BIRDS OF PORTUGAL, SPAIN AND POLAND
PORTUGAL
01
02
The tawny owl, commonly known as the brown owl or the tawnies, is one of the most common owl species.
Description
Size: Length: 37–46 cm Weight: 385-816 gm Wingspan: 81–105 cm
TAWNY OWL
03
04
Habitat
Their preferred habitat is mixed forests and temperate deciduous forests. They also inhabit coniferous forests, riparian woodland, riverine forests, open landscapes with old trees, the tiga, as well as near human settlements.
Interesting Facts
The three oldest recorded tawny owls are; 14 years old from Sweden, 18 years and 7 months old from central Europe, and 21 years and 11 months old from Switzerland.
Over the past half-century, the tawny owls have evolved from grey to brown to survive in warmer climates. This evolution took place due to climate change.
01
02
Griffon vultures are old world raptors found throughout Europe and Asia, as well as in parts of North Africa. It is alternatively called the Eurasian griffon.
Physical Description
Size: 93-122 cm in length.
Weight: Males have a weight of around 6.2-10.5 kg while females weigh 6.5-11.3 kg.
Wingspan: Unfurled, the wings measure around 2.3-2.8 m.
Griffon Vulture
03
04
Habitat
They appear in a variety of habitats including plateaus, mountains, semi-deserts, shrublands, and grasslands. Warmer climates are preferred, but they can withstand rain, mist, cold, and even snow.
Interesting Facts
The Himalayan vulture was considered to be a subspecies of the griffon vulture but has since been assigned species status of its own.
These birds are one of the most gregarious among raptors.
01
02
European starlings, also known as common starlings are noisy birds found across the world. They are considered an invasive species in most areas of their inhabitation as they are known to lead to the decline in populations of native birds.
Physical Description
Size: European starlings grow to a length of 21.5 cm.
Weight: They weigh between 70.9-99.2 g.
European Starling
03
04
Habitat
They inhabit open groves, fields, parks, cities, suburbs. They usually avoid extensive forests, deserts, and scrubs, and sometimes only visit these areas to breed.
Interesting factsCurrently, there are more than 200 million individuals found in the European continent.
01
02
The Great Egret is a species of milky white herons found in several tropical and temperate regions across all the continents except Australia. They are found foraging for fish in the quiet waters in the wild, and are known in various names like common egret, large egret, great white egret, and great white heron.
Physical Description
Size: They stand up to 1 m tall, with a measurement of 80 to 104 cm by length and a wingspan of 131 to 170 cm .
Weight: The body mass can vary between age and the sexes, ranging between 700 and 1,500 g and averaging to around 1,000 g.
The Great Egret
03
04
Habitat
Great egrets are found in a wide variety of aquatic habitats including lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, estuaries, marsh, swamps, bogs, and coastal and brackish waters.
Interesting Facts
In the early 20th century, their long feathers were extensively used on ladies hats, and thus, the bird was almost hunted into extinction. The great white egret has been depicted in several currency notes and coins in different countries like Belarus, Brazil, New Zealand, and Hungary.
02
01
Description
They have an interesting appearance with certain characteristic features differentiating the male and the female ducks.
Size: Drakes grow around 86 cm in length while females grow no more than 64 cm in length. Weight: The males generally weigh somewhere between 4.6 kg and 6.8 kg. The hens are much lighter with their average weight ranging from 2.7 kg to 3.6 kg.
Muscovy Ducks are a wild tropical duck species native to Mexico as well as Central and South Americas and Western Europe.
Muscovy Duck
03
04
Habitat
Muscovy ducks prefer watery habitats with dense vegetation and large trees, like rivers, brackish coastal wetlands, ponds and wooded swamps.
These ducks do not swim as much as other ducks as they have underdeveloped oil glands.
The domesticated Muscovy duck is the sole domestic duck species that has not been bred from the mallard stock.
They are often raised for their meat, which is used for various culinary purposes by humans. The taste of the meat is often compared to that of expensive ham.
01
02
Little owls are true owls with a wide distribution throughout the warmer parts of Eurasia and North Africa. They have a stocky appearance with bright yellow eyes.
Physical Description
Size: These owls are around 22 cm in length.
Weight: They weigh approximately 180 g.
Color: They have a browning-grey plumage with bars, spots, and streaks of white. The undersides are paler with streaks much darker than those above.
Little Owl
03
04
HabitatThey inhabit a wide range of semi-open areas, including farmlands, stony deserts, steppes, urban areas, and open woodlands.
Interesting factsThe little owl is said to represent knowledge and wisdom as it is associated with the Roman Goddess Minerva and Greek Goddess Athena.
SPAIN
Spain is the second country in Europe with the highest number of bird species.
House Sparrow (Passer Domesticus)
The House Sparrow is the best-known passerine species. Despite being one of the most common birds, its population levels are falling alarmingly. This is mainly due to pollution.
Males of this species are much more striking. They have a shiny black or brown head, while the female and the young ones are of a homogeneous brown. They’re so common that you’ll probably see one if you look out the window right now.
+ info
Goldfinch (Carduelis Carduelis)
Goldfinch or Carduelis is one of the most common birds in Spain. It can have a length of 13.5 cm. Besides, it is characterized by its red facial mask and the black-white of its head. It has black wings with yellow. Males are very similar to females.
White wagtail (Motacilla Alba)
This nice bird is found frequently on the shores of bodies of water, thus its name. It is grey with black and has a white face; a plumage that leaves no room for doubt. It’s often seen running around parks, groves, and gardens. The great thing about this bird is that you can see it running around even in winter.
+ info
Magpie (Pica pica)
The magpie is an unmistakable bird due to its black and white pattern. Its head, beak, tail, and legs are black, while its chest and part of its wings are white. The tail and wings may have a metallic hue, depending on the incidence of light. Males and females are very similar and there are differences only in the greater corpulence of males. You’ll be able to distinguish it even without seeing it by her rough chirping. It is an intelligent bird that is attracted by colorful and bright objects.
+ info
Robin (Erithacus Rubecula)
The robin is a small bird with a characteristic plumage. It has an orange chest and face bordered on the rest of the body by a bluish-grey. Its belly is whitish. It does not present great differences for the females.
This small bird doesn’t migrate frequently. It only goes to the African coasts in summer, but there may be sightings in Europe during winter. Despite its small size, it is very curious and is easy to see in the city.
Crested Lark (Galerida Cristata)
The crested lark is another small bird. Its plumage is mostly grey but with black spots. It is very showy and easy to recognize by the feathers on its head, as they point upwards. It is found in desert and sandy spaces but with moderate altitude, from 800 to 1200 meters above sea level.
POLAND
Common Chaffinch
Males are rust-colored, with green on the upper back. They have a gray cap that curls around the back of their head, surrounding the earhole, and looks like a shirt collar.
Females are duller with a greenish-brown head, white tail feathers, and a green posterior.
Both sexes have bright white stripes on their wings.
Common Chaffinches are incredibly common, mostly because they are so adaptable. Look for this small songbird in Poland in many habitats, such as forests, parks, and neighborhoods with lots of tree cover. Chaffinches are incredibly common at bird feeders. They are most often seen on the ground cleaning up the seed that has fallen from above, with sunflower hearts being their favorite. These birds can become so tame in backyards that they flutter around people as they come outside, expecting to be fed or the feeders refilled!
Their song is so beautiful that a group of these birds is known as a “Charm!” Their songs usually contain a rattling series of notes that start high and lower toward the end.
Common Wood Pigeon
Identifying Characteristics: Slate gray overall coloring with a faint blue cast on the back. Adults have a white flash on the sides of the neck, which is missing in juveniles. The chest is rosy, and there is a black ring at the base of the tail. This species is the largest pigeon found in Poland! Look for Common Wood Pigeons in areas with plenty of trees, where they spend most of their time. However, they prefer to nest on flat surfaces like building ledges, rocky outcrops, or even the ground.The Wood Pigeon is often found in large flocks in rural areas and the city. Their numbers have significantly increased, probably because they can live alongside humans. Babies, known as squabs, are fed crop milk until they are old enough to eat seeds. This is a milk-like liquid made in the parents’ throat crops. Typically, a bird’s throat crop is used to store and digest food collected during the day. But, during the nesting season, it does double-duty by producing crop milk for hatchlings!
Dunnock
The coloring is mostly gray and brown, with dark brown to black flecks on its wings and back. This species has orange legs and a grey beak, eyes, and cheek patches. The Dunnock is one of the most widespread birds in Poland. This distribution is due to their versatility in nesting sites, which include hedges, shrubs, gardens, forest floors, and many other areas. They’ll build a nest pretty much anywhere! They often hide in hedgerows, which is how they got the nickname “Hedge Sparrow.” Dunnocks feed primarily on the ground and in a very nervous fashion. They constantly look around and flap their wings with every hop as if ready to take flight.
Common Blackbird
Males are entirely black with a bright yellow ring around the eyes. The beak is bright orange.
Females and juveniles are mottled brown with yellowish-brown beaks. However, they still have a bright yellow eye ring. The Eurasian or Common Blackbird is one of the most recognizable birds in Poland. Their preferred territories include gardens, wooded habitats, parks, and farmland with hedges. Look for them on lawns and fields, where they spend most of their time foraging insects and earthworms. Like many blackbirds, this species is extremely territorial, especially during breeding. Look for squabbles and fights to break out regularly over food, nesting locations, and seemingly nothing at all!
Eurasian Blackcap
Both sexes have a cap on the head, but only the male is black. Females and juveniles have a brown version. Gray overall, with pale chests and darker wings. Even the beaks and legs are gray. Eurasian Blackcaps will inhabit nearly any territory if it has an abundance of food. Forested areas with dense undergrowth are the most common, but you’re just as likely to see them in your garden. They like suet and grain, making them easy to attract to your feeders. However, look for them to switch to protein-rich insects during the breeding season when they need much more energy.
Eurasian Jackdaw
Their coloring is dark gray, slightly lighter on the back of the head and shoulders.
They have a bright white eye ring, dark grey legs and feet, and a dark-colored, pointed beak. As a member of the crow family, Eurasian Jackdaws prefer open spaces like farmland, pastures, or open woods. So look for these birds in Poland on open lawns in the suburbs, especially near bird feeders. To attract them to your feeding station, offer peanuts in a tray, which is their favorite feeder food. In the wild, they eat insects and other small creatures while foraging on the ground.
Birds of Portugal, Spain and Poland
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Transcript
BIRDS OF PORTUGAL, SPAIN AND POLAND
PORTUGAL
01
02
The tawny owl, commonly known as the brown owl or the tawnies, is one of the most common owl species.
Description Size: Length: 37–46 cm Weight: 385-816 gm Wingspan: 81–105 cm
TAWNY OWL
03
04
Habitat Their preferred habitat is mixed forests and temperate deciduous forests. They also inhabit coniferous forests, riparian woodland, riverine forests, open landscapes with old trees, the tiga, as well as near human settlements.
Interesting Facts The three oldest recorded tawny owls are; 14 years old from Sweden, 18 years and 7 months old from central Europe, and 21 years and 11 months old from Switzerland. Over the past half-century, the tawny owls have evolved from grey to brown to survive in warmer climates. This evolution took place due to climate change.
01
02
Griffon vultures are old world raptors found throughout Europe and Asia, as well as in parts of North Africa. It is alternatively called the Eurasian griffon.
Physical Description Size: 93-122 cm in length. Weight: Males have a weight of around 6.2-10.5 kg while females weigh 6.5-11.3 kg. Wingspan: Unfurled, the wings measure around 2.3-2.8 m.
Griffon Vulture
03
04
Habitat They appear in a variety of habitats including plateaus, mountains, semi-deserts, shrublands, and grasslands. Warmer climates are preferred, but they can withstand rain, mist, cold, and even snow.
Interesting Facts The Himalayan vulture was considered to be a subspecies of the griffon vulture but has since been assigned species status of its own. These birds are one of the most gregarious among raptors.
01
02
European starlings, also known as common starlings are noisy birds found across the world. They are considered an invasive species in most areas of their inhabitation as they are known to lead to the decline in populations of native birds.
Physical Description Size: European starlings grow to a length of 21.5 cm. Weight: They weigh between 70.9-99.2 g.
European Starling
03
04
Habitat They inhabit open groves, fields, parks, cities, suburbs. They usually avoid extensive forests, deserts, and scrubs, and sometimes only visit these areas to breed.
Interesting factsCurrently, there are more than 200 million individuals found in the European continent.
01
02
The Great Egret is a species of milky white herons found in several tropical and temperate regions across all the continents except Australia. They are found foraging for fish in the quiet waters in the wild, and are known in various names like common egret, large egret, great white egret, and great white heron.
Physical Description Size: They stand up to 1 m tall, with a measurement of 80 to 104 cm by length and a wingspan of 131 to 170 cm . Weight: The body mass can vary between age and the sexes, ranging between 700 and 1,500 g and averaging to around 1,000 g.
The Great Egret
03
04
Habitat Great egrets are found in a wide variety of aquatic habitats including lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, estuaries, marsh, swamps, bogs, and coastal and brackish waters.
Interesting Facts In the early 20th century, their long feathers were extensively used on ladies hats, and thus, the bird was almost hunted into extinction. The great white egret has been depicted in several currency notes and coins in different countries like Belarus, Brazil, New Zealand, and Hungary.
02
01
Description They have an interesting appearance with certain characteristic features differentiating the male and the female ducks. Size: Drakes grow around 86 cm in length while females grow no more than 64 cm in length. Weight: The males generally weigh somewhere between 4.6 kg and 6.8 kg. The hens are much lighter with their average weight ranging from 2.7 kg to 3.6 kg.
Muscovy Ducks are a wild tropical duck species native to Mexico as well as Central and South Americas and Western Europe.
Muscovy Duck
03
04
Habitat Muscovy ducks prefer watery habitats with dense vegetation and large trees, like rivers, brackish coastal wetlands, ponds and wooded swamps.
These ducks do not swim as much as other ducks as they have underdeveloped oil glands. The domesticated Muscovy duck is the sole domestic duck species that has not been bred from the mallard stock. They are often raised for their meat, which is used for various culinary purposes by humans. The taste of the meat is often compared to that of expensive ham.
01
02
Little owls are true owls with a wide distribution throughout the warmer parts of Eurasia and North Africa. They have a stocky appearance with bright yellow eyes.
Physical Description Size: These owls are around 22 cm in length. Weight: They weigh approximately 180 g. Color: They have a browning-grey plumage with bars, spots, and streaks of white. The undersides are paler with streaks much darker than those above.
Little Owl
03
04
HabitatThey inhabit a wide range of semi-open areas, including farmlands, stony deserts, steppes, urban areas, and open woodlands.
Interesting factsThe little owl is said to represent knowledge and wisdom as it is associated with the Roman Goddess Minerva and Greek Goddess Athena.
SPAIN
Spain is the second country in Europe with the highest number of bird species.
House Sparrow (Passer Domesticus)
The House Sparrow is the best-known passerine species. Despite being one of the most common birds, its population levels are falling alarmingly. This is mainly due to pollution. Males of this species are much more striking. They have a shiny black or brown head, while the female and the young ones are of a homogeneous brown. They’re so common that you’ll probably see one if you look out the window right now.
+ info
Goldfinch (Carduelis Carduelis)
Goldfinch or Carduelis is one of the most common birds in Spain. It can have a length of 13.5 cm. Besides, it is characterized by its red facial mask and the black-white of its head. It has black wings with yellow. Males are very similar to females.
White wagtail (Motacilla Alba)
This nice bird is found frequently on the shores of bodies of water, thus its name. It is grey with black and has a white face; a plumage that leaves no room for doubt. It’s often seen running around parks, groves, and gardens. The great thing about this bird is that you can see it running around even in winter.
+ info
Magpie (Pica pica)
The magpie is an unmistakable bird due to its black and white pattern. Its head, beak, tail, and legs are black, while its chest and part of its wings are white. The tail and wings may have a metallic hue, depending on the incidence of light. Males and females are very similar and there are differences only in the greater corpulence of males. You’ll be able to distinguish it even without seeing it by her rough chirping. It is an intelligent bird that is attracted by colorful and bright objects.
+ info
Robin (Erithacus Rubecula)
The robin is a small bird with a characteristic plumage. It has an orange chest and face bordered on the rest of the body by a bluish-grey. Its belly is whitish. It does not present great differences for the females. This small bird doesn’t migrate frequently. It only goes to the African coasts in summer, but there may be sightings in Europe during winter. Despite its small size, it is very curious and is easy to see in the city.
Crested Lark (Galerida Cristata)
The crested lark is another small bird. Its plumage is mostly grey but with black spots. It is very showy and easy to recognize by the feathers on its head, as they point upwards. It is found in desert and sandy spaces but with moderate altitude, from 800 to 1200 meters above sea level.
POLAND
Common Chaffinch
Males are rust-colored, with green on the upper back. They have a gray cap that curls around the back of their head, surrounding the earhole, and looks like a shirt collar. Females are duller with a greenish-brown head, white tail feathers, and a green posterior. Both sexes have bright white stripes on their wings. Common Chaffinches are incredibly common, mostly because they are so adaptable. Look for this small songbird in Poland in many habitats, such as forests, parks, and neighborhoods with lots of tree cover. Chaffinches are incredibly common at bird feeders. They are most often seen on the ground cleaning up the seed that has fallen from above, with sunflower hearts being their favorite. These birds can become so tame in backyards that they flutter around people as they come outside, expecting to be fed or the feeders refilled! Their song is so beautiful that a group of these birds is known as a “Charm!” Their songs usually contain a rattling series of notes that start high and lower toward the end.
Common Wood Pigeon
Identifying Characteristics: Slate gray overall coloring with a faint blue cast on the back. Adults have a white flash on the sides of the neck, which is missing in juveniles. The chest is rosy, and there is a black ring at the base of the tail. This species is the largest pigeon found in Poland! Look for Common Wood Pigeons in areas with plenty of trees, where they spend most of their time. However, they prefer to nest on flat surfaces like building ledges, rocky outcrops, or even the ground.The Wood Pigeon is often found in large flocks in rural areas and the city. Their numbers have significantly increased, probably because they can live alongside humans. Babies, known as squabs, are fed crop milk until they are old enough to eat seeds. This is a milk-like liquid made in the parents’ throat crops. Typically, a bird’s throat crop is used to store and digest food collected during the day. But, during the nesting season, it does double-duty by producing crop milk for hatchlings!
Dunnock
The coloring is mostly gray and brown, with dark brown to black flecks on its wings and back. This species has orange legs and a grey beak, eyes, and cheek patches. The Dunnock is one of the most widespread birds in Poland. This distribution is due to their versatility in nesting sites, which include hedges, shrubs, gardens, forest floors, and many other areas. They’ll build a nest pretty much anywhere! They often hide in hedgerows, which is how they got the nickname “Hedge Sparrow.” Dunnocks feed primarily on the ground and in a very nervous fashion. They constantly look around and flap their wings with every hop as if ready to take flight.
Common Blackbird
Males are entirely black with a bright yellow ring around the eyes. The beak is bright orange. Females and juveniles are mottled brown with yellowish-brown beaks. However, they still have a bright yellow eye ring. The Eurasian or Common Blackbird is one of the most recognizable birds in Poland. Their preferred territories include gardens, wooded habitats, parks, and farmland with hedges. Look for them on lawns and fields, where they spend most of their time foraging insects and earthworms. Like many blackbirds, this species is extremely territorial, especially during breeding. Look for squabbles and fights to break out regularly over food, nesting locations, and seemingly nothing at all!
Eurasian Blackcap
Both sexes have a cap on the head, but only the male is black. Females and juveniles have a brown version. Gray overall, with pale chests and darker wings. Even the beaks and legs are gray. Eurasian Blackcaps will inhabit nearly any territory if it has an abundance of food. Forested areas with dense undergrowth are the most common, but you’re just as likely to see them in your garden. They like suet and grain, making them easy to attract to your feeders. However, look for them to switch to protein-rich insects during the breeding season when they need much more energy.
Eurasian Jackdaw
Their coloring is dark gray, slightly lighter on the back of the head and shoulders. They have a bright white eye ring, dark grey legs and feet, and a dark-colored, pointed beak. As a member of the crow family, Eurasian Jackdaws prefer open spaces like farmland, pastures, or open woods. So look for these birds in Poland on open lawns in the suburbs, especially near bird feeders. To attract them to your feeding station, offer peanuts in a tray, which is their favorite feeder food. In the wild, they eat insects and other small creatures while foraging on the ground.