Black-eared wheatear

Oenanthe hispanica

Common name:

black-eared wheatear (en); chasco-ruivo (pt); traquet oreillard (fr); collalba rubia (es); mittelmeer-steinschmätzer (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Muscicapidae

Range:

The black-eared wheatear breeds in southern Europe, North Africa, and through the Arabian Peninsula and Middle East into Asia, as far east as the Caspian Sea, southwest Kazakhstan and Iran. They migrate south to winter in sub-Saharan Africa, mostly along the Sahel belt and in north-east Africa.

Size:

These birds are 13,5-15,5 cm long and have a wingspan of 30-31 cm. They weigh 12-21 g.

Habitat:

Black-eared wheatears inhabit open, rocky areas with scrubby vegetation, on slopes or foothills, also occurring in gardens and extensive agricultural land, although it requires at least some low, shrubby vegetation.

Diet:

They commonly forage from a perch up to 3 m above the ground, flying down to catch insects and other invertebrates either in flight or from the ground. Their main prey are Formicidae, Coleoptera, Orthoptera and Heteroptera, although they may occasionally also take seeds and berries.

Breeding:

The black-eared wheatear breeds in March-July. The nest consists of a flat cup of plant stems, moss and fibres, lined with hair or down, and may be built on the ground under a stone, rocky overhang, tussock or thick bush, in a burrow, or in a hole in a ruin. The female lays 3-6 eggs which are incubated for 13-14 days. The young fledge 11-14 days after hatching, but remain dependent on the adults for another 3 weeks.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and a global population of 5-20 million individuals. Populations in south-western Europe have undergone a decline since 1970, particularly in Spain, probably as a result of habitat changes including agricultural intensification and afforestation schemes, combined with droughts in its winter range in Africa. Overall the species is not considered threatened at present.

Fiscal flycatcher

Sigelus silens

Photo by Lip Kee Yap (Wikipedia)

Common name:

fiscal flycatcher (en); papa-moscas-fiscal (pt); gobemouche fiscal (fr); papamoscas fiscal (es); würgerschnäpper (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Muscicapidae

Range:

They are found throughout South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. They are also present in south-eastern Botswana and southern Mozambique.

Size:

The fiscal flycatcher is 17-20 cm long. They weigh 26 g.

Habitat:

They are mostly found in open habitats with scattered trees or bushes. These include moist and semi-arid grassland, fynbos, bushveld, dry savanna and Acacia scrubland.

Diet:

It mostly hunts insects, namely ants, termites, grasshoppers, moths and Hemiptera. Their diet is sometimes supplemented with fruits and nectar.

Breeding:

Fiscal flycatchers breed in July-February, with a peak in October December. They female builds the nest alone, on a thick forked branch, among dead leaves or inside a dead stump. The nest consists of a bulky, open cup built of stems of dry grass combined with other plants. The interior is usually thickly lined with material such as soft plant down, feathers, rootlets. The female lays 2-4 brown eggs, which she incubates alone for 13-16 days while being fed by the male. The female feeds the chicks alone until fledging, which takes place 15-17 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

These birds have a very large breeding range. Although the population size is unknown, they are described as widespread and common, and there is no evidence for any substantial threats.

Red-flanked bluetail

Tarsiger cyanurus

Photo by Jari Peltomäki (Luonto Portti)

Common name:

red-flanked bluetail (en); rouxinol-rabiazul (pt); rossignol à flanc roux (fr); coliazul de cejas blancas (es); blauschwanz (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Muscicapidae

Range:

These migratory bird breed in northern Asia and north-east Europe, from Finland in the east, across Siberia, and all the way to Kamchatka and Japan. They mostly winter in south-east Asia, in southern China, Taiwan and northern Indochina.

Size:

This small passerine is 13-14 cm long and has a wingspan of 22 cm. They weigh 10-18 g.

Habitat:

They breed in mixed coniferous forests with undergrowth. During the winter they also use forested habitats, namely tropical and sub-tropical lowland moist forests, and tropical and sub-tropical mountain moist forests.

Diet:

The red-flanked bluetail is insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects. During the winter they may also eat berries and seeds.

Breeding:

They breed in June-August. The nest is built on or near the ground, often in a hollow among tree roots or in a stump or fallen log. The nest cup consists of moss, grass, and roots, lined with softer grass, wool, hair, and sometimes pine needles. The female lays 3-7 eggs which she incubates alone for 12-15 days. The chicks fledge after about 2 weeks.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

The population is suspected to be stable as there is no evidence for any declines or substantial threats.