A small migrant breeder that enjoys shrubland and hillside slopes. Most commonly seen in Cyprus Broom Shrubs and occasionally Pine Trees. They like to nest at the base of small hawthorn trees or other small trees and bushes that provide thorny protection and concealment. Very similar in appearance to its sister species the Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala) though males are distinguishable by their speckled chests and bold moustache (similar in Rüppell's warbler (Sylvia rueppelli)), females distinguishable by their lightly speckled chests. Also the call of the Cyprus Warbler is more scratchy and hollow sounding but maybe only to those that hear both the Cyprus Warbler and Sardinian Warbler calling frequently.
Young Cyprus Warblers are very hard to identify with only the call, spotted under tail, yellow/pinkish bill, pale edges on the wing tertials, primary and secondaries and lack of red-eye ring to go by, although by Autumn some already start to develop speckles on the chest making identification a little bit easier. A Species best observed at Sunrise when they are at their most active. |
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A small migrant breeder that enjoys woodland and rocky terrain. This species unlike other wheatears enjoy areas of high elevation in the forests and mountainous regions and can often be seen in Pine, Juniper, Hawthorn and Cedar trees and nesting in rock crevices.
A species very similar in appearance to the Pied Wheatear (of which it was once considered as a sub-species of). This species is Black and White in appearance during breeding season and shows a slightly peach chest during non-breeding. There is estimated to be about 6,000-8,000 breeding pairs in Cyprus each year. The Cyprus Wheatears winter in Ethiopia and Sudan. During Autumn they have been observed hopping East in great numbers to Israel to start their migration. |
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Dorothy's (Short-toed) Treecreeper - Certhia brachydactyla dorotheae
Confined to the Forests and Mountains this tiny bird is heard more often than seen. Scaling the giant Pine, Juniper and Cedar Trees and preferring the shady sides they can be a pain to get clear views of. They can be distinguished from the nominate species by their more greyer upperparts and more clearer whiter underparts. Their song is very noticeably different. |
Eurasian Jay - Garrulus glandarius glaszneri
Another species confined to the Forests and Mountains. They are often seen in Pine, Juniper, Cedar and Golden Oak Trees and also foraging the floor for Acorns. This endemic sub-species is indistinguishable from the nominate race in appearance and call, only DNA separates them. This species is very fond of mimicry! Around the nesting period I have witnessed the Jay's mimicking the Northern Goshawk calls ... in order to alert surrounding birds and locate their nests for raiding. |
Coal Tit - Periparus ater cypriotes
And yet another species confined to the forests and mountains. Often seen in Pine, Juniper and Cedar Trees, and occasionally in bushes/shrub and on the ground foraging. This Sub-species is very different from the nominate race and will likely be elevated to full endemic species level, they have a strong buff tinge to their underparts and a much more extensive "beard". The call is also more similar to that of a Great Tit and they also mimic the calls of the Treecreeper. |
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