View allAll Photos Tagged Anseriformes
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Anser brachyrhynchus | [UK] Pink-footed Goose | [FR] Oie à bec court | [DE] Kurzschnabelgans | [ES] Ánsar de Pico Corto | [IT] Oca delle zampe rosse | [NL] Kleine Rietgans
spanwidth min.: 137 cm
spanwidth max.: 161 cm
size min.: 64 cm
size max.: 76 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 26 days
incubation max.: 27 days
fledging min.: 52 days
fledging max.: 60 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 3
eggs max.: 6
Physical characteristics
Medium-sized, rather compact, rather short-billed and short-necked, essentially pinkish-grey goose, with dark, round head and foreneck and pale forewing obvious in flight. Bill marks and legs pink.
Habitat
Concentrated largely in the Atlantic sector of west Palearctic. The presence in breeding habitat (up to 700 m above sea) is limited to brief and uncertain ice-free period. Strict attachment to parts of apparently suitable terrain, at mean densities above 130 nests per square km. Preference in Iceland for inaccessible nest-sites in river gorges suggests safety from ground predators is a primary requirement. Apparent inconsistency of wide-spread grouping of oasis nests on low heathy mounds or ridges perhaps due to relative failure of such predators to reach these seasonally uninhabitable uplands. In Spitsbergen, where predation of Arctic Fox is minimal, nest on flat ground or grassy slopes when snow-free at laying time, as well as low cliffs and rock outcrops.
Other details
Anser brachyrhynchus breeds only in Svalbard, Iceland and east Greenland, with the entire global breeding range hence confined to Europe. The European breeding population is relatively small (<69,000 pairs), but increased substantially between 1970-1990. All three populations continued to increase during 1990-2000, and the species underwent a moderate increase overall.
This goose has two distinct populations. Both have undergone an important increase since the 1950's. The first population is breeding in Iceland and Greenland, and wintering in Scotland and northern England. It amounts to 225000 individuals. The second population is breeding on Svalbard and wintering in Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium. It amounts to 34000 individuals
Feeding
Vegetable material, including parts of plants both above and below ground. Feeds like Greylag Goose, though much less commonly in water, and smaller Bill and gizzard tend to restrict it to softer material. In summer quarters, eats green parts, roots, and fruits of wide variety of tundra plants. In winter quarters, now feeds mainly on farmland, including grassland, but exact composition of diet differs according to local, seasonal, and annual variations in crop-plant availability.
Breeding
Egg-laying in Iceland from early or mid-May, in Spitsbergen laying starts last half May and completed first half June. The nest is build in low hummocks and banks snow-free at time of building, and above post-thaw floods. Also tops of rock outcrops, ledges on river gorge cliffs, and tops of rock pinnacles in gorges. The nest consists of low mound of grasses, sedges and other vegetation, with shallow cup. Large amounts of down added during and after laying. Clutch is usually usually 3-6, incubation lasts 26-27 days and the goslings will flegde after about 56 days.
Migration
Migratory, Greenland and Icelandic populations winter mostly in Scotland and N and E England; Svalbard birds winter along E shores of N Sea. Sporadically in more southern latitudes during cold winters.
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Anser anser | [UK] Greylag Goose | [FR] Oie cendrée | [DE] Graugans | [ES] Ánsar Común | [IT] Oca selvatica | [NL] Grauwe Gans | [IRL] Gé Ghlas
spanwidth min.: 149 cm
spanwidth max.: 168 cm
size min.: 74 cm
size max.: 84 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 27 days
incubation max.: 28 days
fledging min.: 50 days
fledging max.: 60 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 4
eggs max.: 8
Status: Winter migrant, with Icelandic birds between November & April. Feral birds are present year round.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed in Ireland as the majority of the population winters at less than ten sites. The European population is considered to be Secure.
Identification: Large bulky grey goose, with pinkish-orange bill and dull pink legs. Plumage is plain grey/brown. Some with thin white rim at the base of the bill, and many with dark marks on the belly.
Similar Species: Other goose species, especially Greenland White-fronted and Pink-footed.
Call: Nasal cackling noise, trisyllabic, with the first higher pitched.
Diet: Greylag Geese used to concentrate more on estuaries, where they fed on the roots of rushes and sedges. Arable farming in Scotland increased during the post- war years, and appeared to coincide with increasing numbers of Greylag Geese switching to feed on arable farmland. Greylag Geese currently feed mostly on cereal stubble and grassland in their wintering areas.
Breeding: Breeds by lakes and reservoirs, with the nest site often close to water and hidden in reeds or other waterside vegetation. Nests in pairs, but locally colonially.
Wintering: The Icelandic population winters in Scotland and Ireland, occurring mostly at coastal sites. Highly gregarious.
Where to See: Icelandic birds occur at seven main locations where they are mostly seen in large numbers (up to 3,000, but usually in low hundreds) feeding on grasslands. The feral population is more widespread, occurring usually in smaller numbers, usually less than 10, throughout the country. Lough Swilly in County Donegal, Braganstown in County Louth, Poulaphouca Reservoir in County Wicklow, Mountseskin/Gortlum in County Dublin and the River Suir Lower in County Waterford are among the top sites. There are many other sites that support Greylag Geese of feral origin. Their range is much more widespread. Large numbers occur at Lough Neagh and Strangford Lough.
Physical characteristics
Different from outer geese basically uniform coloration of body and bill, his bill less black marks, sometimes black spots or blotches present on belly. Juvenile generally less strongly patterned dorsally and overall has more mottled plumage. Subspecies rubrirostris has pink bill and paler plumage.
Habitat
Generally associated with water in open country, often with fringe vegetation or near grasslands. Winters in swamps, lakes and coastal lagoons, or on farmland in open country.
Other details
This goose inhabits the temperate and boreal regions of Europe and Asia. The birds visiting the European Union belong more or less to five distinct populations (Scott & Rose). The first population comprises the sedentary birds of north-western Scotland. It has nearly doubled during the last 20 years and is currently amounting to 5250 individuals. The second population is breeding in Iceland and wintering in Scotland, northern England and Ireland. It increased from 25000 in 1950 to 100000 currently. The third population is breeding in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Western Germany the Netherlands and Belgium, and wintering from the Netherlands to Spain and Morocco. From 30000 at the end of the 1960's, it increased to 200000 currently. The fourth population is breeding in north-eastern Sweden, Finland, the Baltic States and Central Europe, transiting in Italy and wintering in Tunisia and Algeria. It is estimated at 20000 individuals and seems to be quite stable. The fifth population is breeding in the Black Sea regions and Turkey. It reaches northern Greece, and can be estimated at 25000 individuals. Its trends are not well known, but it is probably declining
Feeding
Various plants: roots, leaves, stems and seeds also fruits, grain, potatoes and sprouting cereals in winter,. Forages mostly by grazing on dry land, but also on water, where it sometimes upends.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 920,000-970,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Eggs are layed form March-April in loose colonies. Shallow nest of reed stems and grass, lined with down, among reedbeds, on ground or in trees. The Clutch size is 4-6 eggs and incubation lasts 27-28 days. Chicks have brownish olive down yellow below. This Goose reaches sexual maturity in 3 years. Although greylag geese Anser anser establish long-term monogamous pairbonds, some of the existing pairs do split up (divorce) and new pairs are formed during the annual spring mating period.
During the incubation period the gander stays close to the nest, and when the goslings a few days old leave the nest they are cared for by both parents, at this time small family groups may be formed. The gander will aggressively protect goslings and nest and an intruder will be met by hissing and threatening attitudes or may be attacked.
Migration
A few populations sedentary but most birds move southwards to winter in traditional sites at lower latitudes; many European birds follow French coast and concentrate in large numbers, up to 80,000 in Dec/Jan, in Donana marshes, SW Spain. Irregular occurrences often depend on extent of icing during particular winter.
Teal,
Order,- Anseriformes,
Family,- Anatidae,
Species,- Anas crecca,
The smallest common surface-feeding duck, the Teal is agile and quick in flight, its movements recalling those of a wader, Nervous groups may often swoop down to a sheltered bay, only to dart over the water surface and wheel up and away once more, sometimes several such approaches precede their eventual settling,
In places, Teal occur in hundreds but 20 - 40 are more typical, scattered along well-vegetated or muddy shores, or in wet marshes,
Voice,- Male has lod, ringing, high-pitched ' cirk crik ' that can be easily heard at long range marshes or estuaeies, female has high quack,
Nesting,- Down-lined hollow near water, 8 - 11 eggs 1 brood, April - June,
Feeding,- Mosly in water or on muddy shores, taking plants and seeds,
Length,- 34 - 38 cm ( 13.5 - 15 in ),
Wingspan,- 58 - 64 cm ( 23 - 25 in ), Weight,- 250 - 400 g ( 9 - 14 oz ).
Social,- Small flocks,
Lifespan,- 10 - 15 years,
Status,- Secure,
Orden:Anseriformes
Familia:Anatidae
Género:Anas
Especie:A. acuta.
Nombre comúnpato golondrino norteño, pato rabilargo, pato pescuecilargo, pato de cola puntiaguda o pato cola de gallo,
Lugar captura;Bosque de la mujer Salcedo.República Dominicana.
Reino:Animalia
Filo:Chordata
Clase:Aves
Orden:Anseriformes
Familia:Anatidae
Género:Anas
Nombre común : Anade friso macho
Nombre Ingles: Gadwall Male
Nombre científico:Anas strepera
Lugar de Captura: Embalse de Talavan, Extremadura, España
Por: Cimarron mayor Panta.
Streamstown Bay
County Galway 27-09-2018
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Genus:Lophodytes
Species:L. cucullatus
Binomial name
Lophodytes cucullatus
The hooded merganser is a small diving duck with a long, pointed black bill. The adult male hooded merganser has a white fan-shaped crest on its head. It has bright yellow eyes, a black head, a white chest with two black stripes, a brownish-black back, rust-colored sides and a grayish-brown rump and tail. The female hooded merganser has brown eyes, a reddish crest, and grayish-brown feathers.
Range
Hooded Merganser
The hooded merganser breeds from southern Alaska south to Oregon and Montana and from Manitoba and Nova Scotia, Canada south to Arkansas and northern Alabama. It winters near coasts from British Columbia south to California and from New England south to Florida and Texas.
Habitat
The hooded merganser breeds on wooded ponds, lakes and rivers and winters in these areas as well as on coastal marshes and inlets.
Diet
Hooded Merganser
The hooded merganser feeds during the day. It dives and forages on lake, river and pond bottoms for fish, crayfish and other crustaceans. It also eats aquatic insects and some aquatic plants.
Life Cycle
Hooded Merganser
Breeding season runs from March to May. Males court females in small flocks. The male raises his crest to attract the female, turns the back of his head towards her and flaps his wings. The female points her bill to the sky and bobs her head up and down.
The female lays 6-12 eggs in a nest in a tree hole or in a log. The nest is lined with whatever is in the hole including woodchips, leaves and other debris and then it is lined with down. The male leaves the female once incubation begins. The eggs hatch in about a month. The day after the ducklings are born the female leads them to water. They fledge in about 70 days.
Behavior
The hooded merganser usually gathers in small groups of no more than 10 or 12. When they are startled, they will fly away. They are one of the fastest flying ducks.
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Anas clypeata | [UK] Northern Shoveler | [FR] Canard souchet | [DE] Löffelente | [ES] Pato Cuchara | [IT] Mestolone comune | [NL] Slobeend | [IRL] Spadalach
spanwidth min.: 73 cm
spanwidth max.: 82 cm
size min.: 44 cm
size max.: 52 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 22 days
incubation max.: 23 days
fledging min.: 40 days
fledging max.: 45 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 7
eggs max.: 12
Status: Resident & winter migrant. Most occur between October and March. Wintering birds originate from breeding populations which range across France, northern Europe, the Baltic and western Russia. Ireland and northern Britain also support the small Icelandic breeding population during the winter.
Conservation Concern: Red-listed (National, BoCCI), SPEC 3 declining, moderate recent decline (Europe)
Identification: Medium to large sized with a long and broad bill. Males with green head, white breast, chestnut belly and flanks, blue upper forewing. Females similar to Mallard but distinguished by the bill and darker brown belly.
Similar Species: Males could be confused with Shelduck. Females resemble other female dabbling ducks.
Call: Disyllabic nasal knocking call of male when flushed. Female similar though more wheezy 'kerr-ash'.
Diet: Feed predominantly on zooplankton which are found mostly on ephemeral wetlands, particularly turloughs and callows. They also feed on small molluscs, insects and larvae, seeds and plant material and are frequently seen dabbling around the edges of waterpools.
Breeding: Nests on the ground among waterside vegetation, often many nests in close proximity. Breeding in Ireland is centred around Lough Neagh and the mid- Shannon basin.
Wintering: Shoveler prefer shallow eutrophic waters rich in plankton, and occur on a variety of habitats while wintering in Ireland, including coastal estuaries, lagoons and inland lakes and callows.
Where to See: Ballyallia Lake in County Clare, Little Brosna Callows in County Offaly, Southern Roscommon Lakes in County Roscommon and Lough Rea in County Galway are among the top wintering sites (200-400 birds).
Physical characteristics
The very large, spatulate bill is the most distinguishing feature of the aptly named Northern Shoveler. The male in breeding plumage has bright wings, a bright iridescent-green head with a yellow eye, bold white breast, and chestnut sides. Females, juveniles, and males in eclipse plumage (from May through August) are mottled brown with orange legs and a green-black iridescent speculum with a blue patch on the forewing.
Northern Shovelers rarely tip up, but filter mud through their bills, swimming with their heads outstretched, bills skimming the water's surface, sifting out food. In flight they stay in tight bunches, weaving to and fro like shorebirds. Shovelers are very territorial, and pair bonds remain intact through incubation, unlike most other species of ducks.
Habitat
Northern Shovelers inhabit shallow, marshy ponds and wetlands at low elevations. Breeding habitat is in open country (prairie or tundra), or lowland woodlands and clearings, always near shallow water. During winter and migration they will use virtually any wetland as long as it has muddy edges. Shovelers will forage in sewage ponds and stagnant or polluted waters avoided by other species of ducks.
Other details
Anas clypeata is widespread breeder across much of Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>170,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although no trend data were available for the stronghold in Russia during 1990-2000, several countries- notably the Netherlands-suffered marked declines, and the species probably underwent a moderate decline (>10%) overall.
This duck inhabits North America and northern Eurasia. For practical reasons its populations of the European Union can be subdivided in two distinct sub-populations, separated by their wintering quarters. The first, totalling about 40000 individuals and apparently stable, is wintering in the Atlantic regions from Denmark to the British Isles and Aquitaine. The second population is estimated at 450000 individuals, but its current trends are unknown. It winters in the Black Sea region, the Mediterranean and West Africa.
Feeding
The bill of the Shoveler is ideally suited for straining small swimming invertebrates from the water and mud. Seeds and aquatic plants are also important food items, especially during winter
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 10,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 5,000,000-6,400,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Pair formation begins in the winter and continues during spring migration. Males remain with the females through the incubation period. The female chooses the site (generally in short grass). She builds the nest, a shallow depression made of grass and weeds, lined with down, and incubates the 9 to 12 eggs for 23 to 28 days by herself. A few hours after they hatch, the female leads the young to the water where they can swim and forage immediately. The young typically stay close to the cover of emergent vegetation, and the female tends them until they fledge at 52 to 66 days of age.
Migration
Mostly migratory, breeders of Iceland all migrate, probably to Ireland or Britain. Most British breeders move southwards to south France, south Spain, north and central Italy, a few to North Africa. Bulk have left Britain by end October, before main arrivals of Continental birds. Breeders from south Fenno-Scandia and Russia east to and south migrate west and south-west to western seaboard, chiefly Netherlands, Britain, and Ireland, some going further to west and south France and north Spain. Populations of east Russia, Trans-Urals, and west Siberia migrate south through Volga region, then to south Caspian, Azov and Black Seas, and to Mediterranean, particularly Turkey, Greece, Italy, and North Africa, where overlap with north European breeders. Those wintering from Egypt south to East Africa presumably also from Russia. Main autumn migration rather earlier than other Palearctic ducks, except Garganey. Principal passage across Europe in September-October, with major passage through Britain in November. Departs tropical Africa in February, peak movement through Europe mid-March to mid-April, and virtually all breeders returned by early May.
[order] ANSERIFORMES | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Branta bernicla | [UK] Brant Goose | [FR] Bernache cravant | [DE] Ringelgans | [ES] Barnacla de Cara Negra | [NL] Rotgans |
Measurements
spanwidth min.: 105 cm
spanwidth max.: 117 cm
size min.: 55 cm
size max.: 62 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 24 days
incubation max.: 26 days
fledging min.: 36 days
fledging max.: 26 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 6
eggs max.: 10
Light-bellied Brent Goose
Branta bernicla hrota
Cadhan
This population winters almost entirely in Ireland, with small numbers in parts of Britain and France.
Status: Winter migrant from high-Arctic Canada. Most occur in Ireland between October and April.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed as the majority winter at less than ten sites. The Irish population is also internationally significant, another amber listing criterion. The European population has been evaluated as Vulnerable as several important populations declined.
Identification: Small dark goose, with a black head, neck and breast, and dark-brown upperparts and pale underparts. Almost whitish flanks, and small white crescent on the upperparts of the neck visible at close range.
Similar Species: Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Black Brant, Barnacle Goose
Call: Gutteral 'rhut, rhut'
Diet: During the winter, it feeds mostly on eel-grass, which grows on muddy estuaries, and also on grasslands, usually when coastal supplies have been depleted at estuarine sites.
Breeding: Nests in small, loose colonies by coastal tundra, with pools and small inlets.
Wintering: Mostly found on coastal estuaries during the autumn and early winter, and also on grasslands from mid-winter, until departure for the breeding grounds begins in late April.
Where to See: Highest numbers (c. 30,000) are seen at Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland in October, where most congregate on arrival. Thereafter, they move to other estuarine sites. Lough Foyle in County Derry, Dublin Bay in County Dublin, Tralee Bay, Lough Gill & Akeragh Lough in County Kerry, Rogerstown Estuary in County Dublin, Wexford Harbour & Slobs in County Wexford are other well-used sites (1,000-3,500 birds).
Physical characteristics
The Brant is similar in appearance to the Canada Goose, but smaller and darker. The adult has a gray belly and breast, white rump, and black neck and head with a thin white necklace and no chin-strap.
Fast fliers with swept-back wings, Brant are usually found in a flock. They forage while wading, dabbling in shallow water, or while walking on mudflats or the shore. They display strong site-fidelity to both their wintering and nesting areas.
Habitat
Brant are almost exclusively coastal in their range and are found in shallow bays and saltwater marshes. They nest in the wet, coastal tundra of the high Arctic. Their winter habitat is closely tied to the occurrence of sea grasses and marine algae.
Other details
Branta bernicla is a rare breeder in the European Arctic, but winters mainly in coastal areas of western Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global wintering range. Its European wintering population is large (>240,000 individuals), and increased between 1970-1990. Although a few populations increased or were broadly stable during 1990-2000, key wintering populations (of the subspecies B. b. bernicla) in the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands declined, and the species underwent a large decline (>30%) overall.
This goose is breeding on the arctic coasts of Eurasia and North America, mainly on small islets protected from polar foxes (Alopex lagopus). It winters along the temperate Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The birds visiting the European Union belong to three different populations (Scott & Rose). The first population, estimated at 20000 individuals, comprises the white-bellied birds of the race hrota, breeding in Greenland and northern Canada and wintering in Ireland. The second population, estimated at 5000 individuals, comprises the birds of the race hrota breeding on Svalbard and wintering in Denmark and north-eastern England. The third population, estimated at 300000 individuals, comprises the dark-bellied birds of the nominate race, breeding along the Russian coasts and wintering in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, south-western England and France. All three populations have undergone important fluctuations. The nominate race has experienced a 90% decline during the 1930s following a disease of its foodplant, Zostera marina. It has started to recover since the 1950s, and the increase is still in progress. The populations of Canada and Greenland have increased since the 1960s and seem currently to be stable. The population of Svalbard dropped from about 40000-50000 to a mere 2000 at the end of the 1960s, not only because of the disease of Zostera but also because of non sustainable hunting. Since the 1970s it has recovered
Feeding
Historically, Brant fed almost exclusively on eelgrass, which is still strongly preferred when available. Now they also forage on grasslands and have been able to diversify their diet in the absence of eelgrass, although their range is still closely tied to eelgrass. Brant also eat some aquatic invertebrates.
Conservation
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is very large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Long-term pair bonds usually form on the wintering grounds. Nesting occurs in loose colonies, on small islands in tundra ponds. The breeding range of the Brant is typically within five miles of the coast. The nest is a shallow bowl of grass and other vegetation, lined with down. The female incubates 3 to 5 eggs for 22 to 24 days. The young leave the nest within a day of hatching, and both parents continue to tend them and lead them to sources of food. During the long days of the high-Arctic summer, the young feed at all hours, and grow quickly. They fledge at 40 to 50 days, but stay with the parents through the first migration.
Migration
Single wholly migratory population. Depart Russian tundras mid-August to 1st week September. Main route west along arctic coasts to White Sea, then overland to Gulfs of Finland and Bothnia. Passage through Baltic mid-September to early October; first arrivals Denmark late September but bulk October. Some stay Denmark and western Germany through November before moving on in colder weather; others go straight to winter quarters in Netherlands, south-east England, and west France, where peak numbers December-February. Return passage begins early March; most leave England and France by mid-April. Spring gatherings in Netherlands, Denmark and western Germany until main departures in mid-May; only stragglers after mid-June.
Reino:Animalia
Filo:Chordata
Clase:Aves
Orden:Anseriformes
Familia:Anatidae
Género:Anas
Nombre común : Anade friso macho
Nombre Ingles: Gadwall Male
Nombre científico:Anas strepera
Lugar de Captura: Embalse de Talavan, Extremadura, España
Por: Cimarron mayor Panta.
Português
O ganso-do-egipto (Alopochen aegyptiacus) é uma ave anseriformes do grupo dos gansos. É também conhecido por ganso-do-nilo, ganso-raposo e em Angola por balandira. A sua área de distribuição inclui Europa e África. É especialmente comum a sul do Saara e vale do Nilo.
No século XVIII, a espécie foi introduzida na Grã-Bretanha, onde desenvolveu uma população importante. Esta espécie já colonizou também os Países Baixos, Bélgica, e Alemanha.
Os gansos-do-egipto evitam zonas densamente arborizadas, e podem ser normalmente encontrados em prados, relvados e em campos agrícolas. Passam a maioria do tempo em rios, lagos e terras alagadas. Podem ser encontrados até altitudes elevadas de cerca de 4000 m.
English
The Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) is a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is in the shelduck subfamily Tadorninae, and is the only extant member of the genus Alopochen. mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data suggest that the relationships of Alopochen to Tadorna need further investigation (Sraml et al. 1996).
This 63-73 cm long species breeds widely in Africa except in deserts and dense forests, and is locally abundant. They are found mostly in the Nile Valley and south of the Sahara. It has also been introduced elsewhere; Great Britain and the Netherlands have self-sustaining feral populations, the former dating back to the 18th century, though only formally added to the British list in 1971. In Britain, it is found mainly in East Anglia, in parkland with lakes.
This is a largely terrestrial species, which will also perch readily on trees and buildings. It swims well, and in flight looks heavy, more like a goose than a duck, hence the English name.
This species will nest in a large variety of situations, especially in holes in mature trees in parkland. Egyptian Geese usually pair for life.
The sexes of this striking species are identical in plumage, though the males average slightly larger. There is a fair amount of variation in plumage tone, with some birds greyer and others browner, but this is not sex or age related.
Egyptian geese typically eat seeds, leaves, grasses, and plant stems. Occasionally, they will eat locusts, worms, or other small animals.
Egyptian geese were considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians, and appeared in much of their artwork.
The Egyptian Goose is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
Source: Wikipedia
English Name: Greater White-fronted Goose
Scientific Name: Anser albifrons
Taxonomy: Anseriformes / Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
Male
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily: Merginae
Genus: Somateria
Species: S. mollissima
Ánade Real - Anas platyrhynchos
El ánade real o azulón (Anas platyrhynchos) es una especie de ave anseriforme de la familia Anatidae. Es un pato de superficie común y muy extendido. Habita áreas de temperatura templada de Norteamérica, Europa y Asia. También frecuenta Centroamérica y el Caribe. Probablemente es el más conocido de todos los patos.
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The Mallard or Wild Duck (Anas platyrhynchos), is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia.
The male birds have a bright green or blue head, while the female's is light brown. The Mallard lives in wetlands, eats water plants, and is gregarious. The Mallard is the ancestor of most domestic ducks, and can interbreed with other species of genus Anas. Among close relatives of the Mallard this hybridisation can cause genetic dilution, which is contributing to the decline of rarer species of ducks.
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ALBERCA DE CORTÉS (HUESCA)
Partimos de Huesca desde la calle Dr. Artero en donde comienza el antiguo camino de Cillas. Por buen camino tomamos dirección noroeste junto al río Isuela. El camino, suave y ancho, cruza por un túnel la autovia. Ahora el camino mas estrecho, va junto a una acequia y bajo la sombra de los árboles. Sin abandonar el amino principal, llegamos al Molino de Cortés, situado al pie del muro de contención de la alberca de Cortés. Tomamos el camino de la derecha en ligero y breve ascenso hasta llegar a la altura de la alberca. Esta fue construida como zona de regulación cuando se construyo el pantano de Arguis. De ahí que su nivel sea muy fluctuante estando tan pronto a rebosar como vacía. Se pueden observar gran numero de aves acuaticas escondidas entre los juncos. Precioso atardecer con el sol reflejando sobre el agua.
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Anseriformes - Anatidae - Anas - discors
©2009 by James R. Spitznas / AuLux, all rights reserved. No usage or reproduction allowed in any form without written consent.
Orden:Anseriformes
Familia:Anatidae
Subfamilia:Anatinae
Género:Amazonetta
Nombres comunes: Pato brasileño, pato cutirí o pato aliverde Alita azul, Cerceta Brasileña, Patillo, Pato cutirí
Nombre cientifico:Amazonetta brasiliensis
Nombre ingles :Brazilian Teal
Lugar de captura: El Palmar, Entre Rios, Argentina
Por: Cimarron mayor Panta4
A group of ring neck ducks and a coot on Lake Morton Lakeland Florida
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
ORDER: ANSERIFORMES
FAMILY: ANATIDAE
Cornell Lab: (www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ring-necked_Duck/id.)
The male Ring-necked Duck is a sharply marked bird of gleaming black, gray, and white. Females are rich brown with a delicate face pattern. At distance, look for this species’ distinctive, peaked head to help you identify it. Even though this species dives for its food, you can find it in shallow wetlands such as beaver swamps, ponds, and bays. Of all the diving duck species, the Ring-necked Duck is most likely to drop into small ponds during migration.
Size & Shape:
A compact diving duck with a distinctive head shape—a sloping forehead and peaked rear crown. The crown flattens when they are diving. In flight, Ring-necked Ducks appear large-headed with a thin neck and a short, round body.
Color Pattern:
Males are bold black-and-gray ducks with a dark head, black back, and gray sides with a white hash mark on the chest. Females are rich brown with a contrastingly pale cheek, a white patch near the bill, and a whitish eyering. Adult males have a prominent white ring on the bill.
Behavior:
Ring-necked Ducks are often in small flocks and pairs, diving to feed on mollusks, invertebrates, and submerged aquatic vegetation. Sometimes they flock with scaup; other times you may see them with dabbling ducks.
Habitat:
Look for Ring-necked Ducks on smaller bodies of water than other diving ducks. In winter and on migration, this can include beaver ponds, small lakes, marshes, cattle ponds, or even flooded agricultural fields across North America. Ring-necked Ducks breed in freshwater marshes, bogs, and other shallow, often acidic wetlands.
Ánade Real - Anas platyrhynchos
El ánade real o azulón (Anas platyrhynchos) es una especie de ave anseriforme de la familia Anatidae. Es un pato de superficie común y muy extendido. Habita áreas de temperatura templada de Norteamérica, Europa y Asia. También frecuenta Centroamérica y el Caribe. Probablemente es el más conocido de todos los patos.
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The Mallard or Wild Duck (Anas platyrhynchos), is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia.
The male birds have a bright green or blue head, while the female's is light brown. The Mallard lives in wetlands, eats water plants, and is gregarious. The Mallard is the ancestor of most domestic ducks, and can interbreed with other species of genus Anas. Among close relatives of the Mallard this hybridisation can cause genetic dilution, which is contributing to the decline of rarer species of ducks.
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ALBERCA DE CORTÉS (HUESCA)
Partimos de Huesca desde la calle Dr. Artero en donde comienza el antiguo camino de Cillas. Por buen camino tomamos dirección noroeste junto al río Isuela. El camino, suave y ancho, cruza por un túnel la autovia. Ahora el camino mas estrecho, va junto a una acequia y bajo la sombra de los árboles. Sin abandonar el amino principal, llegamos al Molino de Cortés, situado al pie del muro de contención de la alberca de Cortés. Tomamos el camino de la derecha en ligero y breve ascenso hasta llegar a la altura de la alberca. Esta fue construida como zona de regulación cuando se construyo el pantano de Arguis. De ahí que su nivel sea muy fluctuante estando tan pronto a rebosar como vacía. Se pueden observar gran numero de aves acuaticas escondidas entre los juncos. Precioso atardecer con el sol reflejando sobre el agua.
Scientific classification
Domain:Eukaryota
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Genus:Marmaronetta
Reichenbach, 1853
Species:M. angustirostris
Binomial name
Marmaronetta angustirostris
Physical characteristics
Small, grey-brown dabbling duck. Brownish body flecked with creamy-brown. Dark eye-patch and broad eye-stripe from eye to nape. No speculum. Elegant shape, slightly crested appearance and long neck and wings. Female slightly smaller. Characteristic low, slow flight. Similar spp. Pintail Anas acuta female is larger, lacks eye-patch and has scalloped flanks. Voice Squeaking jeep uttered by displaying males. Otherwise relatively silent.
Habitat
Habitat needs are poorly understood. Marbled Teal mainly use shallow, eutrophic wetlands, typically with dense emergent and submerged vegetation. Fresh to saline wetlands are used, but there is some evidence of a preference for slightly brackish sites. More permanent wetlands seem to be favoured for breeding while newly flooded areas seem to be preferred outside the breeding season. Phragmites, glasswort (e.g. Salicornia) or Typha are typically dominant in favoured wetlands, especially when they offer densely vegetated, shallow areas that provide good cover. Many temporary wetlands that flood only in years of high rainfall are used throughout the life-cycle. This is particularly true in North Africa, where some of the most important breeding sites are dry in most years.
Other details
The current global distribution of the Marbled Teal is fragmented, with major centres of distribution in the western Mediterranean and tropical Africa (Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Mali, Nigeria and Chad), the eastern Mediterranean (Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Syria) and western and southern Asia (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russian Federation, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China). The first and last of these regional populations are found partly within the western Palearctic, while the second lies wholly within it. The movements that occur within and between these regional populations are very poorly understood and open to speculation. The only ringing data for Marbled Teal comes from the western Mediterranean.
On the basis of recent midwinter counts, the current world wintering population of Marbled Teal has been conservatively estimated at 34,000 birds. The western Mediterranean/tropical African population can be estimated at 3,000, with a 1993 count of 2,435 in Morocco and Algeria and several hundred birds probably wintering in tropical Africa. The eastern Mediterranean wintering population must be at least 600, given the fact that 200 pairs or more currently breed in Turkey and Israel. The south-west and southern Asian wintering population can be conservatively estimated at 30,000, with a 1992 count of 26,275 in Iran and Pakistan. Numbers present at many potential wintering sites in Asia are still unknown, particularly in Iraq, Afghanistan and the former Soviet Union, and this population is likely to have been underestimated.
The actual total world population immediately prior to the destruction of the marshes of southern Iraq was most likely to lie in the range 34,000-40,000, with a total breeding population of 8,000-13,000 pairs. Like those of other duck species, Marbled Teal populations must fluctuate considerably from one year to the next, and the above figures refer to estimates of peak population size within the range of current fluctuations. There are insufficient data to estimate the lower limit of this range, but it is likely to be less than 50% of the peak population. However, these figures for population size may already be out of date and a population crash is likely to result from the destruction of the Iraqi marshes since 1991, as this area may have supported over 10,000 Marbled Teal in the breeding season. Most birds breeding in Iraq were thought to winter in Iran, and there is evidence for such a population crash from the extremely low recent winter counts from Iran of 5,021 in 1993 and 1,919 in 1994.
Feeding
The very few data on diet indicate a mixture of invertebrates and plant material (seed, shoots, leaves, roots, tubers) being taken. Marbled Teal feed mainly by dabbling, with upending observed very occasionally. Feeding activity is concentrated in beds of submerged macrophytes when these are available. The filter in the bill is not very fine, suggesting that Marbled Teal do not feed on plankton.
Conservation
This species appears to have suffered a rapid population decline, evidenced in its core wintering range, as a result of widespread and extensive habitat destruction. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable. However, data are scarce and some birds may have relocated to alternative wintering sites. Apparent increases in the western Mediterranean population probably reflect improved observer coverage rather than genuine changes. This population has suffered a long-term decline and widespread loss of habitat [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
The mating system is monogamous, but is still poorly understood. Very few paired birds are observed in winter, and pairing occurs in early spring. The species is sexually monomorphic, and field observations in Spain suggest that males remain with females and their broods, playing a guarding role. The timing of nesting is variable, with 4-14 eggs laid from late April to the first half of July. Incubation takes 25-27 days. The time from hatching to fledging has not been recorded, but is probably 8-9 weeks. Brood amalgamation has often been observed, up to 32 ducklings having been recorded with one female. Communal nesting was formerly known.
Migration
Migratory and dispersive, but little understood in virtual absence of ringing. Apparently irregular at times, according to availability of shallow waters. Spanish breeders leave marismas temporarily in late summer; many records September to north-east near coasts and in Ebro delta.
The Marbled Teal is migratory across its range in the sense that it undergoes frequent movements across national frontiers. But it is largely nomadic, making unpredictable, non-cyclical and opportunistic movements in relation to rainfall and flooding patterns. Which themselves are highly unpredictable over most of the range. There is a general migration southwards in winter, but the timing and extent of such movements varies considerably between years .
There are very few data on moult behavior, but there is probably a full, flightless moult in late summer, followed by a partial moult into breeding plumage in late autumn/early winter, as with other dabbling ducks and pochards. Moulting flocks have been reported in Tunisia in the first half of July, while 10 moulting birds were reported in Uzbekistan on 17 June 1982.
Two white-tailed deer disturb a flock of Canada geese in a field, causing them to fly away at Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary in Upper Marlboro, Md., on Dec. 3, 2010. (Photo by Alicia Pimental/Chesapeake Bay Program)
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Belmullet Co.Mayo 24-12-2020
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsis
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Branta leucopsis | [UK] Barnacle Goose | [FR] Bernache nonnette | [DE] Nonnengans | [ES] Barnacla de Cara Blanca | [IT] Oca dalla faccia bianca | [NL] Brandgans | [IRL] Gé ghiúrainn
spanwidth min.: 120 cm
spanwidth max.: 142 cm
size min.: 58 cm
size max.: 70 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 24 days
incubation max.: 25 days
fledging min.: 40 days
fledging max.: 45 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 3
eggs max.: 6
Status: Local winter visitor from Greenland, occurring in Ireland between October & April.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed in Ireland as the majority winter at less than ten sites. The European population is considered to be Secure.
Identification: Small compact goose, with small rounded head and short black bill. It has a black neck and breast and mostly-white head, barred grey upperparts and pale underparts. Identified in flight by a strong contrast between the black breast and the whitish belly.
Similar Species: Other goose species, such as Brent Goose.
Call: High-pitched monosyllabic shrill or bark.
Diet: Primarily grazers, feeding on grasses and sedges on the tundra during the breeding season, and on coastal pastures during the winter.
Breeding: Irish Barnacle Geese breed in Greenland. The species also breeds in Siberia, as well as in increasing numbers around the Baltic Sea.
Wintering: Winters in western Scotland and Ireland. Mostly on remote islands in the northwest Ireland and western Scotland where it is relatively free from disturbance. Highly gregarious.
Where to See: The most important sites are the Inishkea Islands in County Mayo and Ballintemple in County Sligo, each supporting over 2,500 birds. Trawbreaga Bay in County Donegal, Malin Head in County Donegal and Rathlin O’Birne in County Donegal also support relatively large flocks (usually 500-800 birds).
Bar-headed Goose - Oies à tête barrées (Anser indicus)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Anser
Species: A. indicus
Binomial name : Anser indicus
(Latham, 1790)
Synonyms: Eulabeia indica
Kowloon Park - Hong-Kong
Located in the central zone of Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong, Kowloon Park is one of the largest parks in Kowloon, covering an area of about 13.5 hectares (about 33 acres). It is said to be the 'green lung' at the centre of city.
The park was opened by the then Governor, Sir David Trench on June 24th. In 1989, it was rebuilt, funded by the former Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club at a cost of about HK$300 million.
The park was built in a classical Chinese style, and is visited by many tourists. Flowers and trees are plenty in the park. There is an attractive variety of rarely-seen beautiful birds and flowers.
The park boasts an abundance of scenic spots and enough establishments for tourists to enjoy themselves. The scenic spots mainly include the Maze Garden, Color Garden, Chinese Garden, Roof Gardens, Banyan Court and Bird Lake. And the establishments comprise a mini soccer pitch, the Fitness Trail, Children's Playground, Discovery Playground, Sculpture Walk & Sculpture Garden, a piazza, an aviary, a swimming pool and a sports center. The swimming pool is one of the best equipped in Hong Kong and can hold 1,500 people.
From 07:30 to 09:30 on Fridays, the park provides the activity of watching birds for tourists free of charge. The gathering point is at the arcade of the park. And from 14:30 to 16:30 on Sundays, there are free performances on the Sculpture Walk, including lion/dragon dance and different disciplines of martial arts. Additionally, from 13:00 to 19:00 on Sundays and public holidays, at the loggia of the park exit, there are many stalls selling Chinese traditional handworks, calligraphy and many other souvenirs.
Next to the park is the Park Lane Shopper's Boulevard which imitates the American style. The shops there mainly sell the clothes from the native or abroad, which are very popular with the young people. After shopping, you can go to the park and find a comfortable place for a rest.
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Camera: Canon EOS 30D
Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 85 mm
ISO Speed: 200
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Flash: Off
File Size: 2.9 MB
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Encoding Process: Baseline DCT, Huffman coding
Bits Per Sample: 8
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X-Resolution: 350 dpi
Y-Resolution: 350 dpi
Orientation: Horizontal (normal)
Software: Digital Photo Professional
Date and Time (Modified): 2009:04:07 11:04:00
YCbCr Positioning: Centered
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White Balance: Manual
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Date and Time (Original): 2009:04:07 11:04:00
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Viewing Conditions Illuminant Type: D50
Measurement Observer: CIE 1931
Measurement Flare: 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant: D65
Reino:Animalia
Filo:Chordata
Clase:Aves
Orden:Anseriformes
Familia:Anatidae
Género:Anas
Nombre común : Anade friso macho
Nombre Ingles: Gadwall Male
Nombre científico:Anas strepera
Lugar de Captura: Embalse de Talavan, Extremadura, España
Por: Cimarron mayor Panta.
A flock of Canada geese flies at sunrise at Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary in Upper Marlboro, Md., on Dec. 3, 2010. (Photo by Matt Rath/Chesapeake Bay Program)
USAGE REQUEST INFORMATION
The Chesapeake Bay Program's photographic archive is available for media and non-commercial use at no charge.
To request permission, send an email briefly describing the proposed use to requests@chesapeakebay.net. Please do not attach jpegs. Instead, reference the corresponding Flickr URL of the image.
A photo credit mentioning the Chesapeake Bay Program is mandatory. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way or used in any way that suggests approval or endorsement of the Chesapeake Bay Program. Requestors should also respect the publicity rights of individuals photographed, and seek their consent if necessary.
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Anas strepera | [UK] Gadwall | [FR] Canard chipeau | [DE] Schnatterente | [ES] Ánade Friso | [IT] Canapiglia | [NL] Krakeend | [IRL] Gadual
spanwidth min.: 78 cm
spanwidth max.: 90 cm
size min.: 46 cm
size max.: 56 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 24 days
incubation max.: 26 days
fledging min.: 45 days
fledging max.: 50 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 8
eggs max.: 12
Status: Scarce resident at wetlands mainly in the south and east of Ireland.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed due to its small breeding population, as well as the localised wintering population (less than ten sites). The European population of Gadwall has been assessed as Depleted, due to a large historical decline.
Identification: Large, but slightly smaller than Mallard. Small white speculum prominent in adult male. Males with brown head, black stern and grey body. Females similar to Mallard, though whitish belly, small white speculum, an orange, even stripe along the cutting edge of the bill.
Similar Species: Mallard and other duck species.
Call: Males with short, croaking 'ahrk' and high-pitched whistling 'pee' in courtship. Females with quacking call similar to Mallard.
Diet: They feed on a mixed diet of seeds, insects and aquatic vegetation.
Breeding: Nest on a variety of freshwater and brackish wetlands, especially shallow lakes with abundant emergent vegetation, slow moving rivers and marshes.
Wintering: Localised wintering distribution at a variety of inland and coastal sites.
Where to See: Loughs Neagh & Beg in County Antrim, Tacumshin Lake in County Wexford, Lady's Island Lake in County Wexford, Strangford Lough in County Down and the Corofin Wetlands in County Clare are among the top sites (each supporting 80- 150 birds).
Physical characteristics
Gadwalls are medium-sized ducks characterized by a general lack of bright coloration. Males are gray-brown, with a white belly, and a black rump. In flight, a white speculum and chestnut and black portions on the wing coverts are displayed. The bill is slate-gray and the legs and feet are yellow. The male utters a short "nheck" and a low whistle. Female gadwalls are similar to males, but have a mottled brown appearance, a yellowish bill with dark spots, and a smaller white speculum. She utters a repeated "gag-ag-ag-ag-ag" higher in pitch than the mallard.
Habitat
Female gadwall nest in fields and meadows, and on islands and dikes in wetlands. They are found in reservoirs, farm ponds, and coastal fresh and brackish marshes.
Other details
A species breeding in the temperate regions of North America and Eurasia. The breeding populations of the western parts of the European Union are more or less sedentary, but they are increased in winter by migratory birds from the Baltic region. This population is totalling 30000 individuals, and seems to have increased during the last decades (Scott & Rose). The birds breeding in Greece or visiting Greece in winter belong to a more oriental population, estimated at 75000-150000 individuals but currently declining
Feeding
Aquatic vegetation makes up the majority of the gadwall's diet. As a result, they are often found feeding far from the shoreline, in deeper water than most other dabbling ducks. Gadwall up-end to feed on leafy portions of pondweeds, naiad, widgeon grass, water milfoil, and algae and the seeds of pondweeds, smartweeds, bulrush, and spike rush. They also feed on aquatic invertebrates, such as crustaceans and midges.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 10,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 3,800,000-4,400,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Gadwall breed near seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands, mainly in the shortgrass, tallgrass, and mixed prairie regions of the US and Canada. Substantial numbers also breed in wetland habitats of the Great Basin. Gadwall tend to begin breeding later than most ducks. Female gadwall nest in fields and meadows, and on islands and dikes in wetlands and lay an average of 7 to 12 eggs.
Migration
Partially migratory; northernmost breeding birds descend to lower latitudes in winter, but breeders of more temperate regions mostly sedentary.
Order:
Anseriformes
Family:
Anatidae
Genus:
Cygnus
Scientific:
Cygnus olor
Citation:
(Gmelin, JF, 1789)
Reference:
Syst.Nat. 1 pt2 p.502
Protonym:
Anas Olor
Avibase ID:
694C127A5D849FFE
Short link:
Taxonomic Serial Number:
TSN: 174985
Afrikaans: Swaan, Witswaan
Arabic: الإوز العراقي, التم الأخرس
Asturian: Cisne, Cisñe, Cisnie
Azerbaijani: Fısıldayan qu quşu
Belarusian: Лебедзь-шыпун
Bulgarian: Ням лебед
Breton: Alarc'h, An alarc'h roueel
Catalan: Cigne mut
Catalan (Balears): Cigne mut
Montenegrin: crvenokljuni labud
Czech: labu velká, Labut velká, Labuť velká
Welsh: Alarch dôf, Alarch mud
Danish: Knopsvane
German: Hockerschwan, Höckerschwan, Höckerschwann
Greek: (Βουβός) Κύκνος, Κύκνος
Greek (Cypriot): Κύκνος
English: Mute Swan, White Swan
English (IOC): Mute Swan
Esperanto: Muta cigno
Spanish: Cisne muto, Cisne real, Cisne Vulgar
Spanish (Spain): Cisne Vulgar
Spanish (HBW): Cisne vulgar
Spanish (Mexico): Cisne Mudo
Estonian: Kühmnokk-luik
Basque: Beltxarga arrunta, Cigne mut
Persian: قوی گنگ
Finnish: Kyhmyjoutsen
Faroese: Knópsvanur
French: Cygne muet, Cygne taberculé, Cygne tuberculé
Irish: Eala Bhalbh
Gaelic: Eala
Galician: Cigne mut, Cisne mudo
Manx: Ollay
Hebrew: ברבור אילם, ברבור מצוי
Croatian: Crvenokljuni Labud
Hungarian: Bütykös hattyú
Armenian: [Tshshan Karap ], Թժժան Կարապ, Թշշան Կարապ
Icelandic: Hnúðsvanur
Italian: Cigno muto, Cigno reale
Japanese: kobu haku-chō, kobuhakuchou, Kobu-hakuchou
Japanese: コブハクチョウ
Japanese (Kanji): 瘤白鳥
Georgian: სისინა (წითელნისკარტა) გედი, სისინა გედი, წითელნისკარტა გედი
Kazakh: Сыбырлақ аққу
Kazakh (Transliteration): sıbırlaq aq-qw
Korean: 혹고니, 흑고니
Korean (Transliteration): hok-goni
Scientific: Anas Olor, Cygnus bicolor, Cygnus olor, Sthenelides olor
Luxembourgish: Schwan , Schwunn
Lithuanian: Gulbe nebyle, Gulbė nebylė
Latvian: Paugurknābja gulbis
Macedonian: Нем (Црвеноклун) лебед, црвеноклун лебед
Mongolian: Хуруут хун
Mongolian (Bichig): ᠬᠣᠷᠣᠭᠣᠲᠣ ᠬᠣᠨ
Mongolian (Bichig, Inner Mongolia): ᠬᠣᠷᠣᠭᠣᠲᠣ ᠬᠣᠨ
Mongolian (Cyrillic, Inner Mongolia): Толбот хун, Торомт хун, Хуруут хун
Mongolian (Transliteration): khuruut khuŋ, tolbot khuŋ, toromt khuŋ
Moldavian: Lebădă de vară
Maltese: Cinju, Ċinju Mutu
Dutch: Knobbel zwaan, Knobbelzwaan
Norwegian Nynorsk: Knoppsvane
Norwegian: Knoppsvane, Tamsvane
Polish: labedz niemy, Łabędź niemy
Pinyin: chì-zuǐ tiān-é, liú hú, liú-bí tiān-é, yǎ-shēng tiān-é, yóu-bí tiān-é
Portuguese: cisne mudo, Cisne-mudo, Cisne-vulgar
Portuguese (Portugal): Cisne-mudo
Romansh: Cign dumesti
Romanian: Lebădă de vară
Russian: Lebed-shipun, Лебедь шипун, Лебедь-шипун, Лебедь-Шипут
Northern Sami: boallonjukča, Buggenjun'njukcá
Slovak: labuť hrbozobá, Labuť veľká, veľká hrbozobá
Slovenian: labod grbec
Albanian: Mjelma me xhunge, Mjelma me xhungë
Serbian: crvenokljuni labud, Labud grbac, Црвеноклјуни лабуд
Swedish: Knölsvan
Thai: หงส์ใบ้
Turkish: Kuğu, Kuşu, Ötücü Kuğu Kuşu, Сыбырлақ аққу
Ukrainian: Лебідь-шипун
Chinese: 哑声天鹅, 疣鼻天鵝, 疣鼻天鹅, 瘤鹄, 瘤鼻天鹅, 赤嘴天鹅
Chinese (Traditional): 啞聲天鵝, 疣鼻天鵝, 疣鼻天鵝〔赤嘴天鵝〕, 瘤鵠, 瘤鼻天鵝, 赤嘴天鵝
Chinese (Taiwan, Traditional): 疣鼻天鵝, 瘤鵠
Chinese (Taiwan): 疣鼻天鹅, 瘤鹄
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Anser anser | [UK] Greylag Goose | [FR] Oie cendrée | [DE] Graugans | [ES] Ánsar Común | [IT] Oca selvatica | [NL] Grauwe Gans | [IRL] Gé Ghlas
spanwidth min.: 149 cm
spanwidth max.: 168 cm
size min.: 74 cm
size max.: 84 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 27 days
incubation max.: 28 days
fledging min.: 50 days
fledging max.: 60 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 4
eggs max.: 8
Status: Winter migrant, with Icelandic birds between November & April. Feral birds are present year round.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed in Ireland as the majority of the population winters at less than ten sites. The European population is considered to be Secure.
Identification: Large bulky grey goose, with pinkish-orange bill and dull pink legs. Plumage is plain grey/brown. Some with thin white rim at the base of the bill, and many with dark marks on the belly.
Similar Species: Other goose species, especially Greenland White-fronted and Pink-footed.
Call: Nasal cackling noise, trisyllabic, with the first higher pitched.
Diet: Greylag Geese used to concentrate more on estuaries, where they fed on the roots of rushes and sedges. Arable farming in Scotland increased during the post- war years, and appeared to coincide with increasing numbers of Greylag Geese switching to feed on arable farmland. Greylag Geese currently feed mostly on cereal stubble and grassland in their wintering areas.
Breeding: Breeds by lakes and reservoirs, with the nest site often close to water and hidden in reeds or other waterside vegetation. Nests in pairs, but locally colonially.
Wintering: The Icelandic population winters in Scotland and Ireland, occurring mostly at coastal sites. Highly gregarious.
Where to See: Icelandic birds occur at seven main locations where they are mostly seen in large numbers (up to 3,000, but usually in low hundreds) feeding on grasslands. The feral population is more widespread, occurring usually in smaller numbers, usually less than 10, throughout the country. Lough Swilly in County Donegal, Braganstown in County Louth, Poulaphouca Reservoir in County Wicklow, Mountseskin/Gortlum in County Dublin and the River Suir Lower in County Waterford are among the top sites. There are many other sites that support Greylag Geese of feral origin. Their range is much more widespread. Large numbers occur at Lough Neagh and Strangford Lough.
Physical characteristics
Different from outer geese basically uniform coloration of body and bill, his bill less black marks, sometimes black spots or blotches present on belly. Juvenile generally less strongly patterned dorsally and overall has more mottled plumage. Subspecies rubrirostris has pink bill and paler plumage.
Habitat
Generally associated with water in open country, often with fringe vegetation or near grasslands. Winters in swamps, lakes and coastal lagoons, or on farmland in open country.
Other details
This goose inhabits the temperate and boreal regions of Europe and Asia. The birds visiting the European Union belong more or less to five distinct populations (Scott & Rose). The first population comprises the sedentary birds of north-western Scotland. It has nearly doubled during the last 20 years and is currently amounting to 5250 individuals. The second population is breeding in Iceland and wintering in Scotland, northern England and Ireland. It increased from 25000 in 1950 to 100000 currently. The third population is breeding in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Western Germany the Netherlands and Belgium, and wintering from the Netherlands to Spain and Morocco. From 30000 at the end of the 1960's, it increased to 200000 currently. The fourth population is breeding in north-eastern Sweden, Finland, the Baltic States and Central Europe, transiting in Italy and wintering in Tunisia and Algeria. It is estimated at 20000 individuals and seems to be quite stable. The fifth population is breeding in the Black Sea regions and Turkey. It reaches northern Greece, and can be estimated at 25000 individuals. Its trends are not well known, but it is probably declining
Feeding
Various plants: roots, leaves, stems and seeds also fruits, grain, potatoes and sprouting cereals in winter,. Forages mostly by grazing on dry land, but also on water, where it sometimes upends.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 920,000-970,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Eggs are layed form March-April in loose colonies. Shallow nest of reed stems and grass, lined with down, among reedbeds, on ground or in trees. The Clutch size is 4-6 eggs and incubation lasts 27-28 days. Chicks have brownish olive down yellow below. This Goose reaches sexual maturity in 3 years. Although greylag geese Anser anser establish long-term monogamous pairbonds, some of the existing pairs do split up (divorce) and new pairs are formed during the annual spring mating period.
During the incubation period the gander stays close to the nest, and when the goslings a few days old leave the nest they are cared for by both parents, at this time small family groups may be formed. The gander will aggressively protect goslings and nest and an intruder will be met by hissing and threatening attitudes or may be attacked.
Migration
A few populations sedentary but most birds move southwards to winter in traditional sites at lower latitudes; many European birds follow French coast and concentrate in large numbers, up to 80,000 in Dec/Jan, in Donana marshes, SW Spain. Irregular occurrences often depend on extent of icing during particular winter.
1/24/08
Des Moines Marina, Des Moines, Washington, U.S.A.
Melanitta perspicillata, male.
Hanging out near the pier at the marina.
Kingdom: Animalia (Animals)
Phylum: Chordata (Chordates)
Subphylum: Vertebrata (Vertebrates)
Class: Aves (Birds)
Subclass: Neognathae (Neognath Birds)
Infraclass: Galloanserae (Geese, Ducks, Quails, Pheasants & Relatives)
Order: Anseriformes (Ducks, Geese, Swans & Relatives)
Family: Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)
Subfamily: Anatinae (Ducks, Teals & Relatives)
Genus: Melanitta (Scoters)
Species: perspicillata
(Melanitta perspicillata) Surf Scoter
(Aythya ferina)
Afurada -Gaia
Portugal
15/12/2009
==================***==================
All my photos are now organized into sets by the country where they were taken, by taxonomic order, by family, by species (often with just one photo for the rarer ones), and by the date they were taken.
So, you may find:
- All the photos for this order ANSERIFORMES
- All the photos for this family Anatidae (Anatídeos)
- All the photos for this species Aythya ferina
==================***==================
Bernier's Teal at the Betsiboka estuary, Mahajunga, Madagascar, 131125. Anas bernieri . Anseriformes: Anatidae. AKA Madagascar Teal.
1/1/08
Lincoln Park, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
Mergus serrator
Just off shore at the park.
Kingdom: Animalia (Animals)
Phylum: Chordata (Chordates)
Subphylum: Vertebrata (Vertebrates)
Class: Aves (Birds)
Subclass: Neognathae (Neognath Birds)
Infraclass: Galloanserae (Geese, Ducks, Quails, Pheasants & Relatives)
Order: Anseriformes (Waterfowl)
Family: Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)
Subfamily: Anatinae (Ducks, Teals & Relatives)
Genus: Mergus (Greater Mergansers)
Species: serrator
(Mergus serrator) Red-breasted Merganser
Orden:Anseriformes
Familia:Anatidae
Género:Aix
Nombre común: Pato mandarín macho
Nombre científico:Aix galericulata
Nombre en Ingles:Mandarín Duck male
Lugar de Captura. Beijing, China
Por: Cimarron mayor Panta.
Orden:Anseriformes
Familia:Anatidae
Subfamilia:Anatinae
Género:Amazonetta
Nombres comunes: Pato brasileño, pato cutirí o pato aliverde Alita azul, Cerceta Brasileña, Patillo, Pato cutirí
Nombre cientifico:Amazonetta brasiliensis
Nombre ingles :Brazilian Teal
Lugar de captura: El Palmar, Entre Rios, Argentina
Por: Cimarron mayor Panta
Red Wing Blackbird (Juvenile) and Mallard Duck (Juvenile) - Gillies Lale Conservation Area - Timmins Ontario Canada
Red Wing Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteridae
Mallard Duck - Anas platyrhynchos Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Anas strepera | [UK] Gadwall | [FR] Canard chipeau | [DE] Schnatterente | [ES] Ánade Friso | [IT] Canapiglia | [NL] Krakeend | [IRL] Gadual
spanwidth min.: 78 cm
spanwidth max.: 90 cm
size min.: 46 cm
size max.: 56 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 24 days
incubation max.: 26 days
fledging min.: 45 days
fledging max.: 50 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 8
eggs max.: 12
Status: Scarce resident at wetlands mainly in the south and east of Ireland.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed due to its small breeding population, as well as the localised wintering population (less than ten sites). The European population of Gadwall has been assessed as Depleted, due to a large historical decline.
Identification: Large, but slightly smaller than Mallard. Small white speculum prominent in adult male. Males with brown head, black stern and grey body. Females similar to Mallard, though whitish belly, small white speculum, an orange, even stripe along the cutting edge of the bill.
Similar Species: Mallard and other duck species.
Call: Males with short, croaking 'ahrk' and high-pitched whistling 'pee' in courtship. Females with quacking call similar to Mallard.
Diet: They feed on a mixed diet of seeds, insects and aquatic vegetation.
Breeding: Nest on a variety of freshwater and brackish wetlands, especially shallow lakes with abundant emergent vegetation, slow moving rivers and marshes.
Wintering: Localised wintering distribution at a variety of inland and coastal sites.
Where to See: Loughs Neagh & Beg in County Antrim, Tacumshin Lake in County Wexford, Lady's Island Lake in County Wexford, Strangford Lough in County Down and the Corofin Wetlands in County Clare are among the top sites (each supporting 80- 150 birds).
Physical characteristics
Gadwalls are medium-sized ducks characterized by a general lack of bright coloration. Males are gray-brown, with a white belly, and a black rump. In flight, a white speculum and chestnut and black portions on the wing coverts are displayed. The bill is slate-gray and the legs and feet are yellow. The male utters a short "nheck" and a low whistle. Female gadwalls are similar to males, but have a mottled brown appearance, a yellowish bill with dark spots, and a smaller white speculum. She utters a repeated "gag-ag-ag-ag-ag" higher in pitch than the mallard.
Habitat
Female gadwall nest in fields and meadows, and on islands and dikes in wetlands. They are found in reservoirs, farm ponds, and coastal fresh and brackish marshes.
Other details
A species breeding in the temperate regions of North America and Eurasia. The breeding populations of the western parts of the European Union are more or less sedentary, but they are increased in winter by migratory birds from the Baltic region. This population is totalling 30000 individuals, and seems to have increased during the last decades (Scott & Rose). The birds breeding in Greece or visiting Greece in winter belong to a more oriental population, estimated at 75000-150000 individuals but currently declining
Feeding
Aquatic vegetation makes up the majority of the gadwall's diet. As a result, they are often found feeding far from the shoreline, in deeper water than most other dabbling ducks. Gadwall up-end to feed on leafy portions of pondweeds, naiad, widgeon grass, water milfoil, and algae and the seeds of pondweeds, smartweeds, bulrush, and spike rush. They also feed on aquatic invertebrates, such as crustaceans and midges.
Breeding
Gadwall breed near seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands, mainly in the shortgrass, tallgrass, and mixed prairie regions of the US and Canada. Substantial numbers also breed in wetland habitats of the Great Basin. Gadwall tend to begin breeding later than most ducks. Female gadwall nest in fields and meadows, and on islands and dikes in wetlands and lay an average of 7 to 12 eggs.
Migration
Partially migratory; northernmost breeding birds descend to lower latitudes in winter, but breeders of more temperate regions mostly sedentary.
(Mergus serrator)
Afurada - Gaia
Portugal
==================***==================
All my photos are now organized into sets by the country where they were taken, by taxonomic order, by family, by species (often with just one photo for the rarer ones), and by the date they were taken.
So, you may find:
- All the photos for this order ANSERIFORMES
- All the photos for this family Anatidae (Anatídeos)
- All the photos for this species Mergus serrator
==================***==================
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Cygnus cygnus | [UK] Whooper Swan | [FR] Cygne chanteur | [DE] Singschwan | [ES] Cisne Cantor | [IT] Cigno selvatico | [NL] Wilde Zwaan | [IRL] Eala Ghlórach
spanwidth min.: 205 cm
spanwidth max.: 235 cm
size min.: 140 cm
size max.: 160 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 31 days
incubation max.: 42 days
fledging min.: 78 days
fledging max.: 96 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 3
eggs max.: 5
Physical characteristics
Size is similar to the Mute Swan, but there are noticeable differences. Whooper Swans have a yellow and black beak, a more rigid neck bearing in activiy as well as at rest, and, finally, their wings produce a musical sound when they fly. Their feathers are entirely white and their webbed feet are black. Juveniles show a greyish brown plumage. After one year, they get their adult one.
The Whooper Swan can also be mistaken for the Bewick Swan whose he's very close. There are two ways to differentiate them: the Whooper Swan is much bigger, with a longer neck and a more angulous head, and the beak's yellow/black layout is different. While the Whooper's Swan beak looks globally yellow with just a black tip, the Bewick's Swan's one is mainly black with a yellow base, sometimes half yellow, half black. Unlike the Mute Swan, it never raises its wings above its back when it swims and its neck is straighter.
Habitat
Winters on low agricultural land, generally not far from coast. Breeds in northern zones, on shallow fresh waters: pools, lakes and rivers in wooded country. Rarely in tundra.
Other details
Cygnus cygnus breeds mainly in Iceland, Fennoscandia and northern Russia, but winters patchily across much of Europe, which constitutes >50% of its global wintering range. Its European wintering population is relatively large (>65,000 individuals), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in a handful of countries during 1990-2000, most European wintering populations-including key ones in Denmark and Germany-were broadly stable or increased, and the species underwent a large increase overall.
Whooper Swans nest mainly in Eurasian boreal regions. They split in three distinct groups. The most occidental one, with a stable population of about 16 000 individuals, nests in Iceland. The central one nests in Scandinavia and Occidental Russia. It is estimated at 59 000 individuals, regularly increasing. The most oriental group is located in Siberia. Its population, estimated at 17 000 individuals, is probably decreasing. These groups migrate south beginning autumn with the first cold days. The occidental group leaves Iceland for the British Isles, North Sea and Channel coasts, as far as the farthest point of Brittany. The oriental group sets up on Caspian and Black Sea shores. The Scandinavian group is the one that has the shortest migration. During winter, Whooper Swans, like Bewick Swans, spend a great deal of time grazing.
Feeding
Essentially vegetarian. It eats aquatic plants and uses all parts of it (stems, leaves, roots, shoots). It also graze in prairies, like geese. It may eat small invertebrates, but it's a minor part of their diet.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 10,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 180,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Pairs unite for lifetime. Males are very active in nest building. Their nest is bulky and made essentially with stems and leaves. The bottom is covered with twigs, leaves and feathers. In April-May, the female lays 4 to 7 eggs and sits on for 5 to 6 weeks. Chicks are precocious and are carried on the female's back under the male's aggressive watch and protection. Taking flight occurs 87 to 90 days after hatching.
Migration
Migratory. Part of Icelandic population remains in winter. Migrates southwards to temperate areas, sporadically in more southern latitudes in cold winters; vagrant to USA and Pakistan.
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Anser anser | [UK] Greylag Goose | [FR] Oie cendrée | [DE] Graugans | [ES] Ánsar Común | [IT] Oca selvatica | [NL] Grauwe Gans | [IRL] Gé Ghlas
spanwidth min.: 149 cm
spanwidth max.: 168 cm
size min.: 74 cm
size max.: 84 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 27 days
incubation max.: 28 days
fledging min.: 50 days
fledging max.: 60 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 4
eggs max.: 8
Status: Winter migrant, with Icelandic birds between November & April. Feral birds are present year round.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed in Ireland as the majority of the population winters at less than ten sites. The European population is considered to be Secure.
Identification: Large bulky grey goose, with pinkish-orange bill and dull pink legs. Plumage is plain grey/brown. Some with thin white rim at the base of the bill, and many with dark marks on the belly.
Similar Species: Other goose species, especially Greenland White-fronted and Pink-footed.
Call: Nasal cackling noise, trisyllabic, with the first higher pitched.
Diet: Greylag Geese used to concentrate more on estuaries, where they fed on the roots of rushes and sedges. Arable farming in Scotland increased during the post- war years, and appeared to coincide with increasing numbers of Greylag Geese switching to feed on arable farmland. Greylag Geese currently feed mostly on cereal stubble and grassland in their wintering areas.
Breeding: Breeds by lakes and reservoirs, with the nest site often close to water and hidden in reeds or other waterside vegetation. Nests in pairs, but locally colonially.
Wintering: The Icelandic population winters in Scotland and Ireland, occurring mostly at coastal sites. Highly gregarious.
Where to See: Icelandic birds occur at seven main locations where they are mostly seen in large numbers (up to 3,000, but usually in low hundreds) feeding on grasslands. The feral population is more widespread, occurring usually in smaller numbers, usually less than 10, throughout the country. Lough Swilly in County Donegal, Braganstown in County Louth, Poulaphouca Reservoir in County Wicklow, Mountseskin/Gortlum in County Dublin and the River Suir Lower in County Waterford are among the top sites. There are many other sites that support Greylag Geese of feral origin. Their range is much more widespread. Large numbers occur at Lough Neagh and Strangford Lough.
Physical characteristics
Different from outer geese basically uniform coloration of body and bill, his bill less black marks, sometimes black spots or blotches present on belly. Juvenile generally less strongly patterned dorsally and overall has more mottled plumage. Subspecies rubrirostris has pink bill and paler plumage.
Habitat
Generally associated with water in open country, often with fringe vegetation or near grasslands. Winters in swamps, lakes and coastal lagoons, or on farmland in open country.
Other details
This goose inhabits the temperate and boreal regions of Europe and Asia. The birds visiting the European Union belong more or less to five distinct populations (Scott & Rose). The first population comprises the sedentary birds of north-western Scotland. It has nearly doubled during the last 20 years and is currently amounting to 5250 individuals. The second population is breeding in Iceland and wintering in Scotland, northern England and Ireland. It increased from 25000 in 1950 to 100000 currently. The third population is breeding in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Western Germany the Netherlands and Belgium, and wintering from the Netherlands to Spain and Morocco. From 30000 at the end of the 1960's, it increased to 200000 currently. The fourth population is breeding in north-eastern Sweden, Finland, the Baltic States and Central Europe, transiting in Italy and wintering in Tunisia and Algeria. It is estimated at 20000 individuals and seems to be quite stable. The fifth population is breeding in the Black Sea regions and Turkey. It reaches northern Greece, and can be estimated at 25000 individuals. Its trends are not well known, but it is probably declining
Feeding
Various plants: roots, leaves, stems and seeds also fruits, grain, potatoes and sprouting cereals in winter,. Forages mostly by grazing on dry land, but also on water, where it sometimes upends.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 920,000-970,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Eggs are layed form March-April in loose colonies. Shallow nest of reed stems and grass, lined with down, among reedbeds, on ground or in trees. The Clutch size is 4-6 eggs and incubation lasts 27-28 days. Chicks have brownish olive down yellow below. This Goose reaches sexual maturity in 3 years. Although greylag geese Anser anser establish long-term monogamous pairbonds, some of the existing pairs do split up (divorce) and new pairs are formed during the annual spring mating period.
During the incubation period the gander stays close to the nest, and when the goslings a few days old leave the nest they are cared for by both parents, at this time small family groups may be formed. The gander will aggressively protect goslings and nest and an intruder will be met by hissing and threatening attitudes or may be attacked.
Migration
A few populations sedentary but most birds move southwards to winter in traditional sites at lower latitudes; many European birds follow French coast and concentrate in large numbers, up to 80,000 in Dec/Jan, in Donana marshes, SW Spain. Irregular occurrences often depend on extent of icing during particular winter.