoop on insects while airborne. They have broad but pointed wings.

Red-rumped Swallows build quarter-sphere nests with a tunnel entrance lined with mud collected in their beaks, and lay 3 to 6 eggs. They normally nest under cliff overhangs in their mountain homes, but will readily adapt to buildings such as mosques and bridges.

They do not normally form large breeding colonies, but are gregarious outside the breeding season. Many hundreds can be seen at a time on the plains of India.

The Red-rumped Swallow breeds across southern Europe and Asia east to southern Siberia and Japan, These populations, along with Moroccan birds, are migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa or south Asia. There are resident races in Africa in a broad belt from West Africa east to Ethiopia and then south to Tanzania, and most Indian and Sri Lanka breeders are also year-round residents. The African and Asian subspecies may undertake local seasonal movements. This species is a regular vagrant outside its breeding range.

Other synonyms:

Catalan: Oreneta cua-rogenca
Czech: Vlaštovka skalní
Danish: Rødrygget Svale
German: Rötelschwalbe
English: Lesser Striated Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow (Red-rumped)
Spanish: Golondrina Dáurica
Estonian: Roostepääsuke
Finnish: ruostepääsky
French: Hirondelle rousseline
Hungarian: Vörhenyes fecske
Indonesian: Layang-layang besar
Icelandic: Brandsvala
Italian: Rondine rossiccia
Japanese: koshiakatsubame, Koshiaka-tsubame
Latin: Cecropis daurica, Cecropis daurica
Dutch: Roodstuitzwaluw
Norwegian: Amursvale
Polish: dymówka zwyczajna
Portuguese: Andorinha-dáurica
Swedish: Rostgumpsvala
 

Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

Spotted near Torrão in the Alentejo region of Portugal     Long-tailed Tit song    

The Long-tailed Tit or Long-tailed Bushtit (Aegithalos caudatus) is a common bird found throughout Europe and Asia. There are several extensive accounts of this species, most notably Cramp and Perrins, 1993; Gaston, 1973; and Harrap and Quinn, 1996. The majority of relevant research has been directed at its social and breeding behaviour.

Long-tailed Tit, Staartmees, Schwanzmeise, Chapim-rabilongo, Mito Común 

This species has been described as a tiny (at only 13–15 cm in length, including its 7–9 cm tail), round-bodied tit with a short, stubby bill and a very long, narrow tail. The sexes look the same and young birds undergo a complete moult to adult plumage before the first winter. The plumage is mainly black and white, with variable amounts of grey and pink.

The Long-tailed Tit is globally widespread throughout temperate northern Europe and Asia, into boreal Scandinavia and south into the Mediterranean zone. It inhabits deciduous and mixed woodland with a well-developed shrub layer, favouring edge habitats. It can also be found in scrub, heathland with scattered trees, bushes and hedges, in farmland and riverine woodland, parks and gardens. The bird's year-round diet of insects and social foraging bias habitat choice in winter towards deciduous woodland, typically of Oak (Quercus sp.), Ash (Fraxinus sp.) and locally Sycamore species. For nesting, strong preference is shown towards scrub areas. The nest is usually built in thorny bushes less than 3 metres above the ground.

The nest of the Long-tailed Tit is constructed from four materials – lichen, feathers, spider egg cocoons and moss, over 6000 pieces in all for a typical nest. The nest is a flexible sac with a small, round entrance on top, suspended either low in a gorse or bramble bush or high up in the forks of tree branches. The structural stability of the nest is provided by a mesh of moss and spider silk. The tiny leaves of the moss act as hooks and the spider silk of egg cocoons provides the loops; thus forming a natural form of velcro. The tit lines the outside with hundreds of flakes of pale lichens – this provides camouflage. Inside, it lines the nest with more than 2000 downy feathers to insulate the nest.

Vocalisations are a valuable aid to locating and identifying these birds. When in flocks they issue constant contact calls and are often heard before they are seen. They have three main calls, a single high pitched ‘pit’, a ‘triple trill’ eez-eez-eez, and a rattling ‘schnuur’. The calls become faster and louder when the birds cross open ground or if an individual becomes separated from the group.

Other synonyms:

Breton: Ar binoter lostek
Catalan: Mallerenga cuallarga
Catalan (Balears): Senyoreta
Czech: Mlynarík dlouhoocasý
Welsh: Titw cynffon-hir, Titw Gynffon-hir
Danish: Halemejse, Nordlig Halemejse
German: Schwanzmeise
English: Long-tailed Tit, Northern Long-tailed Tit
Esperanto: longvosta paruo
Spanish: Mito, Mito Común, Satrecito de Cola Larga
Estonian: Sabatihane
Basque: Buztanluzea
Finnish: pyrstötiainen
Faroese: Veltita, veltíta
French: Mésange à longue queue
Irish: Meantán Earrfhada
Gaelic: Ciochan
Galician: Ferreiriño rabilongo
Manx: Caillagh Veg yn Arbyl
Croatian: Dugorepa Sjenica
Hungarian: Oszapó
Icelandic: Skottmeisa
Italian: Codibugnolo
Japanese: enaga
Cornish: Lostek
Latin: Aegithalos caudatus
Limburgish: Whiteliester
Lithuanian: Ilgauodege zyle
Dutch: Staartmees
Norwegian: Stjertmeis
Polish: raniuszek zwyczajny
Portuguese: Chapim-rabilongo
Romansh: Sbrinzlina
Scots: Ciochan
Slovak: Mlynárka dlhochvostá
Slovenian: dolgorepka
Albanian: Trishtili bishtgjatë
Serbian: dugorepa sjenica
Swedish: Stjärtmes

Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

Spotted at the Santo André Lagoon in the Alentejo region of Portugal     Stone Curlew song    

The Stone-curlews, also known as Dikkops or Thick-knees are a group of largely tropical birds in the family Burhinidae. Despite the group being classified as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia.

Stone Curlew, Griel, Triel, Alcaravão, Alcaraván Común

They are medium to large birds with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes—which give them a reptilian appearance—and cryptic plumage. The names Thick-knee and Stone-curlew are both in common use, the preference among authorities for one term or the other varying from year to year. The term Stone-curlew owes its origin to the broad similarities with true curlews (which are not closely related). Thick-knee refers to the prominent joints in the long yellow or greenish legs and apparently originated with a name coined in 1776 for B. oedicnemus, the Thick-kneed Bustard.

They are largely nocturnal, particularly when singing their loud wailing songs, which are reminiscent of true curlews.

The diet consists mainly of insects and other invertebrates. Larger species will also take lizards and even small mammals.

Most species are sedentary, but the Stone Curlew is a summer migrant in the temperate European part of its range, wintering in Africa.

Other synonyms:

Asturian: Chepu, Gachegu
Azerbaijani: Çobanaldadan
Breton: Ar bourlagad kirie
Catalan: Hubara, Sebel·lí, Torlit
Catalan (Balears): Sebel·lí
Valencian: Hubara
Czech: Dytík úhorní, Dytík žhorní
Welsh: Cwtyn llwyd, Gylfinir y garreg, Rhedwr y moelydd
Danish: Triel
German: Dickfuß, Triel
English: Common Stone Curlew, Common Stone-Curlew, Common Thick-knee, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Eurasian Stone-Curlew, Eurasian Thick-knee, European Stone Curlew, European Stonecurlew, European Thick-knee, Northern Stone Curlew, Northern Stonecurlew, Northern Stone-Curlew, Northern Thick-knee, Stone Curlew, Stone Thick-knee, Stonecurlew, Stone-Curlew, Thicknee
Esperanto: trielo
Spanish: Alcaravan, Alcaraván, Alcaraván Común
Estonian: Jämejalg
Basque: Atalar, Atalarra, Torlit
Finnish: Paksujalka
Faroese: Læmingur
French: Oedicnème criard
Irish: Crotach Cloch
Gaelic: Cuilbneach nan Clach
Galician: Alcaraván, Torlit
Hindi: Kannadi al katti
Hungarian: Ugartyúk
Icelandic: Tríll
Italian: Chiurlo delle petraie, Occhione, Occhione comune, Occhione eurasiatico
Japanese: ishichidori, Ishi-chidori
Cornish: Glynbras
Latin: Burhinus [oedicnemus or indicus], Burhinus oedicnemus, Burhinus oedocnimus
Lithuanian: Storkulnis
Maltese: Tellerita
Dutch: Griel
Norwegian: Triel
Polish: kulon, Kulon zwyczajny
Portuguese: Alcaravão
Romansh: Burbin
Russian: Avdotka
Scots: Cuilbneach nan clach
Slovenian: prlivka
Albanian: Gjelaci symadh
Serbian: nocni potrk
Swedish: Tjockfot
Swahili: Chekehukwa wa Ulaya
Vietnamese: Burin

Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

Spotted at the Santo André Lagoon in the Alentejo region of Portugal     Pallid Swift song    

The Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus) is a small bird, superficially similar to a Barn Swallow or House Martin. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since the swifts are in the order Apodiformes. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles.

Pallid Swift, Vale Gierzwaluw, Fahlsegler, Andorinhão-pálido, Vencejo Pálido

Swifts have very short legs which they use only for clinging to vertical surfaces. The scientific name comes from the Ancient Greek απους, apous, meaning "without feet". They never settle voluntarily on the ground. Swifts spend most of their lives in the air, living on the insects they catch in their beaks. They drink on the wing.

The Pallid Swift was first described by English naturalist George Ernest Shelley in 1870.

This 16-17 cm (6.4-6.8 in) long species is very similar to the Common Swift, and separation is only possible with good views. Like its relative, it has a short forked tail and very long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang.

It is entirely dark except for a large white throat patch which is frequently visible from a distance. It is chunkier and browner than Common Swift, and the slightly paler flight feathers, underparts and rump give more contrast than that species. It also has a scalier looking belly and subtly different flight action. The call is a loud dry scream similar to that of its relative, though possibly more disyllabic.

Pallid Swifts breed on cliffs and eaves around the Mediterranean and on the Canary Islands and Madeira, laying two eggs. Like swallows, they are migratory, winter in southern Africa or southeast Asia.

They are rare north of their breeding areas, although they are likely to be under-recorded due to identification problems. Because of its more southerly range, Pallid Swift arrives earlier and leaves later than the closely related Common Swift, so particularly early or late swifts north of the normal range should be carefully observed.

Other synonyms:

Afrikaans: Bruinwindswael
Asturian: Andarón Pálidu
Catalan: Falciot pàl·lid, Falzia pàl·lida
Catalan (Balears): Falzia pàl·lida
Welsh: Gwennol ddu welw, Gwennol welw-ddu
Danish: Gråsejler
German: Fahlsegler
English: Mouse-colored Swift, Mouse-coloured Swift, Nyanza Swift, Pale Brown Swift, Pallid Swift
Spanish: Vencejo Pálido
Estonian: Randpiiritaja, randpiiritaja (rand-piirpääsuke)
Basque: Falciot pàl·lid
Finnish: Vaaleakiitäjä
French: Martinet pâle
Irish: Gabhlán Bánlíoch
Galician: Cirrio pálido, Falciot pàl·lid
Hungarian: Halvány sarlósfecske
Icelandic: Fölsvölungur
Italian: Rondone pallido
Japanese: uruamatsubame, usuamatsubame
Latin: Apus murinus, Apus pallidus
Maltese: Rundun Kannelli
Dutch: Vale Gierzwaluw
Norwegian: Gråseiler
Polish: jerzyk blady
Portuguese: andorinhão pálido, Andorinhão-pálido
Romansh: Randurel fustg
Slovak: dáždovník plavý
Slovenian: bledi hudournik, sivi hudournik
Albanian: Dejka e zbehtë
Serbian: blijeda ciopa
Swedish: Blek tornseglare

Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

Spotted at the Santo André Lagoon in the Alentejo region of Portugal     Cetti´s Warbler song    

Cetti's Warbler, Cettia cetti, is an Old World warbler which breeds in Europe, northwest Africa and east southern temperate Asia as far as Afghanistan and NW Pakistan. It is the only bush warbler to occur outside Asia. It is a recent colonist to southern England and Wales, with the first breeding records for the UK in 1973.

Cetti's Warbler, Cetti’s Zanger, Seidensänger, Rouxinol-bravo, Ruiseñor Bastardo de Cetti

In Europe this small passerine bird is mainly resident throughout the year, but eastern populations migrate short distances, wintering within the breeding range.

It is a bird of dense vegetation with scrub, usually close to water, such as a reedbed with bushes, or a small area of riverside woodland. The nest is built in a bush near water, and 3-6 eggs are laid.

This is a medium-sized warbler, 13–14 cm (5–6 in) long. The adult has a plain reddish-brown back, a pale stripe over the eye, whitish grey underparts, a broad tail and short wings. Structurally, it resembles an oversized Wren. The sexes are identical, as with most old world warblers. Like most warblers, it is insectivorous.

Other synonyms:

Asturian: Charreta
Breton: Devedig an drez
Catalan: Rossinyol bord
Catalan (Balears): Rossinyol bord
Czech: Cetie jižní
Welsh: Telor Cetti
Danish: Cettisanger, Cettissanger
German: Seidensaenger, Seidensänger
English: Cetti's Bush Warbler, Cetti's Bush-Warbler, Cetti's Warbler
Spanish: Cetia Ruiseñor, Ruiseño bastardo, Ruiseñor Bastardo, Ruiseñor Bastardo de Cetti
Estonian: kalda-rädilind
Basque: Errekattxindorra, Rossinyol bord
Finnish: Silkkikerttu, silkkikerttunen
French: Bouscarle de Cetti
Irish: Ceolaire Cetti
Galician: Rossinyol bord, Rousinol bravo
Croatian: Svilorepa
Hungarian: Berki poszáta
Icelandic: Blæsöngvari
Italian: Usignolo di fiume
Japanese: yoaroppauguisu, yo-roppauguisu
Latin: Cettia cetti
Dutch: Cetti’s Zanger, Cettis zanger, Cetti's Zanger, Cetti-zanger
Norwegian: Cettisanger
Polish: Gajówka czarnouzda, wierzbówka, wierzbówka
Portuguese: rouxinol bravo, Rouxinol-bravo
Romansh: Channarel da flum
Russian: Solovinaya Shirokokhvostka
Slovak: cetia, cetia južná , cetia západná
Slovenian: svilnica
Albanian: Bilbili i kënetave
Serbian: svilorepi cvrcic
Swedish: Cettisångare
Swedish: Vattenrall
 

Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

Spotted at the Santo André Lagoon in the Alentejo region of Portugal     Water Rail song    

The Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) is a bird of the rail family which breeds in well-vegetated wetlands across Europe, Asia and North Africa. Northern and eastern populations are migratory, but this species is a permanent resident in the warmer parts of its breeding range. The adult is 23–28 cm (9–11 in) long, and, like other rails, has a body that is flattened laterally to allow it easier passage through the reed beds it inhabits. It has mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts, black barring on the flanks, long toes, a short tail and a long reddish bill. The eastern subspecies, R. a. indicus, has distinctive markings and a call that is very different from the pig-like squeal of the western races, and is sometimes split as a separate species. Immature birds are generally similar in appearance to the adults, but the blue-grey in the plumage is replaced by buff. The downy chicks are black, as with all rails.

Water Rail, Waterral, Wasserralle, Frango-d’água, Rascón Europeo

The Water Rail breeds in reed beds and other marshy sites with tall, dense vegetation, building its nest a little above the water level from whatever plants are available nearby. The off-white, blotched eggs are incubated mainly by the female, and the precocial downy chicks hatch in 19–22 days. The female will defend her eggs and brood against intruders, or move them to another location if they are discovered. This species can breed after its first year, and it normally raises two clutches in each season. Water Rails are omnivorous, although they feed mainly on animals. They are territorial even after breeding, and will aggressively defend feeding areas in winter.

These rails are vulnerable to flooding or freezing conditions, loss of habitat and predation by mammals and large birds. The introduced American mink has exterminated some island populations, but overall the species' huge range and large numbers mean that it is not considered to be threatened.

The rails are a bird family comprising nearly 150 species. Although the origins of the group are lost in antiquity, the largest number of species and the most primitive forms are found in the Old World, suggesting that this family originated there. However, the genus Rallus, the group of long-billed reed bed specialists to which the Water Rail belongs, arose in the New World. Its Old World members, the Water, African and Madagascar Rails, form a superspecies, and are thought to have evolved from a single invasion from across the Atlantic. Genetic evidence suggests that the Water Rail is the most closely related of its genus to the Pacific Gallirallus rails,and is basal to that group. The Water Rail was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema Naturae in 1758 under its current scientific name, Rallus aquaticus. The binomial name is the Latin equivalent of the English "Water Rail".

The adult of the nominate subspecies is a medium-sized rail, 23–28 cm (9–11 in) long with a 38–45 cm (15–17.7 in) wingspan. Males typically weigh 114–164 g (4.0–5.8 oz) and females are slightly lighter at 92–107 g (3.2–3.8 oz). The upperparts from the forehead to tail are olive-brown with black streaks, especially on the shoulders. The sides of the head and the underparts down to the upper belly are dark slate-blue, except for a blackish area between bill and eye, and brownish sides to the upper breast. The flanks are barred black and white, and the undertail is white with some darker streaks. The long bill and the iris are red, and the legs are flesh-brown. The sexes are similar; although the female averages slightly smaller than the male, with a more slender bill, determining sex through measurements alone is unreliable. The juvenile has a blackish crown and a white chin and throat. The underparts are buff or white with darker bars, and the flank markings are brown and buff, rather than black and white. The undertail is buff, and the eye, bill and leg colours are duller than the adult. The downy chick is all black apart from a mainly white bill. After breeding, the rail has an extensive moult, and is flightless for about three weeks. Individual adults can be identified by the markings on the undertail, which are unique to each bird. Adult males have the strongest black undertail streaks. It has been suggested that the dark barring on the undertail of this species is a compromise between the signalling function of a pure white undertail, as found in open water or gregarious species like the Common Moorhen, and the need to avoid being too conspicuous.

The Water Rail can readily be distinguished from most other reed bed rails by its white undertail and red bill; the latter is a little longer than the rest of the rail's head (55–58% of the total) and slightly down-curved. The somewhat similar Slaty-breasted Rail of tropical Asia has a stouter bill, a chestnut crown and white-spotted upperparts. Juvenile and freshly moulted Water Rails may show a buff undertail like Spotted Crake, but that species' plumage is spotted with white, and it has a much shorter, mainly yellowish bill. The range of the Water Rail does not overlap with that of any other Rallus species, but vagrants could be distinguished from their American relatives by the lack of rufous or chestnut on the closed wing. The larger African Rail has unstreaked darker brown upperparts and brighter red legs and feet.

Other synonyms:

Czech: Chrástal vodní
Danish: Vandrikse
German: Wasserralle
English: Water Rail
Spanish: Rascón Europeo
Estonian: Rooruik
Finnish: Luhtakana
Faroese: jarðarkona
French: Râle d'eau
Hungarian: Guvat
Icelandic: Keldusvín
Italian: Porciglione eurasiatico
Latin: Rallus aquaticus
Lithuanian: Ilgasnape vištele
Dutch: Waterral
Norwegian: Vannrikse
Polish: wodnik (zwyczajny)
Portuguese: narceja, Narceja-comum
Swedish: Vattenrall
 

Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

Spotted at the Santo André Lagoon in the Alentejo region of Portugal     Common Snipe song    

The Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) is a small, stocky wader native to the Old World. The breeding habitat is marshes, bogs, tundra and wet meadows throughout northern Europe and northern Asia. It is migratory, with European birds wintering in southern and western Europe and Africa (south to the Equator), and Asian migrants moving to tropical southern Asia.

Common Snipe, Watersnip, Bekassine-gallinago, Narceja-comum, Agachadiza común

Adults are 25–27 cm in length with a 44–47 cm wingspan and a weight of 80–140 g (up to 180 g pre-migration). They have short greenish-grey legs and a very long (5.5–7 cm) straight dark bill. The body is mottled brown with straw-yellow stripes on top and pale underneath. They have a dark stripe through the eye, with light stripes above and below it. The wings are pointed.

It is the most widespread of several similar snipes. It most closely resembles the Wilson's Snipe G. delicata of North America, which was until recently considered to be a subspecies G. g. delicata of Common Snipe. They differ in the number of tail feathers, with seven pairs in G. gallinago and eight pairs in G. delicata; the North American species also has a slightly wider white edge to the wings. Both species breed in the Aleutian Islands. It is also very similar to the Pin-tailed Snipe G. stenura and Swinhoe's Snipe G. megala of eastern Asia; identification of these species there is complex.

There are two subspecies of Common Snipe, G. g. faeroeensis in Iceland, the Faroes, Shetland and Orkney (wintering in Britain and Ireland), and G. g. gallinago in the rest of the Old World.

It is a well camouflaged bird is usually shy and conceals itself close to ground vegetation and flushes only when approached closely. When flushed, they utter a sharp note that sounds like scape, scape and fly off in a series of aerial zig-zags to confuse predators. They forage in soft mud, probing or picking up food by sight. They mainly eat insects and earthworms, also some plant material.

The male performs "winnowing" display during courtship, flying high in circles and then taking shallow dives to produce a "drumming" sound by vibrating its tail feathers. This sound has been compared by others to the bleating of a sheep or goat; hence in many languages the Snipe is known by names signifying “Flying Goat,” “Heaven's Ram,” as in Scotland by “Heather-bleater” and in Finnish the name taivaanvuohi, "sky goat". Common Snipe nest in a well-hidden location on the ground, laying four eggs of a dark olive colour, blotched and spotted with rich brown, which are incubated by the female for 18–21 days. The young when freshly hatched are covered in down of a dark maroon, variegated with black, white and buff. The young are cared for by both parents, each parent looking after half the brood, with fledging in 10–20 days.

Overall, the species is not threatened. Populations on the southern fringes of the breeding range in Europe are however declining with local extinction in some areas (notably in parts of England and Germany), mainly due to field drainage and agricultural intensification. The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies to the species. It is still hunted as a gamebird in much of its range.

Other synonyms:

Asturian: Gacha
Breton: Ar gioc'h lann, Gioc'h
Catalan: Becadell comú, Bequet, Cegall
Catalan (Balears): Cegall
Valencian: Bequet
Czech: Bekasina otavní, Bekasína otavní
Welsh: Dafad y gors, Gafr y gors, Gïach, Gîach gyffredin, Gïach gyffredin, Gîach myniar, Ysniden, Ysniten
Danish: Dobbeltbekkasin
German: Bekassine, Bekassine-gallinago
Emiliano-romagnolo: Cavartén
English: Common Snipe, Eurasian Snipe, European Snipe, Fantail Snipe, Palearctic Common Snipe, Snipe
Esperanto: galinago
Spanish: Agachadiza Comun, Agachadiza Común, Becacina común, Becardón
Spanish (Argentine): Becasina Común
Spanish (Costa Rica): Becacina común
Spanish (Mexico): agachona común
Spanish (Nicaragua): Agachadiza Común
Estonian: Taevasikk, Tikutaja, Tikutaja e. taevasikk, Tikutaja, taevasikk
Basque: Becadell comú, Istingor, Istingor arrunta
Finnish: heinäkurppa, Taivaanvuohi
Faroese: Døggreyv, Mýrisnípa
French: Bécassine des marais
Frisian: Waarlamke
Irish: Meath gabhar, Mionnán aeir, Naosach, Naoscach
Gaelic: Budagochd, Croman Loin, Gabhar-Adeir, Naosg
Galician: Becacina, Becadell comú
Manx: Coa r Heddagh, Coa y r Heddagh, Coar heddagh, Coayr Heddagh
Croatian: Šljuka Kokošica
Hungarian: Sárszalonka
Indonesian: Berkik Ekor-kipas
Icelandic: Hrossagaukur
Italian: Beccaccino
Japanese: Tashigi, Ta-shigi
Cornish: Kyogh
Latin: Capella gallinago, Gallinago gallinago, Gallinago gallinago gallinago
Malay: Berkek Ekor Kapas
Dutch: Watersnip
Norwegian: Enkeltbekkasin, Mekregauk
Polish: (bekas) kszyk, Bekas, bekas kszyk, kszyk, kszyk (bekas)
Portuguese: narceja, Narceja-comum
Portuguese (Brazil): narceja
Romansh: Becassina da palì
Scots: An meannan-adhair, Budagochd, Croman loin, Gabhar-adheir, Naosg
Northern Sami: Meahkástat
Slovenian: kozica, kozice
Albanian: Shapka e ujit, Shapkë uji
Serbian: Barska šljuka, Barska šljuka, bekasina, bekasina
Swedish: Enkelbeckasin
Swahili: Sululu

Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

Spotted at the Santo André Lagoon in the Alentejo region of Portugal     Night Heron song    

The night herons are medium-sized herons in the genera Nycticorax, Nyctanassa and Gorsachius. The genus name Nycticorax derives from the Greek for “night raven” and refers to the largely nocturnal feeding habits of this group of birds, and the croaking crow-like call of the best known species, the Black-crowned Night Heron. 

Night Heron, Kwak, Nachtreiher, Socó-taquari, Martinete Común

In Europe, Night Heron is often used to refer to the Black-crowned Night Heron, since it is the only member of the genus in that continent.

Adults are short-necked, short-legged and stout herons with a primarily brown or grey plumage, and, in most, a black crown. Young birds are brown, flecked with white. At least some of the extinct Mascarenes taxa appear to have retained this juvenile plumage in adult birds.

Night herons nest alone or in colonies on platforms of sticks in a group of trees, or on the ground in protected locations such as islands or reedbeds. 3-8 eggs are laid.

Night herons stand still at the water's edge, and wait to ambush prey, mainly at night. They primarily eat small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic insects, and small mammals. During the day they rest in trees or bushes.

There are seven extant species. The genus Nycticorax has suffered more than any other ciconiiform genus from extinction, mainly because of their capability to colonize small, predator-free oceanic islands, and a tendency to evolve towards flightlessness.

Other synonyms:

Afrikaans: Gewone Nagreier
Asturian: Garcina de Nueche, Garcina de Nuechi
Breton: Ar gerc'heiz kein du
Catalan: Martinet de nit, Orval
Catalan (Balears): Orval
Czech: Kvakoš nocní
Welsh: Crëyr y nos
Danish: Nathejre
German: Nachtreiher
English: American night Heron, Black-capped Night Heron, Black-capped Night-Heron, Blackcrowned Night Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Common Night Heron, Night Heron, Night-heron, Qua Bird, Quawk
Esperanto: Noktardeo
Spanish: Garza bruja, Garza nocturna corona negra, Garza Nocturna Coroninegra, Garza-nocturna Coroninegra, Guaco Común, Guanabá de la Florida, Huairavo, Huairavo del Norte, Martinete, Martinete Capinegro, Martinete Comun, Martinete Común, Martinete coroninegro, Pedrete Corona Negra, pedrete corona-negra, Rey Congo Cabeza Negra, Yaboa Real
Spanish (Argentine): Garza bruja
Spanish (Chile): Huairavo
Spanish (Colombia): Guaco Común
Spanish (Costa Rica): Martinete Coroninegro
Spanish (Cuba): Guanabá de la Florida
Spanish (Dominican Rep.): Garza Nocturna Coroninegra, Rey Congo, Rey Congo Cabeza Negra
Spanish (Honduras): Garza nocturna corona negra
Spanish (Mexico): Garza-nocturna Coroninegra, pedrete corona negra, pedrete corona-negra
Spanish (Nicaragua): Martinete Capinegro
Spanish (Paraguay): Garza bruja
Spanish (Uruguay): Garza bruja
Spanish (Venezuela): Guaco
Estonian: Ööhaigur
Basque: Amiltxori arrunta, Martinet de nit
Finnish: Yöhaikara
Faroese: Nátthegri
French: Bihoreau à couronne noir, Bihoreau à couronne noire, Bihoreau gris, Héron bihoreau, Héron bihoreau à calotte noire
Irish: Corr Oíche
Guadeloupean Creole French: Crabier bois, Crabier grosse tête
Galician: Garza da noite, Martinet de nit
Guarani: Tajasu guyra
Haitian Creole French: Kòk lannwit kouwòn nwa
Hawaiian: 'Auku'u
Hindi: Vakka
Croatian: Gak
Hungarian: Bakcsó
Indonesian: Kowak, Kowakmalam Abu
Icelandic: Nátthegri
Italian: Nitticora, Nitticora comune
Japanese: goisagi, Goi-sagi
Cornish: Kerghyth nos
Kwangali: Hakaruu Gomasiku
Latin: Nycticorax nycticorax
Lithuanian: Naktikovas, Naktikovis
Malagasy: Doaka, Goadrano, Goaka, Koaka, Rahoaka
Mamasa: dakko-dakko
Malay: Pucong Kuak, Pucung Kuak
Maltese: Kwakka
Dutch: Kwak
Norwegian: Natthegre
Polish: slepowron
Portuguese: arapapá-de-bico-comprido, dorminhoco, garça-cinzenta, Garca-dorii-iinhoca, garça-dorminhoca, Garça-nocturna, Goraz, guacuré, guacuru, guarucu, savacu, socó, socó-dorminhoco, socó-galinha, Socó-taquari, taiassu, tajaçu, taquari, taquiri
Portuguese (Brazil): arapapá-de-bico-comprido, dorminhoco, garça-cinzenta, garça-dorminhoca, guacuré, guacuru, guarucu, Savacu, socó, socó-dorminhoco, socó-galinha, socó-taquari, taiassu, tajaçu, taquari, taquiri
Romansh: Irun stgarvunà
Russian: Kvakva
Albanian: Çapka e natës
Serbian: gak, Nocna caplja, Nocna caplja, gak
Sotho, Southern: Kokolofitoe
Swedish: Natthäger
Swahili: Kingoyo Utosi-weusi
Zulu: uSiba

Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

The Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) is a small Palearctic wader. This bird and its American sister species, the Spotted Sandpiper (A. macularia), make up the genus Actitis. They are parapatric and replace each other geographically; stray birds of either species may settle down with breeders of the other and hybridize. Hybridization has also been reported between the Common Sandpiper and the Green Sandpiper, a basal species of the closely related shank genus Tringa.

Common Sandpiper, Oeverloper, Flußuferläufer, Macarico-das-rochas, Andarríos Chico

The adult is 18–20 cm long with a 32–35 cm wingspan. It has greyish-brown upperparts, white underparts, short dark-yellowish legs and feet, and a bill with a pale base and dark tip. In winter plumage, they are duller and have more conspicuous barring on the wings, though this is still only visible at close range. Juveniles are more heavily barred above and have buff edges to the wing feathers.

This species is very similar to the slightly larger Spotted Sandpiper (A. macularia) in non-breeding plumage. But its darker legs and feet and the crisper wing pattern (visible in flight) tend to give it away, and of course they are only rarely found in the same location.

It is a gregarious bird and is seen in large flocks, and has the distinctive stiff-winged flight, low over the water, of Actitis waders. The Common Sandpiper breeds across most of temperate and subtropical Europe and Asia, and migrates to Africa, southern Asia and Australia in winter. The eastern edge of its migration route passes by Palau in Micronesia, where hundreds of birds may gather for a stop-over. They depart the Palau region for their breeding quarters around the last week of April to the first week of May.

The Common Sandpiper forages by sight on the ground or in shallow water, picking up small food items such as insects, crustaceans and other invertebrates; it may even catch insects in flight. In the Nukumanu language of the Nukumanu Islands (Papua New Guinea), this species is usually called tiritavoi. Another Nukumanu name for it, matakakoni, exists, but this is considered somewhat taboo and not used when children and women are around. The reason for this is that matakakoni means "bird that walks a little, then copulates", in reference to the pumping tail and thrusting head movements the Actitis species characteristically perform during foraging.

It nests on the ground near freshwater. When threatened, the young may cling to their parent's body to be flown away to safety.

The Common Sandpiper is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

It is widespread and common, and therefore classified as a Species of Least Concern by the IUCN but is a vulnerable species in some states of Australia.

Other synonyms:

Afrikaans: Gewone Ruiter
Asturian: Andarríu Mazaricu, Cimblarraos
Breton: Ar bistroll kof gwenn, Drolu
Catalan: Xivitona, Xivitona vulgar
Catalan (Balears): Xivitona
Czech: Pisík obecný
Welsh: Pibydd y dorlan, Pibydd y traeth
Danish: Mudderklire
German: Flussuferlaeufer, Flußuferläufer
English: Common Sandpiper, Eurasian Sandpiper
Esperanto: blankventra tringo
Spanish: Andarrios Chico, Andarríos Chico, ndarríos Chico
Estonian: jogitilder, jõgitilder, Vihitaja, vihitaja (jõgitilder), Vihitaja e. jõgitilder, Vihitaja, jõgitilder
Basque: Kuliska txiki, Kuliska txikia, Xivitona
Finnish: Rantasipi
Faroese: Fjørustelkur
French: Chevalier guignette
Irish: gobadán, Gobadán Coiteann, Ladhrán locha, Saidhlín aeir
Gaelic: Luatharan
Galician: Bilurico das rochas, Xivitona
Manx: Looyran
Hindi: Kottan
Croatian: Mala Prutka
Hungarian: Billegeto cankó
Indonesian: Kindu-kindu-boné, Trinil pantai
Icelandic: Lindastelkur
Italian: Piro piro piccolo, Piro-piro piccolo
Japanese: isoshigi, Iso-shigi
Latin: Actitis hypoleucos, Tringa hypoleucos
Lithuanian: Krantinis tilvikas
Malay: Kedidi Pasir, Kedidi Paya
Maltese: Beggazzina tar-Rokka
Dutch: Oeverloper
Norwegian: Fiskelite, Strandsnipe, Strømsnip, Strømsnipe
Palauan: Bengobaingukl
Polish: brodziec piskliwy, Kuliczek, Kuliczek piskliwy, Piskliwiec, Terekia
Portuguese: maçarico das rochas, Maçarico-das-rochas
Romansh: Privaun cumin, rivaun cumin
Russian: Perevozchik
Scots: Luatharan
Northern Sami: Gáddebuvvet
Slovak: Kalužiak malý
Slovenian: mali martinec
Albanian: Qyrylyku i vogël
Serbian: mali prudnik, polojka
Sotho, Southern: Koe-koe-lemao
Swedish: Drillsnäppa
Swahili: Kiulimazi

Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

Spotted at the Santo André Lagoon in the Alentejo region of Portugal.     Black-necked Grebe song    

The Black-necked Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis, known in North America as the Eared Grebe, is a member of the grebe family of water birds. It occurs on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. 

Black-necked Grebe, Geoorde Fuut, Schwarzhalstaucher, Mergaulhão-de-pescoço-preto, Zampullín Cuellinegro

The Black-necked Grebe is 28–34 centimetres (11–13 in) long. The adult is unmistakable in summer with a black head and neck and yellow ear tufts. In winter, this small grebe is white with a poorly defined black cap, which distinguishes it from the crisper-looking Slavonian Grebe (Horned Grebe in America).

In courtship the male gives a mellow poo-ee-chk call to the female.

This species breeds in vegetated areas of freshwater lakes across Europe, Asia, Africa, northern South America and the southwest and western United States. The North American subspecies, P. n. californicus is known as the Eared Grebe (or "eared diver"). These birds migrate in winter, mostly to the Pacific Coast where they range south to El Salvador on a regular basis; vagrants may occur as far as Costa Rica.

Black-necked Grebes of the nominate subspecies P. n. nigricollis in the cooler temperate regions of the Old World also winter further south, with many European birds moving to the Mediterranean area. The isolated southern African race, P. n. gurneyi is sedentary. It was named by South African ornithologist and author Austin Roberts in honour of the English bankers and amateur ornithologists John Henry Gurney and John Henry Gurney Jr..

Sadly the large breeding population in County Roscommon, Ireland discovered about 1915 fell victim to a drainage scheme in the late 1930s; at its peak there were an estimated 250 pairs.

The Black-necked Grebe is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its prey underwater, eating mostly fish as well as small crustaceans, aquatic insects and larvae. It prefers to escape danger by diving rather than flying, although it can easily rise from the water.

Like all grebes, the Black-necked Grebe nests on the water's edge, since its legs are set very far back and it cannot walk well. Usually two eggs are laid, and the striped young are sometimes carried on the adult's back.

Interestingly, the eared grebe is essentially flightless for most of the year (9 to 10 months), and serves as an example of one of the most inefficient flier among avifauna. Generally, this bird avoids flying at all costs and reserves long distance flight exclusively for migration. However, when migrating, it will travel as much as 6,000 kilometres (3,700 mi) to reach prosperous areas which are exploited by few other species.

Other synonyms:

Afrikaans: Swartnekdobbertjie
Asturian: Parrulu Cuelluprietu, Semerguyu Oreyudu
Breton: Ar plomer gouzoug du
Catalan: Cabussó collnegre, Cabussó coll-negre, Cabussonera
Catalan (Balears): Cabussonera
Valencian: Cabussó coll-negre
Czech: Potápka cernokrká
Welsh: Gwyach gwddfddu, Gwyach gyddfddu, Gwyach yddfddu
Danish: Sorthalset lappedykker
German: Schwarzhalstaucher
English: American Eared Grebe, Back-necked grebe, Black grebe, Blacknecked Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Black-necked or Eared Grebe, Black-necked Podic, Black-necked Podiceps, Eared Grebe
Esperanto: Nigrakola grebo
Spanish: Somormujo de Cuello Negro, Zambullidor Mediano, Zambullidor Orejudo, Zampulín cuelinegro, Zampullin Cuellinegro, Zampullín Cuellinegro
Spanish (Costa Rica): Zambullidor Mediano
Spanish (Mexico): Zambullidor Orejudo
Estonian: Mustakael-pütt, mustkael-pütt
Basque: Cabussó collnegre, Txilinporta lepabeltz, Txilinporta lepabeltza
Finnish: Mustakaulauikku
Faroese: Hálssvarta gjør, hálssvørt gjør
French: Grèbe à cou noir, Grèbe à cou noire
Frisian: Swarthalsdûker
Irish: Foitheach Píbdhubh
Gaelic: Gobhlachan Dubh, Gobhlachan na h-Amhaiche Duibhe
Galician: Cabussó collnegre, Mergullón de pescozo negro
Manx: Eean kereen cleayshagh
Croatian: Crnogrli Gnjurac, Zlatouhi gnjurac
Hungarian: Feketenyakú vöcsök
Icelandic: Stargoði
Italian: Svasso piccolo
Japanese: hajirokaitsuburi, Hajiro-kaitsuburi
Cornish: Gryb conna du
Latin: Colymbus caspicus, Colymbus nigricollis, Podiceps caspicus, Podiceps nigricollis
Lithuanian: Juodakaklis kragas
Dutch: Geoorde Fuut
Norwegian: Svarthalsdykker
Polish: perkoz zausznik, Zausnik, zausznik
Portuguese: mergulhão de pescoço preto, Mergulhão-de-pesco, Mergulhão-de-pescoço-preto
Romansh: Sfunsella naira
Russian: Chernosheynaya Poganka
Scots: Gobhlachan dubh
Slovenian: crnogrli ponirek
Albanian: Kredharaku gushëzi
Serbian: Crnogrli (crnovrati) gnjurac, Crnogrli gnjurac, crnovrati gnjurac
Swedish: Svarthalsad dopping
Swahili: Kibisi Shingo-nyeusi
 

The Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) is a small diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae best known for its habit of hovering over open grasslands in the manner of the much-smaller kestrels. This Eurasian and African species was sometimes combined with the Australian Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris) and the White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) of North and South America which together form a superspecies. This kite is distinctive, with long-wings, white, grey and black plumage and owl like forward-facing eyes with red irides. Although mainly seen on the plains, they are sometimes seen on grassy slopes of hills in the higher elevation regions of Asia. They are not migratory, but make short-distance movements in response to weather. 

Black-winged Kite, Grijze Wouw, Gleitaar, Peneireiro-cinzento, Elanio Común 

This long-winged raptor is predominantly grey or white with black shoulder patches, wing tips and eye stripe. The long falcon-like wings extend beyond the tail when the bird is perched. In flight, the short and square tail is visible and it is not forked as in the typical kites of the genus Milvus. When perched, often on roadside wires, it often adjusts its wings and jerks its tail up and down as if to balance itself. The sexes are alike in plumage. Their large forward-facing eyes and velvety plumage are characters that are shared with owls and the genus itself has been considered as a basal group within the Accipitridae.

The Black-winged Kite is a species primarily of open land and semi-deserts in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia, but it has a foothold within Europe in Spain and Portugal. The species range appears to be expanding in southern Europe and possible in West Asia.

Several geographic populations have been named as subspecies and these include the nominate subspecies which occurs in Spain, Africa and Arabia. The subspecies vociferus is found east of this range across South Asia and into Southeast Asia. Along Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the Philippines subspecies hypoleucus (sometimes considered a full species) is found while wahgiensis is restricted to New Guinea. Subspecies sumatranus is not always recognized. The White-tailed Kite and the Black-shouldered Kite were formerly included with this species but have since been treated as separate species.

Although found mainly on the plains they have been seen at higher altitudes in Sikkim (3650m), the Nilgiris (Doddabetta, 2670m) and Nagaland (2020m).

They are said to be winter visitors in some parts of their range such as the Western Ghats.

The Black-winged Kite breeds at different times of the year across its range. Although nesting has been noted throughout the year in India, they appear not to breed in April and May. Courtship is noisy and involves chases and once the pair is formed they copulate frequently. The nest is a loose platform of twigs in which 3 or 4 eggs are laid. The female spends more effort in the construction of the nest than the male. The eggs are pale creamy with spots of deep red. Both parents incubate but when the chicks hatch, the male spends more time on foraging for food. Females initially feed the young, sometimes hunting close to the nest but will also receive food from the male. After fledging the young birds continue to be dependent for food on the male parent for about 80 days, initially transferring food at perch and later in the air.

The prey include grasshoppers, crickets and other large insects, lizards and rodents. Injured birds, small snakes and frogs have also been recorded. The slow hunting flight is like a harrier, but it will hover like a Kestrel. It has on rare occasions been known to hunt prey in flight. Favourite perches are used for hunting and for feeding but large prey may sometimes be handled on the ground. In southern Africa, they appear to favour roadside verges for foraging and are sometimes killed by collisions with vehicles.

These birds roost communally with groups of 15 to 35 (larger numbers in Europe) converging at a large leafy tree. They are extremely silent and the calls recorded include a high-pitched squeal or a soft whistle. They call a lot mainly during the breeding season.

Other synonyms:

Afrikaans: Blouvalk
Catalan: Esparver d’espatlles negres, Esparver d'espatlles negres
Czech: Lunec šedý
Danish: Blå Glente
German: Gleitaar
English: black-shouldered hawk, Blackshouldered Kite, Black-shouldered Kite, Black-winged Kite, Common Black-shouldered Kite, Indonesian Kite
Spanish: Elanio azul, Elanio coliblanco, Elanio Común, Elanio de Alas Negras, Milano hombros negros
Spanish (Costa Rica): Elanio coliblanco
Spanish (Honduras): Milano hombros negros
Spanish (Mexico): milano cola-blanca
Estonian: austraalia hõbehaugas, hõbehaugas
Basque: Elano urdina, Esparver d'espatlles negres
Finnish: Liitohaukka
French: Élanion blac, Elanion blanc, Élanion blanc
Galician: Esparver d'espatlles negres, Lagarteiro cincento
Indonesian: Alap-alap putih, Alap-alap tikus, Elang tikus, Taga
Icelandic: Völsungur
Italian: Nibbio bianco
Japanese: Haguro-tobi, katagurotobi, o-sutorariakatagurotobi
Kwangali: Tuyu
Latin: Elanus caeruleus, Elanus caeruleus caeruleus
Malay: Helang Tikus
Dutch: Grijze Wouw
Norwegian: Svartvingeglente
Polish: kaniuk, Kaniuk zwyczajny
Portuguese: peneireiro cinzento, Peneireiro-cinzento
Portuguese (Brazil): Gavião-peneira
Slovak: Luniak sivý
Slovenian: Lebduh, sinji lebduh
Shona: Rukodzi
Serbian: siva lunja
Siswant: Lohheyane
Sotho, Southern: Phakoana-mafieloana
Swedish: Svartvingad glada
Swahili: Mwewe-kipupwe
Tswana: Phakalane
Turkish: Ak Çaylak, Beyaz çaylak
Tsonga: Nwarikapanyana
Xhosa: Umdlampuku

Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

The European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a subspecies of the Common Stonechat. Long considered a member of the thrush family Turdidae, genetic evidence has placed it and its relatives in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae.

Stonechat, Roodborsttapuit, Schwarzkehlchen, Cartaxo-comum, Tarabilla comun

It is 11.5–13 cm long and weighs 13–17 g, slightly smaller than the European Robin. Both sexes have distinctively short wings, shorter than those of the more migratory Whinchat and Siberian Stonechat. The summer male has black upperparts, a black head, an orange throat and breast, and a white belly and vent. It also has white half-collar on the sides of its neck, a small white scapular patch on the wings, and a very small white patch on the rump often streaked with black. The female has brown upperparts and head, and no white neck patches, rump or belly, these areas being streaked dark brown on paler brown, the only white being the scapular patch on the wings and even this often being buffy-white.

European Stonechats breed in heathland, coastal dunes and rough grassland with scattered small shrubs and bramble, open gorse, tussocks or heather. They are short-distance migrants or non-migratory, with part of the population (particularly from northeastern parts of the range, where winters are colder) moving south to winter further south in Europe and more widely in north Africa.

The male's song is high and twittering like a Dunnock. Both sexes have a clicking call like stones knocking together.

Other synonyms:

Afrikaans: Bontrokkie
Asturian: Charchar
Breton: Ar strakig-lann, Bistrakig-lann
Catalan: Bitxac comú, Bitxac rogenc, Vitrac
Catalan (Balears): Vitrac
Welsh: Clef y garreg, Clegr y garreg, Clochdar cerrig, Clochdar y cerrig, Clochdar y garreg, Clochder y cerrig, Crec penddu'r eithin, Crec y garreg, Crec yr eithin, Tinwen y garreg, Tinwen y graig
Danish: Sortstrubet Bynkefugl
German: Schwarzkehlchen, Schwarzkehlchen-rubicola
English: Common stonechat, European Common Stonechat, European Stonechat, Stonechat, Stonechat (European)
Spanish: Tarabilla Comun, Tarabilla Común
Estonian: euroopa kaelustäks, Kaelustäks
Basque: Pitxartxar burubeltz
Finnish: Mustapäätasku
Faroese: Svartstólpa
French: Tarier pâtre, Traquet pâtre
Irish: Caipín aitinn, Caislín ceann-dubh, Caislín Cloch, Caislín dearg
Gaelic: Clacharan
Galician: Chasco común
Manx: Boid y chonnee, Claghan ny gleigh, Kione Dhoo y Eeigyn
Hungarian: Cigány-csaláncsúcs, Cigánycsuk
Icelandic: Hagaskvetta
Italian: Saltimpalo, Saltimpalo comune
Japanese: Nishi no-bitaki, nishinobitaki, no-bitaki
Cornish: Chekker
Latin: Saxicola rubicola, Saxicola rubicola armenica, Saxicola rubicola rubicola, Saxicola torquata, Saxicola torquata armenica, Saxicola torquata rubicola, Saxicola torquata torquata, Saxicola torquatus rubicola, Saxicola torquatus rubicola/hibernans
Malagasy: Fitadroranga, Fitatra
Dutch: Roodborsttapuit
Norwegian: Afrikasvartstrupe, Svartstrupe
Portuguese: cartaxo comum, Cartaxo-comum
Romansh: puppennair
Scots: Clacharan
Slovenian: prosnik
Albanian: Ceku kokëzi
Serbian: crnoglava travarka
Swedish: Svarthakad buskskvätta
Swahili: Mhozo Kichwa-cheusi  

Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

The Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) is a common and widespread sylviid warbler which breeds throughout temperate Europe, western Asia (east to about 85°E) and northwestern Africa, and winters from northwestern Europe south to tropical Africa. Its colour pattern is unique in the genus Sylvia; the Blackcap's closest living relative is the Garden Warbler which looks different but has a fairly similar song. These two, whose ranges extend farther northeastwards than most other Sylvia species (except for Lesser Whitethroat and Common Whitethroat), seem to form sister species well distinct from the other typical warblers.

Blackcap, Zwartkop, Mönchsgrasmücke, Toutinegra-de-barrette-preto, Curruca Capirotada

It is a robust typical warbler, mainly grey in plumage. Like most Sylvia species, it has distinct male and female plumages: The male has the small black cap from which the species gets its name, whereas in the female the cap is brown. 

It is a bird of shady woodlands with ground cover for nesting. The nest is built in a low shrub, and 3–6 eggs are laid. The song is a pleasant chattering with some clearer notes; it can be confused with that of the Garden Warbler, but in the Blackcap, it is slightly higher pitched, more broken into discrete individual songs (more continuous rambling song in Garden Warbler) and characteristically ends with an emphatic fluting warble.

In isolated Blackcap populations (such as in valleys or on peninsulas and small islands), a simplified song can occur; this song is said to have a Leiern-type ("drawling") ending after the term used by German ornithologists who first described it.

The introduction is like that in other Blackcaps, but the final warbling part is a simple alteration between two notes, as in a Great Tit's call but more fluting.

Other synonyms:

Afrikaans: Swartkroonsanger
Asturian: Papuda
Breton: An devedig kabell du
Catalan: Busqueret de capell, Tallarol de casquet
Catalan (Balears): Busqueret de capell
Welsh: Lleian benddu, Penddu, Penlöyn, Telor bach penddu, Telor penddu
Danish: Munk
German: Moenchsgrasmuecke, Mönchsgramücke, Mönchsgrasmücke, Mönchsgrassmücke, Schwarzplättchen
English: Blackcap, Black-cap Warbler, Black-capped Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, European Blackcap
Spanish: Curruca Capirotada, Curruca mosquitera
Estonian: Mustpea-poosalind, Mustpea-põõsalind
Basque: Tallarol de casquet , Txinbo kaskabeltz, Txinbo kaskabeltza
Finnish: Mustapääkerttu, Mustapääkertut
Faroese: Munkur
French: Fauvette à tête noire
Frisian: Nettelkrûper
Irish: Caipín Dubh
Gaelic: Ceann-Dubh
Galician: Papuxa das amoras, Tallarol de casquet
Manx: Bayrn Dhoo, Kione doo ny yeeiginyn
Croatian: Crnoglava grmuša, Crnokapa Grmuša
Hungarian: Barátposzáta
Icelandic: Hettusöngvari
Italian: Capinera
Japanese: zuguromushikui, Zuguro-mushikui
Cornish: Telor pendu
Latin: Sylvia atricapilla
Lithuanian: Juodagalve devynbalse
Maltese: Kapinera
Dutch: Zwartkop
Norwegian: Munk, Munken
Polish: kapturka
Portuguese: toutinegra de barrete negro, Toutinegra-de-barrete-negro, Toutinegra-de-barrete-preto, Toutinegra-de-barrette-preto
Romansh: Fustgetta dal chapitsch
Russian: Slavka-chernogolovka
Sardinian: Conca de oro, Conchinigheddu, Deddea, Filormena, Prabarissa
Scots: Ceann dubh
Northern Sami: Gahpervizar
Slovenian: crnoglavka
Albanian: Bilbilth kokëzi, Bilbilthi kokëzi
Serbian: crnoglava grmuša
Swedish: Svarthätta
Swahili: Kucha Utosi-mweusi
 

Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

The Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) is a small member of the wagtail family, Motacillidae. The species looks similar to the Yellow Wagtail but has the yellow on its underside restricted to the throat and vent. Breeding males have a black throat. The species is widely distributed, with several populations breeding in Europe and Asia and migrating to tropical regions in Asia and Africa. They are usually seen on open marshy ground or meadows where they walk solitarily or in pairs along the ground, capturing insects that are disturbed. Like other wagtails, they frequently wag their tail and fly low with undulations and they have a sharp call that is often given in flight.

Grey Wagtail, Grote Gele Kwikstaart, Gebirgsstelze, Alvéola-cinzenta, Lavandera Cascadeña

This slim wagtail has a narrow white supercilium and a broken eye ring. The upperparts are grey and the yellow vent contrasting with whitish underparts makes it distinctive. The breeding male has a black throat that is edged by whitish moustachial stripes. They forage singly or in pairs on meadows or on shallow water marshes. They also use rocks in water and will often perch on trees. They have a clear sharp call note and the song consists of trills.

The bird is widely distributed across the Palearctic region with several well marked populations. The nominate form (includes caspica of Iran, Turkey and the Caucasus) is from western Europe including the British Isles, Scandinavia and Mediterranean region. Race melanope, which is not well separated from the nominate subspecies, is described as the population breeding in eastern Europe and central Asia mainly along the mountain chains of the Urals, Tien Shan and along the Himalayas. They winter in Africa and Asia. Race robusta breeds along the northeastern parts of Asia in Siberia extending to Korea and Japan. These winter in Southeast Asia. Island forms include patriciae of the Azores, schmitzi of Madeira and canariensis of the Canary Islands.

They sometimes occur on the islands to the West of Alaska but have been known to occur further south in California as a vagrant.

Other synonyms:

Afrikaans: Gryskwikkie
Asturian: Xingalrau
Breton: Ar gannerez-dour
Catalan: Cuereta torrentera, Cueta groga, Xàtxero cendrós
Catalan (Balears): Xàtxero cendrós
Valencian: Cueta groga
Cebuano: bangkiyod
Czech: Konipas horský
Welsh: Brith y fuches lwyd, Siglen las, Siglen llwyd, Siglen lwyd, Tinsigl lwyd
Danish: Bjergvipstjert
German: Bergstelze, Gebiergsstelze, Gebirgsstelze, Gebirgstelze
Emiliano-romagnolo: Buvarena
English: European Gray Wagtail, European Grey Wagtail, Gray Wagtail, Grey Wagtail
Esperanto: montarmotacilo
Spanish: Lavandera Cascadeña, Lavandera de cascada
Estonian: Jõgivästrik
Basque: Buztanikara horia, Buztinikara hori, Cuereta torrentera
Finnish: Virtavästäräkki, Vuorivästäräkki
Faroese: Áarerla
French: Bergeronnette boarule, Bergeronnette des ruisseaux
Frisian: Winterboumantsje
Irish: Glasóg cheannliath, Glasóg Liath
Gaelic: Breac Bain tighearna, Breacan-Baintighearna
Galician: Cuereta torrentera , Lavandeira real
Manx: Skibbag ny mulleeyn, Ushag Ghlass
Croatian: Gorska Pastirica, Gorska pliska
Hungarian: Hegyi billegeto, Hegyi billegetõ
Indonesian: Entut leuncang, Kicuit batu
Icelandic: Straumerla
Italian: Ballerina gialla
Japanese: kisekirei, Ki-sekirei
Karelian: Keldavästäräkki
Latin: Calobates cinerea, Motacila cinerea, Motacilla boarula, Motacilla caspica, Motacilla cinerea
Lithuanian: Kalnine kiele
Mamasa: bi lolo
Malay: Burung Pipit Batu, Kedidi Kepala Kelabu
Maltese: Zakak tad-Dell
Dutch: Grote Gele Kwikstaart
Norwegian: Alpeerle, Gråerle, Vintererle
Napoletano-calabrese: Cudàstra
Polish: Pliszka cytrynowa, pliszka górska
Portuguese: alvéola cinzenta, Alvéola-cinzenta
Romansh: Ballacua da muntogna
Russian: Gornaya Tryasoguzka
Scots: Breac bain tighearna
Northern Sami: Dálvebeštor
Slovak: Trasochvost horský
Slovenian: siva pastirica
Albanian: Bishtatundësi i malit
Serbian: Gorska pliska, planinska pastirica, planinska pliska
Swedish: Forsärla
Swahili: Tikisa Kijivu

Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

Spotted at the Santo André Lagoon in the Alentejo region of Portugal.     Quail song    

Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds generally considered in the order Galliformes.

Quail, Kwartel, Wachtel, Codorniz, Codorniz Común

Old World quail are found in the family Phasianidae, while New World quail are found in the family Odontophoridae. The buttonquail are not quail at all, are named more for their appearance superficially resembling quail, and are members of the Turnicidae family, more closely related to the Charadriiformes. The King Quail, a member of the Old World quail, is often sold in the pet trade and is commonly referred to there as a "button quail". Many of the common larger species are farm raised for table food or egg consumption, and are hunted on game farms or in the wild, where they are sometimes artificially stocked to supplement the wild population, or extend into areas they are normally not found naturally.

The collective noun for a group of quail is a covey.

Other synonyms:

Afrikaans: Afrikaanse Kwartel
Asturian: Parpayuela
Azerbaijani: Bildirçin
Breton: Ar goailh-soul, Goailh, koailh
Catalan: Guàtlera, Guatlla
Catalan (Balears): Guàtlera
Welsh: Rhinc, sofliar
Danish: Vagtel
German: Wachtel, Wachtel-coturnix
English: Common quail, Eurasian Common Quail, European Migratory Quail, European Quail, Quail
Esperanto: koturno
Spanish: codorniz, Codorníz, Codorniz Comun, Codorniz Común, Codorniz europea-coturnix, guatla
Estonian: Poldvutt, Põldvutt , vutt
Basque: galeper, Galeperra, Guatlla
Finnish: Viiriäinen
Faroese: Lynghani, Pippus, vaktil
French: Caille commune, Caille des blés, Caille d'Europe
Friulian: cuaie
Frisian: kwartel
Irish: gearg, paspallás
Gaelic: Gearradh Gort
Galician: Guatlla, Paspallás
Manx: Eean Feie, quayl
Croatian: Prepelica
Hungarian: fürj
Icelandic: Kornhæna
Italian: quaglia, Quaglia comune, Quaglia dx
Japanese: yoaroppauzura, Yooroppa uzura
Cornish: rynk
Kwangali: Erurumbe
Latin: Coturnix coturnix, Coturnix coturnix africana, Coturnix coturnix coturnix
Ladino: caia
Lithuanian: Piepala, putpele
Latvian: paipala
Malagasy: Papelika
Macedonian: potpološka
Maltese: summiena
Dutch: Kwartel
Norwegian: vaktel
Sotho, Northern: Sekhwiri
Occitan: catla
Polish: przepiórka, przepiórka (zwyczajna), przepiórka zwyczajna
Portuguese: Codorniz, Codorniz comum, Codorniz-comum
Romansh: quacra, quaiglia
Romanian: prepelita
Romany: dropya
Russian: obyknovennyj perepe
Sardinian: bebberecche, cancarau, Circùiri, cìrcuri, concarada
Scots: gearradh-gort
Northern Sami: goaktil
Slovak: prepelica
Slovenian: prepelica
Shona: Huta
Albanian: shkurta
Serbian: prepelica
Sotho, Southern: Koekoe
Swedish: Vaktel
Swahili: Tombo, Tomboo, Tomboro, Tomboroko
Tswana: Tshosabannê
Tsonga: Khevezi
Zulu: isiGwaca

Birding Holiday Packages and Bird Tours.

Your stay in Portugal is hosted at Monte Horizonte, a small 6 houses self catering family-run eco-resort on the hills 5 kilometers south of Santiago do Cacém.  The lodge is in the middle of nowhere, very peaceful, surrounded by its own gardens and, with a complete absence of any traffic noise at all, is a real break from the hustle and bustle with a friendly, helpful atmosphere.  For the active, swimming, bicycling and walking are always on offer and the beach is only 15 minutes away. We offer several Bird Tours in the region and below are two examples.  Of course we can also plan tours according to your wishes and duration.

Bird Tours:

Bird tour 1: We offer half day and full day tours to the Lagoa de Santo André.

We will make a round tour and stay at several spots near the Lagoa de Santo André for 3 hours. The full day tour does include lunch and has a duration of 8 hours of which we will spent 6 hours at the Lagoa de Santo André.

Best season: All year

List of Special Birds:

 Purple Heron ( Ardea purpurea ), Flamingo ( Phoenicopterus roseus ), Gadwall ( Anas strepera ), Garganey ( Anas querquedula ), Red-Chrested Pochard ( Netta rufina ), Pochard ( Aythya ferina ), Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus ), Hobby ( Falco subbuteo ), Little Tern ( Sterna albifrons ), Great Reed Warbler ( Acrocephalus scirpaceus ), Savi´s Warbler ( Locustella luscinioides ), Purple Swamhen ( Porphyrio porphyrio ), Squacco Heron ( Ardeola ralloides ). 

List of Other Birds:

Little Greb ( Tachybaptus ruficollis ), Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax carbo ), Glossy Ibis ( Plegadis falcinellus ), Teal ( Anas crecca ), Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ), Marsh Herrier ( Circus aeruginosus ), Coot ( Fulica atra ), Moorhen ( Gallinula chloropus ), Black-winged Stilt ( Himantopus himantopus ), Kentish Plover ( Charadrius alexandrinus ), Snipe ( Gallinago gallinago ), Black-tailed Godwit ( Limosa limosa ), Yello-legged Gull ( Larus michahellis ), Green Woodpecker ( Picus viridis ), Great Spotted Woodpecker ( Dendrocopos major ), Great Reed Warbler ( Acrocephalus arundinaceus ), Nuthatch ( Sitta europaea ), Short-toed Treecreeper ( Certhia brachydactyla ), Azure-winged Magpie ( Cyanopica cyanus )

List of Rare Birds:

Black-throated Loon ( Gavia arctica ), White Pelican ( Pelecanus onocrotalus ), Barnacle Goose ( Branta leucopsis ), Brent Goose ( Branta bernicla ), Blue-winged Teal ( Anas discors ), Marbled Duck ( Marmaronetta angustirostris ),
Green-winged Teal ( Anas carolinensis ), Ruddy Duck ( Oxyura jamaicensis ), Ferruginious Duck ( Aythya nyroca ), 
Ring-necked Duck ( Aythya collaris ), Red-knobbed Coot ( Fulica cristata ), Cream-coloured Courser ( Cursorius cursor ), Pectora Sandpiper ( Calidris melanotos ), Red-necked Phalarope ( Phalaropus lobatus ), Slender-billed Gull ( Larus genei ), Ring-billed Gull ( Larus delawarensis ), White-winged Tern ( Chlidonias leucopterus ), Richard´s Pipit ( Anthus richardi ), Red-throated Pipit ( Anthus cervinus ), Citrine Wagtail ( Motacilla citreola ), Paddyfield Warbler ( Acrocephalus agricola ), Aquatic Warbler ( Acrocephalus paludicola ), Moustached Warbler ( Acrocephalus melanopogon ), Little Bunting ( Emberiza pusilla ), Pallas´s Reed Bunting ( Emberiza pallasi )

Prices:
Half Day Private Tour
1 person – 70 €
2 persons – 110 €
3 persons – 150 €
4 persons – 190 €

Full Day Private Tour  (including lunch)
1 person – 120 €
2 persons – 160 €
3 persons – 210 €
4 persons – 240 €

Bird tour 2: We offer full day tours ( 8 hours) to the Alentejo Plains (inland) including lunch.

During our tour we will visit the Special Protection Area Castro Verde area famous of it´s Great Bustards.

This SPA also holds important populations of Black-bellied sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis), Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra), Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) and Montagu’s harrier (Circus pygargus) and, furthermore, it is a breeding area for the Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata) as well as the main breeding area of the European Roller (Coracias garrulus) in Portugal.

During the winter we can find important densities of Cranes (Grus grus), Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus), Golden plovers (Pluvialis apricaria) and Skylarks (Alauda arvensis). There is a regular presence of winter birds of prey such as the Red Kite (Milvus milvus) and the Hen harrier (Circus cyaneus). The fallow lands and pastures are important feed zones for the Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus), the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), the Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) and the Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetus). 

Full Day Private Tour  (including lunch)
1 person – 160 €
2 persons – 200 €
3 persons – 240 €
4 persons – 280 €

Bookings: The months July, August and September at least five nights.

Pricelist 2012, VAT included

Price per Night	Extra bed 25 euros/night	Extra bed 25 euros/night	Extra bed 25 euros/night	Extra bed 25 euros/night	Extra bed 25 euros/night	Extra bed 25 euros/night	Extra bed 25 euros/night
January	60	60	60	80	80	90	160
Februari	60	60	60	80	80	90	160
March	65	65	65	85	85	95	170
April	70	70	70	90	90	100	180
May	75	75	75	95	95	105	190
June	80	80	80	100	100	110	200
July	90	90	90	125	125	135	250
August	110	110	110	150	150	170	300
September	90	90	90	125	125	135	250
Oktober	70	70	70	90	90	100	180
November	60	60	60	80	80	90	160
December	60	60	60	80	80	90	160

The Christmas holidays, Carnival and Easter are considered peak season with the same price as the month of July.

Eco resort Monte Horizonte is a licensed rural tourism by Turismo de Portugal and located in the wonderful Alentejo region of Portugal at only 15 kms from the beach and just five kms to the historic city Santiago do Cacém. It is run completely on solar and wind energy.

Birdwatching tours and trips in the Alentejo region of Portugal.

Spotted at the Santo André Lagoon in the Alentejo region of Portugal.     Green Sandpiper song    

The Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) is a small wader (shorebird) of the Old World. It represents an ancient lineage of the genus Tringa; its only close living relative is the Solitary Sandpiper (T. solitaria). They both have brown wings with little light dots and a delicate but contrasting neck and chest pattern. In addition, both species nest in trees, unlike most other scolopacids.

Green Sandpiper, Witgatje, Waldwasserläufer, Pássaro-bique-bique, Andarríos Grande

Given its basal position in Tringa, it is fairly unsurprising that suspected cases of hybridisation between this species and the Common Sandpiper (A. hypoleucos) of the sister genus Actitis have been reported.

This species is a somewhat plump wader with a dark greenish-brown back and wings, greyish head and breast and otherwise white underparts. The back is spotted white to varying extents, being maximal in the breeding adult, and less in winter and young birds. The legs and short bill are both dark green.

It is conspicuous and characteristically patterned in flight, with the wings dark above and below and a brilliant white rump. The latter feature reliably distinguishes it from the slightly smaller but otherwise very similar Solitary Sandpiper (T. solitaria) of North America.

In flight it has a characteristic three-note whistle.

It breeds across subarctic Europe and Asia and is a migratory bird, wintering in southern Europe and Asia, and tropical Africa. Food is small invertebrate items picked off the mud as this species works steadily around the edges of its chosen pond.

This is not a gregarious species, although sometimes small numbers congregate in suitable feeding areas. Green Sandpiper is very much a bird of freshwater, and is often found in sites too restricted for other waders, which tend to like a clear all-round view.

It lays 2–4 eggs in an old tree nest of another species, such as a Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris). The clutch takes about three weeks to hatch.

Other synonyms:

Afrikaans: Witgatruiter
Asturian: Andarríu Prietu, Mazaricu Prietu
Azerbeidzjaans: Qara trinqa
Bretons: Ar strelleg pastellek
Catalaans: Becassineta, Garsa de mar, Xivita
Catalan (Balears): Becassineta
Valencian: Garsa de mar
Tsjechisch: Vodouš kropenatý
Welsh: Pibydd gwyrdd, Pibydd gwyrdd y traeth
Deens: Svaleklire
Duits: Waldwasserlaeufer, Waldwasserläufer
Engels: Green Sandpiper
Esperanto: blankpuga tringo
Spaans: Andarrios grande, Andarríos Grande
Ests: Metstilder
Baskisch: Kuliska ilun, Kuliska iluna, Xivita
Fins: Metsäviklo
Faeröers: Flykrustelkur
Frans: Chevalier culblanc, Chevalier cul-blanc
Iers (Gaëlisch): Gobadán Glas
Schots (Gaëlisch): Luatharan Uaine
Galicisch: Bilurico alinegro, Xivita
Manx: Looyran mooar
Kroatisch: Crnokrila Prutka, Pjegava prutka
Hongaars: Erdei cankó
Indonesisch: Trinil Hijau
IJslands: Trjástelkur
Italiaans: Piro piro culbianco, Piro-piro culbianco
Japans: kusashigi, Kusa-shigi
Cornish: Pyber gwer
Latijn: Helodromas ocrophus, Helodromas ocropus, Totanus ochropus, Totanus ocropus, Tringa ochrophus, Tringa ochropus, Tringa ocrophus
Litouws: Brastinis tilvikas, Titilvikas
Maleis: Kedidi Pasir Hijau
Maltees: Swejda
Nederlands: Witgat, Witgatje
Noors: Skogsneppen, Skogsnipe
Pools: Brodziec samotny, Brodziec zóltonogi
Portugees: bique bique, Bique-bique, Maçarico-bique-bique, Pássaro-bique-bique, Perna-verde-fino
Romaans: Trintga da guaud
Schots: Luatharan uaine
Slovaaks: Kalužiak perlavý
Sloveens: pikasti martinec
Albanees: Qyrylyku këmbëpërhimë
Servisch: prudnik pijukavac
Zweeds: Skogssnäppa
Swahili: Chamchanga Kijani

The Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor is a passerine bird in the starling family Sturnidae. It is closely related to the Common Starling S. vulgaris, but has a much more restricted range, confined to the Iberian Peninsula, northwest Africa, southernmost France, and on the islands of Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica. It is largely non-migratory.

Spotless Starling, Zwarte Spreeuw, Einfarbstar, Estorninho-preto, Estornino Negro

The adult Spotless Starling is very similar to the Common Starling, but marginally larger (21–23 cm length; 70–100 g weight), and has darker, oily-looking black plumage, slightly purple- or green-glossed in bright light, which is entirely spotless in spring and summer, and only with very small pale spots in winter plumage, formed by the pale tips of the feathers. It also differs in having conspicuously longer throat feathers (twice the length of those on Common Starlings), forming a shaggy 'beard' which is particularly obvious when the bird is singing. Its legs are bright pink. In summer, the bill is yellow with a bluish base in males and a pinkish base in females; in winter, it is duller, often blackish. Young birds are dull brown, darker than young Common Starlings, and have a black bill and brown legs. Confusion with the Common Starling is particularly easy during the winter when Common Starlings are abundant throughout the Spotless Starling's range, but also in summer where their breeding ranges overlap in northeastern Spain and the far south of France. It can also be confused with the Common Blackbird Turdus merula, which differs most obviously in its longer tail and lack of plumage gloss.

Like the Common Starling, it walks rather than hops, and has a strong direct flight, looking triangular-winged and short-tailed. It is a noisy bird, and a good mimic; its calls are very similar to the Common Starling's, but are louder.

The Spotless Starling uses a wide range of habitats, and can be found in any reasonable open environment from farmland and olive groves to human habitation. The highest population densities are in open grazed Holm Oak woods, and in urban habitats such as Gibraltar, where it is common. The population has grown in recent decades with a northward expansion in range, spreading to the whole of Spain (previously absent from the northeast) between 1950–1980, and colonising locally along the south coast of mainland France since 1983. Like its commoner relative, it is an omnivore, taking a wide variety of invertebrates, berries, and human-provided scraps. It is gregarious, forming sizeable flocks, often mixed with Common Starlings, of up to 100,000 in winter.

Like most starlings, it is a hole-nesting species, breeding in tree holes, buildings and in cliff crevices. It typically lays three to five eggs.

Other synonyms:

Asturian: Estornín
Catalan: Estornell negre
Catalan (Balears): Estornell negre
Danish: Ensfarvet Stær
German: Einfarbstar
Greek: Μαυροψ?ρονο
English: Black Starling, Mediterranean Starling, Sardinian Starling, Spotless Starling
Spanish: Estornino Negro
Estonian: ibeeria kuldnokk
Basque: Araba zozo beltza, Estornell negre
Finnish: Kustakottarainen, Mustakottarainen
French: Etourneau unicolore, Étourneau unicolore
Galician: Estornell negre , Estorniño negro
Icelandic: Gljástari
Italian: Storno nero
Japanese: mujihoshimukudori
Latin: Sturnus uniaolor, Sturnus unicolor
Maltese: Sturnell Iswed
Dutch: Zwarte Spreeuw
Norwegian: Middelhavsstær
Polish: szpak jednobarwny
Portuguese: Estorninho, estorninho preto, Estorninho-preto
Slovak: Ékorec jednofarebný, škorec jednofarebný
Slovenian: crni škorec
Swedish: Svart stare, Svartstare

Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

Spotted at the Santo André Lagoon in the Alentejo region of Portugal.     Northern Shoveler song    

The Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), Northern Shoveller in British English, sometimes known simply as the Shoveler, is a common and widespread duck. It breeds in northern areas of Europe and Asia and across most of North America, wintering in southern Europe, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Central and northern South America. It is a rare vagrant to Australia. In North America, it breeds along the southern edge of Hudson Bay and west of this body of water, and as far south as the Great Lakes west to Colorado, Nevada, and Oregon.

Northern Shoveler, Slobeend, Löffelente, Pato-trombeteiro, Cuchara Común

The Northern Shoveler is sometimes referred to by hunters as the "spoony". Other disparaging names, as compared to the mallard, are the "smiling mallard" and the "Poor Man's Mallard".

The Northern Shoveler is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. The conservation status of this bird is Least Concern.

This species is unmistakable in the northern hemisphere due to its large spatulate bill. The breeding drake has an iridescent dark green head, white breast and chestnut belly and flanks. In flight, pale blue forewing feathers are revealed, separated from the green speculum by a white border. In early fall the male will have a white crescent on each side of the face. In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the drake resembles the female.

The female is a drab mottled brown like other dabblers, with plumage much like a female Mallard, but easily distinguished by the long broad bill, which is gray tinged with orange on cutting edge and lower mandible. The female's forewing is gray.

They are 19 inches (48 cm) long and have a wingspan of 30 inches (76 cm) with a weight of 600 grams (1.3 lb).

Other synonyms:

Afrikaans: Europese Slopeend
Asturian: Coríu Cuyar, Cuchareta
Breton: An houad beg-golvazh
Catalan: Ànec cullerot, Cullerot
Catalan (Balears): Cullerot
Valencian: Cullerot
Welsh: Hwyaden biglydan, Hwyaden lydanbig
Danish: Skeand
German: Europäische Löffelente, Löffelente
English: Broad-nosed Duck, Common Shoveler, European Shoveler, European Shoveller, Northen Shoveller, Northern Shoveler, Northern Shoveler/Shoveler, Northern Shoveller, Shoveler, Shoveller, Spoonbill Duck
Esperanto: Kuleranaso
Spanish: Cuchara Común, Cuchareta, Pato Chucara, pato chucharón-norteño, Pato Cuchara, Pato cuchara común, Pato Cuchareta, Pato Cucharo, pato cucharón norteño, Pato Cucharón-norteño, Pato pico de cuchara
Estonian: Luitsnokk-part
Basque: Ahate mokozabala, Ànec cullerot
Finnish: Lapasorsa
Faroese: Skeiðont, Skeið-ont, Spónont, Spón-ont
French: Canard souchet, Canard souchet ordinaire, Souchet, Souchet ordinaire
Frisian: Slob
Irish: Slapaire, Spadalach
Gaelic: Gob-Leathann, Lach a'ghuib Leathainn
Galician: Ànec cullerot, Cullerete
Manx: Thunnag ny Sleryst, Thunnag y cleayst
Haitian Creole French: Jeneral
Croatian: Patka Žlicarka
Hungarian: Kanalas réce, Kanalasréce
Icelandic: Skeiðönd
Italian: Mestolone, Mestolone comune
Japanese: hashibirogamo, Hashi-biro-gamo, Hashibiro-gamo, Kuchi-gamo
Cornish: Gelvyn ledan
Latin: Anas clypeata, Anas spathula, Spatula clypeata
Malay: Itik Paruh Sudu
Maltese: Palettuna
Dutch: Slobeend
Norwegian: Skjeand, Skovland
Polish: plaskonos
Portuguese: pato trombeteiro, Pato-colhereiro, Pato-trombeteiro, Pato-trombeteiro-europeu
Romansh: Anda da la palutta
Russian: Shirokonoska
Scots: Lach a'ghuib leathainn
Northern Sami: Bastesuorsi
Slovenian: raca žlicarica
Albanian: Sqepluga
Serbian: patka kašikara, Plovka kašikara
Swedish: Skedand
Swahili: Sepeto