Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Falco ("falcon") naumanni (after Johann Friedrich Naumann)

Two adult male Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Castille-La-Mancha, Spain - April 2016

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 90-172g  /  Length: 29-32cm  /  Wingspan: 58-72cm

ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Lesser Kestrel is the other kestrel of Europe, and in many ways its a very different sort of bird despite the similar appearances.  Visually the females of both species are almost identical, but in the males there is a distinct lack of markings over the same base colours than differentiates the two, as well as blue-grey on the wings. Unusually for European species, the Lesser Kestrel is a communal falcon, and is also migratory, although the ones in Seville are at least partially resident.

Related Species:
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Falco
Subspecies: none - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Cernícalo primilla "Little Cousin Kestrel"

Widespread Summer migrant to most of the country, though resident in a few locations in the South.

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: Several seen around central Seville 
 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: A bird seen on farmland near Madrid
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Seen at various locations including Laguna del Longar and from the road in locations in Castille La Mancha

Further Notes:  BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Spotless Starling (Sturnus unicolor)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Sturnus ("starling") unicolor ("uniform")

Adult Spotless Starling (Sturnus unicolor) in Summer plumage in Buen Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain - June 2015

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 70-100g  /  Length: 21-23cm  /  Wingspan: 38-42cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Spotless Starling replaces the common starling in the Iberian penninsula and some of the surrounding region.  It is, however joined in Winter by migrating common starlings.  It is as the name suggests, similar to the common starling, but lacking spots - it has a slightly oily sheen to it's plumage which is an identification feature. In Madrid in the Summer, seeing these birds was a much easier affair - abundant and not particularly afraid of people, plus without common starlings present to confuse identification, making it much easier to photograph.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sturnidae
Genus: Sturnus
Subspecies: None - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -
ITALY - Italian - Storno nero ("Black starling")
An fairly common resident in Sardinia, Corsica and Sicily.
 - SICILY 2018 TRIP -  Fairly throughout.

SPAIN - Spanish - Estorino negro ("Black starling")

Common to locally abundant resident, particularly in Cities.

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: Definitivly seen at Italica, probably common throughout but hard at range to separate from Common Starling.
 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Abundant thoughout Madrid - one of the most common species.
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Abundant thoughout Madrid - one of the most common species.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)

OTHER NAMES: Fan-tailed Warbler

Latin Etymology: Cisticola ("rose-rock dweller") juncidis ("reed")

Adult Zitting Cisticola (subspecies C. j. cisticola) in Seville, Spain - November 2011

Featured Subspecoes: Cisticola juncidis cisticola
Weight: 5-12g  /  Length: 10cm  /  Wingspan: 12-15cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Zitting Cisticola is also known as the Fan-Tailed Warbler, and indeed, this was it's only name until recently renamed so as to avoid confusion with an American species of the same name.  It is now named to match up with the other cisticola species.  They are a fairly common resident species in Iberia, usually associated with water and best detected by their calls.  However, once they reveal themselves they are generally fairly easy to at least catch a glimpse of.  In Winter they are one of the few warbler species to remain in their range, but in Summer a bit more caution is needed as other species arrive.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cisticolidae
Genus: Cisticola
Subspecies: C. j. cisticola, C. j. juncidis, C. j. neuroticus, C. j. uropygialis, C. j. terrestris, C. j. cursitans, C. j. salimalii, C. j. omalurus, C. j. malaya, C. j. brunniceps, C. j. tinnabulans, C. j. nigrostriatus, C. j. fuscicapilla, C. j. constans, C. j. norman, C. j. leanyeri, C. j. laveryi

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Buitrón 
A fairly common bird usually found near water.

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: Birds seen in Seville and El Rocio.

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Several seen and heard around Arrocampo

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Crested Lark (Galerida cristata)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Galerida ("lark with a crest") cristata ("crested")

Adult Crested Lark (subspecies G. c. pallida) in Farmland near Madrid, Spain - June 2015

Featured Subspecies: Galerida cristata pallida
Weight: 37-55g  /  Length: 17cm  /  Wingspan: 29-38cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The crested lark is a lark found widely throughout most of mainland Europe, but is absent from the British Isles. In Southern Spain at least it is fairly widespread, found on open ground, both in the countryside, or even, in this case, in the middle of cities - this particular individual was in the middle of Seville city center alongside the canal.  They get their name from their crest, which when raised is far more striking than the Skylark.  I saw this species again on my visits to Madrid, but unlike in Seville, it seemed more restricted to the countryside yet more abundant.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Galerida
Subspecies: G. c. cristata, G. c. pallida, G. c. neumanni, G. c. apuliae, G. c. tenuirostris, G. c. meridionalis, G. c. caucasica, G. c. subtaurica, G. c. cypriaca, G. c. zion, G. c. cinnamomina, G. c. magna, G. c. leautungensis, G. c. coreensis, G. c. iwanowi, G. c. lynesi, G. c. kleinschmidti, G. c. riggenbachi, G. c. carthaginis, G. c. randoni, G. c. macrorhyncha, G. c. balsaci, G. c. arenicola, G. c. helenae, G. c. festae, G. c. brachyura, G. c. nigricans, G. c. maculata, G. c. halfae, G. c. senegallensis, G. c. jordansi, G. c. alexanderi, G. c. isabellina, G. c. altirostris, G. c. somaliensis, G. c. tardinata, G. c. chendoola

SPAIN - Spanish -  Cogujada común ("Common Lark")

Common to locally abundant resident, particularly in Cities.

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: A number seen at Italica, and a pair in the centre of Seville itself.
 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Common on farmland around Madrid.
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Common around Madrid and appropriate sites throughout, including many a round Laguna del Longar.               

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red , RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Apus ("swift") pallidus ("paler")

Three Pallid Swift (subspecies A. p. brehomorum) in Seville, Spain - November 2011

Featured Subspecies: Apus pallidus brehmorum
Weight: 38-45g  /  Length: 16-17cm  /  Wingspan: 42cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

I will be first to admit that taken on it's own, this photo is entirely inadequate to be able to positively identify these birds - about the only feature that even particularly suggests them is the spread tail, which Pallid Swifts apparently do more than Common Swift, but that is hardly diagnostic in one photo.  Essentially, this photo is really only suitable to identify these birds in when it was taken - November, long after Common Swifts have left Spain.  I pondered for a good while about using this picture, but as swifts are by far the hardest common bird to photograph well, I decided that this would have to do for now.  Generally speaking, the Pallid Swift is a slightly paler version of the Common with different features that would be apparent if you held them next to each other, but not really enough to correctly identify them in anything but the best circumstances when whizzing around at high speed.  They are more common in Southern Spain but are present in lower numbers in cities like Madrid. while in the UK they are only a vagrant,

Related Species:

Order: Apodiformes

Family: Apodidae

Genus: Apus

Subspecies: A. p . pallidus, A. p. brehmorum, A. p. illyricus

 - Sighting Locations -

ITALY - Italian - Rondone Pallido ("Pale Swift")

A local breeder

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - Seen from Syracuse 

SPAIN - Spanish - Vencejo pálido ("Pale Swift")

Common to locally abundant resident, particularly in Cities.

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: Common around Seville in November 2011 (after Common Swift have left).
 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Possibly seen - large quantities of Common Swift may have contained Pallid.
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Possibly seen - large quantities of Common Swift may have contained Pallid.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Phoenicurus ("crimson tail") ochruros ("yellow tailed")

Top: Adult male Black Redstart (subspecies P. o. aterrimus) at Italica, Seville, Spain - November 2011

Top: Adult female Black Redstart (subspecies P. o. gibraltariensis) at East India Docks, London - December 2010

Featured Subspecies: Phoenicurus ochruros aterrimus (?) & Phoenicurus ochruros gibraltariensis

Weight: 12-20g  /  Length: 13-14.5cm  /  Wingspan: 23-26cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Black Redstart is one of the UKs rarest breeding birds, being less numerous than either osprey's or golden eagles with under a hundred pairs. There is an increase in winter however as birds arrive from the continent. It is also unique however in that of all Britain's rare birds, it actually does best it cities, with population centres being present in London and Birmingham - indeed, the story I have heard is that it first managed to establish itself here as a breeding species after World War 2 and the Blitz, where there were plenty of damaged and destroyed buildings for it to nest in. It favours brownfield sites which produce a similar habitat to the scree slopes on which they originally evolved and so is in danger from urban regeneration.  In contrast, on my visit to Seville in Spain, these were a fairly common species, particularly on old, large buildings such as Seville Cathedral and the Roman Ruins at Italica.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Genus: Phoenicurus 
Subspecies: P. o. aterrimus, P. o. gibraltariensis, P. o. ochruros, P. o. semirufus, P. o. phoenicuroides, P. o. rufiventris, P. o. xerophilus   

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare breeding resident (19-44 pairs) and rare Wintering species (400 birds)

 - Single birds seen at Trevose Head and East India Docks

SPAIN - Spanish - Colirrojo tizón ("Smut Redstart")
Scarce and Local Resident

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: Seen regularly in Seville, Italica and El Rocio
 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: A few seen in passing an various locations.
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: A few seen in passing at various locations.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)

OTHER NAMES: Chiffchaff

Latin Etymology: Phylloscopus ("leaf seaker") collybita ("money-changer")

Adult Common Chiffchaff (subspecies P. c. collybita) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - April 2015

Featured Subspecies: Phylloscopus collybita collybita
Weight: 6-10g  /  Length: 10-11cm  /  Wingspan: 15-21cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Chiffchaff is one of the UK's commoner warblers, and one of the few that can regularly be found all year round, although mostly in the Summer. It is visually almost identical to the Willow Warbler, but can be most easily differentiated by it's namesake and very distinctive "chiff-chaff" song. Common and widespread, it will in all likelihood be one of the easiest warblers to find, although it's drab colouration makes it difficult to pick out some of the time.  

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Phylloscopidae
Genus: Phylloscopus
Subspecies: P. c. abietinus, P. c. collybita, P. c. brevirostris, P. c. caucasicus, P. c. menzbieri, P. c. tristis 

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Common Summer migrant breeding species (1,200,000 territories) and scarce Wintering bird Visitor (500-1000 birds)

 - Seen at various sites including Rutland Water, Trevose Head, Rainham Marshes, and Geddington.

SPAIN - Spanish - Mosquitero común ("Common Mosquito-catcher")

Common resident.

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: Several seen around Seville

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Several seen at El Pardo.    

Further Information: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

OTHER NAMES: Rose-ringed Parakeet
Latin Etymology: Psittacula ("diminutive of parrot") krameri (after Wilhelm Heinrich Kramer)

Adult Rose-ringed Parakeet (subspecies P. k. borealis) on Regent's Park, London - October 2009

Featured Subspecies: Psittacula krameri borealis
Weight: 94-180g  /  Length: 40cm  /  Wingspan: 42-48cm

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Britain's only fully established Parrot species - these parakeet established themselves at some point in the last 50 years and have been increasing ever since. Widespread within London (and apparently other places) they are however still restricted in range for now. In central London Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens seems to be a hot-spot - you can hear them shrieking from the trees a lot of the time just to the west of the Serpentine.  As with in Britain, in Spain the Rose-Ringed Parakeet is abundant in some Spanish cities - Seville in particular, though a few were seen in Madrid, although the Monk Parakeet was more prevalent in the latter.

Related Species:

Order: Psittaciformes

Family: Psittacidae

Genus: Psittacula
Subspecies: P. k. krameri, P. k. parvirostris, P. k. borealis, P. k. manillensis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Common to Locally abundant Breeding Resident (8600 pairs)

 - Locally common in South East England including Regent's Park and Kensington Gardens.

SPAIN - Spanish - Cotorra de Kramer

Common in some cities.

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: Common around Seville    

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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