Lesser moorhen (Paragallinula angulata) - Μικρή νερόκοτα - Agia Varvara 7,11,15/4/2025 - Cyprus

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All about Cyprus - Όλα για την Κύπρο

My book entitled The birds of Cyprus in 4 volumes (A4 size) - Το βιβλίο του Γιώργου Κωνσταντίνου "Τα Πουλιά της Κύπρου"

The book, "The Birds of Cyprus" (A4 size), is now also available in English! - By George Konstantinou

Το Lesser moorhen - Paragallinula angulata (μικρή νερόκοτα) είναι ένα είδος πουλιού της οικογένειας Rallidae, με κύρια κατανομή στην υποσαχάρια Αφρική. Συναντάτε από τη Σενεγάλη και την Αιθιοπία έως τη Νότια Αφρική. Είναι πολύ σπάνιο εκτός Αφρικής. Η παρουσία της στην Κύπρο είναι εξαιρετικά σπάνια με μόνο μια καταγραφή τον Απρίλιο του 2025. Η μικρή νερόκοτα προτιμά υγροτόπους με γλυκό νερό, όπως έλη, λίμνες και περιοχές με πλούσια υδρόβια βλάστηση. Είναι μερικώς μεταναστευτικό είδος εντός Αφρικής, με μετακινήσεις που σχετίζονται με τις εποχιακές βροχοπτώσεις. Οι παρατηρήσεις της εκτός Αφρικής είναι πολύ σπάνιες και συνήθως αφορούν μεμονωμένα άτομα που έχουν παρεκκλίνει από τη συνήθη πορεία τους. Είναι παμφάγο υδρόβιο πτηνό που τρέφεται με φυτά, σπόρους, έντομα, προνύμφες, μικρά μαλάκια και άλλους μικροοργανισμούς σε ρηχούς υγροτόπους.Η μικρή νερόκοτα κατασκευάζει τη φωλιά της σε πυκνή υδρόβια βλάστηση, όπως καλαμιές και παπυροδάση, κοντά σε γλυκά νερά. Η φωλιά είναι μικρότερη και πιο συμπαγής από αυτή της κοινής νερόκοτας. Η γέννα αποτελείται συνήθως από 3 έως 9 αυγά, με μέσο όρο τα 5. Οι νεοσσοί είναι καλυμμένοι με μαύρο χνούδι και είναι ικανοί να κολυμπούν αμέσως μετά την εκκόλαψη. Οι γονείς τους παρέχουν φροντίδα και προστασία κατά τις πρώτες εβδομάδες της ζωής τους. Στην Ευρώπη υπάρχει μόνο ένα καταγεγραμμένο περιστατικό στην Ισπανία, το 2003, πιθανώς λόγω μεταφοράς με πλοίο. Ασία και Αμερική δεν υπάρχουν επιβεβαιωμένες παρατηρήσεις. Οι παρατηρήσεις της εκτός Αφρικής είναι πολύ σπάνιες και συνήθως αφορούν μεμονωμένα άτομα που έχουν παρεκκλίνει από τη συνήθη πορεία τους. Σύμφωνα με την IUCN, η μικρή νερόκοτα κατατάσσεται στην κατηγορία "Ελάχιστης Ανησυχίας" (Least Concern), καθώς διαθέτει ευρεία κατανομή και σταθερό πληθυσμό. 

Agia Varvara 7,11,15/4/2025

Κείμενο - φωτογραφιες - βιντεο Γιώργος Κωνσταντίνου

The Lesser Moorhen (Paragallinula angulata) is a member of the Rallidae family and is primarily distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal and Ethiopia south to South Africa. It is an exceptionally rare species outside Africa. Its occurrence in Cyprus is of particular ornithological significance, with only a single confirmed record in April 2025.

The Lesser Moorhen inhabits freshwater wetlands, including marshes, lakes, swamps, floodplains, and areas with dense emergent aquatic vegetation. It is a partially migratory species within Africa, undertaking seasonal movements that closely follow rainfall patterns and the availability of suitable wetland habitats. Records outside its normal range are extremely scarce and usually involve vagrant individuals that have deviated from their typical migration routes.

It is an omnivorous waterbird, feeding on aquatic plants, seeds, insects, insect larvae, small molluscs, crustaceans, and other aquatic invertebrates, which it forages in shallow wetlands and among dense vegetation.

The species builds its nest within thick emergent vegetation such as reeds, papyrus stands, and other marsh plants close to freshwater. The nest is generally smaller and more compact than that of the Common Moorhen. The clutch usually consists of 3–9 eggs, with an average of five. The chicks hatch covered in black down and are capable of swimming almost immediately after hatching. Both parents participate in caring for and protecting the young during their first weeks of life.

Outside Africa, the Lesser Moorhen is exceptionally rare. Europe has only one documented record, from Spain in 2003, a bird believed to have reached the country accidentally, possibly after being transported aboard a ship. There are no confirmed records from Asia or the Americas, making the Cyprus observation one of the most remarkable records of the species outside its natural range.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Lesser Moorhen is classified as Least Concern (LC) due to its wide distribution and stable global population.

Text - videos and photographs: George Konstantinou

Eastern Bonelli`s Warbler or Balkan warbler - Phylloscopus orientalis (Brehm, 1855) Βουνοφυλλοσκόπος, Ανατολικός Βουνοφυλλοσκόπος, Πευκογιαννούδι - Cyprus

 The Eastern Bonelli's warbler (Phylloscopus orientalis), sometimes known as Balkan warbler, is a "warbler" in the leaf warbler genus Phylloscopus. It was formerly regarded as the eastern subspecies of a wider "Bonelli's warbler" species, but as a result of modern taxonomic developments, they are now usually considered to be two species:

Western Bonelli's warbler, Phylloscopus bonelli, which breeds in southwest Europe and north Africa

Eastern Bonelli's warbler, Phylloscopus orientalis, which breeds in southeast Europe and Asia Minor

The breeding ranges of the two species do not overlap; while their appearance and songs are very similar, the calls are completely different (see below). They also show marked difference in mtDNA sequence.

The species is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a rare vagrant in Northern Europe.

Eastern Bonelli's warbler is a small passerine bird, found in forest and woodland. Four to six eggs are laid in a nest on the ground. Like most warblers, eastern Bonelli's is insectivorous.

It is a small warbler. The adult has a plain grey-green back, green-toned rump and wings and whitish underparts. The bill is small and pointed and the legs brown. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers.

The eastern Bonelli's warbler lacks the browner tinge to the upperparts that the western Bonelli's warbler has; it sometimes has a greenish tinge instead. The song is a fast monotone trill, only slightly different from western Bonelli's, and also some similarity to the wood warbler. The call of the eastern Bonelli's warbler is a hard chup, reminiscent of a crossbill or a house sparrow, and completely different from the disyllabic hu-it of the western Bonelli's warbler.

The genus name Phylloscopus is from Ancient Greek phullon, "leaf", and skopos, "seeker" (from skopeo, "to watch"). The specific orientalis is Latin for "eastern". The English name for this bird commemorates the Italian ornithologist Franco Andrea Bonelli. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Bonelli's_warbler

Photos and video Oroklini lake 15/3/2020 by George Konstantinou

Black-winged Pratincole - (Glareola nordmanni) Fischer von Waldheim, 1842 - Μαυρόφτερο Νεροχελίδονο - Cyprus

 The black-winged pratincole (Glareola nordmanni) is a wader in the pratincole bird family, Glareolidae. The genus name is a diminutive of Latin glarea, "gravel", referring to a typical nesting habitat for pratincoles. The species name commemorates the Finnish-born zoologist and explorer Alexander von Nordmann.

Description

It is 24–28 cm (9.4–11.0 in) long, with short legs, long pointed wings and a forked tail. It has a short bill, which is an adaptation to aerial feeding. The back and head are brown, and the wings are brown with black flight feathers. The belly is white and the underwings are black. Very good views are needed to distinguish this species from other pratincoles, such as the collared pratincole and the oriental pratincole which may occur in its range. It is marginally larger than the collared pratincole, and is shorter-tailed and longer legged. Although the dark underwing and lack of a white trailing edge to the wing are diagnostic, these features are not always readily seen in the field, especially as the chestnut underwing of the collared pratincole appears black unless excellent views are obtained.

Distribution and habitat

The black-winged pratincole is a bird of open country and is often seen near water in the evening, hawking for insects. This pratincole is found in warmer parts of south-east Europe and south-west Asia. It is migratory, wintering in tropical Africa, and is rare north or west of the breeding range.

Breeding

Its 2–4 eggs are laid on the ground.

Feeding

An unusual feature of the pratincoles is that, although classed as waders, they typically hunt their insect prey on the wing like swallows, although they can also feed on the ground.

Conservation

The black-winged pratincole is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

The Acanthocephalan parasite Apororhynchus paulonucleatus was discovered in the intestine of the black-winged pratincole.. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-winged_pratincole

Photo 19/9/2019 Kouklia Dam  by George Konstantinou

Found at Kouklia Dam  by Vasos Vasiliou 

Caspian Stonechat - Saxicola maurus variesgatu - Κασπική Παπαθκιά, Μαυρολαίμης της Κασπίας - Cyprus

  See also

European stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) (Linnaeus, 1766) Mαυρολαiμης - Παπαδκιά - Φίστρακκας - Cyprus

A rare leucistic European stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) Mαυρολαiμης

Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) (Linnaeus, 1758) Καστανολαίμης - Βοσκαρούδι - Cyprus

Siberian Stonechat (hemprichii) - Saxicola maurus hemprichii Ehrenberg, CG 1833 - Ανατολικός Μαυρολαίμης (hemprichii)

Photos Meneou 21/03/20 by George Konstantinou

Siberian Stonechat (hemprichii) - Saxicola maurus hemprichii Ehrenberg, CG 1833 - Ανατολικός Μαυρολαίμης (hemprichii) - Cyprus

 See also

European stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) (Linnaeus, 1766) Mαυρολαiμης - Παπαδκιά - Φίστρακκας - Cyprus

A rare leucistic European stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) Mαυρολαiμης

Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) (Linnaeus, 1758) Καστανολαίμης - Βοσκαρούδι - Cyprus

Caspian Stonechat - Saxicola maurus variesgatu - Κασπική Παπαθκιά, Μαυρολαίμης της Κασπίας - Cyprus

Photos Cape Greco 5/4/2023 by George Konstantinou

Common myna or Indian myna - Acridotheres tristis (Linnaeus, 1766) - Κοινή Μάινα, Σκoυρoμάϊvα, Μάινα - 1rd Cyprus record.

 The common myna or Indian myna (Acridotheres tristis), sometimes spelled mynah, is a bird in the family Sturnidae, native to Asia. An omnivorous open woodland bird with a strong territorial instinct, the common myna has adapted extremely well to urban environments.

The range of the common myna is increasing at such a rapid rate that in 2000 the IUCN Species Survival Commission declared it one of the world's most invasive species and one of only three birds listed among "100 of the World's Worst Invasive Species" that pose a threat to biodiversity, agriculture and human interests. In particular, the species poses a serious threat to the ecosystems of Australia, where it was named "The Most Important Pest/Problem" in 2008

Invasive species

The IUCN declared the common myna as one of only three birds among the world's 100 worst invasive species (the other two being the red-vented bulbul and the common starling). The French introduced it in the 18th century from Pondicherry to Mauritius with the aim of controlling insects, even levying a fine on anyone persecuting the bird. It has since been introduced widely elsewhere, including adjacent areas in Southeast Asia, Madagascar, the Middle East, South Africa, the United States, Argentina, Germany, Spain and Portugal, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and various oceanic islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including prominent populations in Fiji and Hawaii.

The common myna is regarded as a pest in South Africa, North America, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and many Pacific islands. It is particularly problematic in Australia. Several methods have been tried to control the bird's numbers and protect native species. .From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Νέο ξένο εισβλητικό είδος στην Κύπρο

Η ινδική Μάινα, ένα πουλί ιθαγενές στη νότια Ασία, έχει κάνει από τον Ιανουάριο του 2022 την εμφάνισή του στην Κύπρο. Πρόκειται για ένα από τα 100 κορυφαία ξένα εισβλητικά είδη παγκοσμίως και το οποίο αποτελεί σοβαρή απειλή για την τοπική ορνιθοπανίδα και τα οικοσυστήματα, καθώς ανταγωνίζεται τα ιθαγενή είδη. 

Ο αντίκτυπος των ξένων εισβλητικών ειδών παγκοσμίως δεν πρέπει να υποτιμάται. Τέτοιοι εισβολείς αποτελούν τη δεύτερη μεγαλύτερη αιτία απώλειας ειδών μετά από την απώλεια βιοτόπων. 

Photos Limassol 17/2/2022 by George Konstantinou

Red-flanked bluetail or orange-flanked bush-robin (Tarsiger cyanurus) (Pallas, 1773) - Κυάνουρος - 3rd Cyprus record.

 The red-flanked bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus), also known as the orange-flanked bush-robin, is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae. It, and related species, are often called chats.

Habitat

It is a migratory insectivorous species breeding in mixed coniferous forest with undergrowth in northern Asia and northeastern Europe, from Finland east across Siberia to Kamchatka and south to Japan. It winters mainly in southeastern Asia, in the Indian Subcontinent, the Himalayas, Taiwan, and northern Indochina. The breeding range is slowly expanding westwards through Finland (where up to 500 pairs now breed), and it is a rare but increasing vagrant to western Europe, mainly to Great Britain. There have also been a few records in westernmost North America, mostly in western Alaska, but one on San Clemente Island off the southern California coast. And one overwintering on the Central California coast in Santa Cruz, California 2023

Description

At 13–14 cm long and 10–18 g weight, the red-flanked bluetail is similar in size and weight to the common redstart and slightly smaller (particularly with a slimmer build) than the European robin. As the name implies, both sexes have a blue tail and rump, and orange-red flanks; they also have a white throat and greyish-white underparts, and a small, thin black bill and slender black legs. The adult male additionally has dark blue upperparts, while females and immature males are plain brown above apart from the blue rump and tail, and have a dusky breast. In behaviour, it is similar to a common redstart, frequently flicking its tail in the same manner, and regularly flying from a perch to catch insects in the air or on the ground. The male sings its melancholy trill from treetops. Its call is a typical chat "tacc" noise. The nest is built on or near the ground, with 3–5 eggs which are incubated by the female.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Achna dam 15 - 20/11/2021 by George Konstantinou

3rd Cyprus record.