Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae)

OTHER NAMES: Cisalpine Sparrow
Latin Etymology: Passer ("sparrow") italiae ("Italian")

Adult Male Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae) at Catania, Sicily, Italy - May 2018

Local Name (Italian): Passera d'Italia ("Italian Sparrow")
Weight: 30g  /  Length: 14-16cm  /  Wingspan: 19-25-cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

The Italian Sparrow is a prime example of where taxonomy gets messy and it's only recently any sort of consensus seems to have settled down.  The general opinion now is that it is a species formed of a stable hybrid between House and Spanish sparrows that has become it's own species.  As such they are intermediate between those two species.  To further confuse matters, the birds on Sicily are highly variable, with many looking far more like Spanish Sparrows than the typical mainland birds.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passeridae
Genus: Passer
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

ITALY - An abundant resident

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP -  Very common throughout.

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

Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus)

OTHER NAMES: White-vented Myna, Buffalo Myna

Latin Etymology: Acridotheres ("locust hunter") javanicus ("of Java")

Adult Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) at Awana Resort - Genting Highlands - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 100g  /  Length: 24-25cm  /  Wingspan: 40cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

The most common species of Myna on my trip to Kuala Lumpur (ironically more so than the Common Myna), this species is originally from Indonesia but has been introduced to various parts of South East Asia including Malaysia and Singapore, plus a few places further afield. A generally very versatile species that has adapted itself well to habitats both urban and rural.  Note should be taken on the name "White-vented Myna" which is used inconsistently for both this species and the Great Myna, which can cause a bit of confusion.

Related Species:
ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Sturnidae
GENUS: Acridotheres
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - Tiong Jawa ("Javan ?")

Common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Common throughout including Kuala Lumpur, Malacca and Genting Highlands.
SINGAPORE - Common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Several seen in passing from car.

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

Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas)

OTHER NAMES: Applejacks, Green Shore Crab, Green Crab, European Green Crab
Latin Etymology: Carcinus ("crab") maenas ("raving/frantic")

Young Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas) at Trevose Head - June 2011

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: up to 150g  /  Length: 9cm  /  Width: 21cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

For most people in the UK, this is the species of crab they are most likely to encounter in the wild - a dweller of shorelines commonly found in rockpools.  Originally from Northern Europe, they are an invasive species at locations of appropriate temperatures, and have established themselves on all continents except Asia and Antarctica.  They are edible, and fished commercially on a relatively small scale.

Related Species:
Order: Decapoda
Family: Portunidae
Genus: Carcinus
Subspecies: Unclear

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident of rocky coasts.

 - Seen at a number of coastal sites including Trevose Head,

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