The Greek island of Ikaria is a paradise for birds. It largely consists of rugged nature. And it is located in the migration route of a large number of European bird species. Over the years we have learned about the species and their habits. And we learned to photograph them. This document is the intermediate result of both learning processes.
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We have been visiting Ikaria now for many years. The people, the quiet atmosphere, the
hiking trails and the rough nature brought us back every year. A rough nature full of birds,
flying and singing. In 2009, I got a bigger lens for my camera. From that moment I really
started to explore the world of the birds on Ikaria. We found out that Ikarian nature is
special for birds. A nature with miles of rough rocky coast. With (small) wetlands at the coast.
With green valleys with streams full of water. And on top a bare rugged plateau. Only a small
part of the surface has been cultivated. Above all this, Ikaria is in the route of bird migration.
In spring and autumn, many migrating birds make a stop on the island.
This book is a compilation of our experience up to now, photos we took, supplemented with
general descriptions taken from books and the internet. Supplemented with observations we
did on the island. According to the learning process, the book contains only the species that
until now had the time to pose for our camera’s in Ikaria. In 2021 we started sharing
observations and photos with the group "Birds on Ikaria" on Facebook. It helps us in learning.
In case you have tips and improvements on this book, find us there.
We hope that this book does for the reader the same as it does for us. Make more
enthusiasm for the fascinating world of birds on Ikaria.
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Phasianinae – partridge and pheasant
Alectoris chukar – chukar partridge - Περδίκι - steenpatrijs
The chukar
partridge
migrated to
Europe from Asia
through the
Middle East.
Partly by itself,
but mainly
brought by
people who
wanted the
chukar for their
hunting hobbies.
Their length is 32
– 35 cm. Lives in
small groups, is
always vigilant
and quickly runs
away in the event
of danger. Flies
only in
emergency
situations. The
food of the
chukars is
vegetable, leaves,
young shoots,
buds, seeds and
fruits.
In Ikaria, you will not see many
partridges anymore. They are
intensively hunted for. In May
2022, we were very lucky to
see this individual crossing a
road, somewhere in Ikaria
(photo above). The female
with juveniles in the photo
below we saw in October
2019, somewhere in Ikaria
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Phasianus colchicus – common pheasant - Φασιανός - fazant
The common pheasant
(Phasianus colchicus) is a
bird in the pheasant
family (Phasianidae). The
species name colchicus is
Latin for modern day
Georgia, where
pheasants became
known to Europeans. The
common pheasant is one
of the world's most
hunted birds; it has been
introduced for that
purpose to many regions,
and is also common on
game farms where it is
commercially bred. The
adult male common
pheasant is 60–89 cm in
length with a long brown
streaked black tail,
accounting for almost 50
cm of the total length.
The female (hen) and juveniles are much less
showy, with a duller mottled brown plumage
all over and measuring 50–63 cm long
including a tail of around 20 cm. males
averaging 1.2 kg in weight and females
averaging 0.9 kg. Wingspan ranges from 56–
86 cm.
The presence of pheasants on Ikaria now is
also a result of breeding and hunting.
Sometimes some individuals escape and
reproduce. But then they are discovered by
hunters, and their numbers are reduced to
almost 0 again. This young male specimen
gave the impression of been grown up in the
wild. After this one moment on September
14, 2023 he was no longer seen or heard.
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Anatini - ducks
Anas platyrhynchos - mallard - Πρασιvoκέφαλη παπια - wilde eend
The mallard or wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the
temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to many
other parts of the world. Most famous duck, and genetic source for almost all domestic ducks.
Primarily a resident bird in Europe, the ducks from Northern and Eastern Europe migrate west and
south for the winter. Heavily built water bird, with blunt, broad wings. Length 50 - 60 cm, wingspan
of 81 -95 cm. It is found in both fresh- and salt-water wetlands, as well as shallow inlets and open sea
within sight of the coastline. The majority of the mallard's diet seems to be made up of gastropods,
insects (including
beetles, flies,
lepidopterans,
dragonflies, and
caddisflies),
crustaceans,
worms, many
varieties of seeds
and plant matter,
and roots and
tubers.
In Ikaria you will see
the mallard mainly
in small (coastal)
lakes. They often
seek the company
of domesticated
ducks that swim in the lakes near Armenistis, Gialiskari, Kampos end in the big and small Fragma.
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Phalacrocoracidae - cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo – great cormorant - Κορμοράνος - aalscholver
The great cormorant
(Phalacrocorax carbo) is a
widespread member of
the cormorant family of
seabirds. The genus name
is Latinised Ancient Greek,
from φαλακρός
(phalakros, "bald") and
κόραξ (korax, "raven"),
and carbo is Latin for
"charcoal".
Their length is 77 - 94 cm,
with a wingspan of 121 -
149 cm. Weight is
reported to vary from 1.5
kg to 5.3 kg. Males are
typically larger and
heavier than females.
Eats mainly fish. Travels
great distances between
the areas where they
breed or rest and the
areas where they collect
their food. Hunts from a
swimming position, then
dive for fish. Lies deep in the water when swimming. Or flying low over the water, then dive into the
sea for fish. Often stand on rocks or other high points after diving, with wings outstretched to dry
them. Breeds on rocky ledges by the sea, or in trees near lakes or near coasts. The trees in which it
nests often die from the
excrements.
In Ikaria, you can spot
fishing cormorants above
the seas, near the
coastline. The two
cormorants above were
spotted, when fishing
near Kato Raches in
October 2020. The
cormorant below dried
its feathers in the same
area in October 2023.
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Phalacrocorax Aristoteles - european shag – Θαλασσοκόρακας - kuifaalscholver
The European shag
breeds in Europe
along the rocky
coasts of Iceland
and Western
Siberia to the
Mediterranean Sea.
With a length of 68
- 78 cm, and a
wingspan of 95 -
110 cm, about 20%
smaller and
slimmer than the
cormorant.
Hunts mainly for
fish. Mostly, when
floating on the
water, it dives for
fish. Sometimes
also diving from the air. Mostly hunts for fish alone. Breeds in colonies ranging from ten breeding
pairs to many hundreds. Egg laying usually from March and can last until June. Nest in crevices, small
caves or under boulders, lined with plant material.
The shag above was
spotted in June 2012
on the small rock in the
sea at Livadi beach in
Armenistis. The
specimen left was
drying its feathers after
diving for fish near
Kato Raches in
September 2022.
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Ciconiiformes – herons and storks
Ardea alba – great egret - Αργυροτσικνιάς – grote zilverreiger
The Great Egret
breeds in
colonies on large
shallow lakes,
preferably with
reed beds and
some shrubs
and trees.
Breeding area
mainly east of
Romania.
Originally, and
until the early
1990s, the bird
made its nests in
Southeastern
Europe.
Nowadays we
see more and
more populations in Western Europe. Winters in the Mediterranean region and Africa. It builds a
bulky stick nest. With a length of 85 - 100 cm, the great egret is the same size as the grey heron. The
wingspan is 1.45 to 1.70 m, the weight 1 to 1.5 kg. Searches for food (fish, aquatic insects) in ditches,
on waterfronts and on flooded land.
We spotted this individual in November 2021 on the coast at Vathepotamia near Armenistis. Egrets
(great and small) are more commonly observed in the small wetlands of Ikaria, such as at Livadi
beach, where the Charakas river flows into the sea.
Egretta garzetta – little Egret - Λευκοτσικνιάς - kleine zilverreiger
The little egret (Egretta garzetta) is a species of small heron
in the family Ardeidae. It is a white bird with a slender black
beak, long black legs and, in the western race, yellow feet. As
an aquatic bird, it feeds in shallow water and on land,
consuming a variety of small creatures. It breeds colonially,
often with other species of water birds, making a platform
nest of sticks in a tree, bush or reed bed. The breeding range
of the western race (E. g. garzetta) includes southern Europe,
the Middle East, much of Africa and southern Asia. The adult
little egret is 55–65 cm long with an 88–106 cm wingspan,
and weighs 350–550 g.
Our friend Dimos Politis pictured this individual on the beach
of Faros.
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Ardea cinereal – grey heron - Σταχτοτσικνιάς - Blauwe reiger
The grey heron (Ardea cinerea) is a long-
legged predatory wading bird of the heron
family, Ardeidae. Native throughout
temperate Europe and Asia and also parts
of Africa. It is resident in much of its range,
but some populations from the more
northern parts migrate southwards in
autumn. Large slender bird, length of 84 -
102 cm (with stretched neck), a wingspan
of 155 - 1755 cm.
A bird of wetland areas, it can be seen
around lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes and
on the sea coast. It feeds mostly on aquatic
creatures which it catches after standing
stationary beside or in the water or stalking
its prey through the shallows. Breeds in
colonies (sometimes only a few breeding
pairs) in the tops of large trees
The first time we saw herons in Ikaria was as
migrants. In October 2012 we saw a group of grey
herons (12 – 15) in Vathepotamia near Armenistis.
The group was resting there. But eBird also gives
observations in summer season. We ourself, saw a
heron in 2012 at Pezi Lake. And we saw a couple of
grey herons in October 2023, looking for food on the
seashore near Kato Raches.
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Ardea purpurea – purple heron – Πορφυρο τσικνιάς - purperreiger
The Purple Heron for Ikaria is a
migrator passing by. The
breeding grounds which this
bird needs, cannot be found on
Ikaria. With a length of 70 - 90
cm (with extended neck) and a
wingspan of 120 - 138 cm, it is
somewhat smaller than the
Grey Heron. On a distance in
flight easily recognizable by the
bent wings. Searches for its food
(fish, frogs, insects) in shallow
water in the reeds, along
ditches and in wet meadows.
Breeds in central and southern
Europe, only in swampy areas. Winters in
tropical Africa.
We saw this couple flying to the south along
the west coast of Ikaria in mid October 2010
near Armenistis.
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Ciconia nigra - black stork - Μαύρoς πελαργός - zwarte ooievaar
The black stork (Ciconia
nigra) is a large bird in the
stork family Ciconiidae.
The adult black stork has
mainly black plumage,
with white underparts,
long red legs and a long
pointed red beak. A
widespread but
uncommon species. It
breeds in scattered
locations across Europe
(predominantly in
Portugal and Spain, and
central and eastern parts.
It is a long-distance
migrant, with European
populations wintering in tropical Sub-Saharan Africa. When migrating between Europe and Africa, it
avoids crossing the Mediterranean Sea and detours via the Levant in the
east or the Strait of Gibraltar in the west. Large slender bird with a length
of 90 - 105 cm and a wingspan of 173 - 205 cm.
Unlike the closely related white stork, the black stork is a shy and wary
species. It is seen singly or in pairs, usually in marshy areas, rivers or inland
waters. It feeds on amphibians, small fish and insects, generally wading
slowly in shallow water stalking its prey.
In June 2022 the individual in the small picture passed by, flying alone
near Lake Pezi. Unfortunately Iwe didn't have the opportunity to take
sharper photos. But to our surprise, in May 2023, we saw an individual standing at the shore of Lake
Pezi. And did we have the opportunity to make some pictures of this shy animal. We only saw the
individual alone.
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Accipitriformes – birds of prey
Circaetus gallicus - short toed snake eagle – Φιδαετός - slangenarend
Large bird of prey. The breeding
area is eastern and southern
Europe. Especially numerous in
Spain. Winters in Africa, the area
just below the Sahara.
Large, light colored eagle with
long broad wings. Body length 62
- 69 cm, wingspan 162 -178 cm.
When this bird of prey flies
above you, you clearly see a dark
head and neck. The rest of the
ventral side is light with a
pattern of dots. The shape of the
body, with the head (wide) and
the legs (scaly) are entirely
focused on its prey, snakes and
reptiles. The short-toed Snake
Eagle is found in open cultivated
plains, arid stony deciduous
scrub areas and foothills and
semi-desert areas. It requires
open habitats, such as
cultivations and grasslands for
foraging. The short-toed Snake Eagle requires trees for nesting. They like middle-high trees that give
them the possibility to build a nest on top.
Concluding from
observations,
the short-toed
Snake eagle also
breeds in Ikaria.
High open plains
like the Pezi are
the favorite
hunting
grounds. We
saw the bird
above when it
was hunting
above Pezi in
June 2010. Two
years later in
October we
spotted another
Snake eagle, when it just catched a lizard or snake on the sandy shore of Megalo Fragma.
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Milvus migrans – Black Kite - Τσίφτης - zwarte wouw
The European population is
relatively small (numbers in Asia
are much bigger). Their breeding
area in Europe is the Central and
Eastern part, the winter they
spend in Africa. When migrating,
the black kite has a greater
propensity to form large flocks
than other migratory raptors,
particularly prior to making a
crossing across water. The black
kite (Milvus migrans) is a
medium-sized bird of prey in the
family Accipitridae. Length 48 –
48 cm, with a wingspan is of 130
– 155 cm. Unlike others of the group, black kites are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to
scavenge. They spend
much time soaring and
gliding in thermals in
search of food. Their
angled wing and
distinctive forked tail
make them easy to
identify. Their flight is
buoyant and the bird
glides effortlessly,
changing directions easily.
Their food: small live prey,
fish, household refuse and
carrion, for which
behavior they are known
in British military slang as
the shite-hawk. They are
attracted to smoke and
fires, where they seek
escaping prey.
We pictured this individual
when hunting, alone near
Prospeira in October 2013.
Probably a migrator, waiting for company on the trip to Africa.
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Pernis apivorus – Honey Buzzard - Μελισσοσιάχινο - wespendief
The Honey Buzzard (Pernis
apivorus) is a bird of prey in
the Accipitridae family. A
Honey Buzzard (although not
closely related), resembles the
common Buzzard, and is quite
variable in colour. With a
length of 52 -59 cm and a
wingspan of 113 - 135 cm, it is
slightly larger with especially
longer wings than the common
Buzzard. Has a smaller head
and a longer, narrower neck
than the common Buzzard.
This causes the head to
protrude further. Usually seen
in flight, flying or circling over woodland. Usually a shy bird that is not often seen. Breeding area is
Central Europe (as far as Western Siberia), from mid-Scandinavia to the Mediterranean Sea. Nests in a
tall tree. The nest is lined with green leaves (the reason for this is unclear). Honey buzzards arrive late
in the breeding
grounds (in the course
of April) The birds start
to migrate again from
the beginning of
September and also
spend some months in
southern Europe.
Overwinter in the
wooded part of Africa
around the equator.
The youngsters remain
in Africa for the first
years of their lives.
Eats especially the
adult wasps, their
honey, larvae and
pupae. It excavates
underground nests or pulls the nests out of trees. Due to its stiff head feathers and thick skin around
its legs, it is reasonably protected against the stings. At the beginning of the breeding period, the eggs
and young of small birds are also eaten.
We spotted this Honey Buzzard in October 2012, circling above the trees near Raches.
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Accipiter nisus - eurasian sparrowhawk - Τζικλοσιάχινο - sperwer
The sparrowhawk
(Accipiter nisus) is a small,
fast bird of prey in the
family Accipitridae.
Possibly a resident bird on
Ikaria, more likely a
migrator. Greece is
located on the south side
of the breeding area, the
sparrowhawk mainly
breeds further north in
Europe (and certainly in
Asia).
Fairly small bird of prey,
with a length of 29 - 34
cm and a wingspan of 58 -
65 cm (the female is
noticeably larger, 35 - 41 cm long, and a wingspan of 67 - 80 cm). The wings of the sparrowhawk are
much wider than other hawks. Songbirds are the main prey, especially house sparrow, chaffinch,
blackbird, starling and chickadee. The female also catches larger prey such as the collared dove. The
sparrowhawk hunts from cover, or with a sudden, swift flight in passing. The sparrowhawk builds a
new nest high in the trees every year, in which one to six, but usually four or five eggs are laid.
We spotted this hunter in October 2019, near Vaoni in the wooded part on the south side of the
island.
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Buteo - Buzzards
Buzzards are the most common bird of prey in Ikaria. This medium-sized bird has broad wings and a
medium sized tail. The main dish for the Buzzard is insects, lizards and small mammals (mice!). In
addition to the common Buzzard, also the (sub)species Steppe Buzzard and the Long-legged Buzzard
live in Ikaria. Identification of the Buzzard-species is difficult because the color variations are
considerable, even within (sub)species.
Buteo buteo - common Buzzard – Γερακίνα - buizerd
The common Buzzard lives
throughout Europe, summer
and winter. Also a resident
that breeds on Ikaria. In
autumn and winter, their
numbers increase with
migrants from the northern
parts of Europe. The
common Buzzard is 48 – 56
cm long and has a wingspan
of 110 – 130 cm. So it is
medium in size, compact and
with broad wings, wide short
neck and a medium long tail.
Color is very variable, from
very light to very dark
brown. Dirty white tail with gray banding. A light U-shaped
breast band is separating dark upper breast and dark ventral
side. Mainly feeds on insects, lizards and small mammals. Mice
are, by far, the most important food for the Buzzard. Because
of its
food,
the
comm
on
Buzzar
d is
mainly
found when hunting above open, vegetated
s lopes. Nests in trees.
The bird in the upper picture left was seen
in March 2021 near Armenistis, the courting
couple in October 2010 near Raches. The
individual in the lower picture left we saw
on an electricity pole at the coast between
Armenistis and Nas in December 2020.
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Buteo buteo vulpinus - Steppe Buzzard – Στεπoγερακίvα - steppe buizerd
The Steppe Buzzard is a
subspecies of the Common
Buzzard. Breeds in coniferous
forests near clearings or rivers in
northern and eastern Europe.
Food and nesting behavior are
very similar to the Common
Buzzard. Moves on the eastern
side of the Mediterranean to
wintering grounds in Southern
and Eastern Africa. Relatively
often sighted in the stretch from
the Bosphorus to Israel during
migration. Somewhat similar in
appearance to the Buteo rufinus,
but very different in migratory
behavior. Similar in shape to the
Common Buzzard, but with
slightly narrower and more
pointed wings, and a slightly
longer tail.
Ikaria is
close to the
stretch
from
Bosphorus
to Israel, so
the Steppe
Buzzard
sometimes
visits Ikaria
during
migration.
The bird
above was
pictured
near
Fragma
Major on
Pezi in June
2014. The specimen below was photographed in November 2022 hunting on the coast near Kato
Raches.
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Buteo rufinus – long-legged buzzard – Αετογερακίνα - arendbuizerd
The long-legged Buzzard is a bird of prey of the somewhat higher
plains and drier steppes. It inhabits dry open plains of
northern Africa, south-eastern Europe, west and central Asia east
to China, and across central India. The breeding population in
Greece is around 60 pairs. A number of 3-5 breeding pairs on Ikaria
is reported. Open, uncultivated areas, with high bushes, trees, cliffs
or hillocks are favoured as nesting areas. Winters mainly in North
Africa and the Middle East. With a
length of 50 - 58 cm and a wingspan
of 105 - 155 cm, it is clearly larger
than the common Buzzard and the
Steppe Buzzard. In terms of colors
and plumage, it particularly
resembles the Steppe Buzzard. But
has relatively longer wings, and
therefore much slower wing beats.
Eats small mammals, reptiles and
insects. Unlike the
common Buzzard and the Steppe
Buzzard, the long legged Buzzard
makes their nests on ledges on the
sides of mountains.
In June 2009 when driving over Pezi
and we saw this big bird of prey land
on a rock at some distance. In June
2011 we saw the inmature Long-
legged Buzzard on the right circling
near Raches. In October 2013 we
spotted the long-legged below.
Circling above Pezi.
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Falco Tinnunculus - Kestrel – Βραχοκιρκίνεζο – torenvalk
Kestrels can be found throughout a large part of Europe
throughout the year. In Scandinavia and Northern Russia, the
animals can only be found during the summer breeding season.
The kestrel lives all year round in the middle and south of Europe
and in North Africa. The kestrel is a small falcon with long tail. An
adult specimen is 30 to 38 centimeters in size. The wingspan is 65
to 80 centimeters. Distinctive red-brown back in all rugs. Male
specimens have a gray
head and tail with a black
terminal band, the
females have a
completely reddish-brown
upperparts, and a strongly
barred tail. The food
consists mainly of small
mammals and birds such
as wild pigeons as well as
smaller species of birds.
Mice and beetles are also
part of their diet. Kestrels
are able to detect urine
traces from mice. This
allows them to quickly
find and hunt populations of mice. Kestrels do not build a nest themselves, but often choose an old
crow's nest as a nesting site. Or they nest on buildings and rock walls in a cavity or niche.
In April
2021 we
saw the
female
kestrel
above, on a
“look out”
on a rock
near the
sea in Kato
Raches.
The kestrel
on the left
was near
the same
place,
looking for
prey in
May 2023.
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Falco subbuteo – Hobby – Δεντρογέρακο - boomvalk
The Eurasian hobby travels great
distances in search of food. It spends
the winter in Africa. It is a breeding bird
of open woodlands and parks.
The bird is 29 to 35 cm long and has a
wingspan of 70 to 84 cm. Adult birds
are slate colored above with a white
throat. Up close, the maroon breeches
and underside of the tail can be
observed.
The Eurasian hobby is very similar in
appearance and size to the Eleonora
falcon. Also, the type of prey and the
way in which the prey is hunted is also
very similar. Actually, in their
appearance only the red-brown color
on the legs and the underside of the
tail distinguishes the adult hobby from
the Eleonora falcon. The other
difference is in the behavior, the
Eurasian hobby usually hunts alone
when the Eleonora falcons hunt in a family group and the hobby is still present when the group of
Eleonora falcons has left for Madagascar. The Eurasian hobby hunts large insects such as dragonflies
that are transferred from talons to beak and eaten in flight. Small birds are also caught in flight. His
speed and flying skills allow him to grab even swallows.
Nests in trees, likes to use an old crow's nest for that.
The photograph
above was
taken in the end
of October
2019. The bird
got our
attention,
because the
Eleonora falcons
already had
gathered in a
group and left.
This bird was
alone and
resting in a tree
in Profitis Ilias.
In September
2023 the Hobby
below flew over
Lake Pezi.
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Falco eleonorae - Eleonora's Falcon – Μαυροπετρίτης – Eleonora valk
The Eleonora's
falcon is a
fascinating bird of
prey on Ikaria. This
species breeds
on islands in the
Mediterranean
particularly off
Greece (where
two-third of the
world’s population
breeds). The
Eleonora’s is a
long-
distance migrant,
wintering
in Madagascar.
The total distance
covered during
the flight has reached up to 9,000 km for a single one-way trip. Eleonora's falcon is an elegant bird of
prey, 36–42 cm long with an 87–104 cm wingspan. It is shaped like a large Eurasian hobby with its
long pointed wings, long tail and slim body. The way they start the migration is a fascinating
spectacle. At first, they breed in late summer. Their offspring is ready to learn hunting when the
migration season of the smaller birds starts. In September you can see them hunting together. First
in small family groups, in the beginning of October the groups come together in bigger hunting
groups. On the day that the big group takes off to the South, you sometimes see hunting groups of
30 – 50 falcons on the coasts of Ikaria. The Eleonora falcon (like the Eurasian hobby) preys on large
insects such as dragonflies that are transferred from talons to beak and eaten in flight. Small birds are
also caught in flight. The Eleonora falcon hunts the migrating birds at dawn, which are blinded in the
rising sun. His speed and flying skills allow him to grab even swallows. This bird of prey also nests and
breeds in groups. It
nests on coastal
cliffs, laying up to
four eggs.
Both pictures were
taken in October
2018, when a large
group of
Eleonora’s was
hunting for insects
at the coast
between
Armenistis and
Nas.
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Eleonora’s falcon hunting.
Eleonora's falcon is a
fascinating bird.
Especially by the
show they make
when hunting. The
main food of the
Eleonora’s falcon is
large insects, such
as dragonflies or
grasshoppers. When
these big insects are
flying in a swarm,
the falcons make a
spectacular show in
hunting. In October
2011 we saw some
Eleonora's falcons
hunting grasshoppers close to
Armenistis. They dove and
swerved in flight to grab the
grasshoppers with their claws.
When both claws were filled,
they took the time to eat
them. They break off the wings
of the insects and eat the
bodies. All this in full flight!
Eleonora’s falcon has also been
recently observed catching and
imprisoning small birds,
removing their flight feathers
and feeding them, sometimes
days later, to their
young.
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Falco eleonorae - Eleonora's Falcon (the dark type)
There are
two colour
morphs:
The adult
dark
morph is
all sooty
brown,
with black
underwing
coverts.
The light
morph is
more like
a juvenile
Eurasian
hobby, but
has buff
underpart
s, and also
shows the contrast between the black underwing coverts and paler base to the flight feathers.
The dark
birds are a
common
part of the
groups and
families of
Eleonora's
falcons.
The picture
above was
made in
October
2018 on
the coast in
Kato
Raches,
where a
group of
some twenty five Eleonora falcons was hunting together. The lower one is from October 2011 near
Armenistis, also in a group of Eleonora’s hunting in a swarm of big insects.
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Charadriiformes – waders
Himantopus himantopus - black-winged stilt - Καλαμοκανάς - Steltkluut
The Black-winged stilt
(Himantopus himantopus) is a
very long-legged wading bird in
the Stilt family (Recurvirostridae).
This bird has enormously long,
pink legs (almost half the total
length), black and white plumage
and a long, straight needle-fine
beak. The mantle and wings are
black, the head and crown are
white (often gray in the male). The
Black-winged stilt is a breeding
bird in Central Europe. Greece and
Turkey. Winters in Africa. The body
length is 33-36 cm, of which about
6.5 cm beak and 14 - 17 cm legs.
Occurs in shallow fresh, brackish
or salt water. Can forage in deeper
water than other waders due to its
long legs. Mainly feeds on insects
and other benthic life. The bird
breeds in freshwater marshes,
along lakes and flooded river plains, sometimes in salt pans and in Turkey the bird has been found
near lakes in high plains up to 2000 m above sea level.
This female with
juvenile were
spotted on the coast
of Kato Raches, in
May 2022. Probably
resting on a trip
between two
wetlands in Turkey
or on other islands.
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Procellariidae – shearwaters
Puffinus yelkouan – yelkouan shearwater - Θαλασσόμυχος - Yelkouan pijlstormvogel
The yelkouan shearwater (Puffinus
yelkouan) is a medium-sized
shearwater in the seabird family
Procellariidae. A rare (red list)
seabird from the Eastern
Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
The yelkouan shearwaters is 30–35
cm in length and has a wingspan of
70–84 cm. It has the typically
"shearing" flight of the genus,
dipping from side to side on stiff
wings with few wingbeats, the
wingtips almost touching the
water. This bird looks like a flying
cross, with its wing held at right
angles to the body, and it changes
from very dark brown to white as
the dark upperparts and paler
undersides are alternately exposed
as it travels low over the sea. The
yelkouan shearwater mainly eats
fish, crustaceans and squid. The
bird also forages on the by-catches of fishermen. This habit means that the Yelkouan Shearwater also
preys on the bait used in longline fishing. The birds often do not survive such a catch, one of the
reasons why the numbers are decreasing alarmingly. Furthermore, the bird suffers seriously from
predation on the breeding islands in the
Mediterranean Sea by feral cats and rats.
Yelkouan shearwaters breed on islands and
coastal cliffs in the eastern and central
Mediterranean. Mostly winter in the
Mediterenean sea, but small numbers enter the
Atlantic in late summer. These species nests in
burrows which are only visited at night to avoid
predation by large gulls.
In June of 2022 we saw a lot of movements in a
flat sea, lots of sea birds flying above, a group of
hunting tuna fish.The birds caught my eye. A
number of smaller, brown colored birds flew
between the gulls, Yelkouan (or Mediterranean)
shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan).
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Laridae - Gulls
Laris michahellis – yellowlegged gull - Ασημόγλαρος της Μεσογείου – geelpoot meeuw
The yellow-legged
gull (Larus
michahellis) is a
seabird of the gull
family (Laridae). The
yellow-legged gull
species is mainly
found around the
Mediterranean Sea
and in the Middle
East. In late summer
and autumn, the
yellow-legged gull is
also regularly
observed on the
Atlantic coasts, as far
as the Netherlands
and Belgium. With a
length of 52 - 58 cm and a wingspan of 120 - 140 cm, the yellow-legged gull is somewhat smaller than
the herring gull from northwest Europe. The yellow-legged gull eats about the same food as the
herring gull: sea urchins, mussels, clams, crabs, worms. And nowadays especially waste, in areas with
open landfills and snack bars, the numbers are increasing. Yellow-legged gulls usually breed in
colonies. Eggs, usually three, are laid from mid March to early May and are defended vigorously by
this large gull. The nest is a sometimes sparse mound of vegetation built on the ground or on cliff
ledges.
In June 2022 the couple of
gulls above was resting in the
heat of the afternoon sun
along the shore near Kato
Raches.
The gull with juvenile below
were on the same rocks in
October 2020.
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Larus audouinii - Audouin's gull - Αιγαιόγλαρoς - Audouins meeuw
Audouin's Gull
(Ichthyaetus
audouinii or Larus
audouinii) is a species
of bird in the gull
family Laridae. The
population size is
estimated at 33,000-
46,000 mature
individuals. Until
2018, the population
was larger, but in
recent years there
has been a sharp
decline. The status
on the Red List
changed to
vulnerable in 2020.
With a length of 44 - 52 cm and a wingspan of 117 - 128 cm smaller than the yellow-legged gull.
Distinguishable from yellow-legged gull by the lighter gray upper side of the wings and by the red
beak. Audouin's gulls mainly eat fish, which are caught in flight from the surface or by diving into the
water. They eat little waste, unlike other types of gulls, and eat some types of aquatic animals in
addition to fish. This species is found in a limited number of places in the Mediterranean. Some birds
migrate to the Atlantic coasts of North Africa in winter, others are resident birds. A large part of the
population breeds on the Khafarinas Islands near Morocco.
This couples
were spotted on
the coast of
Ikaria, near Kato
Raches. The
couple above in
May 2022[LM1],
the couple in
the picture
below in
October 2023.
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Columbidae – doves and turtle doves
Columba livia – rock pigeon – Αγριοπερίστερο - rotsduif
The rock pigeon (Columba livia) is
the ancestor of the domestic
pigeon (Columba livia domestica),
which includes the homing pigeon
and the city pigeon. The body
length is 30 to 35 cm, with a
wingspan of 62 to 68 cm and a
weight of 200 to 300 grams.
Pigeons feed on the ground in
flocks or individually. Pigeons are
naturally granivorous, eating seeds
that fit down their gullet. They may
sometimes consume small
invertebrates such as worms or
insect larvae as a protein
supplement. Rock pigeons breed
mainly in mountainous areas
around the Mediterranean, but also
on the English and Irish coasts. The
nest is built in a shallow rock
crevice. The females often occupy
the same territory for years at a
time and usually choose the same mate.
The photograph of this group above
was taken in October 2015, near
Raches.The picture below shows
their “hide out” on the rocky coast
between Armenistis and Nas.
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Streptopelia decaocto – eurasian collared dove – Δεκοχτούρα – Turkse tortelduif
The European collared
pigeon has spread from
the Balkans to Western
Europe since 1900, and
has now become a fairly
common bird. Found
throughout most of
Europe, from southern
Scandinavia to Turkey
and Israel. Somewhat
smaller pigeon with a
length of 29 - 33 cm and
a wingspan of 48 - 53 cm.
Mainly eats plant foods,
seeds and small insects
are favourites. You often
find them near to human
habitats. Builds a nest of some loose twigs in a tree or bush, sometimes on a house canopy or
shutter. The nests are not very stable and fall down regularly.
The group above was
resting on an electricity
pole and wires near Livadi
beach in October 2011.
The individual below was
resting on a wire in
October 2019, near
Evdilos.
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Upupa epops – Hoopoe – Τσαλαπετεινός - hop
The hoopoes are mainly found
in temperate and subtropical
Europe in open forests and
steppes. The length of the bird
is 25 – 29 cm (including a beak
of 4 – 5 cm), the wingspan is 44
– 48 cm. The flight is somewhat
fluttering, with an irregular
rhythm, slightly undulating and
close to the ground. Hoopoes
are mainly found in stony areas,
on walls and around ruins.
Spain is the most important
breeding area. They hibernate
in southern Europe and Africa.
The hoopoes mostly forage in
meadows where they mainly eat worms and insects. Nests in a tree cavity, or in a stone wall or hole
in the ground. A striking feature is
the pronounced stench that the
animal spreads because on the one
hand the nest is never cleaned (food
waste and manure are left behind)
and on the other because the female
has a gland on the base of her tail,
which spreads a heavy stench during
the breeding season.
This individual was searching for
food in March 2014, as we drove the
dirtroad to Larisse falls.
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Merops apiaster - European bee-eater - Μελισσoφάγoς - bijeneter
The European bee-eater (Merops
apiaster) is a near passerine bird in the
bee-eater family, Meropidae. It breeds
in southern and central Europe,
northern and southern Africa, and
western Asia. Except for the resident
southern African population, the species
is strongly migratory, wintering in
tropical Africa. This species, like other
bee-eaters, is a richly coloured, slender
bird. It has brown and yellow upper
parts, whilst the wings are green and the
beak is black. It can reach a length of 27–
29 cm, including the two elongated
central tail feathers and a wingspan of
36 – 40 cm. Sexes are alike. These bee-
eaters are gregarious—nesting colonially
in sandy banks, preferably near river
shores, usually at the beginning of May.
They make a relatively long tunnel, in which they lay five to eight spherical white eggs around the
beginning of June. This bird breeds in open country in warmer climates. As the name suggests, bee-
eaters predominantly eat
insects, especially bees,
wasps, and hornets. They
catch insects in flight, in
sorties from an open perch.
Before eating a bee, the
European bee-eater removes
the sting by repeatedly hitting
the insect on a hard surface. It
can eat around 250 bees a
day.
Breeding bee-eaters on Ikaria
are observed in Messaria. The
bee-eaters in these
photographs were part of a
migrating group of bee-eaters.
They made a stop in the area
between Armenistis and Nas
in the first days of May 2023,
and stayed there for about a
week.
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Apodidae – swifts
Swifts are not related to swallows. Swallows (which also include martins) belong to the order
passeriformes, or 'perching birds', the barn swallow, is the best known of some 83 species
worldwide. Swifts belong to the order Apodiformes, alongside hummingbirds, and the common swift
is one of some 100
species worldwide. The
striking similarities
come down to
'convergent evolution',
a process by which
animals from separate
evolutionary roots
evolve to resemble one
another The swift is a
medium-sized aerial
bird, which is a superb
flyer. Sleeping, eating,
bathing and even
mating on the wing,
swifts rarely touch the
ground. They are also
the fastest birds in level flight, with an impressive top speed of 120 km/h. Swifts are plain sooty
brown, with a white throat, but in flight against the sky they appear black. They have long, scythe-like
wings and a short, forked tail. Swifts eat insects, such as dragonflies, flies, ants, aphids, wasps and
bees as well as aerial spiders. Prey is typically caught in flight using the beak. Some species hunt in
mixed species flocks with other aerial insectivores such as swallows.
Apus pallidus – pallid swift - Στακτοπετροχελίδονο - vale gierzwaluw
The pallid swift (Apus pallidus) is a small
bird. A bit similar to a barn swallow or house
martin. The swift has a length of 16 - 18 cm
and a wingspan of 39 - 44 cm. Swifts have
very short legs which they use only for
clinging to vertical surfaces. The swift breeds
in caves in rock walls, in walls, under roof
tiles, often near the sea. Incessantly hunts
insects in the air, often in the company of
swallows. Easy to distinguish from swallows
due to the dark underside. A migratory bird,
it breeds in the Mediterranean countries in
the coastal areas and winters in Africa, south of the Sahara.
In the summers of 2022 en 2023 we spotted a group of 40 – 50 swifts. After working on the pictures
we found out, that the group contained more species (see above, a Alpine swift accompanied by a
pallid swift). The picture below is (most probably) a pallid swift.
36. Birds of Ikaria – version December 2023
36
Apus melba – Alpine swift - Βουνοσταχτάρα - Alpengierzwaluw
The alpine swift (Apus melba) is a species of swift found in Africa, southern Europe and Asia. They
breed in mountains from southern Europe to the Himalaya. Like common swifts, they are migratory;
the southern European
population winters further
south in southern Africa.
They have very short legs
which are used for clinging
to vertical surfaces. This is a
large swift measuring 20–22
cm in length with a
wingspan of 54–60 cm with
broad wings and tail with a
shallow fork. Upper parts
are olive-brown with sharp
and long wings.These
apodiformes build their
nests in colonies in a
suitable cliff hole or cave,
laying two or three eggs. Swifts will return to the same sites year after year, rebuilding their nests
when necessary, and pairing for life.
For years we saw swifts fly above Pezi Lake and near the small dam. But these birds fly so fast, that
we did not
succeed to make
a picture, sharp
enough to
identify them.
With a new lens
in 2023 we finally
succeeded. Near
Lake Pezi is quite
a number of
Alpine swifts. On
July 11, we made
these
photographs of
flying Alpine
swifts!
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Hirundinidae – swallows
The swallows, martins,
and saw-wings,
or Hirundinidae, are a family
of passerine birds found
around the world on all
continents. Highly adapted to
aerial feeding, they have a
distinctive appearance. Around
90 species of Hirundinidae are
known, divided into 19 genera,
with the greatest diversity
found in Africa. About 5
species are known to breed in
Europe. They are long-
distance migrants; by contrast,
the West and South African
swallows are nonmigratory.
For birdwatchers in Ikaria, the
swallow is special. Some of the
species come to the island to
breed. But in spring and
autumn you will see large groups of migrating
swallows. They stay on the island for some hours to
eat and rest. Or they stay for some days when the
wind is wrong to travel further to the north in spring
or to the south in autumn. In October 2011, all the
wires in the valley behind Livadi beach in Armenistis
were filled with swallows. The picture shows barn
swallows and sand pipers mixed in one group. They
migrate together.
38. Birds of Ikaria – version December 2023
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Hirundo rustica – barn swallow – σταβλοχελίδονο - boerenzwaluw
The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most
widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a
distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts
and a long, deeply forked tail. It is found in
Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Breeds
throughout Europe and winters in Africa. The barn
swallow has a length of 17 - 21 cm (including 3 -
6.5 cm tail). Feeds on insects caught in flight. It
builds a cup nest from mud pellets in barns or
similar structures and feeds on insects caught in
flight. Breeds mainly in cultivated landscapes with
farms and villages.
In October 2011 the barn
swallows above had to stay in
Armenistis for some days, duw
to bad weather. In April 2019
the group of barn swallows on
the right picture arrived on
the coast of Ikaria, near Kato
Raches. Some of the arriving
barn swallows will head to the
places on Ikaria, where they
use to spend the breeding
season. This group only stayed
of some hours to eat a lot of
butterflies from the flowering
fields. With their stomachs
filled, they headed to the north.
Delichon urbicum - common house martin - Σπιτοχελίδονο - huiszwaluw
The house martin (Delichon urbicum) is a species of
bird in the family Hirundinidae. It is a migratory bird
that breeds in Europe, North Africa and the
temperate regions of Asia and winters in Sub-
Saharan Africa. The house martin gets its name
from its habit of breeding in human structures.
Easily recognized by its blue-black and white
plumage. It feeds on insects that it catches in its
flight. The house martin is often in the company of
other swallows, such as the barn swallow (Hirundo
rustica), the sand martin (Riparia riparia) and the
red-rumped swallow (Cecropis daurica). The house
martin is a medium-sized swallow, reaching a body length of up to 15 centimeters with a wing span
of 26 to 29 centimeters. The plumage is blue-black on the upper side, except for the area behind the
39. Birds of Ikaria – version December 2023
39
wings. Here the plumage is white, as well as on the underside or ventral side. The short, pink legs are
also largely covered with white feathers.
In April 2021, we pictured this House Martin in Kato Raches, migrating in a group of (merely) Barn
swallows.
Cecropis Daurica – Red-rumped swallow - Μιλτοχελίδονο - roodstuitzwaluw
The red-rumped swallow (Cecropis daurica) is
a small passerine bird in the swallow family. It
breeds in open hilly country of temperate
southern Europe and Asia from Portugal and
Spain to India and to Japan, and
tropical Africa. The Indian and African birds
are resident, but European and other Asian
birds are migratory. They winter in Africa
or India. Red-rumped swallows are somewhat
similar in habits and appearance to the other
aerial insectivores, such as the related
swallows and the unrelated swifts (order
Apodiformes). They have blue upperparts
and dusky underparts. They resemble barn
swallows, but are darker below and have
pale or reddish rumps, face and neck collar.
They lack a breast band, but have black
undertails. They are fast fliers and they
swoop on insects while airborne. They have
broad but pointed wings. Red-rumped
swallows build quarter-sphere nests with a
tunnel entrance lined with mud collected in
their beaks, and lay 3 to 6 eggs. They
normally nest under cliff overhangs in their mountain homes, but will readily adapt to buildings. They
do not normally form large breeding colonies, but
are gregarious outside the breeding season.
The bird in the picture above rested on a wire near
Armenistis in June 2011. The other pictures are
from 2020, when red-rumped swallows had a nest
on the side of a house in Kato Raches, and the
young ones flew out only in September. The next
year they came back and started to repair their
nest. Just before they could construct the tunnel
entrance, a pair of sparrows took possession ot
the nest.
40. Birds of Ikaria – version December 2023
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Montacillidae – pippits and wagtails
Anthus trivialis - tree pipit – Δενδρογαλούδι – boompieper
The tree pipit is a small passerine
bird which breeds across most of
middle and north Europe and as
far East as the East Siberian
Mountains. It is a long-distance
migrant moving in winter to
Africa and southern Asia. This is
a small pipit, which resembles
meadow pipit. It is an
undistinguished-looking species,
streaked brown above and with
black markings on a white belly
and buff breast below. It can be
distinguished from the slightly
smaller meadow pipit by its heavier bill and greater contrast between its buff breast and white belly.
Tree pipits more readily
perch in trees. The breeding
habitat is open woodland and
scrub. The nest is on the
ground, with 4–8 eggs being
laid. This species is
insectivorous, like its
relatives, but will also take
seeds.
In Ikaria, the pipit is (most
certain) only seen as a
migrator. The tree pipit on
the picture was seen on the
coast at Kato Raches in the
beginning of April 2021.
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Montacilla alba – white wagtail – Λευκοσουσουράδα – witte kwikstaart
The white wagtail (Motacilla alba) is
a small passerine bird in
the family Motacillidae, which also
includes pipits and longclaws.
The species breeds in much of
Europe and parts of North Africa. It
is resident in the mildest parts of its
range (Ikaria!), but
otherwise migrates to Africa. The
length of the white wagtail is 16,5 –
19 cm. In total, there are 11
subspecies. The white wagtail is an
insectivorous bird of open country,
often near habitation and water. It
prefers bare areas for feeding,
where it can see and pursue its prey.
In urban areas it has adapted to
foraging on paved areas such as car
parks. It nests in crevices in stone
walls and similar natural and man-
made structures (in sheds and under
rooftiles).
This wagtail
above is a
resident of
Ikaria
(pictured in
December
2020), the one
on the right a
migrator,
pictured out of
a group of
eight in March
2021, both
pictures were
taken in Kato
Raches.
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Montacilla flava- yellow wagtail - Κιτριvoσoυσoυράδα -gele kwikstaart
Most of the habits for
the white wagtail also
apply to the yellow
wagtail. It is a bird
that likes to be in the
nabourhood of
humans especially
near farmers and
farms. The length of
15 – 16 cm a bit
smaller than the white
wagtail. The yellow
wagtail eats the
insects on the ground
like the white wagtail,
and when possible,
between cows,
horses or sheep. The
yellow wagtails
make their nest on
the ground, they
prefer it in the grass
near a river.
The birds above and
right are migrators,
pictured in April
2021 in Kato Raches.
The bird on the
below was spotted
between the cows in
a pasture (however,
grass?) near the
road in Avlaki in
October 2010.
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Montacilla flava feldegg – black headed wagtail - Μαυροκέφαλος Ζευκαλάτης -
balkankwikstaart
The black headed
Wagtail (a subspecies
of the yellow wagtail)
is a rare appearance
in western Europe. In
the Netherlands the
bird officially has
been observed only
once. The black-
headed wagtail has
the same size as the
yellow wagtail. Their
breeding area is the
Balkans east to the
Caspian Sea, south to
Turkey, Iran,
Afghanistan and
Levant. In winter they
migrate to central
Africa (from Nigeria
to Uganda) and south
Sudan.
We have seen this
bird only once in
Ikaria, in March
2021, near the
coast in Kato
Raches. Most likely
a migrator, making
a detour because
of weather
conditions.
44. Birds of Ikaria – version December 2023
44
Montacilla cinera – Grey wagtail – Σταχτοσουσουράδα – grote gele kwikstaart
The grey wagtail
is the biggest
member of the
wagtail family,
measuring
around 18–19
cm overall
length. The
species looks
somewhat
similar to the
yellow wagtail
but has the
yellow on its
underside
restricted to the
throat and vent.
Breeding males
have a black
throat. The species is widely distributed, with several populations breeding in Eurosiberia and
migrating to tropical regions in Asia and Africa. The species is always associated with running water
when breeding.
Like other
wagtails, they
frequently wag
their tail and fly
low with
undulations and
they have a
sharp call that
is often given in
flight.
The individual
in the pictures
was spotted in
October 2013
near Mandria.
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Turdidae – Thrushes
Erithacus rubella – European robin – Κοκκινολαίμης - roodborst
The European
robin (Erithacus rubecula),
known simply as
the robin or robin
redbreast in the British Isles,
is a small passerine bird that
belongs to
the chat subfamily of
the Old World
flycatcher family. About
12.5–14.0 cm in length, the
male and female are similar
in colouration. It is found
across Europe, east to
Western Siberia and south
to North Africa; it
is sedentary in most of its
range except the far north.
They make their nests in
hedges or in burrows, close
to the ground. Its food
consist of insects, snails and
worms.
The
European
robin is in
Ikaria the
whole year
around. In
winter you
hear robins
sing in
almost
every
mastic
shrub. The
individual
above
spent the
winter of
2021 in a
mastic
shrub in Kato Raches, and enjoyed the autumn sun in November. The one below was near the same
place, singing it out in October 2023.
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46
Phoenicurus phoenicurus – common redstart – Κοκκινούρης / Κοτσινονούρης –
gekraagde roodstaart
The common redstart
(Phoenicurus
phoenicurus) or often
simply redstart, is a
small passerine bird in
the redstart genus
PHoenicurus. The
common redstart
shows some affinity to
the European robin in
many of its habits and
actions. It has the
same general carriage,
and chat-like
behaviour, and is the
same length at 13–
14.5 cm long but
slightly slimmer. The orange-red tail, from which it and other redstarts get their names, is frequently
quivered. Among common European birds, only the black redstart (Phoenicurus ochrurus) has a
similarly coloured tail. Common redstarts prefer open mature birch and oak woodland with a high
horizontal visibility and low amounts of shrub and understorey especially where the trees are old
enough to have holes
suitable for its nest. They
prefer to nest on the
edge of woodland
clearings.
Most of the common
redstarts on Ikaria are
migrators. In summer
they breed in the
northern part of Europe,
and they head south to
spend the winter in
Africa. Both the male as
the female above were
spotted in Agios Ioannis.
This valley near Raches
offers migrating birds a
nice place to rest and to
find some food.
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Phoenicurus ochuros – black redstart – Καρβουνίαρης – zwarte roodstaart
The scientific
name is
from ancient
Greek and refer to
the colour of the
tail. The
name Phoenicurus
is from phoinix,
"red", and -ouros -
"tailed". It is a
widespread
breeder in south
and central
Europe and Asia
and north-west
Africa, from Great
Britain and Ireland
(where local)
south to Morocco, east to central China. The black redstart is 13–14.5 cm in length and 12–20 g in
weight. It is resident in the milder parts of its range, but north-eastern birds migrate to winter in
southern and western Europe and Asia, and north Africa. It nests in crevices or holes in buildings. The
species originally inhabited stony ground in mountains, particularly cliffs, but since about 1900 has
expanded to include similar urban habitats and large industrial complexes that have the bare areas
and cliff-like buildings it favours. It will catch passing insects in flight. Its quick ducks of head and
body are robin-like, and its tail is often flicked. The male has a rattling song and a tick call.
The black redstart is
resident on Ikaria. They
like the rocky slopes as
their territory. In winter
time they “migrate” to the
low and coastal areas.
These redstarts were
pictured on the coast
between Armenistis and
Nas, the male in October
2017, the female in
October 2023.
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Turdus merula – common blackbird – Κότσυφας - merel
Fairly large passerine bird, with
a length of 23.5 - 29 cm. Likes
wooded areas, parks and
gardens. In the spring the
blackbird plays a beautiful song
from a high place. Blackbirds
are noisy birds. When a cat is
around, they use their loud
alarm to warn other animals for
a long time . Food consists of
earthworms, insects and
berries. The nests are often
easy to find, causing many eggs
and young to fall prey to cats
and crows. Despite those
losses, the blackbirds are still very numerous: they compensate for this natural loss by raising many
young. The food consists of worms, soil insects, berries and fruit.
In Ikaria you will not spot the
blackbird so much. Its
favourite food, the earth
worms, are not abundant. In
June 2011 this male Blackbird
whistled his morning song for
us in Armenistis.
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Monticola solitarius – blue rock thrush – Γαλαζοκότσυφας – blauwe rotslijster
The blue
rock thrush
(Monticola
solitarius)
breeds in
southern
Europe,
northwest
Africa, and
from
Central Asia
to northern
China and
Malaysia.
The blue
rock thrush
is the
official
national
bird of Malta. The rock thrush genus Monticola was formerly placed in the family Turdidae but
studies have shown that the species in the genus are more closely related to members of the Old
World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. The blue rock thrush is a starling-sized bird, 21–23 cm in
length with a long slim bill. The breeding male of the nominate subspecies is unmistakable, with all
blue-grey plumage apart from its darker wings. Females and immatures are much less striking. Blue
rock thrush breeds in open
mountainous areas. It nests in
rock cavities and walls, and
usually lays 3-5 eggs. The
European, north African and
southeast Asian birds are mainly
resident, apart from altitudinal
movements An omnivore, the
blue rock thrush eats a wide
variety of insects and small
reptiles in addition to berries and
seeds. Song is melodic and
blackbird-like. Couples have their
territory and keep it for years.
A couple of Blue Rock Thrushes
has a territory near the road
between Armenistis and Nas,
where they were pictured in
autumn 2023 (male) and
November 2020 (female).
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Oenanthe Oenanthe – northern wheatear – Σταχτοπετρόκλης - tapuit
The northern wheatear or
wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
is a small passerine bird. The
northern wheatear is 14,5 – 16
cm in length and has a wingspan
of 26– 32 cm. It is the most
widespread member of the
wheatear genus Oenanthe in
Europe and North and Central
Asia. The northern wheatear is a
migratory insectivorous species
breeding in open stony country
in Europe and east across
the Palearctic with footholds in
Canada, Greenland and Alaska.
All birds spend most of their
winter in Africa. The nest is built
entirely by the female while the
male perches nearby, sings and
sometimes performs song-
flights. The nest is placed in a
cavity such as a rabbit burrow, a
crevice among rocks or in a man-made object such as a
wall or pipe.
In Southern Europe, the birds usually stay high in the
mountains. The wheatear forages on the ground, for
example on short grassland. The food consists of beetles,
caterpillars, spiders and grasshoppers.
The bird on the left was pictured in June
2012 on Pezi. The male bird above was
pictured on the coast at Kato Raches in
March 2021. In the same month and
same place, the female on the right was
pictured.
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Oenanthe melanoleuca - black-eared wheatear – Ασπροκωλίνα – oostelijke blonde
tapuit
The black-eared
wheatear
(Oenanthe
melanoleuca) is
a passerine bird
of the
Saxicolinae
subfamily, part
of the flycatcher
family. The bird
is 13.5 to 15.5
cm long, it is a
relatively small
wheatear with a
long tail. The
species is very
similar to this
western blond
wheatear, but is a much lighter gray with much less yellow ocher. During the breeding season, the
male has a broad, black eye stripe, sometimes running down a dark throat, while the western blond
wheatear always has a light throat. The female is quite uniformly yellow-brown. The bird is found in
Southeastern Europe, Middle East to Iran and Kazakhstan. The habitat consists of open countryside,
rough grazed area with scattered shrubs and sometimes some trees, often with a stony surface. Also
in hilly country,
but usually lower
than 600 m
above sea level.
This male bird
above visited us
in Kato Raches in
September
2020. The
female on the
right was on the
same spot on
April 15 in 2021
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Saxiola rubicola – european stonechat – Μαυρολαίμης - roodborsttapuit
The European
stonechat (Saxicola
rubicola) is a
small passerine bird.
Genetic evidence has
placed it and its relatives in
the Old World
flycatcher family,
Muscicapidae. The
stonechat is 11.5–13 cm
long and weighs 13–17 g,
slightly smaller than
the European robin. Both
sexes have distinctively
short wings, shorter than
those of the more
migratory
winchat and Siberian
stonechat. European
stonechats breed
in heathland,
coastal dunes and
rough grassland with
scattered small shrubs and bramble, open gorse, tussocks or heather. They are short-
distance migrants or non-migratory. Both sexes have a clicking call like stones knocking together.
You can spot stonechats all along the coast
from Armenistis to Nas, in the top of a bush
or in another high position. Both pictures
were made there, the female (down) in
June 2010, the male in October 2023. The
couple below rested in Limonium flowers in
2017.
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Saxicola rubetra – whinchat – Βοσκαρούδι - paapje
The whinchat
(Saxicola
rubetra) is a
small
migratory
passerine bird
breeding in
Europe and
western Asia
and wintering
in central
Africa. Both
sexes have a
strong
supercilium,
brownish
upper parts
mottled
darker, a pale throat and breast, a pale buff to whitish belly, and a blackish tail with white bases to
the outer tail feathers, but in the breeding season, the male has an orange-buff throat and breast.
The whinchat is a solitary species, favouring open grassy country with rough vegetation and
scattered small shrubs. It
perches in elevated locations
ready to pounce on the
insects and other small
invertebrates that form its
diet. The nest is built by the
female on the ground in
coarse vegetation. In Greece,
only the plains in the
northern mainland are part
of the breeding area.
This birds rested on the coast
at Kato Raches in April 2021.
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Muscicapa striata – spotted flycatcher – Σταχτομυγοχάφτης – grauwe vliegenvanger
Small
passerine
bird, with
a length
of 13,5 –
15 cm.
Breeds all
over
Europe in
woods,
gardens
and
parcs.
Long
distance
migrator.
In August
they
depart
from
Northern and Western
Europe to Africa and
they hibernate beyond
the Sahara. The
flycatcher catches
flying insects in a very
characteristic way. It
flies from a lookout
point, catches a prey
from the air and then
flies back to the
lookout point. In
autumn they also eat
berries. The journey to
Africa is carried out in
stages in a few
months.
Ikaria is one of the stops on this trip. The aea of Raches is a popular resting area for these migrating
birds. The valley of Agios Ioannis there is very popular for the birds. In October 2012 we spotted a
flycatcher there which was to tired and forgot to catch the insect in front of it. The picture above was
taken in Kato Raches, October 2023.
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Sylviidae – warblers
Curruca melanocephala – Sardinian Warbler – Μαυροτσιροβάκος – kleine zwartkop
Small passerine
bird, 13 - 14 cm in
length. It is found in
the region of the
Mediter-ranean,
North Africa and
part of Asia. Breeds
in forests, olive
groves and shrubs.
Often makes its cup-
shaped nest low in
dense thickets, such
as mastichia. Most
of the year, it eats
all kinds of berries
and fruits. During
the breeding season
they also eat
insects.
The pic above
and right were
taken in July
2023 on top of
the shrubs of
Lantana in Kato
Raches. The
picture below is a
female, feeding a
young one in
June 2011, in
Armenistis.
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Curruca ruepelli – Rüppels Warbler – Μουστακοτσιροβάκος – Ruppel’s grasmus
Rüppell's
warbler (Sylvia
ruppeli) is
a typical
warbler of the
genus Sylvia. It
breeds in
Greece, in
Turkey and in
the
neighbouring
islands. It
is migratory,
wintering in
north
east Africa.
This juvenile
was spotted in
June 2010 in a garden in Armenistis.
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Phyloscopos trochilus – Willow Warbler – Θαμvoφυλλoσκόπoς – Fitis
The Willow warbler is one
of the most common
species in Europe. A
widespread breeding bird
found in light woods,
bushes, parks, large
gardens, wetlands and
other open landscapes
with many trees and
shrubs. The Willow
warbler and the chiffchaff
are twin species, they are
very similar in
appearance. They can be
distinguished by the song.
The body length is 11 to
12 cm, smaller than the sparrow. The Willow warbler has a grey-green back, yellowish underside,
white eye stripe and usually light legs.
During the breeding season
(March to August), the warbler
is present throughout Central
and Northern Europe. The
highest population densities
are found in Scandinavia
(where it is the commonest
bird of any), with up to 1,100
pairs per square kilometre. It
is a migratory bird that winters
in southern Europe and sub-
Saharan Africa. The nest built
on the ground has a small
flight opening, so the eggs are
barely visible. The inner lining
consists of a thick layer of
feathers.
We spotted this Willow
warbler in Kato Raches in
October 2023.
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Phylloscopus collybita – common chiffchaff – Δεντροφυλλοσκόπος - tjiftjaf
Small passerine bird,
with a length of 10 – 12
cm. The chiffchaff is
(especially) a forest bird
that likes a rich
undergrowth; lots of
scrub and low trees. The
oven-shaped nest with
side entrance is well
hidden in dense
vegetation, or just above
the ground. The nest is
made of dry leaves, grass
and moss and lined with
feathers on the inside.
The chiffchaff eats
insects and their larvae.
That can be mosquitoes,
beetles or flies. In the
autumn he also feeds on
berries and seeds.
Forages restlessly, can
also catch insects in
flight.
The chiffchaff on the left visited us in
Kato Raches in November 2021. The
individual below was spotted in the
woods near Panagitsa church, Agios
Dimitrios
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Paridae – tits
Cyanistes caeuleus – blue tit – Γαλαζοπαπαδίτσα - pimpelmees
The blue tit is a
small passerine
bird, with a
length of 10,5 –
12 cm. It is
resident all over
Europe. Like the
great tit, is a
forest bird that
has adapted to
the human
environment. He
also likes to
breed in nest
boxes and comes
close to homes
in winter. Food is
varied. In
breeding time mainly insects and their larvae (caterpillars), spiders and other arthropods. In winter
also many seeds.
The bird above
posed in
October 2011,
in a garden in
Armenistis. In
June 2012, in
the same
garden, we
spotted the
juvenile below.
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Laniidae – Shrikes
Lanius collurio – Red-backed Shrike – Στακτοτζεφαλάς – grauwe klauwier
Medium-
sized
passerine
(body length
about 17 cm)
with a long
tail and a
strong black
hooked beak.
It lives in
Western
Europe from
about May to
September.
In winter, the
bird stays in
Africa. The
red-backed
shrike is a
breeding bird of rugged, semi-open areas with storage of thickets or young trees. The presence of
quite a few large insects such as beetles, bees and bumblebees is very important, they are the main
part of the menu. Lizards, small mammals and young birds are also eaten. The 'shrike' has the habit
to hang prey from
the thorns of
blackberries or
other prickly
bushes and eat
them later. Long
range migrator;
flies eastwards
around the
Mediterranean
from the end of
July-September
(as well as birds
from Spain!), for
the winter in
eastern Africa, in
Kenya, Tanzania
and south of
Congo.
This juvenile above was spotted in October 2023 in Kato Raches. The male on the right was pictured
in Armenistis in May 2015.
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Corvidae - Crows
Corvus cornix – hooded crow - Σταχτιά Κουρούνα – bonte kraai
Big bird with a
length of 44 –
51 cm and a
wingspan of 84
– 100 cm.
Hooded crows
can be found in
all kinds of
habitats, but
mainly reside
in rural areas.
Hooded crows
are omnivores
and
opportunists.
Insects,
carrion, small
mammals,
snails and washed-up sea animals are eaten. They also like to filter out human waste. Live mainly in
the eastern part of Europe. Easy migrators, especially in the northern part of their range. Birds from
Scandinavia appear more southern in late autumn and winter, birds from more southern regions are
more often standing bird.
A group of
hooded crows
was found
around
Gialiskari
harbour in the
fall of 2019.. In
December 2020
part of the
group was
pictured in
Armenistis
(photo below).
One individual
was searching
for food in Kato
Raches in June
2023 (photo
above).
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Corvus corax – common raven – Κόρακας- raaf
With a
length of 54
– 67 cm and
a wingspan
of 115 – 130
cm as big as
a common
Buzzard.
Very large,
completely
black bird,
with green /
blue / purple
sheen.
Notable for
its heavy,
long beak, in
flight a fan-
shaped tail and large head and a different sound than the crow. A clear feature is the feathering that
covers more than half of the beak. Can float very well on thermal air like a bird of prey (as opposed
to carrion crow). Ravens are omnivorous and resourceful in getting food. Preference for protein-rich
animal food. A resident bird par excellence. Ravens can make food flights up to 30 km from their
place, but return
always.
The two ravens
above had an
air battle in
October 2010
above Agios
Dimitrios. The
two ravens on
the right were
flying in
formation over
Pezi Lake in
November 2023.
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Sturnus vulgaris – common starling – Ψαρόνι - spreeuw
Starlings are
opportunists and
you will find
them in many
places, including
villages and
cities. Real
grassland bird.
Grass fields
(from damp to
dry) in particular
provide starlings
with food.
Starlings are
omnivores, but
they mainly eat
insects and
insect larvae. In
summer, autumn and winter they also eat a lot of berries and fruit, such as apples. Some of the birds
in Northern Europe migrate south in winter.
We pictured this couple in
October 2011 resting on the
wires near Armenistis.
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Passeridae – sparrows
Passer domesticus – house sparrow – Σπουργίτης - huismus
House sparrows appreciate a
messy human environment, with
scrub, barns, pastures with
livestock, spilled grain and so on.
Most numerous in villages and in
older suburbs, with untidy
gardens. If there are many tall
trees, you will see few house
sparrows. The house sparrow's
menu consists of seeds, grains,
insects, flower buds, bread,
berries. In breeding time they eat
mainly insects. The house
sparrow is a pronounced resident bird; they
hardly migrate, in both spring and autumn.
The male and female above and right posed in
Kato Raches in October 2023. The juveniles
down posed in June 2010 in Armenistis.
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Passer hispaniolensis - Spanish sparrow – Χωραφoσπoυργίτης – spaanse mus
The Spanish sparrow or willow
sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) is
found in the Mediterranean region
and south-west and central Asia. It is
very similar to the closely related
house sparrow, and hybridisation
happens in the Mediterranean
region. The Spanish sparrow is a
rather large sparrow, at 15–16 cm in
length, and 22–36 g in weight. It is
slightly larger and heavier than
house sparrows, and also has a
slightly longer and stouter bill. The
male has a chestnut rather than grey
crown, and has white rather than
grey cheeks. The female is effectively
inseparable from the house
sparrow.The Spanish sparrow's
vocalisations are similar to those of
the house sparrow. The Spanish
sparrow nests in large colonies of closely spaced or even multiple shared nests. Nests are usually
placed in trees or bushes, amongst branches or underneath the nests of larger birds such as white
storks. Colonies may hold from ten
pairs to hundreds of thousands of
pairs. Each pair lays 3–8 eggs,
which hatch in 12 days, with the
chicks fledging when about 14 days
old.
On Ikaria you see the Spanish
sparrow less than the house
sparrow. They migrate in winter to
northern Africa. In April 2021 in
Kato Raches, we saw a group of
Spanish Sparrows. Clearly
exhausted from a tough journey.
We took some pictures.
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Fringillidae - Finches
Serinus serinus – European serin - Σκαρθάκι - europese kanarie
The European serin, or simply
the serin (Serinus serinus), is
the smallest species of the
family of finches (Fringillidae)
and is closely related to the
Atlantic canary. The European
serin is a small short-tailed
bird, 11–12 cm in length. Its
diet consists mainly of a
combination of buds and seeds.
It breeds across southern and
central Europe and North
Africa. Southern and Atlantic
coast populations are largely
resident, but the northern breeders migrate further south in Europe for the winter. Open woodland
and cultivation, often with some conifers, is favoured for
breeding. It builds its nest in a shrub or tree. It forms
flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixed
with other finches. The food is mainly seeds, and, in the
breeding season, insects. This small serin is an active and
often conspicuous bird.
For the first time in October 2023, we saw a pair of
serins. In the company of some finches they ate the
seeds in the buds of the spent dandelions.
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Fringilla coelebs – chaffinch – Σπίνος - vink
Chaffinches live in green
areas, where they can find
a sheltered place to breed
as well as food. The nest is
well camouflaged with
mosses, made dense
green between the
branches. The food for
finches is mainly seeds
and soft plant parts.
Especially in the fall, they
scrape the ground in large
groups for nuts and seeds.
However, in the breeding
season, finches switch to
insects. These provide
more proteins, necessary
for the growth of the
young finches.
Chaffinches breed on
Ikaria but in the fall they
are supplemented with
birds from the north and northeast of Europe. Everywhere on the roads and dirt roads in the Raches-
area you see them picking seeds from the surface.The female above was seen in Kato Raches in
November
2021. The
singing
male on
the right
was
pictured
there too
in
November
2023.
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Carduelis cannabina – common linnet – Φανέτο – kneu
The linnet breeds in dense bushes
in a variety of semi-open
landscapes. Most common are
common linnets in areas with
hedges, but they also breed in areas
with young plantings, and
sometimes in gardens. Linnets take
food flights in small groups from the
thorny bushes. From July they
gather in groups in nutrient-rich
places. The linnet is a true seed
eater and thrives in places with a lot
of herbs and grasses. . The nestlings
also only eat seeds. The linnet migrates south from northern Europe in the fall.
On Ikaria we saw the linnet as a migrator, like this group on the coast near Kato Raches, November
2019. And the individual on the picture below, that was looking for seeds in Kato Raches in
November
2023.
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Carduelis carduelis – goldfinch - Καρδερίνα - putter
Goldfinches like drier,
chapped spots, with
dry, rugged plant
growth. The birds like
to search for plant
seeds in these places.
Goldfinches mainly eat
ripe and unripe seeds
from plants such as
thistles, evening
primroses, sunflowers
and dandelions. In
winter also a lot of
seed from trees. Young
goldfinches mainly
receive insects from
their parents, because they contain the proteins necessary for growth.
In Ikaria, we
see them
breeding
and with
juveniles in
spring. In
autumn
they form
bigger
groups ,
wandering
around t
pick their
food. Also
groups of
migrators
pass by. In
October
2023 we
spotted this individual, posing in Kato Raches. The group of goldfinches on he right we saw in
October 2019, on the coast in Kato Raches.
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Emberizidae – Buntings
Emberiza cirlus – cirl bunting – Σιρλοτσίχλονο – cirl gors
The cirl bunting
breeds across
southern Europe,
on the
Mediterranean
islands and in
north Africa. It is
a resident of
these warmer
areas, and does
not migrate in
winter. In the
summer their
natural food
consists of
invertebrates for
example
grasshoppers and crickets
to feed their chicks. In the
winter they feed on small
seeds from over-wintered
stubbles, fallow land, set-
aside, and the over-winter
feeding of stock with grain
or hay. They tend to feed
in flocks during the winter.
The couple above, we
spotted in June 2010 near
Armenistis. The one below
was in October 2012 on a
pole, also near Armenistis.
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71
Maybe’s
Phoenicopterus roseus – Greater Flamingo – Φοινικόπτερο - Flamingo
The greater
flamingo
(Phoenicopterus
roseus) is the most
widespread and
largest species of
the flamingo family.
Common in the Old
World, they are
found in Northern
(coastal) and Sub-
Saharan Africa, the
Indian
Subcontinent, the
Middle East, the
Levant, the Persian
Gulf, the Gulf of
Aden, the Red Sea,
and the
Mediterranean countries of Southern Europe. The greater flamingo is the largest living species of
flamingo, averaging 110–150 cm tall and weighing 2–4 kg. The greater flamingo resides in mudflats
and shallow coastal lagoons with salt water. Using its feet, the bird stirs up the mud, then sucks
water through its bill and filters out small shrimp, seeds, blue-green algae, microscopic organisms,
and mollusks. The greater flamingo feeds with its head down, its upper jaw movable and not rigidly
fixed to its skull.
In May 2023, in Kato Raches, we saw this group of about 20 flamingos flying low above the sea to the
north.
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Pernis ptilorhynchus - Crested Honey Buzzard - Ανατολικός Σφηκιάρης - Aziatische
wespendief
In the autumn of 2023, at
the end of September, we
had a special sighting on
Ikaria. Normally you
occasionally spot a migrating
honey buzzard. But in that
week, 20 or more migrating
honey buzzards passed by in
a single day. The weather
turned out to be particularly
bad above central Turkey,
where the honey buzzards'
normal migration route is.
One of the birds attracted
attention because of its
lighter color. We
took pictures.
We identified the
bird using
OBSidentify, which
indicated it was most
likely an Asian Honey
Buzzard. The sites
ΑΝΑΓΝΩΡΙΣΕΙΣ and
BIRDS ON IKARIA
indicated that it
would be unlikely to
see an Asia, so far
west. My friend
Nikos Somponis
however stated “a
crested honey
buzzard has six fingers and no carpal patches.
This bird seems to have these traits. If it is, is a
juvenile”.
