[Bird]: Black Swan

Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)

(Bird: Anatidae)

Adult female. 26th April, 2010. Elsternwick Park (Victoria-Australia).

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Notes:

This Australian swan is the reverse of all other swans in the world. No other swan has the nearly completely dark plumage of black swans, nor does any swan have a bright red white-banded bill. The black-necked swan is the only other swan with black plumage, but it does not extend any further than the base of the neck.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB) (captive escape)
• Oceania (Australia)

The first time I recorded this species:

10th February, 2010 at St. Kilda Pier (Victoria-Australia).

[Bird]: Mute Swan

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

(Bird: Anatidae)

Adult female with cygnets. 12th July, 2013. Lodmoor RSPB Reserve (Dorset-UK).

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Notes:

Like crows and doves, swans have made a boundless impression on society. It is not just Western countries that the swan can be found depicted in artwork, heraldry or text. It is only natural that we associate something pure and white with peace and serenity, in stark contrast to the opposing darkness that shrouds secrets and the unknown.

Thanks to introduction, the mute swan has easily become the most widespread swan in the world. It is named for its silent tendencies, though anyone who has been around them long enough knows they don't refrain from hissing at those who walk too close. However, the mute swan seems to forget the basic whistling calls common of its relatives.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)
• America (USA) 

The first time I recorded this species:

9th August, 2007 in England.

[Bird]: Blue Tit

Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus)

(Bird: Paridae)

Adult. 26th November, 2014. Blashford Lakes (Hampshire-UK).

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Notes:

The blue tit is a nice example of a common bird that is rather colourful among other common "LBJs". These small birds have captured the imagination of artists, writers and even stamp collectors for several decades. Without the carotenoids present in their diet of green caterpillars, the yellow colouring of these birds would otherwise be white and the blue and green would be duller.

Blue tits were involved in a study involving studies on culture in birds. The results were that blue tits were able to teach others of their kind certain behaviours, notably the ability to break foil milk bottle caps to reach the milk inside.

During summer a flood of newly fledged birds appear throughout the country. These birds differ from the adults by their excessive yellow colouration, especially in the cheeks that are usually white in adult birds.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)

The first time I recorded this species:

Pre-2006 in southern England (UK).

[Bird]: Great Tit

Great Tit (Parus major)

(Bird: Paridae)

ssp. newtoni. 17th November, 2014. Upton Country Park (Dorset-UK)

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Notes:

Great tits are not always the docile birds they seem to be. Under certain circumstances they are aggressive and rather psychopathic birds, attacking, killing and eating other birds and mammals.  Recent cases show single birds staking out feeders and rather viciously stabbing other birds through the eyes to eat portions of the brain. The yellow colour of these birds varies according to their diet.

A common often unnoticed behaviour in the family is for birds at feeders to collect seeds and then fly to a nearby branch. Here they hold the seeds with their feet and slowly peck away at them. Most birds generally eat while at the feeder itself.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)

The first time I recorded this species:

ssp. newtoni: 26th May, 2007 at Marchwood Inclosure, New Forest (Hampshire-UK).

[Bird]: Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)

(Bird: Corvidae)

19th June, 2013. Hythe Marina (Hampshire-UK).

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Though it appears leucistic, this bird probably just has worn feathers due to
diet deficiency. This condition is quite common in crows all over the world.
29th August, 2014. New Quay (Wales-UK). 

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Notes:

There is much that can be said about crows; since early times, these birds have featured in literature and mythology. At first appearance these birds appear black, but are in fact just very dark brown. Both crow and raven are often used interchangeably in modern society, but even in the scientific sense there is no clear dividing line unlike doves and pigeons. Usually ravens are the larger species with heavier bills with longer feathers, but there are exceptions.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)

The first time I recorded this species:

4th April, 2007 at Weston Shore (Hampshire-UK).

[Bird]: Eurasian Magpie

Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)

(Bird: Corvidae)

1st July, 2013. Gigrin Farm (Wales-UK).

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Notes:

Magpies are crows that don't immediately resemble crows. When familiar with these birds their raucous calls and behaviour is comparable with jays, and the family relation is more apparent. Unlike jays magpies spend more time in the open, walking across fields and perching on exposed fence posts.

"Pink magpies" are a rarely-encountered phenomenon where white areas on magpies are quite literally pink. This colour varies from faint to rather vibrant, and seems to be caused by carotenoid pigmentation in the diet of the birds, similar to what is seen by the roseate spoonbill and flamingos. A video on youtube recently shows an unrelated Australian magpie with pink plumage; it seems any bird with white feathering can be affected with this anomaly.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)

The first time I recorded this species:

Pre-2006 at Eastleigh (Hampshire-UK).

[Bird]: Eurasian Green Woodpecker

Eurasian Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)

(Bird: Picidae)

Adult. 20th July, 2009. Southampton Cemetery (Hampshire-UK).

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Notes:

A woodpecker that prefers to forage on grassy lawns in the rain than peck on trees like its relatives. It is in that light the European equivalent of the American northern flicker, and both birds are fond of ants. The green woodpecker is a laugher rather than a check or chipper like many woodpeckers, and its extended calls are heard over long distances.

It seems to be declining in the UK. It has been many years since I have seen one, and I only heard two last year.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)

The first time I recorded this species:

20th July, 2009 at Southampton Cemetery (Hampshire-UK) though I have seen this species prior.