Eurasian Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris)

OTHER NAMES: Crag Martin

Latin Etymology: Ptyonoprogne ("fan swallow") rupestris ("rock dwelling/montane")

Adult Eurasian Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupetris) on the nest at Patones, Spain - June 2015

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 23g  /  Length: 14-15cm  /  Wingspan: 32-34cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern  

The Crag Martin is the most limited distribution of all the Martins found in Europe and the most specialized in habitat - only found on rock faces in Mediterranean countries.  Compared to the other two species it it browner  and without the clean white paneling that Sand and House Martins have.  Like the House Martin, they construct mud and spit nests on sheltered vertical faces,  Unlike the other two though, the European population is resident, staying in it's Southern European range throughout the year.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Genus: Ptyonoprogne
Subspecies: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

ITALY - Italian - Rondine montana ("mountain swallow")

A scarce resident

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP -  A few at Aci Castello.

SPAIN - Spanish - Avión roquero ("Rock Martin")
Locally common resident.

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Common at Patones - a number of individuals seen, including some visibly nesting.

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Common at Monfrague National Park - individuals seen throughout.

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

Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

OTHER NAMES: Hoopoe 

Latin Etymology: Upupa (phononym of call) epops (Greek name for species)

Adult Eurasian Hoopoe (subspecies - U. e. epops) near Side, Antalya, Turkey - March 2025

Featured Subspecies: Upupa epops epops
Weight: 67g  /  Length: 25-32cm  /  Wingspan: 44-48cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List - Least Concern

I would consider the Hoopoe to be quite easily one of the most attractive species of birds in Europe - a orange with dramatic black and white wings which form long stripes across it's entire back when in flight.  More notable is the large crest on its head which it can display forward or fold back.  In the UK it is a rare but annual vagrant often only staying for a few days at a time, but the odd individual like this one may over winter in the country.  It is much more common in the rest of the old world, being found across most of Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and temperate to tropical Asia.  Subsequently, my guided birding trip from Madrid with Luis Sitges found several Hoopoe throughout the morning, giving some excellent views without the twitching required in this country.

Related Species:
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Upupidae
Genus: Upupa
Subspecies: U. e. epops, U. e. orientalis, U. e. ceylonensis, U. e. saturata, U. e. longirostris, U. e. major, U. e. senegalensis, U. e. waibeli

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A regular vagrant.

 - A single bird at Snodland which Wintered in 2013-2014.

ITALY - Italian - L'upupa

A locally reasonably common Summer migrant.

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - One seen at Fiume Ciane 

SPAIN - Spanish - Abubilla 

A fairly common resident.

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Several seen in Patones 
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Individuals seen throughout at various locations including El Pardo, Laguna Campillo and Monfrague..

TURKEY  -   Turkish:İbibik ("Hoopoe")
 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - Seen in most locations.

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