© GW - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Gambia, March 2013

Bird name: Tree Pipit
Latin: Anthus trivialis
Other: Pipit des Arbres (Fr)
Family: Motacillidae • Pipits
Range: Europe, temperate Asia, migrating to India, Africa, incl Gambia
Similar: Meadow Pipit

Above a migrant Tree Pipit seen in Kartong, Gambia.

There's an art to differentiating Tree Pipits from Meadow Pipits - one that I do not claim to have mastered.

But the principal differences are that the Tree Pipit has a larger supercilium, (a thick white mark above the eye), with a whitish dot around the ear. The Meadow Pipit has a more strongly marked back - the Tree Pipit's is dull in comparison. The Tree Pipit has fine marks on the flanks. They both have pinkish legs, unlike the Water Pipit which has dark legs.

© GW - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Nice Airport • April 2013

Bird name: European Pied Flycatcher
Latin: Ficedula hypoleuca
Other: Pied Flycatcher (Collins). Gobe-mouche noir (Fr)
Family: Muscicapidae • Old World Flycatchers
Range: Europe
Similar:

Wonderful view of this European Pied Flycatcher this morning at Nice Airport on the banks of the Var. This is the only time of the year I get to see them.

Large white wing patch on male European Pied Flycatcher. Two white “headlights” above bill. White underbelly. Otherwise dark brown.

Below, European Pied Flycatcher, Nice Airport, France, April 2013
More photos...

© monacoeye • Camargue, France • December 2008 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Grey Heron
Latin: Ardea cinerea
Other: Gray Heron (US). Héron Cendré (Fr), garza real europea (Es), Graureiher (De), Aiirone cenerino (it)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Europe, Asia, Africa
Similar: Purple Heron, Black-headed Heron, Western Reef Egret

The Grey Heron is one of the more visible birds in wetlands in the south of France. Large and prominent - will circle or fly off when flushed. Juveniles are well camouflaged when standing on shingle.

Below, Grey Heron in flight, Camargue, France


Below, Grey Heron, Arma di Taggia, Italy, April 2013.
More photos...

© monacoeye. All rights reserved. Pantanal, August

Bird name: Great Egret
Latin: Ardea alba
Other: Grande Aigrette (Fr) • Kotuku (NZ) • Great White Egret • Common Egret • Garça-branca-grande (Br)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons, Egrets
Range: Worldwide
Similar: Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, White Stork

The Great Egret is a prominent large heron with all-white plumage, large wingspan, yellow bill, dark feet. Neck retracted in flight. In breeding plumage (see below in Romania), bill can be black, lores green, tibia red.

Seen regularly by rivers, lakes etc. France, Brazil, Africa etc.

The subspecies Ardea alba alba (Europe) (see “more photos”), Ardea alba egretta (Americas), Ardea alba melanorhynchos (Africa) and Ardea alba modesta (Asia & Australasia) were split by the IOC and then relumped.

Great Egret standing on tree, Pantanal, August


Great Egret in flight showing streamers, Mostardas, RS, Brazil, November


Great Egret in breeding plumage, green lores, black bill, red tibia. Danube Delta, May.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye • Gambia • Feb 2013 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Little Grebe
Latin: Tachybaptus ruficollis
Other: Dabchick • Grèbe castagneux (Fr) • Zampullín común (Es)
Family: Podicipedidae - Grebes
Range: Europe, Asia and Africa
Similar:

Above, two juvenile Little Grebes near the main road in Gambia, February 2013.

A small shy grebe, summer adults are identified by the yellow gape spot. There is a dark stripe behind neck and a touch of white at tip of bill.

Below, adult Little Grebe, Cannes, France, March.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Osprey
Latin: Pandion haliaetus
Other: Aguila pescadora, halieto (Es), Aguia-pesqueira (Pt), Balbuzard pêcheur (Fr), Falco pescatore (It), Fischadler (De)
Family: Pandionidae • Osprey
Range: Worldwide, especially tropics, coastlines and Canada, Russia, China.
Similar:

Ospreys have long thin wings and a distinctive zorro eye mask. They are white underneath with brown marks on wings, upperside is brown. Ospreys eat fish almost exclusively.

I saw a couple of Ospreys in the Valle de Anton area. One in the town itself and one higher in the mountains, both near water.

Seen again in Napo, Ecuador. Migrating on the Cote d’Azur, France in September.

I saw Ospreys frequently in the south of Gambia, March, and on the coastal area. They fly out to sea, catch a large fish, then fly back inland - several kilometres sometimes - to a perch where they eat their meal.

The bird pictured above was a ringed bird (tag NW), seen about an hour south of Janjanbureh on the River Gambia.

Below, Pied Crow harasses Osprey for fish, Tujereng Woods, Gambia, March 2013


Below, Osprey takes a bath in a quarry, Gambia, March 2013


Below, Osprey in flight, Panama, April
More photos...

© monacoeye • Camargue, France • All rights reserved

Bird name: Western Marsh Harrier
Latin: Circus aeruginosus
Other: Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Marsh Harrier (Helm) • Busard des Roseaux (Fr) • Rohrweihe (De) • Aguilucho lagunero (Es) • Falco di palude (It) • Bruine kiekendief (Nl) • Brun kärrhök (Sv) • Tartaranhão-ruivo-dos-pauis (Pt)
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Harriers
Range: Eurasia, India, Central Africa
Similar: Male Hen Harrier

Marsh Harriers can be seen in the Camargue all year round and many fly east-west past Monaco on autumn migration in September.

The adult male Marsh Harrier is fairly easy to recognise. From below it has black wing tips, white wings, brown body and head.

Females are quite variable and thus more difficult to recognise - they typically have brown body and coverts and darkish wing tips. Dark mark through eye. Can have white cap and neck, white shoulder.

Juveniles are very dark with whitish head.

Below, Marsh Harrier, Camargue, January 2012.


Below, Western Marsh Harrier, Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© monacoeye.com, all rights reserved

Bird name: Short Toed Snake Eagle
Latin: Circaetus gallicus
Other: Short Toed Eagle (Collins) • Circaète Jean le Blanc • Schlangenadler • Alangenarend • Biancone • Aguila Culebrera
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Snake Eagles
Range: South and East Europe, Middle East, India etc, Africa
Similar: Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle

The Short Toed Snake Eagle preys mainly on snakes, but also small reptiles like lizards. It is predominantly light-coloured from below, with a dark, almost owl-like, head. They can be very pale, even on the head, with few, if any, of the characteristic brown dotted lines below. They are easy to recognise in France as there are no other raptors that are so light underneath

The Short Toed-Eagle is one of the more visible large raptors in the coastal mountains of the Alpes Maritimes in France, especially in May and September. If you go up to a high point near here, it is not uncommon for a Short-toed Eagle to hover past you on the thermals.

They are found mostly in southern and eastern Europe, into the Middle East and some parts of Asia, and migrate to Africa in the northern winter.

Also seen on at least one occasion, probably several times, on MacCarthy Island, Gambia, but no decent photos.

Below, Short-toed Eagle in flight, France, August.


Short-toed Eagle from above !

More photos...

© monacoeye • Female kestrel hovering, France • 2009

Bird name: Common Kestrel
Latin: Falco tinnunculus
Other: Kestrel (UK), Faucon Crécerelle (Fr), Turmfalke (De), Cernícalo vulgar (Es), Gheppio comune (It), Torenvalk (Nl), Tornfalk (Sv), Peneireiro-vulgar (Pt)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons, Kestrels
Range: Europe, Asia, India, Africa
Similar: Lesser Kestrel

The male Kestrel has a grey cap and tail, while the female is brown. Both have the dark malar stripe characteristic of falcons.

There are many races of Kestrel each with slightly different patterning. In France the nominate tinnunculus race is present, while in Gambia the rufescens race is found (see below). Male rufescens have more heavily barred upperside than tinnunculus; female rufescens are deeper brown and more barred than tinnunculus.

Kestrels are one of the most abundant and visible birds of prey in Europe - often seen hovering in mid air before swooping down to catch a lizard or small mammal.

They are small birds, a little larger than pigeons.

Below, male Common Kestrel wing pattern. Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus, France


Common Kestrel brings agama lizard to juv? Falco tinnunculus rufescens


Below, Common Kestrel. Falco tinnunculus rufescens. Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Common Cuckoo
Latin: Cuculus canorus
Other: Cuckoo (UK) • Coucou gris (Fr) • Kuckuck (De) • cuco común (Es) • cuculo (It) • koekoek (Nl) • Gök (Sv) • cuco-canoro (Pt)
Family: Cuculidae - Cuckoos
Range: Widespread Europe summer migrant from Sub-saharan Africa; widespread Asia.
Similar: Hawk colouring

The brown cuckoos are female and the grey ones here are probably male, although there is both a brown and a grey female form.

The juvenile cuckoo, which we saw above 2000m in the Mercantour (photo further below), is identifiable by the small white patch on back of head, and some white streaks to upperside.

In the Danube Delta in May, you are never out of earshot of a cuckoo, and they are a fairly common sight, flying over the reedbeds and settling in trees.

Below, probably male cuckoo, Danube Delta.


More photos...

Copyright: AS - monacoeye • Ngorongoro • Oct 2009 • All rights reserved

Bird name: European Bee Eater
Latin: Merops apiaster
Other: Guêpier d'Europe (Fr) • Gruccione (It) • Abejaruco europeo (Es)
Family: Meropidae • Bee Eaters
Range:
Similar:

Around the 8th of September each year, hundreds of European Bee-eaters fly along the mountains behind Monaco (below in “more photos”), parallel to the coast, in their annual southwestern migration, down to Spain and then on to Africa.

They seem to come through in groups of twenty to fifty birds, at roughly half-hour intervals, with a one-day peak of several hundred individuals.

These small colourful birds have a fluttering flight, which appears quite haphazard, yet they manage to progress in a generally westward direction, parallel to the coast. They can be heard approaching by their flutey, whistling song, which sounds a little like singing electrical wires, which they make as they fly.

André, has just sent in the photo (above) of a European Bee-Eater in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, in October.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes, December

Bird name: Mistle Thrush
Latin: Turdus viscivorus
Other: Grive draine (Fr) • Misteldrossel (De) • Zorzal charlo (Es) • Tordela (It) • Grote lijster (Nl) • Dubbeltrast (Sv) • Tordoveia (Pt)
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes
Range: Europe, to North Africa and Central Asia
Similar: Song Thrush, Fieldfare

Mistle Thrushes are found in the Mercantour and most of southern Europe and the UK throughout the year.

Here they had been feeding on a rowan bush near habitations (1800m, 0°C) in December. In July we saw pairs in the forest at a similar altitude.

Mistle Thrushes have a more upright posture than Song Thrushes and a vertical light patch on the cheek, a dark smudge on the side of the chest, pale outer coverts. Call a characteristic “rrrrrrrr” trill. Overall lighter and larger than Song Thrushes.More photos...

© monacoeye • Mercantour, November, 2012 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Fieldfare
Latin: Turdus pilaris
Other: Fr: Grive litorne • De: Wacholderdrossel • Es: zorzal real • It: cesena • Nl: Kramsvogel • Sv: Björktrast • Pt: tordo-zornal • Tr: Tarla ardıç kuşu • Po: Kwiczoł • Ru: Рябинник
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes
Range: N Europe & Asia, migrating south to France, Italy, Spain, Turkey etc.
Similar: Redwing, Mistle Thrush

We saw hundreds of Fieldfares in the Mercantour last weekend at about 1900m just below the tree line. They perched in the upper branches of larch, which have shed most of their needles now, before resuming feeding on the many colourful rowan bushes. When startled they fly off in large flocks, much like starlings, before alighting a hundred yards away near other rowans. This was my first view of Fieldfare - I have never seen large flocks of thrushes like this. I don’t know if they stay all winter.

The adult Fieldfare has some orange on the chest, differentiating it from the Redwing which has orange on the flank. The 1st winter Fieldfare, pictured above, has very little colour on neck and chest. Fieldfare are quite white underneath, with light grey rump, brown shoulders and white underwings. Mostly yellow bill. A plump thrush.

Below, Rowan berries late November provide food for Fieldfare arriving from the north.
More photos...

© monacoeye • Mercantour, France, October 2012 • All rights reserved

Bird name: European Green Woodpecker
Latin: Picus viridis
Other: UK: Green Woodpecker; Fr: Pic vert; De: Grünspecht; Es: pito real; It: Picchio verde; Nl: Groene specht; Sv: Gröngöling; Pt: Pica-pau-verde
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers
Range: Most of Europe, Pt, Es, Fr, De, It, UK, Be, Nl, Ch, E Europe, around Black Sea
Similar:

Record shot of Green Woodpecker in Mercantour.

© monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Great Spotted Woodpecker
Latin: Dendrocopos major
Other: Fr: Pic épeiche • De: Buntspecht • Es: pico picapinos • It: Picchio rosso maggiore • Nl: grote bonte specht • Sv: Större hackspett • Tr: Göknar ağaçkakanı • Pl: Dzięcioł duży • Ru: Большой пёстрый дятел • Ko: 오색딱따구리 • Ja:アカゲラ • Zh: 大斑啄木鸟
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers
Range: Europe Asia to Japan, Korea
Similar: Syrian Woodpecker

See Syrian Woodpecker for differences. These are both females from lack of red patch on back of head.More photos...

© monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes, France, October 2012 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Red Billed Chough
Latin: Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Other: Chough (UK)• Crave à bec rouge (Fr) • Chova piquirroja (Es) • Gracchio corallino (It) • Alpenkrähe (De), Gralha-de-bico-vermelho (Pt)
Family: Corvidae • Crows, Choughs
Range: Ireland, UK, Portugal, Spain, Fance, Italy, Balkans, Greece, Turkey, N Africa. Mid East to Himalayas, China
Similar: Alpine Chough

The Red-billed Chough is not common in central Europe but can be found in scattered populations.

A large group was seen in the winter in the Gorges du Verdon, 1200m alt, where they live on the vertical walls of the gorge. Also a few in the Mercantour, 2200m alt. October, alongside Alpine Chough.

The range of the Chough extends from Spain to the eastern Himalayas, with a few colonies in Africa.

Choughs are typically high mountain birds, but will breed on steep rock walls even on the coast.

They can be distinguished from the similar Alpine Chough by their long, thin, curved red (not short, yellow) bills, though juvenile Choughs have yellowish bills. Feet are red.

Below, Red-billed Chough in Mercantour, October.
More photos...

© monacoeye • France, October 2012 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Northern Raven
Latin: Corvus corax
Other: Common Raven, Raven • Grand Corbeau (Fr) • Kolkrabe (De) • cuervo común, cacalote (Es) • Corvo imperiale (It) • Raaf (Nl) • Korp (Nl) • Corvo-comum (Pt)
Family: Corvidae • Crows, Ravens
Range: Widespread North America, Middle America, Eurasia, Iceland
Similar: Carrion Crow

The Northern Raven is a large bird - the size of a medium to large bird of prey. In flight, the pointed tail and long pointed wings distinguish it from the Carrion Crow, which has a square-cut tail and squarer wings. The Raven has a very heavy bill.

There are no crows on Iceland - the bird pictured below must be a Raven. Possibly Corvus corax varius, the Icelandic subspecies, which has whitish feathers on the neck.

Below, Northern Raven in Iceland, May 2011.
More photos...

© monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes, France, October 2012 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Alpine Chough
Latin: Pyrrhocorax graculus
Other: Yellow-billed Chough • Chocard à bec jaune (Fr) • Chova piquigualda (Es) • Gracchio alpino (It) • Alpendohle (De)
Family: Corvidae • Crows, Choughs
Range: Spain, Fance, Italy, Switzerland, Balkans, Greece, Turkey, N Africa. Mid East, Himalayas
Similar: Red-billed Chough

Record shot of an Alpine Chough which I saw with a few Red-billed Choughs in the Alpes Maritimes in southeast France at 2200m altitude.

The range of the Chough extends, in isolated populations, from Spain to the Himalayas, where it lives at very high altitudes.

Alpine Choughs have shorter and yellower bills than Red-billed Choughs. Feet are red.More photos...

© monacoeye • Mercantour, August 2011 • All rights reserved.

Bird name: White Throated Dipper
Latin: Cinclus cinclus
Other: European Dipper, Dipper (UK), Cincle plongeur (Fr), Wasseramsel (De), Mirlo acuático europeo (Es), Merlo acquaiolo (It), Strömstare (Sv), Melro-d’água (Pt)
Family: Cinclidae • Dippers
Range: Parts of Europe and Asia, incl Alps, Scandinavia, Ireland, Scotland, Balkans
Similar:
Habitat: Montane, shallow, fast-moving streams.

We saw many White-throated Dippers along fast-moving streams, away from towns and busy paths, in the Mercantour.

Behaviour: They swim in small, shallow mountain rivers, dive and swim underwater, perch mid stream, hide in small crannies under rocks, fly in and out of small waterfalls or perch nearby, hide in the shade of overhanging riverbank plants, and usually seem to be heading either upstream or downstream, often in pairs. Charasmatic birds. Also seen around banks of stiller lakes that adjoin these streams - perhaps their nests?

Observation: They are not easy to see, because they are easily flushed, well-camouflaged and fast moving, but fairly abundant, in my experience, so a walk along a suitable stream, scanning for movement or birds perched midstream, often produced one or more, especially in October. Sometimes flushed when crossing bridges. We saw them in August and October between 1600 and 1900 m altitude.

Food: The floor of the clear stream where we often see them, in certain areas was covered in large insects in August - presumably dragonfly nymphs or similar. Seemed like a possible food source.

Below, a White-throated Dipper, beside a small waterfall in the Mercantour.
More photos...

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Iceland, May

Bird name: Common Blackbird
Latin: Turdus merula
Other: Blackbird (UK) • Eurasian Blackbird (US) • Merle Noir (Fr) • Amsel (De) • Mirlo común (Es) • Merlo (It) • Merel (Nl) • Koltrast (Sv) • Melro-preto (Pt)
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes
Range: Widespread Europe, Eurasia
Similar: Females and juveniles are similar to thrushes

A female Blackbird picks up a shrivelled olive from last year’s windfall, before swallowing it hole. Olive trees are very popular with many species of birds during the winter, especially Starlings, once all the fig trees have been stripped of their remaining dried fruits.

The blackbird seems very common all year round in Monaco and the Cote d’Azur - often heard and seen. Typical garden bird.

Male blackbirds are black with yellow bill and eyering. Females are brown and speckled underneath, with dull beaks. Juveniles are even more mottled.

Below, female Blackbird Ventimiglia, Italy, March, 2009
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes, May

Bird name: Song Thrush
Latin: Turdus philomelos
Other: Grive musicienne (Fr) • Singdrossel (De) • zorzal común (Es) • tordo bottaccio (It) • zanglijster (Nl) • tordo-comum (Pt)
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes
Range: Europe, to North Africa and Central Asia
Similar: Mistle Thrush

A Song Thrush near its nest.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye. Alpes Maritimes, France, July

Bird name: Lesser Whitethroat
Latin: Sylvia curruca
Other: Fauvette grisette (Fr) • Klappergrasmücke (De) • Bigiarella (It) • Braamsluiper (Nl) • Ärtsångare (Sv)
Family: Sylviidae • Warblers
Range: UK, NE France, Europe, to Africa, India
Similar:

Record shot of a Lesser Whitethroat seen just below the tree line in the Alpes Maritimes, France, July.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Alpes Maritimes, July.

Bird name: Willow Tit
Latin: Poecile montanus
Other: Mésange boréale (Fr)
Family: Paridae • Tits
Range: Europe, Asia, North Africa
SImilar: Marsh Tit

Another new local bird I found in high mountain pine forests this summer. Distinguished from the Coal Tit by lack of white on back of head. The Willow Tit is very similar to Marsh Tit, but wider bib and light marks on secondaries (wings) can be used to differentiate it.

Was often seen in mixed flocks with crossbills etc. Was not too shy.

Below, Willow Tit, Mercantour, July 2012.
More photos...

© Alexia W - monacoeye • Iceland, May 2011

Bird name: Northern Wheatear
Latin: Oenanthe oenanthe
Other: Wheatear • Stenskvätta (Sv) • tapuit (Nl) • Culbianco (It) • Collalba Gris (Es) • Steinschmätzer (De) • Traquet motteux (Fr)
Family: Muscicapidae • Old World Flycatchers, Wheatears
Range: Widespread Eurasia, also N North America, NW Africa
Similar:

The Wheatear is a long-distance migrant for such a small bird. These breed in Iceland and winter in North Africa. Seen around Rejkyavik. Also seen in Alpes Maritimes.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Mercantour, July.

Bird name: Spotted Nutcracker
Latin: Nucifraga caryocatactes
Other: Nutcracker • Casse-noix moucheté (Fr) • Tannenhäher (De) • nocciolaia (It) • Nötkråka (Sv)
Family: Corvidae • Crows, Nutcrackers
Range: Europe (Alps mostly) to Japan.
Similar:

Another new local bird for me this summer, the Spotted Nutcracker. We saw these attractive birds regularly in July and August in Mercantour forests between 1500 and 2500 m.

Inquisitive and intelligent, often in pairs like the Jay. Repopulates deforested areas with new trees by hiding (and “forgetting”) seeds in the ground.

The white vent is a good identifying feature. Call is similar to Jay.

Below, Spotted Nutcracker, July.

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy • Iceland • May 2011

Bird name: White Wagtail
Latin: Motacilla alba
Other: Bergeronnette Grise (Fr) • Lavandera blanca (Es) • Ballerina bianca (It) • Sädesärla (Sv) • Alvéola-branca (Pt)
Family: Motacillidae • Wagtails
Range: Iceland, Widespread Eurasia, also Alaska, Morocco
Similar:

This White Wagtail is quite a common bird all along the coast, especially near water. Not uncommon even in Monaco in one or two locations. The wagtails pictured are the Motacilla alba alba subspecies, found in continental Europe and Iceland.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Monaco March 2009

Bird name: Grey Wagtail
Latin: Motacilla cinerea
Other: Bergeronnette des ruisseaux (Fr)
Family: Motacillidae - Wagtails
Range:
Similar: Yellow Wagtail

The above adult male Grey Wagtail was photographed this morning in the Casino Gardens in the centre of Monaco.

The juvenile below is distinguished from the similar Yellow Wagtail by its short light-coloured legs, grey nape and bright yellow vent.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes, July 2012

Bird name: Red Crossbill
Latin: Loxia curvirostra
Other: Common Crossbill (UK) • Bec-croisé des sapins (Fr) • Fichtenkreuzschnabel (De) • piquituerto común (Es) • crociere (It) • Kruisbek (Nl) • Mindre korsnäbb (Sv) • cruza-bico-comum (Pt)
Family: Fringillidae • Finches, Crossbills
Range: Widespread Eurasia, esp Alps etc, Asia, North America, M America
Similar: Other crossbills

Another new local bird for me this year, the Red Crossbill or Common Crossbill. Large flocks seen in the Mercantour in July, in pines, usually around 1500m to the treeline at about 2000m. Always busy feeding on the small unopened pine cones, sometimes seen with Willow Warblers. Not excessively shy.

Unmistakeable in France because of its large powerful crossed mandibles. Adult males are reddish, females yellowish and juveniles greyer and more streaked.


Above, a female Red Crossbill feeding on pine kernels in the Mercantour, July.More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes, France • Aug 2012

Bird name: Golden Eagle
Latin: Aquila chrysaetos
Other: Aigle royal (Fr) • águila real (Es) • Aquila reale (It) • Steinadler (De) • Kungsörn (Sv) • águia-real (Pt)
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range: Europe, Asia, North America, especially mountainous areas.
Similar: Griffon Vulture in Mercantour, other Aquila eagles.

Record shot of my first sighting of a Golden Eagle, in the Mercantour. A very large bird flying near a mountain ridge above us, at about 2500 m, mobbed by crows. In the Mercantour, one confusion species could be Griffon Vulture, which is also very large, but far more common.

Copyright monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes, France • Aug 2012

Bird name: Northern Goshawk
Latin: Accipiter gentilis
Other: Autour des palombes (Fr) • Azor común (Es) • Astore (It) • Habicht (De) • Havik (Nl) • Duvhök (Sv) • Açor (Pt)
Family: Accipitridae • Sparrowhawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Europe, Asia, North America
Similar: Eurasian Sparrowhawk

The Goshawk is significantly larger than the more common Sparrowhawk. In fact this juvenile was seen with a sparrowhawk - I think being mobbed by it. The juvenile Goshawk can be differentiated by vertical stripes on chest and belly, but adults have similar markings to Sparrowhawks. Male goshawks can be similar in size to female sparrowhawks, since females are much larger than males in both species.

The Goshawk is a very fast and powerful bird, which hunts medium sized birds and mammals, such as pigeons, jays, squirrels and hares, especially in forested areas.

Copyright: monacoeye • Monaco • January • All rights reserved

Bird name: Rock Bunting
Latin: Emberiza cia
Other: Bruant fou (Fr) • Zippammer (De) • Escribano montesino (Es) • Zigolo muciatto (It) • Grijze gors (Nl) • Klippsparv (Sv) • Escrevedeira-de-garganta-cinzenta, cia (Pt)
Family: Emberizidae • Buntings
Range: Around Mediterranean: N Africa, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy etc; Balkans, Turkey etc to Himalayas
Similar: Various buntings

Two record shots - likely to be Rock Buntings. Above, Monaco winter; below Mercantour summer. The Rock Bunting lives in mountainous areas around Mediterranean and Black Sea, ranging over to Himalayas.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • France

Bird name: Sardinian Warbler
Latin: Sylvia melanocephala
Other: Fauvette Mélanocéphale (Fr) • Curruca cabecinegra (Es) • Occhiocotto (It) • Toutinegra-de-cabeça-preta (Pt)
Family: Sylviidae • Warblers
Range: Mediterranean rim: France, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, N Africa etc
Similar: Blackcap, other warblers

The Sardinian Warbler is resident in the south of France all year round. Fairly widespread - even seen in Monaco.

The bright red eye-ring is the key distinguishing mark. Males (above) have well-defined black caps which extend below the eye and females (below) are browner and duller.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Monaco • October 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Eurasian Wren
Latin: Troglodytes troglodytes
Other: Wren (UK) • Winter Wren (US) • Troglodyte mignon (Fr) • Zaunkönig (De) • Chochín (Es) • Scricciolo comune (It)
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Widespread Europe, Asia
Similar:

The Wren is widespread throughout Europe, but small and shy!

The Wren is difficult to see on the south coast of France in the summer but easier to see in the winter.

Many thanks to Alexia for passing on this photo of a wren on her balcony - a new Monaco record for this site.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Romania • May 2009

Bird name: Hooded Crow
Latin: Corvus cornix
Other: Cornacchia grigia (It)
Family: Corvidae • Crows
Range:
Similar:

The Hooded Crow replaces the all-black Carrion Crow in Eastern Europe, Ireland and northern Scotland. These crows are often thought of as the same species but here treated separately.

The Hooded Crow is common in the Danube Delta in Romania (pictured here), and often seen in fields etc, like the Carrion Crow.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Mercantour, France • May 2011

Bird name: European Honey Buzzard
Latin: Pernis apivorus
Other: Bondrée Apivore (Fr) • Wespenbussard (De) • Wespendief (Nl) • Falco pecchiaiolo occidentale (It) • Halcón abejero (Es) • Tartaranhão-apívoro (Pt) • Bivråk (Sv)
Family: Accipitridae • Honey Buzzards, Birds of Prey
Range: Breeding - most of Europe, Russia. Migrates to sub-Saharan Africa.
Similar: Common Buzzard

The European Honey Buzzard, although not closely related to the Common Buzzard, does look rather similar to it. The main difference is a longer tail (equal to the width of wings) and neck, and a pigeon-like head.

Pictured above and below is a female I saw in the Mercantour in May.

Unlike adults, juveniles (see “more photos”) have vertical, not horizontal, lines on the belly, and dark, not yellow, irises. They also have wider secondaries, yellow ceres and more barring in the wings.

The adult male pictured in “more photos” below has much white on the underside, but there are also dark morphs.

Another good identification mark for Honey Buzzards is the two dark bands near the underside base of the tail. They also tend to have more of an angle in the wing than Common Buzzards.

Honey Buzzards feed wasps to their young. They are believed to have a deterrent against wasp stings - hence their name.

Hundreds of Honey Buzzards fly down the coast past Monaco towards Spain and Africa every September - a magnificent sight.

Directly below, an adult female European Honey Buzzard, Mercantour, France, May.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes • March 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Red Breasted Merganser
Latin: Mergus serrator
Other: Harle huppé (Fr) • Mittelsäger (De) • Serreta mediana (Es) • Длинноносый крохаль (Ru) • Småskrake (Sw)
Family: Anatidae • Ducks, Mergansers
Range: Iceland, Northern Eurasia and America, winters on coasts of China, US, Europe
Similar: Common Merganser

This is the second consecutive year I have seen Red-breasted Mergansers fishing in exactly the same spot in March in the sea off the coast near Cannes.

This area is not marked on the Collins distribution map, but Red-breasted Mergansers are known to winter further east and west on the Mediterranean coast, before flying north to their summer breeding grounds.

Females, juveniles and eclipses can be identified by their thin red bill, striped face, short punky haircut, diffuse neck line, and black line running through white speculum on open wing (see below), the latter differentiating them from Goosanders in flight.

Above juveniles or females. Below, an adult male Red Breasted Merganser, with red irises, dark head, white collar, and dark wings with white patch with black lines.

Below, a male Red-breasted Mergansers off the Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, in May.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes, France • Dec Jan Feb 2009 2010 2011

Bird name: Alpine Accentor
Latin: Prunella collaris
Other: Accenteur Alpin (Fr) • Alpenbraunelle (De) • Acentor alpino (Es) • Sordone (It) • Ferreirinha-alpina (Pt)
Family: Prunellidae • Accentors
Range: Eurasia, N Africa above 2000m - Alps, Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada, Carpathians, Atlas etc. Winters at lower elevations, including near Monaco.
Similar: House Sparrow

There seem to be many Alpine Accentors about this year in the Alpes Maritimes, not far from the coast in the mountains.

The Alpine Accentor has yellow on the lower bill, black and white stippled throat, rufous streaking to sides of belly, line of white triangles on black on closed wings and greyish streaked upperparts. Overall a beautiful combination of subtle colouring and shades.

Alpine Accentors come to feeders in the mountains and seem extremely tame when they appear, perhaps used to receiving crumbs. They tend to hop around on the rocks or make short flights around a small area. Near Monaco this year there is a group of about six of them in one spot.



More photos...

© GW - monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes, France • Feb 2011

Bird name: European Robin
Latin: Erithacus rubecula
Other: Robin (UK) • Rouge-gorge familier (Fr) • Rotkehlchen (De) • Petirrojo (Es) • Pettirosso (It) • Pisco-de-peito-ruivo (Pt)
Family: Muscicapidae • Old World Flycatchers
Range: Widespread Eurasia, also N AFrica
Similar:

The European Robin is particularly visible in Monaco and the Alpes Maritimes in the winter. Also a typical garden bird in the UK, much loved and traditionally pictured on Christmas cards.

The adult Robin has a very characteristic red breast and face and is unlikely to be confused with any other bird in Europe.

More photos...

© monacoeye • All rights reserved • Monaco • February

Bird name: Common Starling
Latin: Sturnus vulgaris
Other: European Starling, Starling (UK) • L'Étourneau sansonnet (Fr) • Star (De) • Estornino pinto (Es) • Storno (It) • Estorninho-comum (Pt)
Family: Sturnidae • Starlings
Range: Temperate Europe, W Asia, migrates south in the winter.
Similar: Blackbird, Spotless Starling (Spain, Portugal, Corsica)

Migrating Starlings are a common sight in cities in the winter, gathering in very large flocks and filling the trees of city squares. Large numbers arrive in Monaco in the winter, but authorities set up an anti-starling campaign over the last few years, with vans blasting hawk sounds, which seems to have had an effect.

Starlings are not just city birds, but also found in very large groups in the countryside and are a common garden bird. Like many other winter residents, near Monaco they favour olive trees and clear trees of all remaining olives in the winter months.

In the winter, birds are spotted: glossy dark with light tips to feathers. In the summer they lose this spotting. They have yellow bills, which darken in the winter, and so can be confused with blackbirds if only seen quickly.

A Common Starling in Reykjavik, May.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Monaco, February

Bird name: Great Tit
Latin: Parus major
Other: Mésange Charbonnière (Fr) • Kohlmeise (De) • Carbonero común (Es) • Cinciallegra (It) • Chapim-real (Pt)
Family: Paridae • Tits
Range: Europe, Asia, North Africa
SImilar: Coal Tit

The Great Tit is one of the most visible small birds in Monaco and the Cote d’Azur all year round, and the most common tit in Europe. This one was taken through the window glass on my balcony.

The male Great Tit has a larger black stripe down the chest and belly than the female. The Coal Tit is similar but has a white patch on back of head and no chest and belly stripe.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Alpes Maritimes, January

Bird name: Peregrine Falcon
Latin: Falco peregrinus
Other: Faucon pèlerin (Fr) • Wanderfalke (De) • Halcón peregrino (Es) • Falco pellegrino (It) • Falcão-peregrino (Pt)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: Widespread worldwide
Similar:

The Peregrine Falcon is a powerful and fast bird which preys on other smaller birds. There is currently a pair nesting in the mountains above Monaco so one can often get a good view.

This was one of a pair I saw at the weekend. They often whizz past too fast for a crisp shot, but here he was circling up on a thermal, before shooting off down the mountainside. Females are larger than males, I think the bird pictured is a male.

Peregrines are reportedly able to reach speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph) and are thus the world’s fastest animal.

There are many different subspecies of Peregrine Falcon worldwide. The local subspecies, pictured above, and found around the Mediterranean, is Falco peregrinus brookei, also known as the Maltese Falcon.

More photos...

Copyright: TH/ monacoeye • Do not copy • Alpes Maritimes, France, winter.

Bird name: Coal Tit
Latin: Periparus ater
Other: includes Spot-winged Tit - P. melanolophus • Parus ater • Mésange Noire (Fr) • Tannenmeise (De) • Carbonero garrapinos (Es) • Cincia mora (It)
Family: Paridae • Tits
Range: Widespread Eurasia
Similar: Great Tit

Thanks to Tania for sending the photos of the Coal Tits at her winter feeders.

The Coal Tit is distinguishable by white wing bars and white mark on back of head.More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Do not copy with permission • Alpes Maritimes, November

Bird name: Hawfinch
Latin: Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Other: Gros-bec casse-noyaux (Fr) • Kernbeißer (De) • Picogordo (Es) • Frosone (It) • Bico-grossudo (Pt)
Family: Fringillidae • Finches, Grosbeaks
Range: Widespread Eurasia, also N Africa
Similar:

The Hawfinch is a wary bird, easy to identify by its massive bill. Thanks to Tania for sending this picture of a visitor to her mountain feeder in November.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Monaco, January

Bird name: Eurasian Siskin
Latin: Carduelis spinus
Other: Tarin des aulnes (Fr) • Erlenzeisig (De) • Lúgano (Es) • Lucherino eurasiatico (It) • Lugre (Pt)
Family: Fringillidae • Finches, Siskins
Range: Widespread Eurasia, also N Africa
Similar:

Just a record shot of a Eurasian Siskin in winter plumage.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Monaco, July 2010

Bird name: Pallid Swift
Latin: Apus pallidus
Other: Martinet pâle (Fr) • Vencejo pálido (Es) • Andorinhão-pálido (Pt) • Rondone pallido (It)
Family: Apodidae • Swifts
Range: Breeds around Med, Canaries etc - migrates to Africa, Asia
Similar: Common Swift

There are a good number of Pallid Swift in Nice and Monaco, but they look very similar to Common Swifts so are hard to differentiate easily. This individual was one of many swifts in a mixed flock that flies near the port throughout the summer in Monaco.

Markers distinguishing Pallid Swifts from Common Swifts include prominent dark “eye-liner”, ribbed chest, whiter neck patch, wide “hips”, shallow-forked tail, P1 primaries (the frontmost flight feather) shorter than P2, giving wing-tips a blunted appearance.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Alpes Maritimes, France • Dec 2010

Bird name: European Serin
Latin: Serinus serinus
Other: Serin • Serin cini (Fr) • Verzellino (It) • verdecillo (Es) • Girlitz (De)
Family: Fringillidae • Finches, Serins
Range: Central Europe, north Africa

The Serin is a small yellow bird, with very small bill and streaked flanks. It is the smallest of the Finches and closely related to the Canary.

At this time of year, many birds suddenly become more visible. More have migrated to the south coast for the winter, there is less foliage cover while at the same time food is scarce and needed to survive the cold weather.

With the Serin above, I saw Black Redstarts, Wrens, Alpine Accentors, a Kestrel and Common Buzzard in a very short space of time.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission : Alpes Maritimes, September

Bird name: Red Legged Partridge
Latin: Alectoris rufa
Other: Perdiz roja (Es) • Perdiz-vermelha (Pt) • Perdrix rouge (Fr) • Pernice rossa (It)
Family: Phasianidae • Partridges
Range: Spain, Portugal, France, N Italy, UK (introduced)
Similar: Rock Partridge

A group of Red-legged Partridges spotted crossing the road at some distance. In the Alpes Maritimes, the Rock Partridge is also a possibility, and at this distance I couldn’t be sure of the ID. One differentiator is the collar of the two birds. The countryside is overrun with hunters at this time of the year, so it’s possible these were released.More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Alpes Maritimes, June 2010

Bird name: Common Pheasant
Latin: Phasianus colchicus
Other: Faisán común (Es) • Faisan de Colchide (Fr) • Fagiano comune (It) • Fasan (De)
Family: Phasianidae • Pheasants
Range: Russia, China originally, naturalised France, UK, Germany, Balkans etc

Originally introduced as a game bird but now naturalised in central Europe and bred worldwide - there is a big mix of Common Pheasant breeds. Bottom photo shows two males squabbling.

The Common Pheasant is indeed not that uncommon around here, especially on some small islands off the Cote d’Azur, but often quite shy and will hop away from a path as one appears. Usually seen making its way through fairly dense undergrowth, sometimes vineyards. Male, unmistakeable gorgeous plumage and long tail, and red facial skin and wattles. The females lack the red face and are less colourful but also have long tails.

Many thanks to Tania for the photos.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Whiskered Tern
Latin: Chlidonias hybridus
Other: Guifette Moustac (Fr) • Fumarel cariblanco (Es) • Mignattino piombato (It)
Family: Laridae • Terns
Range: Widespread Africa, Eurasia, Asia, Australasia.

The Whiskered Tern is the largest of the Marsh Terns. More often seen in ones and twos than in large groups. They were very common in some areas of the Danube Delta in May, which is when they return to Europe from Africa.

Whiskered Terns often hover over rivers and lakes with their head down looking for fish. The main confusion species where I saw them in the Danube Delta and Nice was the Common Tern, which is whiter below has a longer, pointier, redder bill with black tip and long tail feathers. The Whiskered Tern in breeding plumage is sooty below, with dark red bill and legs, and short tail.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Nice, France • Jan 2009

Bird name: Northern Lapwing
Latin: Vanellus vanellus
Other: Lapwing • Vanneau Huppé (Fr) • Kiebitz (De) • Avefría europea (Es) • Abibe-comum (Pt)
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwing
Range: Widespread Eurasia to China, North Africa. Breeds Scandinavia, Russia, Mongolia etc.

I saw the flock of Northern Lapwing below in the middle of the Var in Nice in the winter. The flock seemed to fly in a linear pattern. Also seen on banks in the Danube Delta, above, in May. The Northern Lapwing develops long head feathers in breeding plumage. Some greenish sheen to feathers. White and black below.

More photos...

© GW - monacoeye • France, December 2010 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Black Redstart
Latin: Phoenicurus ochruros
Other: Rouge Queue Noir (Fr), Colirrojo tizón (Es), Codirosso spazzacamino (It), Hausrotschwanz (De), Rabirruivo-preto (Pt)
Family: Muscicapidae • Old World Flycatchers
Range: Europe, Asia, North Africa
Similar: Common Redstart

Male, above, and female or immature below. The Black Redstart is one of the more common birds along the Mediterranean coast, especially in winter.

Black Redstarts like to stand on relative high points, like rocks, posts or the apex of rooftops and bob up and down.

Males are mostly dark grey, blackish around the eye and throat with russet tail, and some white on wings. Females and immatures are plainer and mousier and can be confused with the similar Common Redstart in the summer.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • France, December 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Firecrest
Latin: Regulus ignicapilla
Other: Firecrest • Roitelet à triple bandeau (Fr), Reyezuelo listado (Es), Fiorrancino (It)
Family: Regulidae • Goldcrests
Range: Europe into Turkey

The Firecrest is a superb little bird, which I have only recently discovered. December seems to be a good time to see them in this part of the Mediterranean coast in southeast France.

Firecrests are very small chubby birds, with big white bellies, small tails and no visible neck. They have a characteristic yellow or orange stripe, between two black stripes, on the crown, and a dash of orange above the bill. The broad white supercilium which extends back from the eye differentiates them from the otherwise very similar Goldcrest. Backs are greenish yellow.

This bird was working Holm Oaks, seemingly checking every branch and leaf, presumably for small insects. He was not too wary, and continued feeding in one tree, despite my presence, only moving on when he had finished the whole tree.

More photos...

© monacoeye • All rights reserved • Nice

Bird name: Indian Silverbill
Latin: Euodice malabarica
Other: Lonchura malabarica • White Throated Munia
Family: Estrildidae • Estrildid Finches
Range: India, Sri Lanka, Asia, SC Asia + S France etc.
Similar:

Another introduced species, the small Indian Silverbill is common in Nice, and nests among the reeds. Quite easy to see, as it is not shy. Probably originally from escaped cagebirds.More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Alpes Maritimes, France • Sep 2010

Bird name: Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Latin: Accipiter nisus
Other: Epervier d'Europe (Fr) • Gavilán (Es) • Sparviere Eurasiatico (It) • Sperber (De)
Family: Accipitridae • Sparrowhawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Europe, Asia, Middle East
Similar:

The Sparrowhawk has a very characteristic wing shape, when seen from below: deep, short, curved wings, tapering at the end (see “more photos” below). The underside is fully barred. Colour is grey or brownish. The only other similar bird in Europe is the Goshawk.

Early September is a good time to see Sparrowhawks along the coast in the Alpes Maritimes. Although they are present all year round in much of Europe, northernmost Sparrowhawks will migrate locally further south.

As the name suggests, they prey on smaller birds.More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Alpes Maritimes, France • Sep 2010

Bird name: Eleonora's Falcon
Latin: Falco eleonorae
Other: Faucon d’Eléonore (Fr) • Halcón de Eleonor (Es) • Falco della Regina (It)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: Mediterranean islands mostly and some Mediterranean coastline

A couple of indistinct distant shots of what was probably quite a rare sighting of an Eleonora’s Falcon, three days ago, flying along the coast in the Alpes Maritimes.

Although Eleonora’s Falcon is thought to have a worldwide population of only about 4000 breeding pairs, and in Europe is found mostly on Mediterranean islands, with 650 pairs counted on the small Greek island of Tilos alone, about half a dozen Eleonora’s Falcons are recorded migrating near the French coast in the Alpes Maritimes in September every year. They head towards Spain and then Africa and spend the northern winter in Madagascar.More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Verdon • August 2009 Sep 2010

Bird name: Griffon Vulture
Latin: Gyps fulvus
Other: Eurasian Griffon Vulture • Vautour fauve (Fr) • Buitre leonado (Es) • Grifone (It)
Family: Accipitridae • Old World Vultures, Birds of Prey
Range: Southern Europe into Middle East and northern India
Similar:

The Griffon Vulture is a very large old world vulture with a two-and-a-half-metre wingspan - so quite a bit larger than a Golden Eagle.

These magnificent scavengers have been successfully reintroduced in the Gorges of Verdon, in the South of France. In the summer some of the Verdon vultures move a little further east to the Mercantour region.

They are scattered throughout southern Europe, having been successfully reintroduced in several locations, and are found in larger numbers in central Asia and northern India.

The Griffon Vulture can be distinguished from the Black Vulture by its light coverts, the triangular area from the shoulder along the frontmost part of the wing. The tail of these European vultures appears proportionally short when compared to the Golden Eagle and other smaller birds of prey.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Alpes Maritimes May 2010

Bird name: Blue Rock Thrush
Latin: Monticola solitarius
Other: Monticole bleu (Fr)
Family: Muscicapidae • Old World Flycatchers
Range: Mediterannean rim, northern mostly, through central Asia to China and Malaysia.
Habitat: Rocky, steep, mountainous.

Nice to see this Blue Rock Thrush in the same spot that I saw it in February last year.

The Blue Rock Thrush, which is a chat, not a thrush, prefers rocky, mountainous habitats.
More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Eze, Oct 2009

Bird name: Red Kite
Latin: Milvus milvus
Other: Milan royal (Fr) • Nibbio reale (It) • Milano real (Es) • Rotmilan (De)
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

A few flight shots of a couple of Red Kites during autumn migration on the Cote d’Azur. Red Kites are not typical residents of the Alpes Maritimes, but some fly along the coast during migration. About 40 were recorded flying past Eze in 2008. The peak day for migration, with between 5 to 20 birds recorded typically, is around the 23rd of October. These photos were taken on the 2nd of October.

There is just enough detail to see the main identifying feature of the Red Kite, its wide forked tail, which distinguishes it from the Black Kite in flight. The light “window” near the end of the wings is also lighter, and the body more rufous, than the corresponding areas on the Black Kite.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Monaco • April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Chiffchaff
Latin: Phylloscopus collybita
Other: Common Chiffchaff • Pouillot véloce (Fr) • Luì piccolo (It) • Mosquitero común (Es) • Zilpzalp (De), Weidenlaubsänger
Family: Phylloscopidae • Leaf Warblers

The Chiffchaff is the archetypal cute little brown bird - fairly featureless and easily confused with several other warblers, especially the Willow Warbler. Many winter here on the coast, whereas the Willow Warbler all migrate, allowing the former to be identified more easily.

Chiffchaffs have a lightish supercilium and light lower eyering, with yellowish-white chest and belly feathers. Dark legs.

A small bird, and generally difficult to photograph in nature, but I have recently discovered they are regular visitors to my balcony! This is a good time to observe the little fellas up close.

Chiffchaffs seem prone to bill deformities - I have a few pics, which I may upload later, of several “different-looking” chiffchaffs.

The range of chiffchaffs is quite large: Spain to Siberia in the summer and sub-Saharan Africa, Spain, Morocco, India, Middle East, Mediterranean coast, and parts of France and the UK in the winter.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Nice & Monaco Summer 2009

Bird name: Common Swift
Latin: Apus apus
Other: Martinet noir (Fr) • Rondone (It) • Mauersegler (De) • Vencejo común (Es)
Family: Apodidae • Swifts
Range: Breeds widespread Eurasia, migrates to Southern Africa

It’s difficult to differentiate between the Common Swift and Pallid Swift, both of which are present in large numbers on the Côte d’Azur in summer.

The lowest photo below (in more photos) may be a Pallid Swift. The Pallid Swift has a larger white patch on the throat than the Common Swift and is slightly browner and stockier, with ribbed markings on the belly and less pointed wings.

The Pallid Swift does not occur north of the Mediterranean belt but the Common Swift is widespread throughout Europe.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: La Turbie Summer 2009

Bird name: Alpine Swift
Latin: Apus melba
Other: Tachymarptis melba • Martinet Alpin / Royal / à Ventre Blanc (Fr)
Family: Apodidae • Swifts

The Alpine Swift is a large swift, generally found at higher altitudes, in a band around the Mediterranean and into Turkey and beyond, in the summer. It migrates to southeast Africa in the northern winter.

The Alpine Swift is distinguished by its white stomach and throat, although the latter is not always visible in certain angles and light. These swifts return to the mountains above Monaco in April and spend the summer there.

Notice how they fill their throat pouch with insects, causing it to bulge.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Cote d’Azur, France • October 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: European Stonechat
Latin: Saxicola torquatus
Other: Saxicola rubicola • Saxicola torquata • Common Stonechat • Tarier pâtre (Fr)
Family: Muscicapidae • Old World Flycatchers, Chats

The Stonechat is a small bird, present throughout the year on the Cote d’Azur, and found throughout most of Europe, especially in the summer. The similar Whinchat has a stronger white supercilium and an extra patch of white on the wing (male).

The name of this bird seems to be in flux currently. S. torquatus, torquata and rubicola all are used. Common Stonechat is the older broader name, European Stonechat is narrower grouping. The Chats used to be grouped with Thrushes, but now are considered Old World Flycatchers.

More photos...

Photo copyright: VM/monacoeye • Do not copy • Image: Treviso, Italy

Bird name: European Goldfinch
Latin: Carduelis carduelis
Other: Goldfinch • Chardonneret élégant (Fr) • Cardellino (It)
Family: Fringillidae • Finches
Range:
Similar:

Many thanks to Valerie for sending in the above photo of a Goldfinch in her garden in northern Italy.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: France • 2009

Bird name: Carrion Crow
Latin: Corvus corone
Other: Corneille noire (Fr)
Family: Corvidae • Crows
Range:
Similar:

It’s generally difficult to distinguish the Carrion Crow from other similar corvids, such as the juvenile Rook. The Carrion Crow has a more rounded bill than the juvenile Rook. The adult Rook has a bare base to its bill.

The Raven is a larger version of the Carrion Crow - though to be honest the photo above (taken in the Camargue) looks rather raven-like to me - and the bird seemed very large when I photographed it.

The Hooded Crow, which substitutes the Carrion Crow in Eastern Europe and Ireland, is often thought to be a subspecies of Carrion Crow. In addition to Western Europe, the Carrion Crow is also found throughout Northeast Asia.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Croatia

Bird name: Eurasian Jay
Latin: Garrulus glandarius
Other: Jay • Geai des chênes (Fr)
Family: Corvidae • Crows, Jays
Range: All Europe, Siberia, Himalayas to China, Japan, SE Asia
Similar:

The Eurasian Jay, a beautiful bird, is widespread throughout Europe, and beyond into Asia and Africa, but rather shy so frustratingly difficult to photograph, or even observe with the naked eye.

The Jay has striking blue stripes on the wing, a black moustachial stripe, and streaked top of head.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • France • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Magpie
Latin: Pica pica
Other: European Magpie • Pie bavarde (Fr)
Family: Corvidae • Crows, Magpies
Range:
Similar:

The Magpie is the one bird that everyone (in Europe) can recognise immediately. It is found throughout Europe and much of Asia and northwest Africa. Common in most locations, throughout the year.

It is large, black and white, with some blue on wing. The only other magpie in Europe is the Azure-winged Magpie, found in Spain.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Mercantour, France • October, 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Water Pipit
Latin: Anthus spinoletta
Other: Pipit spioncelle
Family: Motacillidae • Pipits

This presumed Water Pipit was seen in the Mercantour at an altitude of about 2000 metres, in a waterlogged meadow with a mountain stream running through it, which is a typical location.

Water Pipits have dark legs whereas Meadow and Tree Pipits have light pinkish legs.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice • May 2009

Bird name: Woodchat Shrike
Latin: Lanius senator
Other: Pie-grièche à tête rousse
Family: Laniidae - Shrikes
Range:
Similar:

Woodchat Shrikes are not the easiest of birds to spot with the naked eye around these parts - this was the only one I saw all year.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Kingfisher
Latin: Alcedo atthis
Other: Martin Pêcheur d’Europe (Fr) • Eisvogel (De) • Martín pescador común (Es) • Martin pescatore comune (It) • Ijsvogel (Nl) • Kungsfiskare (Sv) • Guarda-rios-comum (Pt)
Family: Alcedinidae • Kingfishers
Range: Eurasia, North Africa
Similar:

One of the most beautiful European birds I have seen. On a first tourist trip from Tulcea, I was very pleased to pass several of these fantastic birds sitting on the branches of trees overhanging shaded waterways.

Also seen in various places on the Cote d’Azur, including once in Monaco.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice • April 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Barn Swallow
Latin: Hirundo rustica
Other: Hirondelle Rustique
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows

In the winter the most visible bird along the coast is probably the Crag Martin - omnipresent at all altitudes in towns and country alike. But at this time of year the Crag Martins are much less visible and the Barn Swallows have taken up residence, especially in wetlands.More photos...

Photos: monacoeye • Nice • May 2009

Bird name: Little Bittern
Latin: Ixobrychus minutus
Other: Blongios Nain
Family: Ardeidae • Herons, Bitterns
Range:
Similar:

Not much of a view of this Little Bittern, which was with some waders by the runway in Nice. Despite the distance, it is still recognisable from the cream patches on its wings. More photos...

Bird name: Long Tailed Tit
Latin: Aegithalos caudatus
Other: Mésange à Longue Queue
Family: Aegithalidae
Tag: Tits

Photo: monacoeye • Ventimiglia • Feb 2009

The Long Tailed Tit is a small fluffy bird, distinguished by its white markings and long tail. Seen here in woodland - it was eating the insects on the underside of the leaves.More photos...

Bird name: Blue Tit
Latin: Parus caeruleus
Other: Cyanistes caeruleus • Mésange Bleue
Family: Paridae
Tag: Tits

Photo: monacoeye • SE France • Jan 2009More photos...

Bird name: Mallard
Latin: Anas platyrhynchos
Other: Canard Colvert
Family: Anatidae • Ducks
More photos...

Bird name: Little Egret
Latin: Egretta garzetta
Other: Aigrette Garzette (Fr)
Family: Ardeidae
Tag: Herons, Storks & Ibises

Photos: monacoeye • Camargue, France • December 2008More photos...