Copyright: monacoeye • Camargue, France • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Western Marsh Harrier
Latin: Circus aeruginosus
Other: Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Marsh Harrier • Busard des Roseaux (Fr) • Rohrweihe (De) • Aguilucho lagunero (Es) • Falco di palude (It) • Bruine kiekendief (Nl) • Brun kärrhök (Sv) • Tartaranhão-ruivo-dos-pauis (Pt)
Family: Accipitridae • Harriers, Birds of Prey
Range: Eurasia, India, Central Africa
Similar: Male Hen Harrier

Marsh Harriers can be seen in the Camargue all year round and many fly east-west past Monaco on autumn migration in September.

The adult male Marsh Harrier (above) is fairly easy to recognise. From below it has black wing tips, white wings, brown body and head.

Females are quite variable and thus more difficult to recognise - they typically have brown body and coverts and darkish wing tips (see directly below). Dark mark through eye.

Juveniles (lowest photo) are very dark with whitish head. Heads of adults are often very light, but, in my experience, not quite as light as pictured in some book illustrations.

Below, presumed female Marsh Harrier, Camargue, January 2012.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Monaco • October 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Eurasian Wren
Latin: Troglodytes troglodytes
Other: Wren (UK) • Winter Wren (US) • Troglodyte mignon (Fr) • Zaunkönig (De) • Chochín (Es) • Scricciolo comune (It)
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Widespread Europe, Asia
Similar:

The Wren is widespread throughout Europe, but small and shy!

The Wren is difficult to see on the south coast of France in the summer but easier to see in the winter.

Many thanks to Alexia for passing on this photo of a wren on her balcony - a new Monaco record for this site.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Mercantour, France • May 2011

Bird name: European Honey Buzzard
Latin: Pernis apivorus
Other: Bondrée Apivore (Fr) • Wespenbussard (De) • Wespendief (Nl) • Falco pecchiaiolo occidentale (It) • Halcón abejero (Es) • Tartaranhão-apívoro (Pt) • Bivråk (Sv)
Family: Accipitridae • Honey Buzzards, Birds of Prey
Range: Breeding - most of Europe, Russia. Migrates to sub-Saharan Africa.
Similar: Common Buzzard

The European Honey Buzzard, although not closely related to the Common Buzzard, does look rather similar to it. The main difference is a longer tail (equal to the width of wings) and neck, and a pigeon-like head.

Pictured above and below is a female I saw in the Mercantour in May.

Unlike adults, juveniles (see “more photos”) have vertical, not horizontal, lines on the belly, and dark, not yellow, irises. They also have wider secondaries, yellow ceres and more barring in the wings.

The adult male pictured in “more photos” below has much white on the underside, but there are also dark morphs.

Another good identification mark for Honey Buzzards is the two dark bands near the underside base of the tail. They also tend to have more of an angle in the wing than Common Buzzards.

Honey Buzzards feed wasps to their young. They are believed to have a deterrent against wasp stings - hence their name.

Hundreds of Honey Buzzards fly down the coast past Monaco towards Spain and Africa every September - a magnificent sight.

Directly below, an adult female European Honey Buzzard, Mercantour, France, May.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes • March 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Red Breasted Merganser
Latin: Mergus serrator
Other: Harle huppé (Fr) • Mittelsäger (De) • Serreta mediana (Es) • Длинноносый крохаль (Ru) • Småskrake (Sw)
Family: Anatidae • Ducks, Mergansers
Range: Iceland, Northern Eurasia and America, winters on coasts of China, US, Europe
Similar: Common Merganser

This is the second consecutive year I have seen Red-breasted Mergansers fishing in exactly the same spot in March in the sea off the coast near Cannes.

This area is not marked on the Collins distribution map, but Red-breasted Mergansers are known to winter further east and west on the Mediterranean coast, before flying north to their summer breeding grounds.

Females, juveniles and eclipses can be identified by their thin red bill, striped face, short punky haircut, diffuse neck line, and black line running through white speculum on open wing (see below), the latter differentiating them from Goosanders in flight.

Above juveniles or females. Below, an adult male Red Breasted Merganser, with red irises, dark head, white collar, and dark wings with white patch with black lines.

Below, a male Red-breasted Mergansers off the Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, in May.
More photos...

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy • Iceland • May 2011

Bird name: White Wagtail
Latin: Motacilla alba
Other: Bergeronnette Grise (Fr) • Lavandera blanca (Es) • Ballerina bianca (It) • Sädesärla (Sv) • Alvéola-branca (Pt)
Family: Motacillidae • Wagtails
Range: Iceland, Widespread Eurasia, also Alaska, Morocco
Similar:

This White Wagtail is quite a common bird all along the coast, especially near water. Not uncommon even in Monaco in one or two locations. The wagtails pictured are the Motacilla alba alba subspecies, found in continental Europe and Iceland.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes, France • Dec Jan Feb 2009 2010 2011

Bird name: Alpine Accentor
Latin: Prunella collaris
Other: Accenteur Alpin (Fr) • Alpenbraunelle (De) • Acentor alpino (Es) • Sordone (It) • Ferreirinha-alpina (Pt)
Family: Prunellidae • Accentors
Range: Eurasia, N Africa above 2000m - Alps, Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada, Carpathians, Atlas etc. Winters at lower elevations, including near Monaco.
Similar: House Sparrow

There seem to be many Alpine Accentors about this year in the Alpes Maritimes, not far from the coast in the mountains.

The Alpine Accentor has yellow on the lower bill, black and white stippled throat, rufous streaking to sides of belly, line of white triangles on black on closed wings and greyish streaked upperparts. Overall a beautiful combination of subtle colouring and shades.

Alpine Accentors come to feeders in the mountains and seem extremely tame when they appear, perhaps used to receiving crumbs. They tend to hop around on the rocks or make short flights around a small area. Near Monaco this year there is a group of about six of them in one spot.



More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes, France • Feb 2011

Bird name: European Robin
Latin: Erithacus rubecula
Other: Robin (UK) • Rouge-gorge familier (Fr) • Rotkehlchen (De) • Petirrojo (Es) • Pettirosso (It) • Pisco-de-peito-ruivo (Pt)
Family: Muscicapidae • Chats, Old World Flycatchers
Range: Widespread Eurasia, also N AFrica
Similar:

The European Robin is particularly visible in Monaco and the Alpes Maritimes in the winter. Also a typical garden bird in the UK, much loved and traditionally pictured on Christmas cards.

The adult Robin has a very characteristic red breast and face and is unlikely to be confused with any other bird in Europe.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Monaco • February

Bird name: Common Starling
Latin: Sturnus vulgaris
Other: European Starling, Starling (UK) • L'Étourneau sansonnet (Fr) • Star (De) • Estornino pinto (Es) • Storno (It) • Estorninho-comum (Pt)
Family: Sturnidae • Starlings
Range: Temperate Europe, W Asia, migrates south in the winter.
Similar: Blackbird, Spotless Starling (Spain, Portugal, Corsica)

Migrating Starlings are a common sight in cities in the winter, gathering in very large flocks and filling the trees of city squares. Large numbers arrive in Monaco in the winter, but authorities set up an anti-starling campaign over the last few years, with vans blasting hawk sounds, which seems to have had an effect.

Starlings are not just city birds, but also found in very large groups in the countryside and are a common garden bird. Like many other winter residents, near Monaco they favour olive trees and clear trees of all remaining olives in the winter months.

In the winter, birds are spotted: glossy dark with light tips to feathers. In the summer they lose this spotting. They have yellow bills, which darken in the winter, and so can be confused with blackbirds if only seen quickly.

A Common Starling in Reykjavik, May.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Monaco, February

Bird name: Great Tit
Latin: Parus major
Other: Mésange Charbonnière (Fr) • Kohlmeise (De) • Carbonero común (Es) • Cinciallegra (It) • Chapim-real (Pt)
Family: Paridae • Tits
Range: Europe, Asia, North Africa
SImilar: Coal Tit

The Great Tit is one of the most visible small birds in Monaco and the Cote d’Azur all year round, and the most common tit in Europe. This one was taken through the window glass on my balcony.

The male Great Tit has a larger black stripe down the chest and belly than the female. The Coal Tit is similar but has a white patch on back of head and no chest and belly stripe.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Alpes Maritimes, January

Bird name: Peregrine Falcon
Latin: Falco peregrinus
Other: Faucon pèlerin (Fr) • Wanderfalke (De) • Halcón peregrino (Es) • Falco pellegrino (It) • Falcão-peregrino (Pt)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: Widespread worldwide
Similar:

The Peregrine Falcon is a powerful and fast bird which preys on other smaller birds. There is currently a pair nesting in the mountains above Monaco so one can often get a good view.

This was one of a pair I saw at the weekend. They often whizz past too fast for a crisp shot, but here he was circling up on a thermal, before shooting off down the mountainside. Females are larger than males, I think the bird pictured is a male.

Peregrines are reportedly able to reach speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph) and are thus the world’s fastest animal.

There are many different subspecies of Peregrine Falcon worldwide. The local subspecies, pictured above, and found around the Mediterranean, is Falco peregrinus brookei, also known as the Maltese Falcon.

More photos...

Copyright: TH/ monacoeye • Do not copy • Alpes Maritimes, France, winter.

Bird name: Coal Tit
Latin: Periparus ater
Other: includes Spot-winged Tit - P. melanolophus • Parus ater • Mésange Noire (Fr) • Tannenmeise (De) • Carbonero garrapinos (Es) • Cincia mora (It)
Family: Paridae • Tits
Range: Widespread Eurasia
Similar: Great Tit

Thanks to Tania for sending the photos of the Coal Tits at her winter feeders.

The Coal Tit is distinguishable by white wing bars and white mark on back of head.More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Do not copy with permission • Alpes Maritimes, November

Bird name: Hawfinch
Latin: Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Other: Gros-bec casse-noyaux (Fr) • Kernbeißer (De) • Picogordo (Es) • Frosone (It) • Bico-grossudo (Pt)
Family: Fringillidae • Finches, Grosbeaks
Range: Widespread Eurasia, also N Africa

The Hawfinch is a wary bird, easy to identify by its massive bill. Thanks to Tania for sending this picture of a visitor to her mountain feeder in November.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Monaco, January

Bird name: Eurasian Siskin
Latin: Carduelis spinus
Other: Tarin des aulnes (Fr) • Erlenzeisig (De) • Lúgano (Es) • Lucherino eurasiatico (It) • Lugre (Pt)
Family: Fringillidae • Finches
Range: Widespread Eurasia, also N Africa
Similar:

Just a record shot of a Eurasian Siskin in winter plumage.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Monaco, July 2010

Bird name: Pallid Swift
Latin: Apus pallidus
Other: Martinet pâle (Fr) • Vencejo pálido (Es) • Andorinhão-pálido (Pt) • Rondone pallido (It)
Family: Apodidae • Swifts
Range: Breeds around Med, Canaries etc - migrates to Africa, Asia
Similar: Common Swift

There are a good number of Pallid Swift in Nice and Monaco, but they look very similar to Common Swifts so are hard to differentiate easily. This individual was one of many swifts in a mixed flock that flies near the port throughout the summer in Monaco.

Markers distinguishing Pallid Swifts from Common Swifts include prominent dark “eye-liner”, ribbed chest, whiter neck patch, wide “hips”, shallow-forked tail, P1 primaries (the frontmost flight feather) shorter than P2, giving wing-tips a blunted appearance.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Alpes Maritimes, France • Dec 2010

Bird name: European Serin
Latin: Serinus serinus
Other: Serin • Serin cini (Fr) • Verzellino (It) • verdecillo (Es) • Girlitz (De)
Family: Fringilliadae • Serins
Range: Central Europe, north Africa

The Serin is a small yellow bird, with very small bill and streaked flanks. It is the smallest of the Finches and closely related to the Canary.

At this time of year, many birds suddenly become more visible. More have migrated to the south coast for the winter, there is less foliage cover while at the same time food is scarce and needed to survive the cold weather.

With the Serin above, I saw Black Redstarts, Wrens, Alpine Accentors, a Kestrel and Common Buzzard in a very short space of time.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission : Alpes Maritimes, September

Bird name: Red Legged Partridge
Latin: Alectoris rufa
Other: Perdiz roja (Es) • Perdiz-vermelha (Pt) • Perdrix rouge (Fr) • Pernice rossa (It)
Family: Phasianidae • Partridges
Range: Spain, Portugal, France, N Italy, UK (introduced)
Similar: Rock Partridge

A group of Red-legged Partridges spotted crossing the road at some distance. In the Alpes Maritimes, the Rock Partridge is also a possibility, and at this distance I couldn’t be sure of the ID. One differentiator is the collar of the two birds. The countryside is overrun with hunters at this time of the year, so it’s possible these were released.More photos...

Copyright: TH/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Alpes Maritimes, June 2010

Bird name: Common Pheasant
Latin: Phasianus colchicus
Other: Faisán común (Es) • Faisan de Colchide (Fr) • Fagiano comune (It) • Fasan (De)
Family: Phasianidae • Pheasants
Range: Russia, China originally, naturalised France, UK, Germany, Balkans etc

Originally introduced as a game bird but now naturalised in central Europe and bred worldwide - there is a big mix of Common Pheasant breeds. Bottom photo shows two males squabbling.

The Common Pheasant is indeed not that uncommon around here, especially on some small islands off the Cote d’Azur, but often quite shy and will hop away from a path as one appears. Usually seen making its way through fairly dense undergrowth, sometimes vineyards. Male, unmistakeable gorgeous plumage and long tail, and red facial skin and wattles. The females lack the red face and are less colourful but also have long tails.

Many thanks to Tania for the photos.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Whiskered Tern
Latin: Chlidonias hybridus
Other: Guifette Moustac (Fr) • Fumarel cariblanco (Es) • Mignattino piombato (It)
Family: Laridae • Terns
Range: Widespread Africa, Eurasia, Asia, Australasia.

The Whiskered Tern is the largest of the Marsh Terns. More often seen in ones and twos than in large groups. They were very common in some areas of the Danube Delta in May, which is when they return to Europe from Africa.

Whiskered Terns often hover over rivers and lakes with their head down looking for fish. The main confusion species where I saw them in the Danube Delta and Nice was the Common Tern, which is whiter below has a longer, pointier, redder bill with black tip and long tail feathers. The Whiskered Tern in breeding plumage is sooty below, with dark red bill and legs, and short tail.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Nice, France • Jan 2009

Bird name: Northern Lapwing
Latin: Vanellus vanellus
Other: Lapwing • Vanneau Huppé (Fr) • Kiebitz (De) • Avefría europea (Es) • Abibe-comum (Pt)
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwing
Range: Widespread Eurasia to China, North Africa. Breeds Scandinavia, Russia, Mongolia etc.

I saw the flock of Northern Lapwing below in the middle of the Var in Nice in the winter. The flock seemed to fly in a linear pattern. Also seen on banks in the Danube Delta, above, in May. The Northern Lapwing develops long head feathers in breeding plumage. Some greenish sheen to feathers. White and black below.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • France, December 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black Redstart
Latin: Phoenicurus ochruros
Other: Rouge Queue Noir (Fr), Colirrojo tizón (Es), Codirosso spazzacamino (It), Hausrotschwanz (De), Rabirruivo-preto (Pt)
Family: Muscicapidae • Flycatchers
Range: Europe, Asia, North Africa

Male, above, and female or immature below. The Black Redstart is one of the more common birds along the Mediterranean coast, especially in winter.

Black Redstarts like to stand on relative high points, like rocks, posts or the apex of rooftops and bob up and down.

Males are mostly dark grey, blackish around the eye and throat with russet tail, and some white on wings. Females and immatures are plainer and mousier and can be confused with the similar Common Redstart in the summer.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • France, December 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Firecrest
Latin: Regulus ignicapilla
Other: Firecrest • Roitelet à triple bandeau (Fr), Reyezuelo listado (Es), Fiorrancino (It)
Family: Regulidae • Goldcrests
Range: Europe into Turkey

The Firecrest is a superb little bird, which I have only recently discovered. December seems to be a good time to see them in this part of the Mediterranean coast in southeast France.

Firecrests are very small chubby birds, with big white bellies, small tails and no visible neck. They have a characteristic yellow or orange stripe, between two black stripes, on the crown, and a dash of orange above the bill. The broad white supercilium which extends back from the eye differentiates them from the otherwise very similar Goldcrest. Backs are greenish yellow.

This bird was working Holm Oaks, seemingly checking every branch and leaf, presumably for small insects. He was not too wary, and continued feeding in one tree, despite my presence, only moving on when he had finished the whole tree.

More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Indian Silverbill
Latin: Lonchura malabarica
Other: White Throated Munia
Family: Estrilidae • Estrildid Finches
Range: India, Sri Lanka, Asia, SC Asia + S France etc.

Another introduced species, the small Indian Silverbill is common in Nice, and nests among the reeds. Quite easy to see, as it is not shy. Probably originally from escaped cagebirds.More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Do not copy • Alpes Maritimes, France • Aug, Sep 2009, 2010

Bird name: Short Toed Eagle
Latin: Circaetus gallicus
Other: Short Toed Snake Eagle • Circaète Jean le Blanc • Schlangenadler • Alangenarend • Biancone • Aguila Culebrera
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range: South and East Europe, Middle East, India etc, Central Africa

The Short Toed Eagle preys mainly on snakes, but also small reptiles like lizards. It is predominantly light-coloured from below, with a dark, almost owl-like, head. They can be very pale (see “more photos” below), even on the head, with few, if any, of the characteristic brown dotted lines below. They are easy to recognise as there are no other raptors that are so light underneath

The Short Toed-Eagle is one of the more visible large raptors in the coastal mountains of the Alpes Maritimes in France, especially in May and September. If you go up to a high point near here, it is not uncommon for a Short-toed Eagle to appear soon after you get out of the car, and hover past you on the thermals.

They are found mostly in southern and eastern Europe, into the Middle East and some parts of Asia, and migrate to Africa in the northern winter.


More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Alpes Maritimes, France • Sep 2010

Bird name: Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Latin: Accipiter nisus
Other: Epervier d'Europe (Fr) • Gavilán (Es) • Sparviere Eurasiatico (It) • Sperber (De)
Family: Accipitridae • Sparrowhawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Europe, Asia, Middle East
Similar:

The Sparrowhawk has a very characteristic wing shape, when seen from below: deep, short, curved wings, tapering at the end (see “more photos” below). The underside is fully barred. Colour is grey or brownish. The only other similar bird in Europe is the Goshawk.

Early September is a good time to see Sparrowhawks along the coast in the Alpes Maritimes. Although they are present all year round in much of Europe, northernmost Sparrowhawks will migrate locally further south.

As the name suggests, they prey on smaller birds.More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Alpes Maritimes, France • Sep 2010

Bird name: Eleonora's Falcon
Latin: Falco eleonorae
Other: Faucon d’Eléonore (Fr) • Halcón de Eleonor (Es) • Falco della Regina (It)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: Mediterranean islands mostly and some Mediterranean coastline

A couple of indistinct distant shots of what was probably quite a rare sighting of an Eleonora’s Falcon, three days ago, flying along the coast in the Alpes Maritimes.

Although Eleonora’s Falcon is thought to have a worldwide population of only about 4000 breeding pairs, and in Europe is found mostly on Mediterranean islands, with 650 pairs counted on the small Greek island of Tilos alone, about half a dozen Eleonora’s Falcons are recorded migrating near the French coast in the Alpes Maritimes in September every year. They head towards Spain and then Africa and spend the northern winter in Madagascar.More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Verdon • August 2009 Sep 2010

Bird name: Griffon Vulture
Latin: Gyps fulvus
Other: Eurasian Griffon Vulture • Vautour fauve (Fr) • Buitre leonado (Es) • Grifone (It)
Family: Accipitridae • Old World Vultures, Birds of Prey
Range: Southern Europe into Middle East and northern India
Similar:

The Griffon Vulture is a very large old world vulture with a two-and-a-half-metre wingspan - so quite a bit larger than a Golden Eagle.

These magnificent scavengers have been successfully reintroduced in the Gorges of Verdon, in the South of France. In the summer some of the Verdon vultures move a little further east to the Mercantour region.

They are scattered throughout southern Europe, having been successfully reintroduced in several locations, and are found in larger numbers in central Asia and northern India.

The Griffon Vulture can be distinguished from the Black Vulture by its light coverts, the triangular area from the shoulder along the frontmost part of the wing. The tail of these European vultures appears proportionally short when compared to the Golden Eagle and other smaller birds of prey.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Alpes Maritimes May 2010

Bird name: Blue Rock Thrush
Latin: Monticola solitarius
Other: Monticole bleu (Fr)
Family: Muscicapidae • Flycatchers
Range: Mediterannean rim, northern mostly, through central Asia to China and Malaysia.
Habitat: Rocky, steep, mountainous.

Nice to see this Blue Rock Thrush in the same spot that I saw it in February last year.

The Blue Rock Thrush, which is a chat, not a thrush, prefers rocky, mountainous habitats.
More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Eze, Oct 2009

Bird name: Red Kite
Latin: Milvus milvus
Other: Milan royal (Fr) • Nibbio reale (It) • Milano real (Es) • Rotmilan (De)
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

A few flight shots of a couple of Red Kites during autumn migration on the Cote d’Azur. Red Kites are not typical residents of the Alpes Maritimes, but some fly along the coast during migration. About 40 were recorded flying past Eze in 2008. The peak day for migration, with between 5 to 20 birds recorded typically, is around the 23rd of October. These photos were taken on the 2nd of October.

There is just enough detail to see the main identifying feature of the Red Kite, its wide forked tail, which distinguishes it from the Black Kite in flight. The light “window” near the end of the wings is also lighter, and the body more rufous, than the corresponding areas on the Black Kite.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Monaco • April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Chiffchaff
Latin: Phylloscopus collybita
Other: Common Chiffchaff • Pouillot véloce (Fr) • Luì piccolo (It) • Mosquitero común (Es) • Zilpzalp (De), Weidenlaubsänger
Family: Phylloscopidae • Leaf Warblers

The Chiffchaff is the archetypal cute little brown bird - fairly featureless and easily confused with several other warblers, especially the Willow Warbler. Many winter here on the coast, whereas the Willow Warbler all migrate, allowing the former to be identified more easily.

Chiffchaffs have a lightish supercilium and light lower eyering, with yellowish-white chest and belly feathers. Dark legs.

A small bird, and generally difficult to photograph in nature, but I have recently discovered they are regular visitors to my balcony! This is a good time to observe the little fellas up close.

Chiffchaffs seem prone to bill deformities - I have a few pics, which I may upload later, of several “different-looking” chiffchaffs.

The range of chiffchaffs is quite large: Spain to Siberia in the summer and sub-Saharan Africa, Spain, Morocco, India, Middle East, Mediterranean coast, and parts of France and the UK in the winter.More photos...

Photos copyright: AS/monacoeye • Ngorongoro • Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: European Bee Eater
Latin: Merops apiaster
Other: Guêpier d'Europe (Fr) • Gruccione (It) • Abejaruco europeo (Es)
Family: Meropidae • Bee Eaters

Around the 8th of September each year, hundreds of European Bee-eaters fly along the mountains behind Monaco (below in “more photos”), parallel to the coast, in their annual southwestern migration, down to Spain and then on to Africa.

They seem to come through in groups of twenty to fifty birds, at roughly half-hour intervals, with a one-day peak of several hundred individuals.

These small colourful birds have a fluttering flight, which appears quite haphazard, yet they manage to progress in a generally westward direction, parallel to the coast. They can be heard approaching by their flutey, whistling song, which sounds a little like singing electrical wires, which they make as they fly.

André, has just sent in the photo (above) of a European Bee-Eater in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, in October.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes • March 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Little Grebe
Latin: Tachybaptus ruficollis
Other: Dabchick • Grèbe castagneux (Fr) • Zampullín común (Es)
Family: Podicipedidae • Grebes

A distant shot of a couple of Little Grebes in a lake near Cannes yesterday.

A small shy grebe, identified by the yellow gape (corner of mouth). It has a dark stripe behind neck and a touch of white at tip of bill.

The Little Grebe is widely distributed in much of Europe, Asia and Africa.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Nice & Monaco Summer 2009

Bird name: Common Swift
Latin: Apus apus
Other: Martinet noir (Fr) • Rondone (It) • Mauersegler (De) • Vencejo común (Es)
Family: Apodidae • Swifts
Range: Breeds widespread Eurasia, migrates to Southern Africa

It’s difficult to differentiate between the Common Swift and Pallid Swift, both of which are present in large numbers on the Côte d’Azur in summer.

The lowest photo below (in more photos) may be a Pallid Swift. The Pallid Swift has a larger white patch on the throat than the Common Swift and is slightly browner and stockier, with ribbed markings on the belly and less pointed wings.

The Pallid Swift does not occur north of the Mediterranean belt but the Common Swift is widespread throughout Europe.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: La Turbie Summer 2009

Bird name: Alpine Swift
Latin: Apus melba
Other: Tachymarptis melba • Martinet Alpin / Royal / à Ventre Blanc (Fr)
Family: Apodidae • Swifts

The Alpine Swift is a large swift, generally found at higher altitudes, in a band around the Mediterranean and into Turkey and beyond, in the summer. It migrates to southeast Africa in the northern winter.

The Alpine Swift is distinguished by its white stomach and throat, although the latter is not always visible in certain angles and light. These swifts return to the mountains above Monaco in April and spend the summer there.

Notice how they fill their throat pouch with insects, causing it to bulge.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Cote d’Azur, France • October 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: European Stonechat
Latin: Saxicola torquatus
Other: Saxicola rubicola • Saxicola torquata • Common Stonechat • Tarier pâtre (Fr)
Family: Muscicapidae • Chats

The Stonechat is a small bird, present throughout the year on the Cote d’Azur, and found throughout most of Europe, especially in the summer. The similar Whinchat has a stronger white supercilium and an extra patch of white on the wing (male).

The name of this bird seems to be in flux currently. S. torquatus, torquata and rubicola all are used. Common Stonechat is the older broader name, European Stonechat is narrower grouping. The Chats used to be grouped with Thrushes, but now are considered Old World Flycatchers.

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Photo copyright: VM/monacoeye • Do not copy • Image: Treviso, Italy

Bird name: European Goldfinch
Latin: Carduelis carduelis
Other: Goldfinch • Chardonneret élégant (Fr) • Cardellino (It)
Family: Fringillidae • Finches

Many thanks to Valerie for sending in the above photo of a Goldfinch in her garden in northern Italy.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: France • 2009

Bird name: Carrion Crow
Latin: Corvus corone
Other: Corneille noire (Fr)
Family: Corvidae • Crows
Range:
Similar:

It’s generally difficult to distinguish the Carrion Crow from other similar corvids, such as the juvenile Rook. The Carrion Crow has a more rounded bill than the juvenile Rook. The adult Rook has a bare base to its bill.

The Raven is a larger version of the Carrion Crow - though to be honest the photo above (taken in the Camargue) looks rather raven-like to me - and the bird seemed very large when I photographed it.

The Hooded Crow, which substitutes the Carrion Crow in Eastern Europe and Ireland, is often thought to be a subspecies of Carrion Crow. In addition to Western Europe, the Carrion Crow is also found throughout Northeast Asia.

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Photo copyright: monacoeye • France • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Magpie
Latin: Pica pica
Other: European Magpie • Pie bavarde (Fr)
Family: Corvidae • Crows, Magpies
Range:
Similar:

The Magpie is the one bird that everyone (in Europe) can recognise immediately. It is found throughout Europe and much of Asia and northwest Africa. Common in most locations, throughout the year.

It is large, black and white, with some blue on wing. The only other magpie in Europe is the Azure-winged Magpie, found in Spain.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Menton, France • September, 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Tree Pipit
Latin: Anthus trivialis
Other: Pipit des Arbres
Family: Motacillidae • Pipits

A presumed Tree Pipit during migration season in the Autumn. There's quite an art to differentiating Tree Pipits from their rather similar-looking cousins the Meadow Pipits. One that I do not claim yet to have mastered. However the principal differences are that the Tree Pipit has a whiter supercilium (mark above the eye), with a whitish dot around where his ear might be. And the Meadow Pipit has a much more strongly marked back - the Tree Pipit's back looks dull in comparison. They both have pinkish legs, unlike the Water Pipit which has dark legs.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Mercantour, France • October, 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Water Pipit
Latin: Anthus spinoletta
Other: Pipit spioncelle
Family: Motacillidae • Pipits

This presumed Water Pipit was seen in the Mercantour at an altitude of about 2000 metres, in a waterlogged meadow with a mountain stream running through it, which is a typical location.

Water Pipits have dark legs whereas Meadow and Tree Pipits have light pinkish legs.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice, France • May, 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Pied Flycatcher
Latin: Ficedula hypoleuca
Other: Gobe-mouche noir • European Pied Flycatcher
Family: Muscicapidae • FlycatchersMore photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice • May 2009

Bird name: Woodchat Shrike
Latin: Lanius senator
Other: Pie-grièche à tête rousse
Family: Laniidae • Shrikes

Woodchat Shrikes are not the easiest of birds to spot with the naked eye around these parts - this was the only one I saw all year.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Kingfisher
Latin: Alcedo atthis
Other: Martin Pêcheur d’Europe (Fr) • Eisvogel (De) • Martín pescador común (Es) • Martin pescatore comune (It) • Ijsvogel (Nl) • Kungsfiskare (Sv) • Guarda-rios-comum (Pt)
Family: Alcedinidae • Kingfishers
Range: Eurasia, North Africa
Similar:

One of the most beautiful European birds I have seen. On a first tourist trip from Tulcea, I was very pleased to pass several of these fantastic birds sitting on the branches of trees overhanging shaded waterways.

Also seen in various places on the Cote d’Azur, including once in Monaco.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice • April 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Barn Swallow
Latin: Hirundo rustica
Other: Hirondelle Rustique
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows

In the winter the most visible bird along the coast is probably the Crag Martin - omnipresent at all altitudes in towns and country alike. But at this time of year the Crag Martins are much less visible and the Barn Swallows have taken up residence, especially in wetlands.More photos...

Bird name: Long Tailed Tit
Latin: Aegithalos caudatus
Other: Mésange à Longue Queue
Family: Aegithalidae
Tag: Tits

Photo: monacoeye • Ventimiglia • Feb 2009

The Long Tailed Tit is a small fluffy bird, distinguished by its white markings and long tail. Seen here in woodland - it was eating the insects on the underside of the leaves.More photos...

Bird name: Blue Tit
Latin: Parus caeruleus
Other: Cyanistes caeruleus • Mésange Bleue
Family: Paridae
Tag: Tits

Photo: monacoeye • SE France • Jan 2009More photos...

Bird name: Mallard
Latin: Anas platyrhynchos
Other: Canard Colvert
Family: Anatidae • Ducks
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Bird name: Little Egret
Latin: Egretta garzetta
Other: Aigrette Garzette (Fr)
Family: Ardeidae
Tag: Herons, Storks & Ibises

Photos: monacoeye • Camargue, France • December 2008More photos...

Bird name: Great Egret
Latin: Ardea alba
Other: Grande Aigrette (Fr) • Kotuku (NZ)
Family: Ardeidae
Tag: Herons, Storks & Ibises

Photo: monacoeye • Camargue, France • December 2008More photos...