Iberian Green Woodpecker (Picus sharpei)

OTHER NAMES: Iberian Woodpecker

Latin Etymology: Picus ("woodpecker") sharpei (named for Orithologist Dr Richard Bowdler Sharpe)

Adult female Iberian Green Woodpecker (Picus sharpei) at Parque Oeste, Spain - June 2015

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 180-220g  /  Length: 31-33cm  /  Wingspan: 45-51cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern  

The Iberian Woodpecker is a close relation of the more widespread Green Woodpecker, which until recently it was considered part of the same species.  Visually, it differs in that it lacks the black mask that Green Woodpeckers normally have.  It seems to be fairly common in the forested parks of Madrid, I heard them calling or caught glimpses on a number of occasions before this very obliging individual landed on a tree in front of me where I could get clear views.

Related Species:
Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae
Genus: Picus
Subspecies: None - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Pito reál ("Royal Whistle")

Fairly common resident.

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Several seen at Parque Oeste and heard at El Retiro 
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Heard at El Pardo

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

Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus)

OTHER NAMES: European Crested Tit 

Latin Etymology: Lophophanes ("crest showing") cristatus ("crested")

Adult Crested Tit (subspecies L. c. mitratus) in Parque Oeste, Madrid, Spain - June 2015

Featured Subspecies: Lophophanes cristatus mitratus

Weight: 10-13g  /  Length: 11.5cm  /  Wingspan: 17-20cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Crested Tit is a highly distinctive species in Europe, its sharp crest being a feature not found in any other tit species on the continent making it's identification easy.  However, as a British species it's distribution is very restricted - while on mainland Europe it can be found throughout Northern and Western Europe, in the UK it can only be found in the ancient Caledonian Forests of Scotland.  Everywhere else in it's range, it can be be found in any suitable pine habitat, including in city parks such as the one in Madrid where we found this one!

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Lophophanes
Subspecies: L. .c scotius, L. c. abadiei, L. c. weigoldi, L. c. cristatus, L. c. baschkirikus, L. c. mitratus, L. c. bureschi.

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Herrerillo capuchina ("Capuchin Tit")
Fairly Common and widespread resident in suitable habitat

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Small flock seen in Parque Oeste

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Several pairs seen in treetops at El Pardo 

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