Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) One Of Three Birds

End Of West Pier Howth, Co.Dublin Ireland

24th/Dec/2017

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Emberizidae | [latin] Plectrophenax nivalis | [UK] Snow Bunting | [FR] Bruant des neiges | [DE] Schneeammer | [ES] Escribano Nival | [IT] Zigolo delle nevi | [NL] Sneeuwgors

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 30 cm

spanwidth max.: 33 cm

size min.: 14 cm

size max.: 16 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 13 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 13 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

Physical characteristics

Snow Buntings are unmistakable medium sized sparrows, with white underparts and striking black-and-white wings. The slightly larger males are entirely black and white in breeding plumage with a white head and nape. The back and rump are black; the rump is mottled with white. Wings are mostly white with the primary feathers forming large black wingtips, and there is a black spot at the wrist. The tail is black with black-tipped white outer tail feathers. The bill and feet are black.

The summer female looks much like the male, except that the black areas of the body are duller and grayish brown rather than pure black and streaked with white, and the crown and ear coverts are buffy with black streaks. The white of the wings is reduced to a patch on the inner wing.

In winter, both male and female Snow Buntings resemble the breeding female. White areas are washed with pale brown, especially about the crown, sides of the head, and breast. The black feathers of the back are edged with brown and the bill becomes yellowish orange. As with breeding plumage, males show much more white in the wings. The rusty brown feather edges of the winter plumage gradually wear away to reveal the breeding plumage.

Across their range, flocks can reach the thousands and are often in the hundreds, although in Washington, flocks are usually much smaller. These flocks move around a lot from place to place, so their winter distribution can be spotty and ever changing. As they move through a field, birds at the back of the flock fly over the rest of the group to move to the front, making it appear that the flock is rolling. Ground-foragers, Snow Buntings are found in flocks outside of the breeding season

Habitat

Breeding habitat is barren tundra with rock piles, boulder fields, and other rocky outcroppings that are used as nesting sites. In winter, Snow Buntings inhabit a variety of open lands, including short-grass prairie, farmland, beaches, and roadsides.

Other details

Plectrophenax nivalis is a widespread breeder in northernmost Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>680,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, key populations in Greenland and Norway were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

Seeds are part of the Snow Bunting's diet year round, but especially in winter. During summer, they eat more insects and spiders, and the young are fed almost entirely an invertebrate diet. Birds in coastal areas may also eat tiny crustaceans.

Breeding

The preferred nest site of Snow Buntings is a crevice or cavity among exposed rocks or boulders on the tundra. Competition for sites is intense, and males-especially older, more experienced males-arrive three to six weeks ahead of females to claim suitable territories. They defend these territories and attract mates with finchlike warbled songs heard only on the breeding range. Nests built of moss and grass and lined with feathers and fur are hidden deep within rock piles or under boulders to avoid discovery by predators. Males feed nest-bound incubating females so that the eggs may be kept constantly warm in these cool shaded nest sites. The young are fed a diet of insects and arachnids.

She incubates 3 to 9 eggs for 10 to 16 days. Rock crevices in this harsh environment can be cold places, and the male feeds the female while she is on the nest so she doesn't often need to leave the nest during incubation. Both parents help feed the young, which leave the nest at 10 to 17 days. The parents continue to feed the young for 8 to 12 days after they leave the nest, although the young start catching some of their own food within 3 to 5 days. Snow Buntings typically only raise one brood a year.

Snow Buntings breed throughout the tundra regions in the northern hemisphere. They range across northern Russia and Scandinavia, and in North America, across the Canadian high Arctic from the coastal lowlands of Greenland to Alaska and as far south as the southern limits of permafrost, and in the alpine tundra of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. In mid to late September flocks begin to migrate south, arriving in the northern parts of the winter range about the third week of October and the southern areas about a month later.

Migration

Partially migratory to migratory, many birds wintering far south of circumpolar breeding range; northernmost areas are vacated. In Europe, winters mostly in coastal areas and on inland plains. Numbers vary greatly from year to year, and also fluctuate over long periods. Present in Iceland all year, by far the commonest wintering passerine.

Autumn movement prolonged, September-December, with most passage records October-November. Spring movement northward begins early or mid-February. Leaves southern France February-March; latest record 28 February in Rumania, and rare by March in Hungary. Passage peaks end of February to early or mid-March in Denmark, north-east Germany, and Poland. Reaches southern Norway mid- or late March to April, and northern Norway at beginning of May. In north-east Scotland, spring departure rapid; most birds leave in March, a few still present in 1st half of April; males depart c. 9 days before females on average.

Snow Buntings migrate in small, loose flocks. Males arrive on their Arctic breeding grounds in early April. Females follow in May, and both leave in the fall, arriving in and passing through Washington in mid-October. They winter throughout the open country of the northern United States and temperate Canada.

Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) One Of Three Birds

End Of West Pier Howth, Co.Dublin Ireland

26th/Dec/2017

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Emberizidae | [latin] Plectrophenax nivalis | [UK] Snow Bunting | [FR] Bruant des neiges | [DE] Schneeammer | [ES] Escribano Nival | [IT] Zigolo delle nevi | [NL] Sneeuwgors

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 30 cm

spanwidth max.: 33 cm

size min.: 14 cm

size max.: 16 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 13 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 13 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

Physical characteristics

Snow Buntings are unmistakable medium sized sparrows, with white underparts and striking black-and-white wings. The slightly larger males are entirely black and white in breeding plumage with a white head and nape. The back and rump are black; the rump is mottled with white. Wings are mostly white with the primary feathers forming large black wingtips, and there is a black spot at the wrist. The tail is black with black-tipped white outer tail feathers. The bill and feet are black.

The summer female looks much like the male, except that the black areas of the body are duller and grayish brown rather than pure black and streaked with white, and the crown and ear coverts are buffy with black streaks. The white of the wings is reduced to a patch on the inner wing.

In winter, both male and female Snow Buntings resemble the breeding female. White areas are washed with pale brown, especially about the crown, sides of the head, and breast. The black feathers of the back are edged with brown and the bill becomes yellowish orange. As with breeding plumage, males show much more white in the wings. The rusty brown feather edges of the winter plumage gradually wear away to reveal the breeding plumage.

Across their range, flocks can reach the thousands and are often in the hundreds, although in Washington, flocks are usually much smaller. These flocks move around a lot from place to place, so their winter distribution can be spotty and ever changing. As they move through a field, birds at the back of the flock fly over the rest of the group to move to the front, making it appear that the flock is rolling. Ground-foragers, Snow Buntings are found in flocks outside of the breeding season

Habitat

Breeding habitat is barren tundra with rock piles, boulder fields, and other rocky outcroppings that are used as nesting sites. In winter, Snow Buntings inhabit a variety of open lands, including short-grass prairie, farmland, beaches, and roadsides.

Other details

Plectrophenax nivalis is a widespread breeder in northernmost Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>680,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, key populations in Greenland and Norway were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

Seeds are part of the Snow Bunting's diet year round, but especially in winter. During summer, they eat more insects and spiders, and the young are fed almost entirely an invertebrate diet. Birds in coastal areas may also eat tiny crustaceans.

Breeding

The preferred nest site of Snow Buntings is a crevice or cavity among exposed rocks or boulders on the tundra. Competition for sites is intense, and males-especially older, more experienced males-arrive three to six weeks ahead of females to claim suitable territories. They defend these territories and attract mates with finchlike warbled songs heard only on the breeding range. Nests built of moss and grass and lined with feathers and fur are hidden deep within rock piles or under boulders to avoid discovery by predators. Males feed nest-bound incubating females so that the eggs may be kept constantly warm in these cool shaded nest sites. The young are fed a diet of insects and arachnids.

She incubates 3 to 9 eggs for 10 to 16 days. Rock crevices in this harsh environment can be cold places, and the male feeds the female while she is on the nest so she doesn't often need to leave the nest during incubation. Both parents help feed the young, which leave the nest at 10 to 17 days. The parents continue to feed the young for 8 to 12 days after they leave the nest, although the young start catching some of their own food within 3 to 5 days. Snow Buntings typically only raise one brood a year.

Snow Buntings breed throughout the tundra regions in the northern hemisphere. They range across northern Russia and Scandinavia, and in North America, across the Canadian high Arctic from the coastal lowlands of Greenland to Alaska and as far south as the southern limits of permafrost, and in the alpine tundra of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. In mid to late September flocks begin to migrate south, arriving in the northern parts of the winter range about the third week of October and the southern areas about a month later.

Migration

Partially migratory to migratory, many birds wintering far south of circumpolar breeding range; northernmost areas are vacated. In Europe, winters mostly in coastal areas and on inland plains. Numbers vary greatly from year to year, and also fluctuate over long periods. Present in Iceland all year, by far the commonest wintering passerine.

Autumn movement prolonged, September-December, with most passage records October-November. Spring movement northward begins early or mid-February. Leaves southern France February-March; latest record 28 February in Rumania, and rare by March in Hungary. Passage peaks end of February to early or mid-March in Denmark, north-east Germany, and Poland. Reaches southern Norway mid- or late March to April, and northern Norway at beginning of May. In north-east Scotland, spring departure rapid; most birds leave in March, a few still present in 1st half of April; males depart c. 9 days before females on average.

Snow Buntings migrate in small, loose flocks. Males arrive on their Arctic breeding grounds in early April. Females follow in May, and both leave in the fall, arriving in and passing through Washington in mid-October. They winter throughout the open country of the northern United States and temperate Canada.

[order] Charadriiformes | [family] Scolopacidae | [latin] Numenius arquata | [UK] Curlew | [FR] Courlis cendré | [DE] Großer Brachvogel | [ES] Zarapito Real | [IT] Chiurlo maggiore | [NL] Wulp

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 80 cm

spanwidth max.: 100 cm

size min.: 50 cm

size max.: 57 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 27 days

incubation max.: 29 days

fledging min.: 32 days

fledging max.: 38 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 5

Physical characteristics

Large greyish brown curleo with long bill and plain head pattern. Head, neck, breast and upperparts buffy brown with dark streaking, although plumage variable. Pale underwing, white rump and lower back, belly white, flanks streaked. Female averages larger, especially with longer bill. Non-breeding adult has breast and upperparts grey brown and underparts whiter. Race orientalis usually paler, with underwing coverts and axillaries largely unmarked, lower rump may be more barred and inner wing paler, but considerable overlap.

Habitat

Breeds on peat bogs, fens, upland moors, damp grassland, grassy or boggy open areas in forest, extensive farmland, swampy and dry heathland, dune valleys and coastal marshes. increasing numbers breed in meadows. In non-breeding period, chiefly on muddy coasts, bays and estuaries, also regularly on muddy shores of inland lakes and rivers. During migration, also found on wet grassland and arable fields. Males are more likely to feed in inland grassland than females.

Other details

Numenius arquata is a widespread breeder across much of northern Europe (occurring more patchily farther south), which probably holds >75% of its global breeding population. Its European breeding population is large (>220,000 pairs), but underwent a moderate decline between 1970-1990 (based mainly on wintering data). Although some smaller populations were stable or increased during 1990-2000, key populations in the United Kingdom, Finland and Russia all declined, and the species underwent a moderate decline (>10%) overall. Consequently, it is evaluated as Declining.

This large wader inhabits the temperate and boreal regions of Eurasia. European birds winter in Western Europe, the Mediterranean regions and Africa. Their total population is totalling 135000 breeding pairs, Russia not included. In many regions, especially in the south-western part of its range, this species is declining and its distribution is contracting following loss of breeding habitat

Feeding

Usually diet includes annelids, molluscs, arthropods, crustaceans, berries and seeds. Occasionally vertebrates, including amphibians, lizards, young birds, small rodents and small fish. Chiefly terrestrial insects and eartworms, especially in summer. Feeds by pecking, jabbing or deep probing in mud or damp soil. Occasionally takes food from conspecifics or other wader species. Some birds territorial on wintering grounds, others feed gregariously. Long-billed females tend to forage more on intertidal flats, feeding on molluscs, crabs and polychaetes, while shorter-billed males tend to feed more on cultivated grassland.

Breeding

Egg laying from April to May. pair bond is Monogamous. High degree of site fidelity. Nest is typically built in the open, often in grass or sedge cover. 4 eggs are laid in a single brood, incubation 28 days, by both sexes. Chick pale ochraceous buff above clouded with blackish brown, black crown and creamy buff on belly. Both parents care for young. Age of first breeding 2 years.

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Muscicapidae | [latin] Erithacus rubecula | [UK] Robin | [FR] Rougegorge familier | [DE] Rotkehlchen | [ES] Petirrojo Europeo | [IT] Pettirosso europeo | [NL] Roodborst |

[IRL) Spideog

Redbreast Ploughman's Bird Ruddock

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 20 cm

spanwidth max.: 23 cm

size min.: 12 cm

size max.: 14 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 13 days

incubation max.: 15 days

fledging min.: 11 days

fledging max.: 17 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

One of Ireland's top 5 most widespread garden birds.

Status: Resident

Conservation Concern: Green-listed in Ireland. The European population is regarded as Secure by BirdLife International.

Identification: Probably the most familiar garden bird - the bright orange-red breast and facial area make it unmistakable. Upperparts a uniform greyish brown, belly and lower breast greyish white. The bill is dark and pointed and the legs black. Can appear very plump and rounded, especially in cold weather when the bird fluffs out its feathers. Can be very confiding, often perching motionless close to gardening activity. Occasionally cocks tail briefly.

Call: Song a wispy, relatively slow series of notes ranging up and down the scale, becoming more rapid in parts - the notes rolling into each other. Somewhat melancholy - winter song even more so. Calls include a "tick" which is sometimes repeated to sound like an old clock being wound up. Also a plaintive, barely audible "seep".

Diet: Insects and some fruits, including apples. Readily comes to bird tables.

Breeding: Breeds throughout Ireland in many different habitats. Nest usually well-concealed in a bank, ivy or cavity in tree or wall. Sometimes chooses unusual location such as a hat or garment hanging in garden shed. Will use open-fronted nestboxes.

Wintering: Widespread.

Where to See: Widespread and common throughout Ireland.

Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) One Of Three Birds

End Of West Pier Howth, Co.Dublin Ireland

26th/Dec/2017

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Emberizidae | [latin] Plectrophenax nivalis | [UK] Snow Bunting | [FR] Bruant des neiges | [DE] Schneeammer | [ES] Escribano Nival | [IT] Zigolo delle nevi | [NL] Sneeuwgors

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 30 cm

spanwidth max.: 33 cm

size min.: 14 cm

size max.: 16 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 13 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 13 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

Physical characteristics

Snow Buntings are unmistakable medium sized sparrows, with white underparts and striking black-and-white wings. The slightly larger males are entirely black and white in breeding plumage with a white head and nape. The back and rump are black; the rump is mottled with white. Wings are mostly white with the primary feathers forming large black wingtips, and there is a black spot at the wrist. The tail is black with black-tipped white outer tail feathers. The bill and feet are black.

The summer female looks much like the male, except that the black areas of the body are duller and grayish brown rather than pure black and streaked with white, and the crown and ear coverts are buffy with black streaks. The white of the wings is reduced to a patch on the inner wing.

In winter, both male and female Snow Buntings resemble the breeding female. White areas are washed with pale brown, especially about the crown, sides of the head, and breast. The black feathers of the back are edged with brown and the bill becomes yellowish orange. As with breeding plumage, males show much more white in the wings. The rusty brown feather edges of the winter plumage gradually wear away to reveal the breeding plumage.

Across their range, flocks can reach the thousands and are often in the hundreds, although in Washington, flocks are usually much smaller. These flocks move around a lot from place to place, so their winter distribution can be spotty and ever changing. As they move through a field, birds at the back of the flock fly over the rest of the group to move to the front, making it appear that the flock is rolling. Ground-foragers, Snow Buntings are found in flocks outside of the breeding season

Habitat

Breeding habitat is barren tundra with rock piles, boulder fields, and other rocky outcroppings that are used as nesting sites. In winter, Snow Buntings inhabit a variety of open lands, including short-grass prairie, farmland, beaches, and roadsides.

Other details

Plectrophenax nivalis is a widespread breeder in northernmost Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>680,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, key populations in Greenland and Norway were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

Seeds are part of the Snow Bunting's diet year round, but especially in winter. During summer, they eat more insects and spiders, and the young are fed almost entirely an invertebrate diet. Birds in coastal areas may also eat tiny crustaceans.

Breeding

The preferred nest site of Snow Buntings is a crevice or cavity among exposed rocks or boulders on the tundra. Competition for sites is intense, and males-especially older, more experienced males-arrive three to six weeks ahead of females to claim suitable territories. They defend these territories and attract mates with finchlike warbled songs heard only on the breeding range. Nests built of moss and grass and lined with feathers and fur are hidden deep within rock piles or under boulders to avoid discovery by predators. Males feed nest-bound incubating females so that the eggs may be kept constantly warm in these cool shaded nest sites. The young are fed a diet of insects and arachnids.

She incubates 3 to 9 eggs for 10 to 16 days. Rock crevices in this harsh environment can be cold places, and the male feeds the female while she is on the nest so she doesn't often need to leave the nest during incubation. Both parents help feed the young, which leave the nest at 10 to 17 days. The parents continue to feed the young for 8 to 12 days after they leave the nest, although the young start catching some of their own food within 3 to 5 days. Snow Buntings typically only raise one brood a year.

Snow Buntings breed throughout the tundra regions in the northern hemisphere. They range across northern Russia and Scandinavia, and in North America, across the Canadian high Arctic from the coastal lowlands of Greenland to Alaska and as far south as the southern limits of permafrost, and in the alpine tundra of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. In mid to late September flocks begin to migrate south, arriving in the northern parts of the winter range about the third week of October and the southern areas about a month later.

Migration

Partially migratory to migratory, many birds wintering far south of circumpolar breeding range; northernmost areas are vacated. In Europe, winters mostly in coastal areas and on inland plains. Numbers vary greatly from year to year, and also fluctuate over long periods. Present in Iceland all year, by far the commonest wintering passerine.

Autumn movement prolonged, September-December, with most passage records October-November. Spring movement northward begins early or mid-February. Leaves southern France February-March; latest record 28 February in Rumania, and rare by March in Hungary. Passage peaks end of February to early or mid-March in Denmark, north-east Germany, and Poland. Reaches southern Norway mid- or late March to April, and northern Norway at beginning of May. In north-east Scotland, spring departure rapid; most birds leave in March, a few still present in 1st half of April; males depart c. 9 days before females on average.

Snow Buntings migrate in small, loose flocks. Males arrive on their Arctic breeding grounds in early April. Females follow in May, and both leave in the fall, arriving in and passing through Washington in mid-October. They winter throughout the open country of the northern United States and temperate Canada.

Hobart International Airport, Tasmania, Australia.

"A Fairy and Her Tasmanian Tiger?"

Sorry I didn't take note of the painting details. Aren't the avian creatures the Cape Barren Geese; a peculiar species of uncertain affiliations - geese, swans, but definitely can't be Dodos.

Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) One Of Three Birds

End Of West Pier Howth, Co.Dublin Ireland

26th/Dec/2017

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Emberizidae | [latin] Plectrophenax nivalis | [UK] Snow Bunting | [FR] Bruant des neiges | [DE] Schneeammer | [ES] Escribano Nival | [IT] Zigolo delle nevi | [NL] Sneeuwgors

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 30 cm

spanwidth max.: 33 cm

size min.: 14 cm

size max.: 16 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 13 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 13 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

Physical characteristics

Snow Buntings are unmistakable medium sized sparrows, with white underparts and striking black-and-white wings. The slightly larger males are entirely black and white in breeding plumage with a white head and nape. The back and rump are black; the rump is mottled with white. Wings are mostly white with the primary feathers forming large black wingtips, and there is a black spot at the wrist. The tail is black with black-tipped white outer tail feathers. The bill and feet are black.

The summer female looks much like the male, except that the black areas of the body are duller and grayish brown rather than pure black and streaked with white, and the crown and ear coverts are buffy with black streaks. The white of the wings is reduced to a patch on the inner wing.

In winter, both male and female Snow Buntings resemble the breeding female. White areas are washed with pale brown, especially about the crown, sides of the head, and breast. The black feathers of the back are edged with brown and the bill becomes yellowish orange. As with breeding plumage, males show much more white in the wings. The rusty brown feather edges of the winter plumage gradually wear away to reveal the breeding plumage.

Across their range, flocks can reach the thousands and are often in the hundreds, although in Washington, flocks are usually much smaller. These flocks move around a lot from place to place, so their winter distribution can be spotty and ever changing. As they move through a field, birds at the back of the flock fly over the rest of the group to move to the front, making it appear that the flock is rolling. Ground-foragers, Snow Buntings are found in flocks outside of the breeding season

Habitat

Breeding habitat is barren tundra with rock piles, boulder fields, and other rocky outcroppings that are used as nesting sites. In winter, Snow Buntings inhabit a variety of open lands, including short-grass prairie, farmland, beaches, and roadsides.

Other details

Plectrophenax nivalis is a widespread breeder in northernmost Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>680,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, key populations in Greenland and Norway were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

Seeds are part of the Snow Bunting's diet year round, but especially in winter. During summer, they eat more insects and spiders, and the young are fed almost entirely an invertebrate diet. Birds in coastal areas may also eat tiny crustaceans.

Breeding

The preferred nest site of Snow Buntings is a crevice or cavity among exposed rocks or boulders on the tundra. Competition for sites is intense, and males-especially older, more experienced males-arrive three to six weeks ahead of females to claim suitable territories. They defend these territories and attract mates with finchlike warbled songs heard only on the breeding range. Nests built of moss and grass and lined with feathers and fur are hidden deep within rock piles or under boulders to avoid discovery by predators. Males feed nest-bound incubating females so that the eggs may be kept constantly warm in these cool shaded nest sites. The young are fed a diet of insects and arachnids.

She incubates 3 to 9 eggs for 10 to 16 days. Rock crevices in this harsh environment can be cold places, and the male feeds the female while she is on the nest so she doesn't often need to leave the nest during incubation. Both parents help feed the young, which leave the nest at 10 to 17 days. The parents continue to feed the young for 8 to 12 days after they leave the nest, although the young start catching some of their own food within 3 to 5 days. Snow Buntings typically only raise one brood a year.

Snow Buntings breed throughout the tundra regions in the northern hemisphere. They range across northern Russia and Scandinavia, and in North America, across the Canadian high Arctic from the coastal lowlands of Greenland to Alaska and as far south as the southern limits of permafrost, and in the alpine tundra of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. In mid to late September flocks begin to migrate south, arriving in the northern parts of the winter range about the third week of October and the southern areas about a month later.

Migration

Partially migratory to migratory, many birds wintering far south of circumpolar breeding range; northernmost areas are vacated. In Europe, winters mostly in coastal areas and on inland plains. Numbers vary greatly from year to year, and also fluctuate over long periods. Present in Iceland all year, by far the commonest wintering passerine.

Autumn movement prolonged, September-December, with most passage records October-November. Spring movement northward begins early or mid-February. Leaves southern France February-March; latest record 28 February in Rumania, and rare by March in Hungary. Passage peaks end of February to early or mid-March in Denmark, north-east Germany, and Poland. Reaches southern Norway mid- or late March to April, and northern Norway at beginning of May. In north-east Scotland, spring departure rapid; most birds leave in March, a few still present in 1st half of April; males depart c. 9 days before females on average.

Snow Buntings migrate in small, loose flocks. Males arrive on their Arctic breeding grounds in early April. Females follow in May, and both leave in the fall, arriving in and passing through Washington in mid-October. They winter throughout the open country of the northern United States and temperate Canada.

Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) One Of Three Birds

End Of West Pier Howth, Co.Dublin Ireland

26th/Dec/2017

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Emberizidae | [latin] Plectrophenax nivalis | [UK] Snow Bunting | [FR] Bruant des neiges | [DE] Schneeammer | [ES] Escribano Nival | [IT] Zigolo delle nevi | [NL] Sneeuwgors

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 30 cm

spanwidth max.: 33 cm

size min.: 14 cm

size max.: 16 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 13 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 13 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

Physical characteristics

Snow Buntings are unmistakable medium sized sparrows, with white underparts and striking black-and-white wings. The slightly larger males are entirely black and white in breeding plumage with a white head and nape. The back and rump are black; the rump is mottled with white. Wings are mostly white with the primary feathers forming large black wingtips, and there is a black spot at the wrist. The tail is black with black-tipped white outer tail feathers. The bill and feet are black.

The summer female looks much like the male, except that the black areas of the body are duller and grayish brown rather than pure black and streaked with white, and the crown and ear coverts are buffy with black streaks. The white of the wings is reduced to a patch on the inner wing.

In winter, both male and female Snow Buntings resemble the breeding female. White areas are washed with pale brown, especially about the crown, sides of the head, and breast. The black feathers of the back are edged with brown and the bill becomes yellowish orange. As with breeding plumage, males show much more white in the wings. The rusty brown feather edges of the winter plumage gradually wear away to reveal the breeding plumage.

Across their range, flocks can reach the thousands and are often in the hundreds, although in Washington, flocks are usually much smaller. These flocks move around a lot from place to place, so their winter distribution can be spotty and ever changing. As they move through a field, birds at the back of the flock fly over the rest of the group to move to the front, making it appear that the flock is rolling. Ground-foragers, Snow Buntings are found in flocks outside of the breeding season

Habitat

Breeding habitat is barren tundra with rock piles, boulder fields, and other rocky outcroppings that are used as nesting sites. In winter, Snow Buntings inhabit a variety of open lands, including short-grass prairie, farmland, beaches, and roadsides.

Other details

Plectrophenax nivalis is a widespread breeder in northernmost Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>680,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, key populations in Greenland and Norway were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

Seeds are part of the Snow Bunting's diet year round, but especially in winter. During summer, they eat more insects and spiders, and the young are fed almost entirely an invertebrate diet. Birds in coastal areas may also eat tiny crustaceans.

Breeding

The preferred nest site of Snow Buntings is a crevice or cavity among exposed rocks or boulders on the tundra. Competition for sites is intense, and males-especially older, more experienced males-arrive three to six weeks ahead of females to claim suitable territories. They defend these territories and attract mates with finchlike warbled songs heard only on the breeding range. Nests built of moss and grass and lined with feathers and fur are hidden deep within rock piles or under boulders to avoid discovery by predators. Males feed nest-bound incubating females so that the eggs may be kept constantly warm in these cool shaded nest sites. The young are fed a diet of insects and arachnids.

She incubates 3 to 9 eggs for 10 to 16 days. Rock crevices in this harsh environment can be cold places, and the male feeds the female while she is on the nest so she doesn't often need to leave the nest during incubation. Both parents help feed the young, which leave the nest at 10 to 17 days. The parents continue to feed the young for 8 to 12 days after they leave the nest, although the young start catching some of their own food within 3 to 5 days. Snow Buntings typically only raise one brood a year.

Snow Buntings breed throughout the tundra regions in the northern hemisphere. They range across northern Russia and Scandinavia, and in North America, across the Canadian high Arctic from the coastal lowlands of Greenland to Alaska and as far south as the southern limits of permafrost, and in the alpine tundra of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. In mid to late September flocks begin to migrate south, arriving in the northern parts of the winter range about the third week of October and the southern areas about a month later.

Migration

Partially migratory to migratory, many birds wintering far south of circumpolar breeding range; northernmost areas are vacated. In Europe, winters mostly in coastal areas and on inland plains. Numbers vary greatly from year to year, and also fluctuate over long periods. Present in Iceland all year, by far the commonest wintering passerine.

Autumn movement prolonged, September-December, with most passage records October-November. Spring movement northward begins early or mid-February. Leaves southern France February-March; latest record 28 February in Rumania, and rare by March in Hungary. Passage peaks end of February to early or mid-March in Denmark, north-east Germany, and Poland. Reaches southern Norway mid- or late March to April, and northern Norway at beginning of May. In north-east Scotland, spring departure rapid; most birds leave in March, a few still present in 1st half of April; males depart c. 9 days before females on average.

Snow Buntings migrate in small, loose flocks. Males arrive on their Arctic breeding grounds in early April. Females follow in May, and both leave in the fall, arriving in and passing through Washington in mid-October. They winter throughout the open country of the northern United States and temperate Canada.

[order] Ciconiiformes | [family] Threskiornithidae | [latin] Plegadis falcinellus | [UK] Glossy Ibis | [FR] Ibis falcinelle | [DE] Braunsichler | [ES] Ibis Castaña | [IT] Mignattaio | [NL] Zwarte Ibis

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 88 cm

spanwidth max.: 105 cm

size min.: 55 cm

size max.: 65 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 20 days

incubation max.: 23 days

fledging min.: 26 days

fledging max.: 30 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 6

Physical characteristics

Unmistakable because is the only species in Europe with greenish-black plumage, long black legs and long curved bill. The size is bigger than 50 cm. Characteristic wetland species, breeding colonies are usually mixed with other herons. Birds may feed tens of kilometres from the breeding colonies. The Glossy Ibis feeds mainly on aquatic animals. Migrant.

Habitat

Characteristic wetland species, breeding colonies are usually mixed with other herons. Lakes, swamps, lagoons, sewage ponds, rivers wet meadows and irrigated cultivation. Roosting sites in large trees often far from water. Nests in freshwater or brackish wetlands, usually in tall dense trees or in low trees or bushes over or near water.

Other details

Plegadis falcinellus is a patchily distributed summer visitor to southern and southeastern Europe, which accounts for a tiny proportion of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is relatively small (10%) overall. Consequently, it is provisionally evaluated as Declining.

This bird has a nearly cosmopolitan but very fragmented distribution. In Europe it breeds in the Mediterranean regions, the Balkan Peninsula and the eastern parts of the continent. The population of the European Union comprises 52-89 breeding pairs, which represents only 0.5% of the total European population. Being fairly unpredictable in the occupation of its breeding sites, its trends are often difficult to assess, but globally it has undergone a strong decline since the latter part of last century, and its breeding area have definitely contracted. This trend seems even to have been accelerated during the last few decades. The main reasons for this are wetland reclamation, hunting and disturbance of breeding colonies

Feeding

Birds may feed tens of kilometers from the breeding colonies. The Glossy Ibis feeds mainly on aquatic animals. Insects: grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, locusts and small reptiles, frogs and fish. Usually feeds in small flocks by "walks slowly" and probes bill into mud and shallow water, or takes prey from surface sometimes runs after prey.

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 1,100,000-3,300,000 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

Breeds may in Black Sea area, March-May in North America, during rains or just after in most of Africa. In trees or bushes growing in water, at heights to 5-7 m, or in dense reeds or rushes. Colonial; from a few to thousands of pairs, usually with other Ciconiiformes, also with Pygmy Cormorant. Nest is compact platform of twigs or reeds lined with leaves. 3-4 eggs, incubation 20-23 days. chicks have sooty black down.

Migration

Migratory and dispersive, with considerable nomadic element. Flocks form after breeding, adults and juveniles often separated, and latter begin dispersing in all directions. Southerly aspects of post-fledging dispersals merge into autumn migration, which becomes dominant September, as adults and young withdraw south of breeding range. Winters in small numbers Mediterranean basin west to Morocco (where recent increase) but most European breeders probably trans-Saharan migrants; many spring and autumn records from Saharan oases, and common October-March in steppe zone southern edge of western desert. Return movement through Mediterranean basin and Black Sea late March, some still moving early May, though colonies re-occupied April. Some spring overshooting, with rare April-May appearances north to Britain and Germany.

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)

Old World warblers | [order] PASSERIFORMES | [family] Sylviidae | [latin] Sylvia melanocephala | [UK] Sardinian Warbler | [FR] Fauvette melanocephale | [DE] Samtkopf-Grasmucke | [ES] Curruca cabecinegra | [NL] Kleine Zwartkop

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 15 cm

spanwidth max.: 18 cm

size min.: 13 cm

size max.: 14 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 15 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 15 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 5

Physical characteristics

Rather small to medium-sezed, slim warbler, with spiky bill, short wings, long tail, and alert angry expression due to frequently steep forehead and red eye and bare ring set in dark pace. Male black on head and dusky elsewhere above, offpwhite with dusky-washed flank below. Female dusky-brown above, dirty brown and white below. Both sexes have dark tail with white edges and corners. Sexes disimilan, little seasonal variation.

Habitat

Breeds in Mediterranean zone. Mainly in dry coastal regions and on islands, generally at low elevations. Equally at home in crowns of close-growing trees, tall undergrowth or maquis away from trees, low shrubs and garigue, or even in herb layer or on ground, not excluding bare rocks and clifftops. Indifferent to nearness of dwellings and human activities.

Other details

Sylvia melanocephala is a widespread breeder in southern Europe, which constitutes >50% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is very large (>3,100,000 pairs), and increased between 1970-1990. Populations were stable or increased across most of its range during 1990-2000, although the trend of the sizeable Spanish population was unknown?but there was no evidence to suggest that the speciess status deteriorated significantly.

Feeding

Chiefly insects, but also fruit in autumn and winter. In south of breeding range, fruit predominates in diet for much of the year. Feeds mainly in low scrub but also on ground and in canopy. Spends less time on ground than Marmoras Warbler but much more than and other warbler.

Breeding

Breeds mid March to late April in South-West Europe, mid February to mid July in Malta, Late April to mid June in Greece, and early April to early June in North-West Africa. Nest site located in low scrub, tall grasses, brambles, etc, up tp 1,8 m above ground. Nest is a compact cup of grass leaves and stems, plant stalks, vegetable down, and cobwebs, lined with finer grasses and some rootlers, usually with distinct thicker rim. 3-5 eggs are laid, incubation 12-15 days, by both sexes, but female sitting on average twice as long as male during day.

Migration

Varies from partially migratory to sedentary in different parts of range. In west of range, winter quarters include most of breeding range, extending south in Africa to c. 17 degrees N. In east of range, breeding grounds furthest north (Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and northern Turkey) apparently entirely vacated. Autumn movements span late August to December. Spring migration mostly late February or early March to April.

Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) One Of Three Birds

End Of West Pier Howth, Co.Dublin Ireland

24th/Dec/2017

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Emberizidae | [latin] Plectrophenax nivalis | [UK] Snow Bunting | [FR] Bruant des neiges | [DE] Schneeammer | [ES] Escribano Nival | [IT] Zigolo delle nevi | [NL] Sneeuwgors

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 30 cm

spanwidth max.: 33 cm

size min.: 14 cm

size max.: 16 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 13 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 13 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

Physical characteristics

Snow Buntings are unmistakable medium sized sparrows, with white underparts and striking black-and-white wings. The slightly larger males are entirely black and white in breeding plumage with a white head and nape. The back and rump are black; the rump is mottled with white. Wings are mostly white with the primary feathers forming large black wingtips, and there is a black spot at the wrist. The tail is black with black-tipped white outer tail feathers. The bill and feet are black.

The summer female looks much like the male, except that the black areas of the body are duller and grayish brown rather than pure black and streaked with white, and the crown and ear coverts are buffy with black streaks. The white of the wings is reduced to a patch on the inner wing.

In winter, both male and female Snow Buntings resemble the breeding female. White areas are washed with pale brown, especially about the crown, sides of the head, and breast. The black feathers of the back are edged with brown and the bill becomes yellowish orange. As with breeding plumage, males show much more white in the wings. The rusty brown feather edges of the winter plumage gradually wear away to reveal the breeding plumage.

Across their range, flocks can reach the thousands and are often in the hundreds, although in Washington, flocks are usually much smaller. These flocks move around a lot from place to place, so their winter distribution can be spotty and ever changing. As they move through a field, birds at the back of the flock fly over the rest of the group to move to the front, making it appear that the flock is rolling. Ground-foragers, Snow Buntings are found in flocks outside of the breeding season

Habitat

Breeding habitat is barren tundra with rock piles, boulder fields, and other rocky outcroppings that are used as nesting sites. In winter, Snow Buntings inhabit a variety of open lands, including short-grass prairie, farmland, beaches, and roadsides.

Other details

Plectrophenax nivalis is a widespread breeder in northernmost Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>680,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, key populations in Greenland and Norway were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

Seeds are part of the Snow Bunting's diet year round, but especially in winter. During summer, they eat more insects and spiders, and the young are fed almost entirely an invertebrate diet. Birds in coastal areas may also eat tiny crustaceans.

Breeding

The preferred nest site of Snow Buntings is a crevice or cavity among exposed rocks or boulders on the tundra. Competition for sites is intense, and males-especially older, more experienced males-arrive three to six weeks ahead of females to claim suitable territories. They defend these territories and attract mates with finchlike warbled songs heard only on the breeding range. Nests built of moss and grass and lined with feathers and fur are hidden deep within rock piles or under boulders to avoid discovery by predators. Males feed nest-bound incubating females so that the eggs may be kept constantly warm in these cool shaded nest sites. The young are fed a diet of insects and arachnids.

She incubates 3 to 9 eggs for 10 to 16 days. Rock crevices in this harsh environment can be cold places, and the male feeds the female while she is on the nest so she doesn't often need to leave the nest during incubation. Both parents help feed the young, which leave the nest at 10 to 17 days. The parents continue to feed the young for 8 to 12 days after they leave the nest, although the young start catching some of their own food within 3 to 5 days. Snow Buntings typically only raise one brood a year.

Snow Buntings breed throughout the tundra regions in the northern hemisphere. They range across northern Russia and Scandinavia, and in North America, across the Canadian high Arctic from the coastal lowlands of Greenland to Alaska and as far south as the southern limits of permafrost, and in the alpine tundra of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. In mid to late September flocks begin to migrate south, arriving in the northern parts of the winter range about the third week of October and the southern areas about a month later.

Migration

Partially migratory to migratory, many birds wintering far south of circumpolar breeding range; northernmost areas are vacated. In Europe, winters mostly in coastal areas and on inland plains. Numbers vary greatly from year to year, and also fluctuate over long periods. Present in Iceland all year, by far the commonest wintering passerine.

Autumn movement prolonged, September-December, with most passage records October-November. Spring movement northward begins early or mid-February. Leaves southern France February-March; latest record 28 February in Rumania, and rare by March in Hungary. Passage peaks end of February to early or mid-March in Denmark, north-east Germany, and Poland. Reaches southern Norway mid- or late March to April, and northern Norway at beginning of May. In north-east Scotland, spring departure rapid; most birds leave in March, a few still present in 1st half of April; males depart c. 9 days before females on average.

Snow Buntings migrate in small, loose flocks. Males arrive on their Arctic breeding grounds in early April. Females follow in May, and both leave in the fall, arriving in and passing through Washington in mid-October. They winter throughout the open country of the northern United States and temperate Canada.

Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) One Of Three Birds

End Of West Pier Howth, Co.Dublin Ireland

24th/Dec/2017

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Emberizidae | [latin] Plectrophenax nivalis | [UK] Snow Bunting | [FR] Bruant des neiges | [DE] Schneeammer | [ES] Escribano Nival | [IT] Zigolo delle nevi | [NL] Sneeuwgors

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 30 cm

spanwidth max.: 33 cm

size min.: 14 cm

size max.: 16 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 13 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 13 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

Physical characteristics

Snow Buntings are unmistakable medium sized sparrows, with white underparts and striking black-and-white wings. The slightly larger males are entirely black and white in breeding plumage with a white head and nape. The back and rump are black; the rump is mottled with white. Wings are mostly white with the primary feathers forming large black wingtips, and there is a black spot at the wrist. The tail is black with black-tipped white outer tail feathers. The bill and feet are black.

The summer female looks much like the male, except that the black areas of the body are duller and grayish brown rather than pure black and streaked with white, and the crown and ear coverts are buffy with black streaks. The white of the wings is reduced to a patch on the inner wing.

In winter, both male and female Snow Buntings resemble the breeding female. White areas are washed with pale brown, especially about the crown, sides of the head, and breast. The black feathers of the back are edged with brown and the bill becomes yellowish orange. As with breeding plumage, males show much more white in the wings. The rusty brown feather edges of the winter plumage gradually wear away to reveal the breeding plumage.

Across their range, flocks can reach the thousands and are often in the hundreds, although in Washington, flocks are usually much smaller. These flocks move around a lot from place to place, so their winter distribution can be spotty and ever changing. As they move through a field, birds at the back of the flock fly over the rest of the group to move to the front, making it appear that the flock is rolling. Ground-foragers, Snow Buntings are found in flocks outside of the breeding season

Habitat

Breeding habitat is barren tundra with rock piles, boulder fields, and other rocky outcroppings that are used as nesting sites. In winter, Snow Buntings inhabit a variety of open lands, including short-grass prairie, farmland, beaches, and roadsides.

Other details

Plectrophenax nivalis is a widespread breeder in northernmost Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>680,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, key populations in Greenland and Norway were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

Seeds are part of the Snow Bunting's diet year round, but especially in winter. During summer, they eat more insects and spiders, and the young are fed almost entirely an invertebrate diet. Birds in coastal areas may also eat tiny crustaceans.

Breeding

The preferred nest site of Snow Buntings is a crevice or cavity among exposed rocks or boulders on the tundra. Competition for sites is intense, and males-especially older, more experienced males-arrive three to six weeks ahead of females to claim suitable territories. They defend these territories and attract mates with finchlike warbled songs heard only on the breeding range. Nests built of moss and grass and lined with feathers and fur are hidden deep within rock piles or under boulders to avoid discovery by predators. Males feed nest-bound incubating females so that the eggs may be kept constantly warm in these cool shaded nest sites. The young are fed a diet of insects and arachnids.

She incubates 3 to 9 eggs for 10 to 16 days. Rock crevices in this harsh environment can be cold places, and the male feeds the female while she is on the nest so she doesn't often need to leave the nest during incubation. Both parents help feed the young, which leave the nest at 10 to 17 days. The parents continue to feed the young for 8 to 12 days after they leave the nest, although the young start catching some of their own food within 3 to 5 days. Snow Buntings typically only raise one brood a year.

Snow Buntings breed throughout the tundra regions in the northern hemisphere. They range across northern Russia and Scandinavia, and in North America, across the Canadian high Arctic from the coastal lowlands of Greenland to Alaska and as far south as the southern limits of permafrost, and in the alpine tundra of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. In mid to late September flocks begin to migrate south, arriving in the northern parts of the winter range about the third week of October and the southern areas about a month later.

Migration

Partially migratory to migratory, many birds wintering far south of circumpolar breeding range; northernmost areas are vacated. In Europe, winters mostly in coastal areas and on inland plains. Numbers vary greatly from year to year, and also fluctuate over long periods. Present in Iceland all year, by far the commonest wintering passerine.

Autumn movement prolonged, September-December, with most passage records October-November. Spring movement northward begins early or mid-February. Leaves southern France February-March; latest record 28 February in Rumania, and rare by March in Hungary. Passage peaks end of February to early or mid-March in Denmark, north-east Germany, and Poland. Reaches southern Norway mid- or late March to April, and northern Norway at beginning of May. In north-east Scotland, spring departure rapid; most birds leave in March, a few still present in 1st half of April; males depart c. 9 days before females on average.

Snow Buntings migrate in small, loose flocks. Males arrive on their Arctic breeding grounds in early April. Females follow in May, and both leave in the fall, arriving in and passing through Washington in mid-October. They winter throughout the open country of the northern United States and temperate Canada.

Cape Clear Co.Cork Ireland 08-10-2019

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Corvidae | [latin] Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax | [UK] Chough | [FR] Crave à bec rouge | [DE] Alpenkrähe | [ES] Chova piquirroja | [IT] Gracchio corallino | [NL] Alpenkraai | [IRL] Cág cosdearg

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 73 cm

spanwidth max.: 90 cm

size min.: 39 cm

size max.: 40 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 17 days

incubation max.: 18 days

fledging min.: 31 days

fledging max.: 41 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 5

Status: Resident along rocky coasts in Munster, as well as parts of Connaght and Ulster.

Conservation Concern: Amber-listed in Ireland. The European population has been evaluated as declining by BirdLife International, due to an ongoing moderate decline.

Identification: Marginally larger than the familiar Jackdaw, at 40 cm in length, in many respects the Chough looks like a typical all-black crow. At close range, however, its unique long, down-curved red bill and bright red legs make identification easy; the Irish name of this species translates as “red-legged Jackdaw”. Choughs also have more prominently “fingered” flight-feathers than our other crows, giving them a distinctive silhouette in the air.

Amongst our most accomplished aerobatic fliers, Choughs frequently swoop and soar in updrafts around cliffs, seemingly often just for fun. So skilled are these natural stunt pilots that they will sometimes even fly upside down, perform barrel rolls, etc.

Call: A very distinctive “key-aww”

Diet: Feeds mostly on insects and their larvae, worms and other subterranean invertebrates, using their curved bills to dig them out of the soil. They will also eat berries, grain, small mammals and birds and, in true crow fashion, pretty much anything else they can find.

Breeding: Nests in caves or crevices along coasts, or less frequently, in old buildings.

Wintering: Mainly local dispersal from breeding sites to favoured coastal areas.

Where to See: The Dingle Peninsula and the Cliffs of Moher and Waterford coastline are reliable sites to see this species

Physical characteristics

Red-billed Chough has bright blue black plumage, with green sheen on wings. Wings are long with long primaries. Eyes are black. Down curved bill is red and slender. Legs and feet are red, with black claws. Both sexes are similar. Juvenile is duller than adults, with yellow orange bill.

Red-billed Chough performs a superb and very graceful flight. It likes to play in thermal currents, performing vertiginous dives and acrobatic swoops. It soars effortless, and rises with the wind, crossing contrary winds to stop before diving with strong wing beats to get good speed. Then, it glides easily, and slewing its wide tail, it turns into the wind and rises again rapidly, performing a close turn while it goes forwards drifting slightly on the side. It is the only bird in the world able to perform this aerial display.

Red-billed Chough feeds on maritime heaths and pastures at the top of cliffs. When on ground, it may walk, hop or run quickly on short distance. It is a gregarious species, and they gather in groups to feed in short grassy areas. They are often seen in pairs or in small flocks, but also in large groups of hundreds of birds. Each group has a hierarchy, and birds may live and feed together without any problem. Young need 2 to 3 years within a group to get their own status, with some aggressive but rarely important fights. When food resources are reduced, dominant birds are able to find food enough, in order to survive and breed successfully. During breeding season, Red-billed Chough pair defends strongly its territory, chasing away any intruder able to threaten the nest site. If a predator comes too close, choughs perform spectacular aerial displays, to defend young still dependent within the group.

Habitat

Red-billed Chough breeds in high mountains and coastal cliffs, but with adjacent short grass pastures. It is also found in grassy and cultivated areas with rocky crags.

Other details

Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax is resident in parts of Britain and Ireland and across much of southern Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global range. Its European breeding population is relatively small (10%) overall.

This bird has a discontinuous distribution in southern Europe and Central Asia, from Turkey to China. Small populations also inhabit the Canary islands, Morocco and Ethiopia. It is breeding in low-lying mountainous regions and along rocky coasts. The population of the European Union amounts to 14000 breeding pairs, but in most regions it is declining

Feeding

Red-billed Chough feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, mainly ants, insects and larvae. They also consume seeds and berries in winter. Coastal birds also eat crustaceans and molluscs.

Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) One Of Three Birds

End Of West Pier Howth, Co.Dublin Ireland

24th/Dec/2017

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Emberizidae | [latin] Plectrophenax nivalis | [UK] Snow Bunting | [FR] Bruant des neiges | [DE] Schneeammer | [ES] Escribano Nival | [IT] Zigolo delle nevi | [NL] Sneeuwgors

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 30 cm

spanwidth max.: 33 cm

size min.: 14 cm

size max.: 16 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 13 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 13 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

Physical characteristics

Snow Buntings are unmistakable medium sized sparrows, with white underparts and striking black-and-white wings. The slightly larger males are entirely black and white in breeding plumage with a white head and nape. The back and rump are black; the rump is mottled with white. Wings are mostly white with the primary feathers forming large black wingtips, and there is a black spot at the wrist. The tail is black with black-tipped white outer tail feathers. The bill and feet are black.

The summer female looks much like the male, except that the black areas of the body are duller and grayish brown rather than pure black and streaked with white, and the crown and ear coverts are buffy with black streaks. The white of the wings is reduced to a patch on the inner wing.

In winter, both male and female Snow Buntings resemble the breeding female. White areas are washed with pale brown, especially about the crown, sides of the head, and breast. The black feathers of the back are edged with brown and the bill becomes yellowish orange. As with breeding plumage, males show much more white in the wings. The rusty brown feather edges of the winter plumage gradually wear away to reveal the breeding plumage.

Across their range, flocks can reach the thousands and are often in the hundreds, although in Washington, flocks are usually much smaller. These flocks move around a lot from place to place, so their winter distribution can be spotty and ever changing. As they move through a field, birds at the back of the flock fly over the rest of the group to move to the front, making it appear that the flock is rolling. Ground-foragers, Snow Buntings are found in flocks outside of the breeding season

Habitat

Breeding habitat is barren tundra with rock piles, boulder fields, and other rocky outcroppings that are used as nesting sites. In winter, Snow Buntings inhabit a variety of open lands, including short-grass prairie, farmland, beaches, and roadsides.

Other details

Plectrophenax nivalis is a widespread breeder in northernmost Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>680,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, key populations in Greenland and Norway were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

Seeds are part of the Snow Bunting's diet year round, but especially in winter. During summer, they eat more insects and spiders, and the young are fed almost entirely an invertebrate diet. Birds in coastal areas may also eat tiny crustaceans.

Breeding

The preferred nest site of Snow Buntings is a crevice or cavity among exposed rocks or boulders on the tundra. Competition for sites is intense, and males-especially older, more experienced males-arrive three to six weeks ahead of females to claim suitable territories. They defend these territories and attract mates with finchlike warbled songs heard only on the breeding range. Nests built of moss and grass and lined with feathers and fur are hidden deep within rock piles or under boulders to avoid discovery by predators. Males feed nest-bound incubating females so that the eggs may be kept constantly warm in these cool shaded nest sites. The young are fed a diet of insects and arachnids.

She incubates 3 to 9 eggs for 10 to 16 days. Rock crevices in this harsh environment can be cold places, and the male feeds the female while she is on the nest so she doesn't often need to leave the nest during incubation. Both parents help feed the young, which leave the nest at 10 to 17 days. The parents continue to feed the young for 8 to 12 days after they leave the nest, although the young start catching some of their own food within 3 to 5 days. Snow Buntings typically only raise one brood a year.

Snow Buntings breed throughout the tundra regions in the northern hemisphere. They range across northern Russia and Scandinavia, and in North America, across the Canadian high Arctic from the coastal lowlands of Greenland to Alaska and as far south as the southern limits of permafrost, and in the alpine tundra of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. In mid to late September flocks begin to migrate south, arriving in the northern parts of the winter range about the third week of October and the southern areas about a month later.

Migration

Partially migratory to migratory, many birds wintering far south of circumpolar breeding range; northernmost areas are vacated. In Europe, winters mostly in coastal areas and on inland plains. Numbers vary greatly from year to year, and also fluctuate over long periods. Present in Iceland all year, by far the commonest wintering passerine.

Autumn movement prolonged, September-December, with most passage records October-November. Spring movement northward begins early or mid-February. Leaves southern France February-March; latest record 28 February in Rumania, and rare by March in Hungary. Passage peaks end of February to early or mid-March in Denmark, north-east Germany, and Poland. Reaches southern Norway mid- or late March to April, and northern Norway at beginning of May. In north-east Scotland, spring departure rapid; most birds leave in March, a few still present in 1st half of April; males depart c. 9 days before females on average.

Snow Buntings migrate in small, loose flocks. Males arrive on their Arctic breeding grounds in early April. Females follow in May, and both leave in the fall, arriving in and passing through Washington in mid-October. They winter throughout the open country of the northern United States and temperate Canada.

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Hirundinidae | [latin] Hirundo rustica | [UK] Barn Swallow | [FR] Hirondelle rustique | [DE] Rauchschwalbe | [ES] Golondrina Bermeja | [IT] Rondine comune | [NL] Boerenzwaluw

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 32 cm

spanwidth max.: 34 cm

size min.: 17 cm

size max.: 21 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 15 days

incubation max.: 19 days

fledging min.: 18 days

fledging max.: 23 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 6

Physical characteristics

The Barn Swallow is a distinctive bird with bold plumage and a long, slender, deeply forked tail. Barn Swallows are deep blue above, with an orange-buff breast and belly. They have russet throats and forehead patches. The rest of the head is deep blue, extending in a line through the eye, giving the birds a masked appearance. Females are slightly duller and shorter-tailed than males. Juveniles look similar to adults, but have much shorter tails.

Barn Swallows can often be seen foraging for insects low over fields or water. In bad weather, they sometimes forage on the ground. They gather mud for their nests from mud puddles, although they do not raise their wings when they do this.

Habitat

Barn Swallows need open areas to forage and suitable sites for nesting, now almost always buildings, bridges, or other man-made structures. They generally avoid unbroken forest and very dry areas. Their original habitat was most likely mountainous areas and seacoasts with caves, hollow trees, and rock crevices for nesting. Now that they have adapted to living with humans, they are found in agricultural areas, suburbs, and along highways--anywhere there are open areas and nesting structures, especially if water is close by.

Other details

Hirundo rustica is a widespread summer visitor to most of Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is extremely large (>16,000,000 pairs), but underwent a moderate decline between 1970-1990. Although declines abated or even reversed in certain countries during 1990-2000, the species continued to decline across much of Europe, and underwent a small decline overall. Its population has clearly not yet recovered to the level that preceded its initial decline.

The Barn Swallow's close association with humans in Europe goes back over 2,000 years. In North America, the shift from natural to human-made nest sites was nearly complete by the middle of the 20th Century. The Barn Swallow's range has expanded considerably in North America with European settlement, and Barn Swallows are widespread and abundant across their current range.

Feeding

Barn Swallows eat mostly flying insects, especially flies, although they occasionally eat berries, seeds, and dead insects from the ground.

Breeding

While several Barn Swallows may nest near each other, they do not form dense colonies. They are usually monogamous during the breeding season, but extra-pair copulations are common, and new pairs form each spring. Polygyny sometimes occurs, and helpers not only help build and guard the nest but also incubate the eggs and brood the young, although they generally do not feed the young. A few birds still nest in caves, but 99% of the breeding Barn Swallows in Washington now build their nests on eaves, bridges, docks, or other man-made structures with a ledge that can support the nest, a vertical wall to which it can be attached, and a roof. Both members of the pair build the nest--a mass of mud, straw, feathers, and sticks. Barn Swallow nests are relatively untidy. Both members of the pair incubate the four to five eggs for 12 to 17 days, and both feed the young. The young leave the nest 20 to 21 days after hatching.

Migration

Migratory. A few aberrant individuals winter every year in southern and western Europe as far north as Britain and Ireland, and recorded annually in winter in southern Spain; small numbers winter regularly in North Africa; also small resident or partly resident populations in east Mediterranean countries. Otherwise, west Palearctic birds are long-distance migrants. European and north-west Asian birds winter largely in Africa, mainly south of equator, though also locally numerous in West Africa. Passage broad-front, including large transdesert movements into and out of Africa across Sahara and Middle East. Juvenile dispersals begin July and become oriented southwards by early August as migration begins. Autumn passage protracted, with peak exodus from north-west Europe in September and first half of October. Mediterranean passage and arrivals in Africa north of equator are at height mid-September to late October, and birds become numerous in wintering regions south of equator in November. Return movement begins February. In North Africa, Mediterranean basin, and Middle East, peak spring movement occurs mid-March to late April. Early birds return to north-west Europe in second half of March, though main arrivals mid-April to mid-May

Cape Clear Co.Cork Ireland 08-10-2019

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Corvidae | [latin] Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax | [UK] Chough | [FR] Crave à bec rouge | [DE] Alpenkrähe | [ES] Chova piquirroja | [IT] Gracchio corallino | [NL] Alpenkraai | [IRL] Cág cosdearg

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 73 cm

spanwidth max.: 90 cm

size min.: 39 cm

size max.: 40 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 17 days

incubation max.: 18 days

fledging min.: 31 days

fledging max.: 41 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 5

Status: Resident along rocky coasts in Munster, as well as parts of Connaght and Ulster.

Conservation Concern: Amber-listed in Ireland. The European population has been evaluated as declining by BirdLife International, due to an ongoing moderate decline.

Identification: Marginally larger than the familiar Jackdaw, at 40 cm in length, in many respects the Chough looks like a typical all-black crow. At close range, however, its unique long, down-curved red bill and bright red legs make identification easy; the Irish name of this species translates as “red-legged Jackdaw”. Choughs also have more prominently “fingered” flight-feathers than our other crows, giving them a distinctive silhouette in the air.

Amongst our most accomplished aerobatic fliers, Choughs frequently swoop and soar in updrafts around cliffs, seemingly often just for fun. So skilled are these natural stunt pilots that they will sometimes even fly upside down, perform barrel rolls, etc.

Call: A very distinctive “key-aww”

Diet: Feeds mostly on insects and their larvae, worms and other subterranean invertebrates, using their curved bills to dig them out of the soil. They will also eat berries, grain, small mammals and birds and, in true crow fashion, pretty much anything else they can find.

Breeding: Nests in caves or crevices along coasts, or less frequently, in old buildings.

Wintering: Mainly local dispersal from breeding sites to favoured coastal areas.

Where to See: The Dingle Peninsula and the Cliffs of Moher and Waterford coastline are reliable sites to see this species

Physical characteristics

Red-billed Chough has bright blue black plumage, with green sheen on wings. Wings are long with long primaries. Eyes are black. Down curved bill is red and slender. Legs and feet are red, with black claws. Both sexes are similar. Juvenile is duller than adults, with yellow orange bill.

Red-billed Chough performs a superb and very graceful flight. It likes to play in thermal currents, performing vertiginous dives and acrobatic swoops. It soars effortless, and rises with the wind, crossing contrary winds to stop before diving with strong wing beats to get good speed. Then, it glides easily, and slewing its wide tail, it turns into the wind and rises again rapidly, performing a close turn while it goes forwards drifting slightly on the side. It is the only bird in the world able to perform this aerial display.

Red-billed Chough feeds on maritime heaths and pastures at the top of cliffs. When on ground, it may walk, hop or run quickly on short distance. It is a gregarious species, and they gather in groups to feed in short grassy areas. They are often seen in pairs or in small flocks, but also in large groups of hundreds of birds. Each group has a hierarchy, and birds may live and feed together without any problem. Young need 2 to 3 years within a group to get their own status, with some aggressive but rarely important fights. When food resources are reduced, dominant birds are able to find food enough, in order to survive and breed successfully. During breeding season, Red-billed Chough pair defends strongly its territory, chasing away any intruder able to threaten the nest site. If a predator comes too close, choughs perform spectacular aerial displays, to defend young still dependent within the group.

Habitat

Red-billed Chough breeds in high mountains and coastal cliffs, but with adjacent short grass pastures. It is also found in grassy and cultivated areas with rocky crags.

Other details

Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax is resident in parts of Britain and Ireland and across much of southern Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global range. Its European breeding population is relatively small (10%) overall.

This bird has a discontinuous distribution in southern Europe and Central Asia, from Turkey to China. Small populations also inhabit the Canary islands, Morocco and Ethiopia. It is breeding in low-lying mountainous regions and along rocky coasts. The population of the European Union amounts to 14000 breeding pairs, but in most regions it is declining

Feeding

Red-billed Chough feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, mainly ants, insects and larvae. They also consume seeds and berries in winter. Coastal birds also eat crustaceans and molluscs.

Tory Island, Co.Donegal Ireland

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Corvidae | [latin] Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax | [UK] Chough | [FR] Crave à bec rouge | [DE] Alpenkrähe | [ES] Chova piquirroja | [IT] Gracchio corallino | [NL] Alpenkraai | [IRL] Cág cosdearg

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 73 cm

spanwidth max.: 90 cm

size min.: 39 cm

size max.: 40 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 17 days

incubation max.: 18 days

fledging min.: 31 days

fledging max.: 41 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 5

Status: Resident along rocky coasts in Munster, as well as parts of Connaght and Ulster.

Conservation Concern: Amber-listed in Ireland. The European population has been evaluated as declining by BirdLife International, due to an ongoing moderate decline.

Identification: Marginally larger than the familiar Jackdaw, at 40 cm in length, in many respects the Chough looks like a typical all-black crow. At close range, however, its unique long, down-curved red bill and bright red legs make identification easy; the Irish name of this species translates as “red-legged Jackdaw”. Choughs also have more prominently “fingered” flight-feathers than our other crows, giving them a distinctive silhouette in the air.

Amongst our most accomplished aerobatic fliers, Choughs frequently swoop and soar in updrafts around cliffs, seemingly often just for fun. So skilled are these natural stunt pilots that they will sometimes even fly upside down, perform barrel rolls, etc.

Call: A very distinctive “key-aww”

Diet: Feeds mostly on insects and their larvae, worms and other subterranean invertebrates, using their curved bills to dig them out of the soil. They will also eat berries, grain, small mammals and birds and, in true crow fashion, pretty much anything else they can find.

Breeding: Nests in caves or crevices along coasts, or less frequently, in old buildings.

Wintering: Mainly local dispersal from breeding sites to favoured coastal areas.

Where to See: The Dingle Peninsula and the Cliffs of Moher and Waterford coastline are reliable sites to see this species

Physical characteristics

Red-billed Chough has bright blue black plumage, with green sheen on wings. Wings are long with long primaries. Eyes are black. Down curved bill is red and slender. Legs and feet are red, with black claws. Both sexes are similar. Juvenile is duller than adults, with yellow orange bill.

Red-billed Chough performs a superb and very graceful flight. It likes to play in thermal currents, performing vertiginous dives and acrobatic swoops. It soars effortless, and rises with the wind, crossing contrary winds to stop before diving with strong wing beats to get good speed. Then, it glides easily, and slewing its wide tail, it turns into the wind and rises again rapidly, performing a close turn while it goes forwards drifting slightly on the side. It is the only bird in the world able to perform this aerial display.

Red-billed Chough feeds on maritime heaths and pastures at the top of cliffs. When on ground, it may walk, hop or run quickly on short distance. It is a gregarious species, and they gather in groups to feed in short grassy areas. They are often seen in pairs or in small flocks, but also in large groups of hundreds of birds. Each group has a hierarchy, and birds may live and feed together without any problem. Young need 2 to 3 years within a group to get their own status, with some aggressive but rarely important fights. When food resources are reduced, dominant birds are able to find food enough, in order to survive and breed successfully. During breeding season, Red-billed Chough pair defends strongly its territory, chasing away any intruder able to threaten the nest site. If a predator comes too close, choughs perform spectacular aerial displays, to defend young still dependent within the group.

Habitat

Red-billed Chough breeds in high mountains and coastal cliffs, but with adjacent short grass pastures. It is also found in grassy and cultivated areas with rocky crags.

Other details

Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax is resident in parts of Britain and Ireland and across much of southern Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global range. Its European breeding population is relatively small (10%) overall.

This bird has a discontinuous distribution in southern Europe and Central Asia, from Turkey to China. Small populations also inhabit the Canary islands, Morocco and Ethiopia. It is breeding in low-lying mountainous regions and along rocky coasts. The population of the European Union amounts to 14000 breeding pairs, but in most regions it is declining

Feeding

Red-billed Chough feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, mainly ants, insects and larvae. They also consume seeds and berries in winter. Coastal birds also eat crustaceans and molluscs.

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, including an estimated 86,000-210,000 individuals in Europe (BirdLife International in prep.). Global population trends have not been quantified; there is evidence of a population decline (Madge and Burn 1993), 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

Red-billed Chough's nest is a bulky loose structure, made with twigs and roots, linked by mud. This nest is lined with soft materials such as wool and hair. It is located in rocky crevices or cavities, or on ledges of cliffs, or buildings, but also in mountain caves. Both parents take part in nest building. Female lays, in March to May, 3 to 5 pale buffy, creamy or green eggs, with various brown and grey markings. Incubation lasts about 17 days, and female starts to incubate when the first egg is laid. She is often fed by the male while she sits on the nest, but sometimes, she joins its mate to feed with it and a small group. Altricial chicks are tended and brooded by female the first ten days. She gives them small bits of food brought by the male. When young reach 5 to 7 days of age, male feeds them with female. Parents regurgitate invertebrates to feed them. When young reach their complete plumage, at about 38 days of age, they shelter into individual hidden places near to the nest, from where they rush out with noise to be fed by adults. One week later, young follow the adults and learn how to feed themselves. They become independent one month later, but they remain in the family group until the next breeding season. These young may help their parents to raise the chicks of the following clutch the next year. They reach their sexual maturity at 2 to 3 years.

Migration

Mainly sedentary. Recorded far from breeding areas only exceptionally. During cold winters but it may reach lower altitudes.

Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) One Of Three Birds

End Of West Pier Howth, Co.Dublin Ireland

26th/Dec/2017

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Emberizidae | [latin] Plectrophenax nivalis | [UK] Snow Bunting | [FR] Bruant des neiges | [DE] Schneeammer | [ES] Escribano Nival | [IT] Zigolo delle nevi | [NL] Sneeuwgors

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 30 cm

spanwidth max.: 33 cm

size min.: 14 cm

size max.: 16 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 13 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 13 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

Physical characteristics

Snow Buntings are unmistakable medium sized sparrows, with white underparts and striking black-and-white wings. The slightly larger males are entirely black and white in breeding plumage with a white head and nape. The back and rump are black; the rump is mottled with white. Wings are mostly white with the primary feathers forming large black wingtips, and there is a black spot at the wrist. The tail is black with black-tipped white outer tail feathers. The bill and feet are black.

The summer female looks much like the male, except that the black areas of the body are duller and grayish brown rather than pure black and streaked with white, and the crown and ear coverts are buffy with black streaks. The white of the wings is reduced to a patch on the inner wing.

In winter, both male and female Snow Buntings resemble the breeding female. White areas are washed with pale brown, especially about the crown, sides of the head, and breast. The black feathers of the back are edged with brown and the bill becomes yellowish orange. As with breeding plumage, males show much more white in the wings. The rusty brown feather edges of the winter plumage gradually wear away to reveal the breeding plumage.

Across their range, flocks can reach the thousands and are often in the hundreds, although in Washington, flocks are usually much smaller. These flocks move around a lot from place to place, so their winter distribution can be spotty and ever changing. As they move through a field, birds at the back of the flock fly over the rest of the group to move to the front, making it appear that the flock is rolling. Ground-foragers, Snow Buntings are found in flocks outside of the breeding season

Habitat

Breeding habitat is barren tundra with rock piles, boulder fields, and other rocky outcroppings that are used as nesting sites. In winter, Snow Buntings inhabit a variety of open lands, including short-grass prairie, farmland, beaches, and roadsides.

Other details

Plectrophenax nivalis is a widespread breeder in northernmost Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>680,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, key populations in Greenland and Norway were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

Seeds are part of the Snow Bunting's diet year round, but especially in winter. During summer, they eat more insects and spiders, and the young are fed almost entirely an invertebrate diet. Birds in coastal areas may also eat tiny crustaceans.

Breeding

The preferred nest site of Snow Buntings is a crevice or cavity among exposed rocks or boulders on the tundra. Competition for sites is intense, and males-especially older, more experienced males-arrive three to six weeks ahead of females to claim suitable territories. They defend these territories and attract mates with finchlike warbled songs heard only on the breeding range. Nests built of moss and grass and lined with feathers and fur are hidden deep within rock piles or under boulders to avoid discovery by predators. Males feed nest-bound incubating females so that the eggs may be kept constantly warm in these cool shaded nest sites. The young are fed a diet of insects and arachnids.

She incubates 3 to 9 eggs for 10 to 16 days. Rock crevices in this harsh environment can be cold places, and the male feeds the female while she is on the nest so she doesn't often need to leave the nest during incubation. Both parents help feed the young, which leave the nest at 10 to 17 days. The parents continue to feed the young for 8 to 12 days after they leave the nest, although the young start catching some of their own food within 3 to 5 days. Snow Buntings typically only raise one brood a year.

Snow Buntings breed throughout the tundra regions in the northern hemisphere. They range across northern Russia and Scandinavia, and in North America, across the Canadian high Arctic from the coastal lowlands of Greenland to Alaska and as far south as the southern limits of permafrost, and in the alpine tundra of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. In mid to late September flocks begin to migrate south, arriving in the northern parts of the winter range about the third week of October and the southern areas about a month later.

Migration

Partially migratory to migratory, many birds wintering far south of circumpolar breeding range; northernmost areas are vacated. In Europe, winters mostly in coastal areas and on inland plains. Numbers vary greatly from year to year, and also fluctuate over long periods. Present in Iceland all year, by far the commonest wintering passerine.

Autumn movement prolonged, September-December, with most passage records October-November. Spring movement northward begins early or mid-February. Leaves southern France February-March; latest record 28 February in Rumania, and rare by March in Hungary. Passage peaks end of February to early or mid-March in Denmark, north-east Germany, and Poland. Reaches southern Norway mid- or late March to April, and northern Norway at beginning of May. In north-east Scotland, spring departure rapid; most birds leave in March, a few still present in 1st half of April; males depart c. 9 days before females on average.

Snow Buntings migrate in small, loose flocks. Males arrive on their Arctic breeding grounds in early April. Females follow in May, and both leave in the fall, arriving in and passing through Washington in mid-October. They winter throughout the open country of the northern United States and temperate Canada.

Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) One Of Three Birds

End Of West Pier Howth, Co.Dublin Ireland

26th/Dec/2017

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Emberizidae | [latin] Plectrophenax nivalis | [UK] Snow Bunting | [FR] Bruant des neiges | [DE] Schneeammer | [ES] Escribano Nival | [IT] Zigolo delle nevi | [NL] Sneeuwgors

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 30 cm

spanwidth max.: 33 cm

size min.: 14 cm

size max.: 16 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 13 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 13 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

Physical characteristics

Snow Buntings are unmistakable medium sized sparrows, with white underparts and striking black-and-white wings. The slightly larger males are entirely black and white in breeding plumage with a white head and nape. The back and rump are black; the rump is mottled with white. Wings are mostly white with the primary feathers forming large black wingtips, and there is a black spot at the wrist. The tail is black with black-tipped white outer tail feathers. The bill and feet are black.

The summer female looks much like the male, except that the black areas of the body are duller and grayish brown rather than pure black and streaked with white, and the crown and ear coverts are buffy with black streaks. The white of the wings is reduced to a patch on the inner wing.

In winter, both male and female Snow Buntings resemble the breeding female. White areas are washed with pale brown, especially about the crown, sides of the head, and breast. The black feathers of the back are edged with brown and the bill becomes yellowish orange. As with breeding plumage, males show much more white in the wings. The rusty brown feather edges of the winter plumage gradually wear away to reveal the breeding plumage.

Across their range, flocks can reach the thousands and are often in the hundreds, although in Washington, flocks are usually much smaller. These flocks move around a lot from place to place, so their winter distribution can be spotty and ever changing. As they move through a field, birds at the back of the flock fly over the rest of the group to move to the front, making it appear that the flock is rolling. Ground-foragers, Snow Buntings are found in flocks outside of the breeding season

Habitat

Breeding habitat is barren tundra with rock piles, boulder fields, and other rocky outcroppings that are used as nesting sites. In winter, Snow Buntings inhabit a variety of open lands, including short-grass prairie, farmland, beaches, and roadsides.

Other details

Plectrophenax nivalis is a widespread breeder in northernmost Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>680,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, key populations in Greenland and Norway were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

Seeds are part of the Snow Bunting's diet year round, but especially in winter. During summer, they eat more insects and spiders, and the young are fed almost entirely an invertebrate diet. Birds in coastal areas may also eat tiny crustaceans.

Breeding

The preferred nest site of Snow Buntings is a crevice or cavity among exposed rocks or boulders on the tundra. Competition for sites is intense, and males-especially older, more experienced males-arrive three to six weeks ahead of females to claim suitable territories. They defend these territories and attract mates with finchlike warbled songs heard only on the breeding range. Nests built of moss and grass and lined with feathers and fur are hidden deep within rock piles or under boulders to avoid discovery by predators. Males feed nest-bound incubating females so that the eggs may be kept constantly warm in these cool shaded nest sites. The young are fed a diet of insects and arachnids.

She incubates 3 to 9 eggs for 10 to 16 days. Rock crevices in this harsh environment can be cold places, and the male feeds the female while she is on the nest so she doesn't often need to leave the nest during incubation. Both parents help feed the young, which leave the nest at 10 to 17 days. The parents continue to feed the young for 8 to 12 days after they leave the nest, although the young start catching some of their own food within 3 to 5 days. Snow Buntings typically only raise one brood a year.

Snow Buntings breed throughout the tundra regions in the northern hemisphere. They range across northern Russia and Scandinavia, and in North America, across the Canadian high Arctic from the coastal lowlands of Greenland to Alaska and as far south as the southern limits of permafrost, and in the alpine tundra of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. In mid to late September flocks begin to migrate south, arriving in the northern parts of the winter range about the third week of October and the southern areas about a month later.

Migration

Partially migratory to migratory, many birds wintering far south of circumpolar breeding range; northernmost areas are vacated. In Europe, winters mostly in coastal areas and on inland plains. Numbers vary greatly from year to year, and also fluctuate over long periods. Present in Iceland all year, by far the commonest wintering passerine.

Autumn movement prolonged, September-December, with most passage records October-November. Spring movement northward begins early or mid-February. Leaves southern France February-March; latest record 28 February in Rumania, and rare by March in Hungary. Passage peaks end of February to early or mid-March in Denmark, north-east Germany, and Poland. Reaches southern Norway mid- or late March to April, and northern Norway at beginning of May. In north-east Scotland, spring departure rapid; most birds leave in March, a few still present in 1st half of April; males depart c. 9 days before females on average.

Snow Buntings migrate in small, loose flocks. Males arrive on their Arctic breeding grounds in early April. Females follow in May, and both leave in the fall, arriving in and passing through Washington in mid-October. They winter throughout the open country of the northern United States and temperate Canada.

[order] Ciconiiformes | [family] Threskiornithidae | [latin] Plegadis falcinellus | [UK] Glossy Ibis | [FR] Ibis falcinelle | [DE] Braunsichler | [ES] Ibis Castaña | [IT] Mignattaio | [NL] Zwarte Ibis

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 88 cm

spanwidth max.: 105 cm

size min.: 55 cm

size max.: 65 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 20 days

incubation max.: 23 days

fledging min.: 26 days

fledging max.: 30 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 6

Physical characteristics

Unmistakable because is the only species in Europe with greenish-black plumage, long black legs and long curved bill. The size is bigger than 50 cm. Characteristic wetland species, breeding colonies are usually mixed with other herons. Birds may feed tens of kilometres from the breeding colonies. The Glossy Ibis feeds mainly on aquatic animals. Migrant.

Habitat

Characteristic wetland species, breeding colonies are usually mixed with other herons. Lakes, swamps, lagoons, sewage ponds, rivers wet meadows and irrigated cultivation. Roosting sites in large trees often far from water. Nests in freshwater or brackish wetlands, usually in tall dense trees or in low trees or bushes over or near water.

Other details

Plegadis falcinellus is a patchily distributed summer visitor to southern and southeastern Europe, which accounts for a tiny proportion of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is relatively small (10%) overall. Consequently, it is provisionally evaluated as Declining.

This bird has a nearly cosmopolitan but very fragmented distribution. In Europe it breeds in the Mediterranean regions, the Balkan Peninsula and the eastern parts of the continent. The population of the European Union comprises 52-89 breeding pairs, which represents only 0.5% of the total European population. Being fairly unpredictable in the occupation of its breeding sites, its trends are often difficult to assess, but globally it has undergone a strong decline since the latter part of last century, and its breeding area have definitely contracted. This trend seems even to have been accelerated during the last few decades. The main reasons for this are wetland reclamation, hunting and disturbance of breeding colonies

Feeding

Birds may feed tens of kilometers from the breeding colonies. The Glossy Ibis feeds mainly on aquatic animals. Insects: grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, locusts and small reptiles, frogs and fish. Usually feeds in small flocks by "walks slowly" and probes bill into mud and shallow water, or takes prey from surface sometimes runs after prey.

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 1,100,000-3,300,000 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

Breeds may in Black Sea area, March-May in North America, during rains or just after in most of Africa. In trees or bushes growing in water, at heights to 5-7 m, or in dense reeds or rushes. Colonial; from a few to thousands of pairs, usually with other Ciconiiformes, also with Pygmy Cormorant. Nest is compact platform of twigs or reeds lined with leaves. 3-4 eggs, incubation 20-23 days. chicks have sooty black down.

Migration

Migratory and dispersive, with considerable nomadic element. Flocks form after breeding, adults and juveniles often separated, and latter begin dispersing in all directions. Southerly aspects of post-fledging dispersals merge into autumn migration, which becomes dominant September, as adults and young withdraw south of breeding range. Winters in small numbers Mediterranean basin west to Morocco (where recent increase) but most European breeders probably trans-Saharan migrants; many spring and autumn records from Saharan oases, and common October-March in steppe zone southern edge of western desert. Return movement through Mediterranean basin and Black Sea late March, some still moving early May, though colonies re-occupied April. Some spring overshooting, with rare April-May appearances north to Britain and Germany.

Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) One Of Three Birds

End Of West Pier Howth, Co.Dublin Ireland

24th/Dec/2017

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Emberizidae | [latin] Plectrophenax nivalis | [UK] Snow Bunting | [FR] Bruant des neiges | [DE] Schneeammer | [ES] Escribano Nival | [IT] Zigolo delle nevi | [NL] Sneeuwgors

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 30 cm

spanwidth max.: 33 cm

size min.: 14 cm

size max.: 16 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 13 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 13 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

Physical characteristics

Snow Buntings are unmistakable medium sized sparrows, with white underparts and striking black-and-white wings. The slightly larger males are entirely black and white in breeding plumage with a white head and nape. The back and rump are black; the rump is mottled with white. Wings are mostly white with the primary feathers forming large black wingtips, and there is a black spot at the wrist. The tail is black with black-tipped white outer tail feathers. The bill and feet are black.

The summer female looks much like the male, except that the black areas of the body are duller and grayish brown rather than pure black and streaked with white, and the crown and ear coverts are buffy with black streaks. The white of the wings is reduced to a patch on the inner wing.

In winter, both male and female Snow Buntings resemble the breeding female. White areas are washed with pale brown, especially about the crown, sides of the head, and breast. The black feathers of the back are edged with brown and the bill becomes yellowish orange. As with breeding plumage, males show much more white in the wings. The rusty brown feather edges of the winter plumage gradually wear away to reveal the breeding plumage.

Across their range, flocks can reach the thousands and are often in the hundreds, although in Washington, flocks are usually much smaller. These flocks move around a lot from place to place, so their winter distribution can be spotty and ever changing. As they move through a field, birds at the back of the flock fly over the rest of the group to move to the front, making it appear that the flock is rolling. Ground-foragers, Snow Buntings are found in flocks outside of the breeding season

Habitat

Breeding habitat is barren tundra with rock piles, boulder fields, and other rocky outcroppings that are used as nesting sites. In winter, Snow Buntings inhabit a variety of open lands, including short-grass prairie, farmland, beaches, and roadsides.

Other details

Plectrophenax nivalis is a widespread breeder in northernmost Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>680,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, key populations in Greenland and Norway were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

Seeds are part of the Snow Bunting's diet year round, but especially in winter. During summer, they eat more insects and spiders, and the young are fed almost entirely an invertebrate diet. Birds in coastal areas may also eat tiny crustaceans.

Breeding

The preferred nest site of Snow Buntings is a crevice or cavity among exposed rocks or boulders on the tundra. Competition for sites is intense, and males-especially older, more experienced males-arrive three to six weeks ahead of females to claim suitable territories. They defend these territories and attract mates with finchlike warbled songs heard only on the breeding range. Nests built of moss and grass and lined with feathers and fur are hidden deep within rock piles or under boulders to avoid discovery by predators. Males feed nest-bound incubating females so that the eggs may be kept constantly warm in these cool shaded nest sites. The young are fed a diet of insects and arachnids.

She incubates 3 to 9 eggs for 10 to 16 days. Rock crevices in this harsh environment can be cold places, and the male feeds the female while she is on the nest so she doesn't often need to leave the nest during incubation. Both parents help feed the young, which leave the nest at 10 to 17 days. The parents continue to feed the young for 8 to 12 days after they leave the nest, although the young start catching some of their own food within 3 to 5 days. Snow Buntings typically only raise one brood a year.

Snow Buntings breed throughout the tundra regions in the northern hemisphere. They range across northern Russia and Scandinavia, and in North America, across the Canadian high Arctic from the coastal lowlands of Greenland to Alaska and as far south as the southern limits of permafrost, and in the alpine tundra of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. In mid to late September flocks begin to migrate south, arriving in the northern parts of the winter range about the third week of October and the southern areas about a month later.

Migration

Partially migratory to migratory, many birds wintering far south of circumpolar breeding range; northernmost areas are vacated. In Europe, winters mostly in coastal areas and on inland plains. Numbers vary greatly from year to year, and also fluctuate over long periods. Present in Iceland all year, by far the commonest wintering passerine.

Autumn movement prolonged, September-December, with most passage records October-November. Spring movement northward begins early or mid-February. Leaves southern France February-March; latest record 28 February in Rumania, and rare by March in Hungary. Passage peaks end of February to early or mid-March in Denmark, north-east Germany, and Poland. Reaches southern Norway mid- or late March to April, and northern Norway at beginning of May. In north-east Scotland, spring departure rapid; most birds leave in March, a few still present in 1st half of April; males depart c. 9 days before females on average.

Snow Buntings migrate in small, loose flocks. Males arrive on their Arctic breeding grounds in early April. Females follow in May, and both leave in the fall, arriving in and passing through Washington in mid-October. They winter throughout the open country of the northern United States and temperate Canada.

Tory Island, Co.Donegal Ireland

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Corvidae | [latin] Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax | [UK] Chough | [FR] Crave à bec rouge | [DE] Alpenkrähe | [ES] Chova piquirroja | [IT] Gracchio corallino | [NL] Alpenkraai | [IRL] Cág cosdearg

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 73 cm

spanwidth max.: 90 cm

size min.: 39 cm

size max.: 40 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 17 days

incubation max.: 18 days

fledging min.: 31 days

fledging max.: 41 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 5

Status: Resident along rocky coasts in Munster, as well as parts of Connaght and Ulster.

Conservation Concern: Amber-listed in Ireland. The European population has been evaluated as declining by BirdLife International, due to an ongoing moderate decline.

Identification: Marginally larger than the familiar Jackdaw, at 40 cm in length, in many respects the Chough looks like a typical all-black crow. At close range, however, its unique long, down-curved red bill and bright red legs make identification easy; the Irish name of this species translates as “red-legged Jackdaw”. Choughs also have more prominently “fingered” flight-feathers than our other crows, giving them a distinctive silhouette in the air.

Amongst our most accomplished aerobatic fliers, Choughs frequently swoop and soar in updrafts around cliffs, seemingly often just for fun. So skilled are these natural stunt pilots that they will sometimes even fly upside down, perform barrel rolls, etc.

Call: A very distinctive “key-aww”

Diet: Feeds mostly on insects and their larvae, worms and other subterranean invertebrates, using their curved bills to dig them out of the soil. They will also eat berries, grain, small mammals and birds and, in true crow fashion, pretty much anything else they can find.

Breeding: Nests in caves or crevices along coasts, or less frequently, in old buildings.

Wintering: Mainly local dispersal from breeding sites to favoured coastal areas.

Where to See: The Dingle Peninsula and the Cliffs of Moher and Waterford coastline are reliable sites to see this species

Physical characteristics

Red-billed Chough has bright blue black plumage, with green sheen on wings. Wings are long with long primaries. Eyes are black. Down curved bill is red and slender. Legs and feet are red, with black claws. Both sexes are similar. Juvenile is duller than adults, with yellow orange bill.

Red-billed Chough performs a superb and very graceful flight. It likes to play in thermal currents, performing vertiginous dives and acrobatic swoops. It soars effortless, and rises with the wind, crossing contrary winds to stop before diving with strong wing beats to get good speed. Then, it glides easily, and slewing its wide tail, it turns into the wind and rises again rapidly, performing a close turn while it goes forwards drifting slightly on the side. It is the only bird in the world able to perform this aerial display.

Red-billed Chough feeds on maritime heaths and pastures at the top of cliffs. When on ground, it may walk, hop or run quickly on short distance. It is a gregarious species, and they gather in groups to feed in short grassy areas. They are often seen in pairs or in small flocks, but also in large groups of hundreds of birds. Each group has a hierarchy, and birds may live and feed together without any problem. Young need 2 to 3 years within a group to get their own status, with some aggressive but rarely important fights. When food resources are reduced, dominant birds are able to find food enough, in order to survive and breed successfully. During breeding season, Red-billed Chough pair defends strongly its territory, chasing away any intruder able to threaten the nest site. If a predator comes too close, choughs perform spectacular aerial displays, to defend young still dependent within the group.

Habitat

Red-billed Chough breeds in high mountains and coastal cliffs, but with adjacent short grass pastures. It is also found in grassy and cultivated areas with rocky crags.

Other details

Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax is resident in parts of Britain and Ireland and across much of southern Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global range. Its European breeding population is relatively small (10%) overall.

This bird has a discontinuous distribution in southern Europe and Central Asia, from Turkey to China. Small populations also inhabit the Canary islands, Morocco and Ethiopia. It is breeding in low-lying mountainous regions and along rocky coasts. The population of the European Union amounts to 14000 breeding pairs, but in most regions it is declining

Feeding

Red-billed Chough feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, mainly ants, insects and larvae. They also consume seeds and berries in winter. Coastal birds also eat crustaceans and molluscs.

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, including an estimated 86,000-210,000 individuals in Europe (BirdLife International in prep.). Global population trends have not been quantified; there is evidence of a population decline (Madge and Burn 1993), 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

Red-billed Chough's nest is a bulky loose structure, made with twigs and roots, linked by mud. This nest is lined with soft materials such as wool and hair. It is located in rocky crevices or cavities, or on ledges of cliffs, or buildings, but also in mountain caves. Both parents take part in nest building. Female lays, in March to May, 3 to 5 pale buffy, creamy or green eggs, with various brown and grey markings. Incubation lasts about 17 days, and female starts to incubate when the first egg is laid. She is often fed by the male while she sits on the nest, but sometimes, she joins its mate to feed with it and a small group. Altricial chicks are tended and brooded by female the first ten days. She gives them small bits of food brought by the male. When young reach 5 to 7 days of age, male feeds them with female. Parents regurgitate invertebrates to feed them. When young reach their complete plumage, at about 38 days of age, they shelter into individual hidden places near to the nest, from where they rush out with noise to be fed by adults. One week later, young follow the adults and learn how to feed themselves. They become independent one month later, but they remain in the family group until the next breeding season. These young may help their parents to raise the chicks of the following clutch the next year. They reach their sexual maturity at 2 to 3 years.

Migration

Mainly sedentary. Recorded far from breeding areas only exceptionally. During cold winters but it may reach lower altitudes.

Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) One Of Three Birds

End Of West Pier Howth, Co.Dublin Ireland

24th/Dec/2017

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Emberizidae | [latin] Plectrophenax nivalis | [UK] Snow Bunting | [FR] Bruant des neiges | [DE] Schneeammer | [ES] Escribano Nival | [IT] Zigolo delle nevi | [NL] Sneeuwgors

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 30 cm

spanwidth max.: 33 cm

size min.: 14 cm

size max.: 16 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 13 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 13 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

Physical characteristics

Snow Buntings are unmistakable medium sized sparrows, with white underparts and striking black-and-white wings. The slightly larger males are entirely black and white in breeding plumage with a white head and nape. The back and rump are black; the rump is mottled with white. Wings are mostly white with the primary feathers forming large black wingtips, and there is a black spot at the wrist. The tail is black with black-tipped white outer tail feathers. The bill and feet are black.

The summer female looks much like the male, except that the black areas of the body are duller and grayish brown rather than pure black and streaked with white, and the crown and ear coverts are buffy with black streaks. The white of the wings is reduced to a patch on the inner wing.

In winter, both male and female Snow Buntings resemble the breeding female. White areas are washed with pale brown, especially about the crown, sides of the head, and breast. The black feathers of the back are edged with brown and the bill becomes yellowish orange. As with breeding plumage, males show much more white in the wings. The rusty brown feather edges of the winter plumage gradually wear away to reveal the breeding plumage.

Across their range, flocks can reach the thousands and are often in the hundreds, although in Washington, flocks are usually much smaller. These flocks move around a lot from place to place, so their winter distribution can be spotty and ever changing. As they move through a field, birds at the back of the flock fly over the rest of the group to move to the front, making it appear that the flock is rolling. Ground-foragers, Snow Buntings are found in flocks outside of the breeding season

Habitat

Breeding habitat is barren tundra with rock piles, boulder fields, and other rocky outcroppings that are used as nesting sites. In winter, Snow Buntings inhabit a variety of open lands, including short-grass prairie, farmland, beaches, and roadsides.

Other details

Plectrophenax nivalis is a widespread breeder in northernmost Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>680,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, key populations in Greenland and Norway were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

Seeds are part of the Snow Bunting's diet year round, but especially in winter. During summer, they eat more insects and spiders, and the young are fed almost entirely an invertebrate diet. Birds in coastal areas may also eat tiny crustaceans.

Breeding

The preferred nest site of Snow Buntings is a crevice or cavity among exposed rocks or boulders on the tundra. Competition for sites is intense, and males-especially older, more experienced males-arrive three to six weeks ahead of females to claim suitable territories. They defend these territories and attract mates with finchlike warbled songs heard only on the breeding range. Nests built of moss and grass and lined with feathers and fur are hidden deep within rock piles or under boulders to avoid discovery by predators. Males feed nest-bound incubating females so that the eggs may be kept constantly warm in these cool shaded nest sites. The young are fed a diet of insects and arachnids.

She incubates 3 to 9 eggs for 10 to 16 days. Rock crevices in this harsh environment can be cold places, and the male feeds the female while she is on the nest so she doesn't often need to leave the nest during incubation. Both parents help feed the young, which leave the nest at 10 to 17 days. The parents continue to feed the young for 8 to 12 days after they leave the nest, although the young start catching some of their own food within 3 to 5 days. Snow Buntings typically only raise one brood a year.

Snow Buntings breed throughout the tundra regions in the northern hemisphere. They range across northern Russia and Scandinavia, and in North America, across the Canadian high Arctic from the coastal lowlands of Greenland to Alaska and as far south as the southern limits of permafrost, and in the alpine tundra of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. In mid to late September flocks begin to migrate south, arriving in the northern parts of the winter range about the third week of October and the southern areas about a month later.

Migration

Partially migratory to migratory, many birds wintering far south of circumpolar breeding range; northernmost areas are vacated. In Europe, winters mostly in coastal areas and on inland plains. Numbers vary greatly from year to year, and also fluctuate over long periods. Present in Iceland all year, by far the commonest wintering passerine.

Autumn movement prolonged, September-December, with most passage records October-November. Spring movement northward begins early or mid-February. Leaves southern France February-March; latest record 28 February in Rumania, and rare by March in Hungary. Passage peaks end of February to early or mid-March in Denmark, north-east Germany, and Poland. Reaches southern Norway mid- or late March to April, and northern Norway at beginning of May. In north-east Scotland, spring departure rapid; most birds leave in March, a few still present in 1st half of April; males depart c. 9 days before females on average.

Snow Buntings migrate in small, loose flocks. Males arrive on their Arctic breeding grounds in early April. Females follow in May, and both leave in the fall, arriving in and passing through Washington in mid-October. They winter throughout the open country of the northern United States and temperate Canada.

[order] Ciconiiformes | [family] Threskiornithidae | [latin] Plegadis falcinellus | [UK] Glossy Ibis | [FR] Ibis falcinelle | [DE] Braunsichler | [ES] Ibis Castaña | [IT] Mignattaio | [NL] Zwarte Ibis

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 88 cm

spanwidth max.: 105 cm

size min.: 55 cm

size max.: 65 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 20 days

incubation max.: 23 days

fledging min.: 26 days

fledging max.: 30 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 6

Physical characteristics

Unmistakable because is the only species in Europe with greenish-black plumage, long black legs and long curved bill. The size is bigger than 50 cm. Characteristic wetland species, breeding colonies are usually mixed with other herons. Birds may feed tens of kilometres from the breeding colonies. The Glossy Ibis feeds mainly on aquatic animals. Migrant.

Habitat

Characteristic wetland species, breeding colonies are usually mixed with other herons. Lakes, swamps, lagoons, sewage ponds, rivers wet meadows and irrigated cultivation. Roosting sites in large trees often far from water. Nests in freshwater or brackish wetlands, usually in tall dense trees or in low trees or bushes over or near water.

Other details

Plegadis falcinellus is a patchily distributed summer visitor to southern and southeastern Europe, which accounts for a tiny proportion of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is relatively small (10%) overall. Consequently, it is provisionally evaluated as Declining.

This bird has a nearly cosmopolitan but very fragmented distribution. In Europe it breeds in the Mediterranean regions, the Balkan Peninsula and the eastern parts of the continent. The population of the European Union comprises 52-89 breeding pairs, which represents only 0.5% of the total European population. Being fairly unpredictable in the occupation of its breeding sites, its trends are often difficult to assess, but globally it has undergone a strong decline since the latter part of last century, and its breeding area have definitely contracted. This trend seems even to have been accelerated during the last few decades. The main reasons for this are wetland reclamation, hunting and disturbance of breeding colonies

Feeding

Birds may feed tens of kilometers from the breeding colonies. The Glossy Ibis feeds mainly on aquatic animals. Insects: grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, locusts and small reptiles, frogs and fish. Usually feeds in small flocks by "walks slowly" and probes bill into mud and shallow water, or takes prey from surface sometimes runs after prey.

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 1,100,000-3,300,000 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

Breeds may in Black Sea area, March-May in North America, during rains or just after in most of Africa. In trees or bushes growing in water, at heights to 5-7 m, or in dense reeds or rushes. Colonial; from a few to thousands of pairs, usually with other Ciconiiformes, also with Pygmy Cormorant. Nest is compact platform of twigs or reeds lined with leaves. 3-4 eggs, incubation 20-23 days. chicks have sooty black down.

Migration

Migratory and dispersive, with considerable nomadic element. Flocks form after breeding, adults and juveniles often separated, and latter begin dispersing in all directions. Southerly aspects of post-fledging dispersals merge into autumn migration, which becomes dominant September, as adults and young withdraw south of breeding range. Winters in small numbers Mediterranean basin west to Morocco (where recent increase) but most European breeders probably trans-Saharan migrants; many spring and autumn records from Saharan oases, and common October-March in steppe zone southern edge of western desert. Return movement through Mediterranean basin and Black Sea late March, some still moving early May, though colonies re-occupied April. Some spring overshooting, with rare April-May appearances north to Britain and Germany.

Tolka River Valley Park (TRVP) Finglas/Cabra Dublin

Ireland 27-02-2021

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Muscicapidae | [latin] Erithacus rubecula | [UK] Robin | [FR] Rougegorge familier | [DE] Rotkehlchen | [ES] Petirrojo Europeo | [IT] Pettirosso europeo | [NL] Roodborst |

[IRL) Spideog

Redbreast Ploughman's Bird Ruddock

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 20 cm

spanwidth max.: 23 cm

size min.: 12 cm

size max.: 14 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 13 days

incubation max.: 15 days

fledging min.: 11 days

fledging max.: 17 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

One of Ireland's top 5 most widespread garden birds.

Status: Resident

Conservation Concern: Green-listed in Ireland. The European population is regarded as Secure by BirdLife International.

Identification: Probably the most familiar garden bird - the bright orange-red breast and facial area make it unmistakable. Upperparts a uniform greyish brown, belly and lower breast greyish white. The bill is dark and pointed and the legs black. Can appear very plump and rounded, especially in cold weather when the bird fluffs out its feathers. Can be very confiding, often perching motionless close to gardening activity. Occasionally cocks tail briefly.

Call: Song a wispy, relatively slow series of notes ranging up and down the scale, becoming more rapid in parts - the notes rolling into each other. Somewhat melancholy - winter song even more so. Calls include a "tick" which is sometimes repeated to sound like an old clock being wound up. Also a plaintive, barely audible "seep".

Diet: Insects and some fruits, including apples. Readily comes to bird tables.

Breeding: Breeds throughout Ireland in many different habitats. Nest usually well-concealed in a bank, ivy or cavity in tree or wall. Sometimes chooses unusual location such as a hat or garment hanging in garden shed. Will use open-fronted nestboxes.

Wintering: Widespread.

Where to See: Widespread and common throughout Ireland.

Male Blackbird in the garden

A Species I Don't Get To See Too Often

Algarve Portugal 26-04-2022

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Muscicapidae | [latin] Saxicola rubetra | [UK] Whinchat | [FR] Tarier des prés | [DE] Braunkehlchen | [ES] Tarabilla Norteña | [IT] Stiaccino | [NL] Paapje | [IRL] Caislín aitinn

spanwidth min.: 21 cm

spanwidth max.: 24 cm

size min.: 12 cm

size max.: 14 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 14 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 13 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

Status: Widespread summer visitor from April to September to uplands and scrubland throughout Ireland. Scarce passage in spring and autumn mainly to eastern and southern coasts.

Conservation Concern: Amber-listed in Ireland due to a decline in the breeding population. The European population is currently assessed as Secure.

Identification: The same size as Robin and Stonechat and broadly resembles the latter species. Frequently uses exposed perches like Stonechat. In all plumages has a grey-brown rump, with a broad black stripe at the base of the tail. The white base to the tail is not obvious. Adult males have a dark head with a broad white supercilium. The back is streaked brown and black. The underparts (throat and breast) are a rich orange-buff. In flight, shows two large white patches on the wing. Adult females are similar to adult male Whinchats, but have a buffy-brown head and beige supercilium. The underparts also tend top be less extensively orange. Juveniles resemble adult females, but have some dark spotting on the breast.

Similar Species: Stonechat

Call: A soft "yu-tek-tek". Sings mainly at night and so infrequently heard. A distinctive series of whistled notes and rasping sounds, intermixed with mimicked calls and songs of other bird species.

Diet: Insects and other invertebrates.

Breeding: Breeds in a wide variety of habitats, including insect-rich meadows and bracken-covered slopes in uplands. The Irish breeding population has been decling in the last few years.

Wintering: Winters in tropical Africa.

Where to See: Coronation Plantation in County Wicklow and the Shannon Callows near Banagher are good areas to see Whinchat in Ireland.

Physical characteristics

Medium-sized, strong-billed, long tailed, and sprightly chat, with posture frequently recalling Winter Wren. Plumage essentially bright rufous to grey-brown above and buff-white below, with obvious pale supercilium, double wing-bar, and diagnostic orange-rufous tail tipped black and withe, Flight chat-like in action but silhouette recalls large warbler. Sexes similar, no seasonal variation.

Habitat

Breeds in dry middle and lower middle latitudes, in Mediterranean, steppe, and desert fringe zones, mainly in lowlands. In N-W Africa, only natural habitat in uplands is in tamarisk and vegetation bordering wadis. Not attracted to natural maquis and forest, and avoids both mountains and bare plains. More attracted by man-made habitats such as parks, orange groves, gardens, and groups of prickly pear. In steppes, favours areas planted with bushes and trees.

Other details

Saxicola rubetra is a widespread summer visitor to much of Europe, which constitutes >75% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is very large (>5,400,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although the species declined in many countries—notably Finland and Ukraine—during 1990-2000, the key population in Russia was stable, with other sizeable populations such as Belarus, Poland and Romania also stable or increasing, and the species probably declined only slightly overall.

Feeding

Mostly insects and earthworms, often rather large, occasionally fruit. Feeding method varies with prey. Pursues ants, etc, on ground. Takes small Diptera and Hymenoptera from flowers, sometimes hovering to do so. Locates earthworms by probing in soft ground, throwing earth aside with bill once worm found.

Breeding

Nest site is situated in thick bush or low tree, often near trunk. Nest loosely constructed untidy structure of fine twigs, trasses, and rootlets, lined with vegetable down, wool, hair, and feathers, and often a piece of snake skin. Building by both sexes.3-5 eggs, incubation 13 days tended by female only.

Migration

Essentially a trans-Saharan migrant, wintering in tropical Africa, though also regularly in Algeria and Iraq; other wintering records north of Sahara are exceptional but widely scattered through Mediterranean basin and western seaboard of Europe north to Britain. Wintering range extends from Sénégal through Nigeria and Zaïre to Uganda, and uncommonly in Kenya and Tanzania, south to Malawi and Zambia. Birds leave north European breeding grounds in late August and September, with peak numbers on passage in western Europe in early September. First arrivals at wintering sites are in mid- or late September. Return passage begins February-March, continuing into early May.

13-02-2019 Algarve Portugal

[order] Ciconiiformes | [family] Threskiornithidae | [latin] Plegadis falcinellus | [UK] Glossy Ibis | [FR] Ibis falcinelle | [DE] Braunsichler | [ES] Ibis Castaña | [IT] Mignattaio | [NL] Zwarte Ibis

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 88 cm

spanwidth max.: 105 cm

size min.: 55 cm

size max.: 65 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 20 days

incubation max.: 23 days

fledging min.: 26 days

fledging max.: 30 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 6

Physical characteristics

Unmistakable because is the only species in Europe with greenish-black plumage, long black legs and long curved bill. The size is bigger than 50 cm. Characteristic wetland species, breeding colonies are usually mixed with other herons. Birds may feed tens of kilometres from the breeding colonies. The Glossy Ibis feeds mainly on aquatic animals. Migrant.

Habitat

Characteristic wetland species, breeding colonies are usually mixed with other herons. Lakes, swamps, lagoons, sewage ponds, rivers wet meadows and irrigated cultivation. Roosting sites in large trees often far from water. Nests in freshwater or brackish wetlands, usually in tall dense trees or in low trees or bushes over or near water.

Other details

Plegadis falcinellus is a patchily distributed summer visitor to southern and southeastern Europe, which accounts for a tiny proportion of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is relatively small (10%) overall. Consequently, it is provisionally evaluated as Declining.

This bird has a nearly cosmopolitan but very fragmented distribution. In Europe it breeds in the Mediterranean regions, the Balkan Peninsula and the eastern parts of the continent. The population of the European Union comprises 52-89 breeding pairs, which represents only 0.5% of the total European population. Being fairly unpredictable in the occupation of its breeding sites, its trends are often difficult to assess, but globally it has undergone a strong decline since the latter part of last century, and its breeding area have definitely contracted. This trend seems even to have been accelerated during the last few decades. The main reasons for this are wetland reclamation, hunting and disturbance of breeding colonies

Feeding

Birds may feed tens of kilometers from the breeding colonies. The Glossy Ibis feeds mainly on aquatic animals. Insects: grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, locusts and small reptiles, frogs and fish. Usually feeds in small flocks by "walks slowly" and probes bill into mud and shallow water, or takes prey from surface sometimes runs after prey.

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 1,100,000-3,300,000 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

Breeds may in Black Sea area, March-May in North America, during rains or just after in most of Africa. In trees or bushes growing in water, at heights to 5-7 m, or in dense reeds or rushes. Colonial; from a few to thousands of pairs, usually with other Ciconiiformes, also with Pygmy Cormorant. Nest is compact platform of twigs or reeds lined with leaves. 3-4 eggs, incubation 20-23 days. chicks have sooty black down.

Migration

Migratory and dispersive, with considerable nomadic element. Flocks form after breeding, adults and juveniles often separated, and latter begin dispersing in all directions. Southerly aspects of post-fledging dispersals merge into autumn migration, which becomes dominant September, as adults and young withdraw south of breeding range. Winters in small numbers Mediterranean basin west to Morocco (where recent increase) but most European breeders probably trans-Saharan migrants; many spring and autumn records from Saharan oases, and common October-March in steppe zone southern edge of western desert. Return movement through Mediterranean basin and Black Sea late March, some still moving early May, though colonies re-occupied April. Some spring overshooting, with rare April-May appearances north to Britain and Germany.

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)

Old World warblers | [order] PASSERIFORMES | [family] Sylviidae | [latin] Sylvia melanocephala | [UK] Sardinian Warbler | [FR] Fauvette melanocephale | [DE] Samtkopf-Grasmucke | [ES] Curruca cabecinegra | [NL] Kleine Zwartkop

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 15 cm

spanwidth max.: 18 cm

size min.: 13 cm

size max.: 14 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 15 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 15 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 5

Physical characteristics

Rather small to medium-sezed, slim warbler, with spiky bill, short wings, long tail, and alert angry expression due to frequently steep forehead and red eye and bare ring set in dark pace. Male black on head and dusky elsewhere above, offpwhite with dusky-washed flank below. Female dusky-brown above, dirty brown and white below. Both sexes have dark tail with white edges and corners. Sexes disimilan, little seasonal variation.

Habitat

Breeds in Mediterranean zone. Mainly in dry coastal regions and on islands, generally at low elevations. Equally at home in crowns of close-growing trees, tall undergrowth or maquis away from trees, low shrubs and garigue, or even in herb layer or on ground, not excluding bare rocks and clifftops. Indifferent to nearness of dwellings and human activities.

Other details

Sylvia melanocephala is a widespread breeder in southern Europe, which constitutes >50% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is very large (>3,100,000 pairs), and increased between 1970-1990. Populations were stable or increased across most of its range during 1990-2000, although the trend of the sizeable Spanish population was unknown?but there was no evidence to suggest that the speciess status deteriorated significantly.

Feeding

Chiefly insects, but also fruit in autumn and winter. In south of breeding range, fruit predominates in diet for much of the year. Feeds mainly in low scrub but also on ground and in canopy. Spends less time on ground than Marmoras Warbler but much more than and other warbler.

Breeding

Breeds mid March to late April in South-West Europe, mid February to mid July in Malta, Late April to mid June in Greece, and early April to early June in North-West Africa. Nest site located in low scrub, tall grasses, brambles, etc, up tp 1,8 m above ground. Nest is a compact cup of grass leaves and stems, plant stalks, vegetable down, and cobwebs, lined with finer grasses and some rootlers, usually with distinct thicker rim. 3-5 eggs are laid, incubation 12-15 days, by both sexes, but female sitting on average twice as long as male during day.

Migration

Varies from partially migratory to sedentary in different parts of range. In west of range, winter quarters include most of breeding range, extending south in Africa to c. 17 degrees N. In east of range, breeding grounds furthest north (Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and northern Turkey) apparently entirely vacated. Autumn movements span late August to December. Spring migration mostly late February or early March to April.

Chiffchaff in the garden

03-05-2019 New Jersey USA

Songs and Calls

Sharp kik-kik-kik-kik; also a shrill squeal.

Scientific classification

Kingdom:Animalia

Phylum:Chordata

Class:Aves

Order:Accipitriformes

Family:Accipitridae

Genus:Accipiter

Species:A. striatus

Binomial name

Accipiter striatus

FamilyHawks and Eagles

HabitatMixed or coniferous forests, open deciduous woodlands, thickets, edges. Usually nests in groves of coniferous trees in mixed woods, sometimes in dense deciduous trees or in pure coniferous forest with brush or clearings nearby. In winter found in any kind of forest or brushy area, but tends to avoid open country.

The smallest of our bird-hunting Accipiter hawks, this one is also the most migratory, breeding north to treeline in Alaska and Canada and wintering south to Panama. It is during migration that the Sharp-shin is most likely to be seen in numbers, with dozens or even hundreds passing at some favoured points on coastlines, lake shores, and mountain ridges. At other seasons the hawks lurk in the woods, ambushing songbirds and generally staying out of sight.

Feeding Behaviour

Hunts mostly by perching inside foliage and waiting for small birds to approach, or by approaching stealthily through dense cover, then bursting forth with incredibly swift flight to capture prey in its talons. Sometimes hunts by flying rapidly among the trees or low over the ground, threading its way around obstacles, taking prey by sudden surprise.

Eggs

Usually 4-5, sometimes 3, rarely 1-6. Bluish-white fading to white, blotched and washed with brown. Incubation is mostly by female, 30-35 days. Male brings food to female on nest, and may sit on eggs while she is eating. Young: Female remains near young for first 1-2 weeks after they hatch; male brings food, female feeds it to nestlings. Young may move out of nest onto nearby branches after about 3-4 weeks, can fly at about 5-6 weeks.

Young

Female remains near young for first 1-2 weeks after they hatch; male brings food, female feeds it to nestlings. Young may move out of nest onto nearby branches after about 3-4 weeks, can fly at about 5-6 weeks.

Diet

Mostly small birds. Feeds mostly on birds of about sparrow size up to robin size, sometimes up to the size of quail. Also eats small numbers of rodents, bats, squirrels, lizards, frogs, snakes, large insects.

Nesting

In courtship, pairs may circle above the forest, calling; fluffy white under tail coverts may be spread out to side during some displays. Male may fly high and dive steeply into woods. Nest site is very well concealed, usually in a dense conifer (such as spruce or fir) within forest or thick grove; usually 20-60' above ground, but can be lower or higher in suitably dense cover. Sometimes builds on top of old nest of squirrel or crow. Nest is a platform of sticks, lined with bark strips, twigs, grass. Both sexes bring nest material, female may do most of building.

New Jersey USA 14-05-2019

Songs and Calls

Low grunts and higher-pitched bleats.

[order] Ciconiiformes | [family] Threskiornithidae | [latin] Plegadis falcinellus | [UK] Glossy Ibis | [FR] Ibis falcinelle | [DE] Braunsichler | [ES] Ibis Castaña | [IT] Mignattaio | [NL] Zwarte Ibis

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 88 cm

spanwidth max.: 105 cm

size min.: 55 cm

size max.: 65 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 20 days

incubation max.: 23 days

fledging min.: 26 days

fledging max.: 30 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 6

Physical characteristics

FamilyIbises and Spoonbills

HabitatMarshes, rice fields, swamps. Forages in shallow waters, favoring marshes (either fresh or salt), flooded fields, shallow ponds, estuaries. Nests in low stands of willows and other shrubs surrounded by marsh, on ground in spartina marsh, in dense thickets of trees and shrubs on higher ground, sometimes in mangroves.

Flocks of Glossy Ibises wade in the shallows of eastern marshes, probing for food with their sickle-shaped bills. Widespread in the Old World, the species is found in the New World mainly in the West Indies and along our Atlantic Coast, especially Florida, where it was quite scarce as recently as the 1930s. It may have invaded within the last few centuries, riding the trade winds across from West Africa to the Caribbean.

Unmistakable because is the only species in Europe with greenish-black plumage, long black legs and long curved bill. The size is bigger than 50 cm. Characteristic wetland species, breeding colonies are usually mixed with other herons. Birds may feed tens of kilometres from the breeding colonies. The Glossy Ibis feeds mainly on aquatic animals. Migrant.

Habitat

Characteristic wetland species, breeding colonies are usually mixed with other herons. Lakes, swamps, lagoons, sewage ponds, rivers wet meadows and irrigated cultivation. Roosting sites in large trees often far from water. Nests in freshwater or brackish wetlands, usually in tall dense trees or in low trees or bushes over or near water.

Other details

Plegadis falcinellus is a patchily distributed summer visitor to southern and southeastern Europe, which accounts for a tiny proportion of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is relatively small (10%) overall. Consequently, it is provisionally evaluated as Declining.

This bird has a nearly cosmopolitan but very fragmented distribution. In Europe it breeds in the Mediterranean regions, the Balkan Peninsula and the eastern parts of the continent. The population of the European Union comprises 52-89 breeding pairs, which represents only 0.5% of the total European population. Being fairly unpredictable in the occupation of its breeding sites, its trends are often difficult to assess, but globally it has undergone a strong decline since the latter part of last century, and its breeding area have definitely contracted. This trend seems even to have been accelerated during the last few decades. The main reasons for this are wetland reclamation, hunting and disturbance of breeding colonies

Feeding

Birds may feed tens of kilometers from the breeding colonies. The Glossy Ibis feeds mainly on aquatic animals. Insects: grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, locusts and small reptiles, frogs and fish. Usually feeds in small flocks by "walks slowly" and probes bill into mud and shallow water, or takes prey from surface sometimes runs after prey.

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 1,100,000-3,300,000 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

Breeds may in Black Sea area, March-May in North America, during rains or just after in most of Africa. In trees or bushes growing in water, at heights to 5-7 m, or in dense reeds or rushes. Colonial; from a few to thousands of pairs, usually with other Ciconiiformes, also with Pygmy Cormorant. Nest is compact platform of twigs or reeds lined with leaves. 3-4 eggs, incubation 20-23 days. chicks have sooty black down.

Migration

Migratory and dispersive, with considerable nomadic element. Flocks form after breeding, adults and juveniles often separated, and latter begin dispersing in all directions. Southerly aspects of post-fledging dispersals merge into autumn migration, which becomes dominant September, as adults and young withdraw south of breeding range. Winters in small numbers Mediterranean basin west to Morocco (where recent increase) but most European breeders probably trans-Saharan migrants; many spring and autumn records from Saharan oases, and common October-March in steppe zone southern edge of western desert. Return movement through Mediterranean basin and Black Sea late March, some still moving early May, though colonies re-occupied April. Some spring overshooting, with rare April-May appearances north to Britain and Germany.

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)

Old World warblers | [order] PASSERIFORMES | [family] Sylviidae | [latin] Sylvia melanocephala | [UK] Sardinian Warbler | [FR] Fauvette melanocephale | [DE] Samtkopf-Grasmucke | [ES] Curruca cabecinegra | [NL] Kleine Zwartkop

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 15 cm

spanwidth max.: 18 cm

size min.: 13 cm

size max.: 14 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 15 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 15 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 5

Physical characteristics

Rather small to medium-sezed, slim warbler, with spiky bill, short wings, long tail, and alert angry expression due to frequently steep forehead and red eye and bare ring set in dark pace. Male black on head and dusky elsewhere above, offpwhite with dusky-washed flank below. Female dusky-brown above, dirty brown and white below. Both sexes have dark tail with white edges and corners. Sexes disimilan, little seasonal variation.

Habitat

Breeds in Mediterranean zone. Mainly in dry coastal regions and on islands, generally at low elevations. Equally at home in crowns of close-growing trees, tall undergrowth or maquis away from trees, low shrubs and garigue, or even in herb layer or on ground, not excluding bare rocks and clifftops. Indifferent to nearness of dwellings and human activities.

Other details

Sylvia melanocephala is a widespread breeder in southern Europe, which constitutes >50% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is very large (>3,100,000 pairs), and increased between 1970-1990. Populations were stable or increased across most of its range during 1990-2000, although the trend of the sizeable Spanish population was unknown?but there was no evidence to suggest that the speciess status deteriorated significantly.

Feeding

Chiefly insects, but also fruit in autumn and winter. In south of breeding range, fruit predominates in diet for much of the year. Feeds mainly in low scrub but also on ground and in canopy. Spends less time on ground than Marmoras Warbler but much more than and other warbler.

Breeding

Breeds mid March to late April in South-West Europe, mid February to mid July in Malta, Late April to mid June in Greece, and early April to early June in North-West Africa. Nest site located in low scrub, tall grasses, brambles, etc, up tp 1,8 m above ground. Nest is a compact cup of grass leaves and stems, plant stalks, vegetable down, and cobwebs, lined with finer grasses and some rootlers, usually with distinct thicker rim. 3-5 eggs are laid, incubation 12-15 days, by both sexes, but female sitting on average twice as long as male during day.

Migration

Varies from partially migratory to sedentary in different parts of range. In west of range, winter quarters include most of breeding range, extending south in Africa to c. 17 degrees N. In east of range, breeding grounds furthest north (Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and northern Turkey) apparently entirely vacated. Autumn movements span late August to December. Spring migration mostly late February or early March to April.

[group] Sandpipers and allies | [order] CHARADRIIFORMES | [family] Scolopacidae | [latin] Calidris temminckii | [UK] Temmincks Stint | [FR] Becasseau de Temminck | [DE] Temminck-Strandlaufer | [ES] Correlimos de Temminck | [NL] Temmincks Strandloper

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 34 cm

spanwidth max.: 36 cm

size min.: 13 cm

size max.: 15 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 21 days

incubation max.: 22 days

fledging min.: 15 days

fledging max.: 22 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 2

eggs max.: 4

Physical characteristics

Small stint with broad white sides of tail and rump, unique amongst Calidris. Upperparts range from dull grey to olive brown, with variable patches of black brown, dull rufous and grey. Head and breast grey brown. Breast heavily streaked brown, white on chin, throat and belly. Female averages slightly larger. Non-breeding adult has plain dark grey upperparts and head. Breast uniform pale grey brown, chin and throat white.

Habitat

Southern tundra, shrub tundra and along folldplains in forest tundra, on flat ground clear of vegetation, or covered with short grass interspersed with patches of shrubs. Also near inlets, fjords, deltas and streams. Upland ane inland, at sheltered sites on shrubland fringes. Outside breeding season, variety of wetland types, preferably inland freshwater sites, flood lands, irrigated fields, sewage farms and more or less densely vegetated wetlands.

Other details

Calidris temminckii breeds mainly in Fennoscandia and arctic Russia, with Europe accounting for less than half of its global breeding range. Estimates of its European breeding population vary widely, but it is probably relatively large (as many as 420,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, populations in Norway and the Russian stronghold were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

On coast, mainly annlids, crustaceans and small molluscs. Pecks prey from surface, rarely probes. Singly or in small groups of up to 30 birds.

Breeding

Egg laying in May-July. Successive bigamy by both sexes, occasionally with third clutch. Site fidelity and some natal philopatry. Nest on ground, in open or low vegetation, lined with plant, stems and leaves. 4 eggs, 2nd clutch started a week after 1st. Each nest cared for by one parent, incubation 21 days. Chick obscurely mottled cinnamon buff to ochraceous above with blackis band and white to buff down tips, buff-yellow face and throat, and white underparts. Age of first breeding 1 year.

Migration

Migratory. Broad front migration spans towards N Africa and S Asia. Arrive in n Africa late Jul to mid-Sept or mid-Oct, reaching Mali Aug-Oct, Eritrea Sept to early Oct, and tropics mainly from Oct. Departs wintering grounds mainly late Mar to Apr, some as late as May. Small numbers winter in Europe, occasionally as far as N Britain. Scandinavian birds move S-SW in autumn. Usually migrates in small flocks, up to 250 individuals.

New Jersey USA 14-05-2019

Songs and Calls

Low grunts and higher-pitched bleats.

[order] Ciconiiformes | [family] Threskiornithidae | [latin] Plegadis falcinellus | [UK] Glossy Ibis | [FR] Ibis falcinelle | [DE] Braunsichler | [ES] Ibis Castaña | [IT] Mignattaio | [NL] Zwarte Ibis

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 88 cm

spanwidth max.: 105 cm

size min.: 55 cm

size max.: 65 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 20 days

incubation max.: 23 days

fledging min.: 26 days

fledging max.: 30 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 6

Physical characteristics

FamilyIbises and Spoonbills

HabitatMarshes, rice fields, swamps. Forages in shallow waters, favoring marshes (either fresh or salt), flooded fields, shallow ponds, estuaries. Nests in low stands of willows and other shrubs surrounded by marsh, on ground in spartina marsh, in dense thickets of trees and shrubs on higher ground, sometimes in mangroves.

Flocks of Glossy Ibises wade in the shallows of eastern marshes, probing for food with their sickle-shaped bills. Widespread in the Old World, the species is found in the New World mainly in the West Indies and along our Atlantic Coast, especially Florida, where it was quite scarce as recently as the 1930s. It may have invaded within the last few centuries, riding the trade winds across from West Africa to the Caribbean.

Unmistakable because is the only species in Europe with greenish-black plumage, long black legs and long curved bill. The size is bigger than 50 cm. Characteristic wetland species, breeding colonies are usually mixed with other herons. Birds may feed tens of kilometres from the breeding colonies. The Glossy Ibis feeds mainly on aquatic animals. Migrant.

Habitat

Characteristic wetland species, breeding colonies are usually mixed with other herons. Lakes, swamps, lagoons, sewage ponds, rivers wet meadows and irrigated cultivation. Roosting sites in large trees often far from water. Nests in freshwater or brackish wetlands, usually in tall dense trees or in low trees or bushes over or near water.

Other details

Plegadis falcinellus is a patchily distributed summer visitor to southern and southeastern Europe, which accounts for a tiny proportion of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is relatively small (10%) overall. Consequently, it is provisionally evaluated as Declining.

This bird has a nearly cosmopolitan but very fragmented distribution. In Europe it breeds in the Mediterranean regions, the Balkan Peninsula and the eastern parts of the continent. The population of the European Union comprises 52-89 breeding pairs, which represents only 0.5% of the total European population. Being fairly unpredictable in the occupation of its breeding sites, its trends are often difficult to assess, but globally it has undergone a strong decline since the latter part of last century, and its breeding area have definitely contracted. This trend seems even to have been accelerated during the last few decades. The main reasons for this are wetland reclamation, hunting and disturbance of breeding colonies

Feeding

Birds may feed tens of kilometers from the breeding colonies. The Glossy Ibis feeds mainly on aquatic animals. Insects: grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, locusts and small reptiles, frogs and fish. Usually feeds in small flocks by "walks slowly" and probes bill into mud and shallow water, or takes prey from surface sometimes runs after prey.

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 1,100,000-3,300,000 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

Breeds may in Black Sea area, March-May in North America, during rains or just after in most of Africa. In trees or bushes growing in water, at heights to 5-7 m, or in dense reeds or rushes. Colonial; from a few to thousands of pairs, usually with other Ciconiiformes, also with Pygmy Cormorant. Nest is compact platform of twigs or reeds lined with leaves. 3-4 eggs, incubation 20-23 days. chicks have sooty black down.

Migration

Migratory and dispersive, with considerable nomadic element. Flocks form after breeding, adults and juveniles often separated, and latter begin dispersing in all directions. Southerly aspects of post-fledging dispersals merge into autumn migration, which becomes dominant September, as adults and young withdraw south of breeding range. Winters in small numbers Mediterranean basin west to Morocco (where recent increase) but most European breeders probably trans-Saharan migrants; many spring and autumn records from Saharan oases, and common October-March in steppe zone southern edge of western desert. Return movement through Mediterranean basin and Black Sea late March, some still moving early May, though colonies re-occupied April. Some spring overshooting, with rare April-May appearances north to Britain and Germany.

New Jersey USA 14-05-2019

Songs and Calls

Low grunts and higher-pitched bleats.

[order] Ciconiiformes | [family] Threskiornithidae | [latin] Plegadis falcinellus | [UK] Glossy Ibis | [FR] Ibis falcinelle | [DE] Braunsichler | [ES] Ibis Castaña | [IT] Mignattaio | [NL] Zwarte Ibis

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 88 cm

spanwidth max.: 105 cm

size min.: 55 cm

size max.: 65 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 20 days

incubation max.: 23 days

fledging min.: 26 days

fledging max.: 30 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 6

Physical characteristics

FamilyIbises and Spoonbills

HabitatMarshes, rice fields, swamps. Forages in shallow waters, favoring marshes (either fresh or salt), flooded fields, shallow ponds, estuaries. Nests in low stands of willows and other shrubs surrounded by marsh, on ground in spartina marsh, in dense thickets of trees and shrubs on higher ground, sometimes in mangroves.

Flocks of Glossy Ibises wade in the shallows of eastern marshes, probing for food with their sickle-shaped bills. Widespread in the Old World, the species is found in the New World mainly in the West Indies and along our Atlantic Coast, especially Florida, where it was quite scarce as recently as the 1930s. It may have invaded within the last few centuries, riding the trade winds across from West Africa to the Caribbean.

Unmistakable because is the only species in Europe with greenish-black plumage, long black legs and long curved bill. The size is bigger than 50 cm. Characteristic wetland species, breeding colonies are usually mixed with other herons. Birds may feed tens of kilometres from the breeding colonies. The Glossy Ibis feeds mainly on aquatic animals. Migrant.

Habitat

Characteristic wetland species, breeding colonies are usually mixed with other herons. Lakes, swamps, lagoons, sewage ponds, rivers wet meadows and irrigated cultivation. Roosting sites in large trees often far from water. Nests in freshwater or brackish wetlands, usually in tall dense trees or in low trees or bushes over or near water.

Other details

Plegadis falcinellus is a patchily distributed summer visitor to southern and southeastern Europe, which accounts for a tiny proportion of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is relatively small (10%) overall. Consequently, it is provisionally evaluated as Declining.

This bird has a nearly cosmopolitan but very fragmented distribution. In Europe it breeds in the Mediterranean regions, the Balkan Peninsula and the eastern parts of the continent. The population of the European Union comprises 52-89 breeding pairs, which represents only 0.5% of the total European population. Being fairly unpredictable in the occupation of its breeding sites, its trends are often difficult to assess, but globally it has undergone a strong decline since the latter part of last century, and its breeding area have definitely contracted. This trend seems even to have been accelerated during the last few decades. The main reasons for this are wetland reclamation, hunting and disturbance of breeding colonies

Feeding

Birds may feed tens of kilometers from the breeding colonies. The Glossy Ibis feeds mainly on aquatic animals. Insects: grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, locusts and small reptiles, frogs and fish. Usually feeds in small flocks by "walks slowly" and probes bill into mud and shallow water, or takes prey from surface sometimes runs after prey.

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 1,100,000-3,300,000 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

Breeds may in Black Sea area, March-May in North America, during rains or just after in most of Africa. In trees or bushes growing in water, at heights to 5-7 m, or in dense reeds or rushes. Colonial; from a few to thousands of pairs, usually with other Ciconiiformes, also with Pygmy Cormorant. Nest is compact platform of twigs or reeds lined with leaves. 3-4 eggs, incubation 20-23 days. chicks have sooty black down.

Migration

Migratory and dispersive, with considerable nomadic element. Flocks form after breeding, adults and juveniles often separated, and latter begin dispersing in all directions. Southerly aspects of post-fledging dispersals merge into autumn migration, which becomes dominant September, as adults and young withdraw south of breeding range. Winters in small numbers Mediterranean basin west to Morocco (where recent increase) but most European breeders probably trans-Saharan migrants; many spring and autumn records from Saharan oases, and common October-March in steppe zone southern edge of western desert. Return movement through Mediterranean basin and Black Sea late March, some still moving early May, though colonies re-occupied April. Some spring overshooting, with rare April-May appearances north to Britain and Germany.

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Muscicapidae | [latin] Erithacus rubecula | [UK] Robin | [FR] Rougegorge familier | [DE] Rotkehlchen | [ES] Petirrojo Europeo | [IT] Pettirosso europeo | [NL] Roodborst |

[IRL) Spideog

Redbreast Ploughman's Bird Ruddock

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 20 cm

spanwidth max.: 23 cm

size min.: 12 cm

size max.: 14 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 13 days

incubation max.: 15 days

fledging min.: 11 days

fledging max.: 17 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

One of Ireland's top 5 most widespread garden birds.

Status: Resident

Conservation Concern: Green-listed in Ireland. The European population is regarded as Secure by BirdLife International.

Identification: Probably the most familiar garden bird - the bright orange-red breast and facial area make it unmistakable. Upperparts a uniform greyish brown, belly and lower breast greyish white. The bill is dark and pointed and the legs black. Can appear very plump and rounded, especially in cold weather when the bird fluffs out its feathers. Can be very confiding, often perching motionless close to gardening activity. Occasionally cocks tail briefly.

Call: Song a wispy, relatively slow series of notes ranging up and down the scale, becoming more rapid in parts - the notes rolling into each other. Somewhat melancholy - winter song even more so. Calls include a "tick" which is sometimes repeated to sound like an old clock being wound up. Also a plaintive, barely audible "seep".

Diet: Insects and some fruits, including apples. Readily comes to bird tables.

Breeding: Breeds throughout Ireland in many different habitats. Nest usually well-concealed in a bank, ivy or cavity in tree or wall. Sometimes chooses unusual location such as a hat or garment hanging in garden shed. Will use open-fronted nestboxes.

Wintering: Widespread.

Where to See: Widespread and common throughout Ireland.

03-05-2019 New Jersey USA

Songs and Calls

Sharp kik-kik-kik-kik; also a shrill squeal.

Scientific classification

Kingdom:Animalia

Phylum:Chordata

Class:Aves

Order:Accipitriformes

Family:Accipitridae

Genus:Accipiter

Species:A. striatus

Binomial name

Accipiter striatus

FamilyHawks and Eagles

HabitatMixed or coniferous forests, open deciduous woodlands, thickets, edges. Usually nests in groves of coniferous trees in mixed woods, sometimes in dense deciduous trees or in pure coniferous forest with brush or clearings nearby. In winter found in any kind of forest or brushy area, but tends to avoid open country.

The smallest of our bird-hunting Accipiter hawks, this one is also the most migratory, breeding north to treeline in Alaska and Canada and wintering south to Panama. It is during migration that the Sharp-shin is most likely to be seen in numbers, with dozens or even hundreds passing at some favoured points on coastlines, lake shores, and mountain ridges. At other seasons the hawks lurk in the woods, ambushing songbirds and generally staying out of sight.

Feeding Behaviour

Hunts mostly by perching inside foliage and waiting for small birds to approach, or by approaching stealthily through dense cover, then bursting forth with incredibly swift flight to capture prey in its talons. Sometimes hunts by flying rapidly among the trees or low over the ground, threading its way around obstacles, taking prey by sudden surprise.

Eggs

Usually 4-5, sometimes 3, rarely 1-6. Bluish-white fading to white, blotched and washed with brown. Incubation is mostly by female, 30-35 days. Male brings food to female on nest, and may sit on eggs while she is eating. Young: Female remains near young for first 1-2 weeks after they hatch; male brings food, female feeds it to nestlings. Young may move out of nest onto nearby branches after about 3-4 weeks, can fly at about 5-6 weeks.

Young

Female remains near young for first 1-2 weeks after they hatch; male brings food, female feeds it to nestlings. Young may move out of nest onto nearby branches after about 3-4 weeks, can fly at about 5-6 weeks.

Diet

Mostly small birds. Feeds mostly on birds of about sparrow size up to robin size, sometimes up to the size of quail. Also eats small numbers of rodents, bats, squirrels, lizards, frogs, snakes, large insects.

Nesting

In courtship, pairs may circle above the forest, calling; fluffy white under tail coverts may be spread out to side during some displays. Male may fly high and dive steeply into woods. Nest site is very well concealed, usually in a dense conifer (such as spruce or fir) within forest or thick grove; usually 20-60' above ground, but can be lower or higher in suitably dense cover. Sometimes builds on top of old nest of squirrel or crow. Nest is a platform of sticks, lined with bark strips, twigs, grass. Both sexes bring nest material, female may do most of building.

Robin at Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham

[group] Wagtails and pipits | [order] PASSERIFORMES | [family] Motacillidae | [latin] Anthus pratensis | [UK] Meadow Pipit | [FR] Pitpit farlouse | [DE] Wiesenpieper | [ES] Bisbita Comun | [NL] Graspieper | [IRL] Riabhóg Mhóna

spanwidth min.: 22 cm

spanwidth max.: 25 cm

size min.: 14 cm

size max.: 16 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 11 days

incubation max.: 15 days

fledging min.: 10 days

fledging max.: 15 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 6

Status: One of the commonest bird species in Ireland, favouring rough pastures and uplands.

Conservation Concern: Previously Green-listed, though Red-listed in Ireland since 2014, following sharp breeding declines thought to be a result of the unusually severe winters of 2009/10 and 2010/11. Populations have shown signs of significant recovery since. The European population is considered to be Secure.

Identification: A very non-descript bird when seen in the field. Meadow Pipits are brown above with black streaking on a white breast and belly. The beak and legs are pinkish. It looks very similar to a Skylark, but that species is slightly larger than a Meadow Pipit and has a broad white stripe above the eye. Rock Pipit is dark grey on the back and has much denser dark streaking on the breast.

Similar Species: Skylark and Rock Pipit.

Call: A rapid “vist-vist-vist” call is given when alarmed or flushed from cover. Performs a short song flight from a post, which acts as a song. The bird flies straight up, before parachuting back down to the original post.

Diet: Feeds on Invertebrates such as craneflies, mayflies and spiders and to a lesser extent on seeds.

Breeding: Very widespread breeding species in Ireland, with around 500,000 to 1,000,000 pairs. Found in bogs, uplands and areas of scrub and pasture.

Wintering: Generally sedentary, but moves to lowland areas from breeding sites in uplands. Significant numbers of European birds move to Ireland in winter.

Where to See: Common throughout Ireland.

Physical characteristics

The Meadow Pipit looks like a Song Thrush, but is only slightly larger than a Great Tit. The male and female Meadow Pipits are alike. Typically, the upperparts are grey to olive-brown in colour with darker streaks. The underparts are pale grey or buff coloured with bold streaks and spots on the breast and flanks. The belly and outer tail feathers are white. The legs are a dull pink. Juvenile Meadow Pipits are pinkish-buff and lack the dark streaks on the flanks. The Tree Pipit is very similar to the Meadow Pipit, but its general appearance is cleaner with more distinct markings, the legs are a paler pink and the hind claw is much shorter

Habitat

Breeds in middle, upper middle, and upper latitudes of west Palearctic, from temperate through boreal to fringe of arctic climatic zones, and from continental to oceanic regimes, accepting rainy, windy, and chilly conditions, but avoiding ice and prolonged snow cover as well as torrid and arid areas, within rather narrow temperature range of 10-20 degrees. Eurasian mainland chooses, as a ground-dweller, open areas of rather low fairly complete vegetation cover. Avoids extensive bare rock, stones, sand, soil, and close-cropped grass of herbage, and on the other hand tall dense vegetation, including woods, telegraph wires, stone walls, and other points of vantage.

Other details

Anthus pratensis is a widespread breeder across much of central and northern Europe, which constitutes >75% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is very large (>7,000,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Sweden during 1990-2000, the species was stable or increased across most of its European range? including in Norway and Russia?and probably declined only slightly overall.

Feeding

Diet based on invertebrates, with some plant seeds in autumn and winter. Feeds almost exclusively on ground, walking at steady rate picking invertebrates from leaves and plant stems. Occasionally takes insects in flight which it has disturbed but never flies after them.

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 extremely 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

Onset of laying affected by temperature in last third of March, becoming later with increasing altitude and latitude. April-August in central and western Europe, April-May in Britain, June-July in Swedish Lapland. Nest site is on ground, usually concealed in vegetation. Nest, cup of grasses and other plant material, lined finer vegetation and hair, building by female. Clutch size 3-5 eggs incubated for 11-15 days by female only.

Migration

Winters from British Isles, continental Europe and s Russia s to n Africa, Near East and Iraq. (Sibley Charles G. 1996)

Cra, Croaker, Barefaced Crow

Passeriformes | [family] Corvidae | [latin] Corvus frugilegus | [UK] Rook | [FR] Corbeau freux | [DE] Saatkrähe | [ES] Graja Común | [IT] Corvo nero | [NL] Roek

One of Ireland's top-20 most widespread garden birds.

Status: Resident

Conservation Concern: Green-listed in Ireland. The European population has been evaluated as Secure.

Identification: A species of crow. All crows have sturdy legs and sting bills and are intelligent and social in nature. The Rook is a familiar bird, which nests in colonies in tree tops called rookeries. About the size of a Hooded Crow, the rook is all black and in certain lights can show a reddish or purple sheen to its plumage. Told apart from other species of crow by its 'trousers' the dropping feathers on its belly and the bare skin around its bill base on the adult birds. Juveniles lack this feature, which only develops in the spring of its second year, and then they can be difficult to separate from Carrion Crows (a rare breeder in Ireland); best told apart by the more peaked crown of the Rook. Often forages in the company of other crow species, especially Jackdaws. When separating Hooded Crows and Rooks in flight, Rooks has faster and deeper wingbeats, which makes it look like they are making more effort than the Hooded Crow.

Similar Species: Jackdaw, Chough, Hooded Crow, Carrion Crow, Raven

Call: A hoarse croaking call. When given in the colony can be very loud.

Diet: Feeds mainly on invertebrates. Food also includes small vertebrates, carrion, plant material and scrapes of all kinds. Found feeding in agricultural areas on pastures, fallows, occasionally in trees. Also found in town and cities feeding on

Breeding: Builds a untidy nest in the tops of trees, usually quite high up, but not always can be quite close to the ground if the trees are short. In the late winter rookeries are a hive of activity as birds get ready for the coming breeding season. The species is widespread and abundant in Ireland breeding in all areas, it is only absent from the centre of towns and uplands areas. Rare or absent in parts of the west coast.

Wintering: Widespread in the winter when it forms large flocks, often with Jackdaws.

The scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is a species of ibis in the bird family Threskiornithidae. It inhabits tropical South America and islands of the Caribbean. In form it resembles most of the other twenty-seven extant species of ibis, but its remarkably brilliant scarlet coloration makes it unmistakable. It is one of the two national birds of Trinidad and Tobago.

This medium-sized wader is a hardy, numerous, and prolific bird, and it has protected status around the world. Its IUCN status is Least Concern. The legitimacy of Eudocimus ruber as a biological classification, however, is in dispute. Traditional Linnaean taxonomy classifies it as a unique species, but some scientists have moved to reclassify it as a subspecies of a more general American ibis species, along with its close relative, the American white ibis (Eudocimus albus).

Adult plumage is virtually all scarlet. The feathers may show various tints and shades, but only the tips of their wings deviate from their namesake color. A small but reliable marking, these wingtips are a rich inky black (or occasionally dark blue) and are found only on the longest primaries – otherwise the birds' coloration is "a vivid orange-red, almost luminous in quality." Scarlet ibises have red bills and feet however the bill is sometimes blackish, especially toward the end. They have a long, narrow, decurved bill. Their legs and neck are long and extended in flight.

A juvenile scarlet ibis is a mix of grey, brown, and white. As it grows, a heavy diet of red crustaceans produces the scarlet coloration. The color change begins with the juvenile's second moult, around the time it begins to fly: the change starts on the back and spreads gradually across the body while increasing in intensity over a period of about two years. The scarlet ibis is the only shorebird with red coloration in the world.

Adults are 55–63 centimetres (22–25 in) long, and the males, slightly larger than females, typically weigh about 1.4 kilograms (3.1 lb). Their bills are also on average around 22% longer than those of females. The life span of the scarlet ibis is approximately sixteen years in the wild and twenty years in captivity. An adult scarlet ibis has a wingspan of around 54 centimetres (21 in). Though it spends most of its time on foot or wading through water, the bird is a very strong flyer: they are highly migratory and easily capable of long-distance flight. They move as flocks in a classic V formation.

The scarlet ibis is a sociable and gregarious bird, and very communally-minded regarding the search for food and the protection of the young. They live in flocks of thirty or more. Members stay close, and mating pairs arrange their nests in close proximity to other pairs in the same tree.

For protection, flocks often congregate in large colonies of several thousand individuals. They also regularly share time among other avian creatures, gaining additional safety through numbers: storks, spoonbills, egrets, herons and ducks are all common companions during feedings and flights.

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)

Old World warblers | [order] PASSERIFORMES | [family] Sylviidae | [latin] Sylvia melanocephala | [UK] Sardinian Warbler | [FR] Fauvette melanocephale | [DE] Samtkopf-Grasmucke | [ES] Curruca cabecinegra | [NL] Kleine Zwartkop

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 15 cm

spanwidth max.: 18 cm

size min.: 13 cm

size max.: 14 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 15 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 15 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 5

Physical characteristics

Rather small to medium-sezed, slim warbler, with spiky bill, short wings, long tail, and alert angry expression due to frequently steep forehead and red eye and bare ring set in dark pace. Male black on head and dusky elsewhere above, offpwhite with dusky-washed flank below. Female dusky-brown above, dirty brown and white below. Both sexes have dark tail with white edges and corners. Sexes disimilan, little seasonal variation.

Habitat

Breeds in Mediterranean zone. Mainly in dry coastal regions and on islands, generally at low elevations. Equally at home in crowns of close-growing trees, tall undergrowth or maquis away from trees, low shrubs and garigue, or even in herb layer or on ground, not excluding bare rocks and clifftops. Indifferent to nearness of dwellings and human activities.

Other details

Sylvia melanocephala is a widespread breeder in southern Europe, which constitutes >50% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is very large (>3,100,000 pairs), and increased between 1970-1990. Populations were stable or increased across most of its range during 1990-2000, although the trend of the sizeable Spanish population was unknown?but there was no evidence to suggest that the speciess status deteriorated significantly.

Feeding

Chiefly insects, but also fruit in autumn and winter. In south of breeding range, fruit predominates in diet for much of the year. Feeds mainly in low scrub but also on ground and in canopy. Spends less time on ground than Marmoras Warbler but much more than and other warbler.

Breeding

Breeds mid March to late April in South-West Europe, mid February to mid July in Malta, Late April to mid June in Greece, and early April to early June in North-West Africa. Nest site located in low scrub, tall grasses, brambles, etc, up tp 1,8 m above ground. Nest is a compact cup of grass leaves and stems, plant stalks, vegetable down, and cobwebs, lined with finer grasses and some rootlers, usually with distinct thicker rim. 3-5 eggs are laid, incubation 12-15 days, by both sexes, but female sitting on average twice as long as male during day.

Migration

Varies from partially migratory to sedentary in different parts of range. In west of range, winter quarters include most of breeding range, extending south in Africa to c. 17 degrees N. In east of range, breeding grounds furthest north (Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and northern Turkey) apparently entirely vacated. Autumn movements span late August to December. Spring migration mostly late February or early March to April.

Great Crested Grebe at Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Muscicapidae | [latin] Erithacus rubecula | [UK] Robin | [FR] Rougegorge familier | [DE] Rotkehlchen | [ES] Petirrojo Europeo | [IT] Pettirosso europeo | [NL] Roodborst |

[IRL) Spideog

Redbreast Ploughman's Bird Ruddock

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 20 cm

spanwidth max.: 23 cm

size min.: 12 cm

size max.: 14 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 13 days

incubation max.: 15 days

fledging min.: 11 days

fledging max.: 17 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

One of Ireland's top 5 most widespread garden birds.

Status: Resident

Conservation Concern: Green-listed in Ireland. The European population is regarded as Secure by BirdLife International.

Identification: Probably the most familiar garden bird - the bright orange-red breast and facial area make it unmistakable. Upperparts a uniform greyish brown, belly and lower breast greyish white. The bill is dark and pointed and the legs black. Can appear very plump and rounded, especially in cold weather when the bird fluffs out its feathers. Can be very confiding, often perching motionless close to gardening activity. Occasionally cocks tail briefly.

Call: Song a wispy, relatively slow series of notes ranging up and down the scale, becoming more rapid in parts - the notes rolling into each other. Somewhat melancholy - winter song even more so. Calls include a "tick" which is sometimes repeated to sound like an old clock being wound up. Also a plaintive, barely audible "seep".

Diet: Insects and some fruits, including apples. Readily comes to bird tables.

Breeding: Breeds throughout Ireland in many different habitats. Nest usually well-concealed in a bank, ivy or cavity in tree or wall. Sometimes chooses unusual location such as a hat or garment hanging in garden shed. Will use open-fronted nestboxes.

Wintering: Widespread.

Where to See: Widespread and common throughout Ireland.

me and crow have much in common... or is it magpies? which avian creature is it now?

if you want to see more of my room have a look here on youtube: youtu.be/YOjJwNKcKBQ

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Muscicapidae | [latin] Erithacus rubecula | [UK] Robin | [FR] Rougegorge familier | [DE] Rotkehlchen | [ES] Petirrojo Europeo | [IT] Pettirosso europeo | [NL] Roodborst |

[IRL) Spideog

Redbreast Ploughman's Bird Ruddock

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 20 cm

spanwidth max.: 23 cm

size min.: 12 cm

size max.: 14 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 13 days

incubation max.: 15 days

fledging min.: 11 days

fledging max.: 17 days

broods 2

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 7

One of Ireland's top 5 most widespread garden birds.

Status: Resident

Conservation Concern: Green-listed in Ireland. The European population is regarded as Secure by BirdLife International.

Identification: Probably the most familiar garden bird - the bright orange-red breast and facial area make it unmistakable. Upperparts a uniform greyish brown, belly and lower breast greyish white. The bill is dark and pointed and the legs black. Can appear very plump and rounded, especially in cold weather when the bird fluffs out its feathers. Can be very confiding, often perching motionless close to gardening activity. Occasionally cocks tail briefly.

Call: Song a wispy, relatively slow series of notes ranging up and down the scale, becoming more rapid in parts - the notes rolling into each other. Somewhat melancholy - winter song even more so. Calls include a "tick" which is sometimes repeated to sound like an old clock being wound up. Also a plaintive, barely audible "seep".

Diet: Insects and some fruits, including apples. Readily comes to bird tables.

Breeding: Breeds throughout Ireland in many different habitats. Nest usually well-concealed in a bank, ivy or cavity in tree or wall. Sometimes chooses unusual location such as a hat or garment hanging in garden shed. Will use open-fronted nestboxes.

Wintering: Widespread.

Where to See: Widespread and common throughout Ireland.

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)

Old World warblers | [order] PASSERIFORMES | [family] Sylviidae | [latin] Sylvia melanocephala | [UK] Sardinian Warbler | [FR] Fauvette melanocephale | [DE] Samtkopf-Grasmucke | [ES] Curruca cabecinegra | [NL] Kleine Zwartkop

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 15 cm

spanwidth max.: 18 cm

size min.: 13 cm

size max.: 14 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 12 days

incubation max.: 15 days

fledging min.: 12 days

fledging max.: 15 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 3

eggs max.: 5

Physical characteristics

Rather small to medium-sezed, slim warbler, with spiky bill, short wings, long tail, and alert angry expression due to frequently steep forehead and red eye and bare ring set in dark pace. Male black on head and dusky elsewhere above, offpwhite with dusky-washed flank below. Female dusky-brown above, dirty brown and white below. Both sexes have dark tail with white edges and corners. Sexes disimilan, little seasonal variation.

Habitat

Breeds in Mediterranean zone. Mainly in dry coastal regions and on islands, generally at low elevations. Equally at home in crowns of close-growing trees, tall undergrowth or maquis away from trees, low shrubs and garigue, or even in herb layer or on ground, not excluding bare rocks and clifftops. Indifferent to nearness of dwellings and human activities.

Other details

Sylvia melanocephala is a widespread breeder in southern Europe, which constitutes >50% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is very large (>3,100,000 pairs), and increased between 1970-1990. Populations were stable or increased across most of its range during 1990-2000, although the trend of the sizeable Spanish population was unknown?but there was no evidence to suggest that the speciess status deteriorated significantly.

Feeding

Chiefly insects, but also fruit in autumn and winter. In south of breeding range, fruit predominates in diet for much of the year. Feeds mainly in low scrub but also on ground and in canopy. Spends less time on ground than Marmoras Warbler but much more than and other warbler.

Breeding

Breeds mid March to late April in South-West Europe, mid February to mid July in Malta, Late April to mid June in Greece, and early April to early June in North-West Africa. Nest site located in low scrub, tall grasses, brambles, etc, up tp 1,8 m above ground. Nest is a compact cup of grass leaves and stems, plant stalks, vegetable down, and cobwebs, lined with finer grasses and some rootlers, usually with distinct thicker rim. 3-5 eggs are laid, incubation 12-15 days, by both sexes, but female sitting on average twice as long as male during day.

Migration

Varies from partially migratory to sedentary in different parts of range. In west of range, winter quarters include most of breeding range, extending south in Africa to c. 17 degrees N. In east of range, breeding grounds furthest north (Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and northern Turkey) apparently entirely vacated. Autumn movements span late August to December. Spring migration mostly late February or early March to April.

[group] Sandpipers and allies | [order] CHARADRIIFORMES | [family] Scolopacidae | [latin] Calidris temminckii | [UK] Temmincks Stint | [FR] Becasseau de Temminck | [DE] Temminck-Strandlaufer | [ES] Correlimos de Temminck | [NL] Temmincks Strandloper

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 34 cm

spanwidth max.: 36 cm

size min.: 13 cm

size max.: 15 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 21 days

incubation max.: 22 days

fledging min.: 15 days

fledging max.: 22 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 2

eggs max.: 4

Physical characteristics

Small stint with broad white sides of tail and rump, unique amongst Calidris. Upperparts range from dull grey to olive brown, with variable patches of black brown, dull rufous and grey. Head and breast grey brown. Breast heavily streaked brown, white on chin, throat and belly. Female averages slightly larger. Non-breeding adult has plain dark grey upperparts and head. Breast uniform pale grey brown, chin and throat white.

Habitat

Southern tundra, shrub tundra and along folldplains in forest tundra, on flat ground clear of vegetation, or covered with short grass interspersed with patches of shrubs. Also near inlets, fjords, deltas and streams. Upland ane inland, at sheltered sites on shrubland fringes. Outside breeding season, variety of wetland types, preferably inland freshwater sites, flood lands, irrigated fields, sewage farms and more or less densely vegetated wetlands.

Other details

Calidris temminckii breeds mainly in Fennoscandia and arctic Russia, with Europe accounting for less than half of its global breeding range. Estimates of its European breeding population vary widely, but it is probably relatively large (as many as 420,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, populations in Norway and the Russian stronghold were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

On coast, mainly annlids, crustaceans and small molluscs. Pecks prey from surface, rarely probes. Singly or in small groups of up to 30 birds.

Breeding

Egg laying in May-July. Successive bigamy by both sexes, occasionally with third clutch. Site fidelity and some natal philopatry. Nest on ground, in open or low vegetation, lined with plant, stems and leaves. 4 eggs, 2nd clutch started a week after 1st. Each nest cared for by one parent, incubation 21 days. Chick obscurely mottled cinnamon buff to ochraceous above with blackis band and white to buff down tips, buff-yellow face and throat, and white underparts. Age of first breeding 1 year.

Migration

Migratory. Broad front migration spans towards N Africa and S Asia. Arrive in n Africa late Jul to mid-Sept or mid-Oct, reaching Mali Aug-Oct, Eritrea Sept to early Oct, and tropics mainly from Oct. Departs wintering grounds mainly late Mar to Apr, some as late as May. Small numbers winter in Europe, occasionally as far as N Britain. Scandinavian birds move S-SW in autumn. Usually migrates in small flocks, up to 250 individuals.

[group] Sandpipers and allies | [order] CHARADRIIFORMES | [family] Scolopacidae | [latin] Calidris temminckii | [UK] Temmincks Stint | [FR] Becasseau de Temminck | [DE] Temminck-Strandlaufer | [ES] Correlimos de Temminck | [NL] Temmincks Strandloper

Measurements

spanwidth min.: 34 cm

spanwidth max.: 36 cm

size min.: 13 cm

size max.: 15 cm

Breeding

incubation min.: 21 days

incubation max.: 22 days

fledging min.: 15 days

fledging max.: 22 days

broods 1

eggs min.: 2

eggs max.: 4

Physical characteristics

Small stint with broad white sides of tail and rump, unique amongst Calidris. Upperparts range from dull grey to olive brown, with variable patches of black brown, dull rufous and grey. Head and breast grey brown. Breast heavily streaked brown, white on chin, throat and belly. Female averages slightly larger. Non-breeding adult has plain dark grey upperparts and head. Breast uniform pale grey brown, chin and throat white.

Habitat

Southern tundra, shrub tundra and along folldplains in forest tundra, on flat ground clear of vegetation, or covered with short grass interspersed with patches of shrubs. Also near inlets, fjords, deltas and streams. Upland ane inland, at sheltered sites on shrubland fringes. Outside breeding season, variety of wetland types, preferably inland freshwater sites, flood lands, irrigated fields, sewage farms and more or less densely vegetated wetlands.

Other details

Calidris temminckii breeds mainly in Fennoscandia and arctic Russia, with Europe accounting for less than half of its global breeding range. Estimates of its European breeding population vary widely, but it is probably relatively large (as many as 420,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in Sweden and Finland during 1990-2000, populations in Norway and the Russian stronghold were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.

Feeding

On coast, mainly annlids, crustaceans and small molluscs. Pecks prey from surface, rarely probes. Singly or in small groups of up to 30 birds.

Breeding

Egg laying in May-July. Successive bigamy by both sexes, occasionally with third clutch. Site fidelity and some natal philopatry. Nest on ground, in open or low vegetation, lined with plant, stems and leaves. 4 eggs, 2nd clutch started a week after 1st. Each nest cared for by one parent, incubation 21 days. Chick obscurely mottled cinnamon buff to ochraceous above with blackis band and white to buff down tips, buff-yellow face and throat, and white underparts. Age of first breeding 1 year.

Migration

Migratory. Broad front migration spans towards N Africa and S Asia. Arrive in n Africa late Jul to mid-Sept or mid-Oct, reaching Mali Aug-Oct, Eritrea Sept to early Oct, and tropics mainly from Oct. Departs wintering grounds mainly late Mar to Apr, some as late as May. Small numbers winter in Europe, occasionally as far as N Britain. Scandinavian birds move S-SW in autumn. Usually migrates in small flocks, up to 250 individuals.