Scrub Blackbird, a novel host species of Giant Cowbird
publication in press AbstractThe Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus) is an obligate brood parasite whose historically recognized hosts were dominated by colonial, pendulous-nesting icterids. Subsequent records have expanded its host spectrum and now do include solitary …
Continue readingWhite-tailed Tropicbird, new to Ecuador
(Publication in press) On 13 June 2026 I observed an adult White-tailed Tropicbird / Weißschwanz-Tropikvogel (Phaethon lepturus) from a ceviche restaurant in downtown Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos. Glad I brought the camera to …
Continue readingAn “arctic” Peregrine as a long-term winter visitor in Austria
Full arcticle here. AbstractA female „arctic“ or „nordic“ Peregrine Falcon / Wanderfalke (calidus-type) spent 15 winters, between October 2009 and March 2024, in the historic old town of Graz, Austria. It showed pronounced site-fidelity, using …
Continue readingKestrel feeds nestlings of Barn Owl
AbstractA male Common Kestrel / Turmfalke was observed feeding the chicks of Western Barn Owl /Schleiereule in a nest box in the Seewinkel region, Austria, in summer 2024. It is unknown if the owl chicks …
Continue readingAn oiled Western Osprey – not a rare dark individual – in Austria
Documentation of a case of oil contamination in Western Osprey from inland central Europe. The bird was photographed in Lower Austria on 22nd May 2020 by Martin Meszaros. Here’s the short note on this observation.
Continue readingAustrian Big Sit record: 112 species
Birdraces or Big Days are fun events to raise money for bird conservation. I have been a keen participant in the Austrian version of this ‚competition‘ in many years, fortunate enough to be on the …
Continue readingIntersex Eurasian Teal
Intersex birds are usually females exhibiting male characteristics. This Eurasian Teal / Krickente (Anas crecca) was the first of its kind that I encountered. Intersex of this species seem to show a characteristic set of …
Continue readingBlue-cheeked Bee-eater bathing
Since I saw bee-eaters and orioles taking a dip for the first time, I watched out and had numerous observations of various species. This set shows how Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters / Blauwangenspint (Merops persicus) does it, …
Continue readingRuff forgot to cut toenails
I have wondered for a long time, why Ruff / Kampfläufer (Calidris pugnax) seem to show leg injuries (much) more often than other shorebirds at Seewinkel, Austria. Is it just that Ruff appear in larger …
Continue readingComplete post-breeding moult of a Red-backed Shrike in Austria
An adult female Red-backed Shrike / Neuntöter (Lanius collurio) ringed on 10th August 2023 at St. Martins Lodge, Frauenkirchen/Austria showed advanced moult of remiges with corresponding greater coverts and tertials in both wings as well …
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