Anas acuta

30/09/2022

The hooded crow is closely related to the carrion crow, which until recently was regarded as the same species. In areas where the two species overlap there may be some interbreeding with hybrids showing a mixed grey and black body plumage. Like carrion crows, hooded crows also feed on dead animals. Unlike crows they can be more sociable in the feeding habits and groups of them may be seen together in fields.

What they eat:
Omnivorous - includes carrion, invertebrates, grain, eggs, and young birds.

Measurements:
Length: 45-47cm
Wingspan: 93-104cm
Weight: 370-650g
Population:
UK breeding: 260,000 pairs

30/09/2022

The Great Ornithologist Felonious Jive often ponders the future of birds, and this time he has done it within the Birdosphere. Will it ...

30/09/2022

You might not think that folks try to string Belted Kingfishers into Green Kingfishers like this one...but folks do, trust me. The peopl...

27/09/2022

27/09/2022

Almost gull-like, this grey and white seabird is related to the albatrosses. The fulmar flies low over the sea on stiff wings, with shallow wingbeats, gliding and banking to show its white underparts then grey upperparts. At its breeding sites it will fly high up the cliff face, riding the updraughts. They will feed in flocks out at sea. They defend their nests from intruders by spitting out a foul-smelling oil.

What they eat:
Fish waste, crustaceans and sand eels.

Measurements:
Length: 45-50cm
Wingspan: 1-1.12m
Weight: 610-1,000gPopulation:
UK breeding: 500,000 pairs
UK wintering: 1.6-1.8 million birds

27/09/2022

Related to the shelduck, this pale brown and grey goose has distinctive dark brown eye-patches and contrasting white wing patches in flight. It was introduced as an ornamental wildfowl species and has escaped into the wild, now successfully breeding in a feral state.

What they eat:
Seeds and grass.

Measurements:
Length: 63-73 cm
Wingspan: 1.1-1.3 m
Weight: 1.5 to 2.25 kgPopulation:
UK breeding: 1,850 pairs
UK wintering: 5,600 birds

27/09/2022

Discover some unlikely bird spots for birdwatching in London, fantastic London birdwatching communities & 12 of the best birdwatching spots.

27/09/2022

Birds can be found everywhere, including cities. Read about urban birdwatching, including how to urban birdwatch, who urban birdwatching is for & more.

18/09/2022

Smaller than blackbirds, with a short tail, pointed head, triangular wings, starlings look black at a distance but when seen closer they are very glossy with a sheen of purples and greens.

18/09/2022

Not really a black-headed bird, more chocolate-brown - in fact, for much of the year, it has a white head. It is most definitely not a 'seagull' and is found commonly almost anywhere inland. Black-headed gulls are sociable, quarrelsome, noisy birds, usually seen in small groups or flocks, often gathering into larger parties where there is plenty of food, or when they are roosting.

18/09/2022

The black tern is a small tern with an all-black head and body, contrasting with grey wings, back and tail in spring. Autumn birds have grey upperparts, white underparts and distinctive black head markings. It feeds by dipping down and picking food from the surface of water.

18/09/2022

What does a choir of cats like to sing? "Do-Re-Mew."

18/09/2022

The black redstart is a small robin-sized bird that has adapted to live at the heart of industrial and urban centres. Its name comes from the plumage of the male, which is grey-black in colour with a red tail.

18/09/2022

Why did the teenage cat call her parents when she found an apartment she liked? She needed them to (cali)co-sign her lease.

16/09/2022

A strange, rare summer visitor to southern England and East Anglia, the stone-curlew is a crow-sized bird with a large head, long yellow legs and relatively long wings and tail. Active at night, its large yellow eyes enable it to locate food when it is dark.

16/09/2022

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 69mph.

14/09/2022

Like all grebes it is an expert swimmer and diver. In winter plumage it is similar to a great crested grebe but has a thicker neck and a stout dark bill with a yellow base. It has a brown body, a black crown with whitish cheeks and, in summer, a red neck and breast.

14/09/2022

What did the kitten have at their birthday party? A pounce house.

14/09/2022

These small, delicate waders are adapted well to spending a lot of time on water. Unlike other waders, phalaropes have lobed toes which enable them to swim strongly when on pools or out at sea. They spend most of their time in the water but can equally run about on land. The duller coloured male looks after the eggs and young after laying. As a rare UK breeding species it is a Red List bird. They are listed under Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.

14/09/2022

Before going after a mouse, what did the dad cat say to his family? "Let us prey."

11/09/2022

Slightly bigger than a mallard, these long-necked and small-headed ducks fly with a curved back pointed wings and a tapering tail, making this the best way to distinguish them from other ducks in the UK.