Friday, May 3, 2013

A mouthful

A mouthful

The Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) is a passerine bird in the sparrow family with a rich chestnut crown and nape, and a black patch on each pure white cheek. The sexes are similarly plumaged, and young birds are a duller version of the adult. This sparrow breeds over most of temperate Eurasia and Southeast Asia, where it is known as the Tree Sparrow, and it has been introduced elsewhere including the United States, where it is known as the Eurasian Tree Sparrow or German Sparrow to differentiate it from the native unrelated American Tree Sparrow. Although several subspecies are recognised, the appearance of this bird varies little across its extensive range.


Thursday, May 2, 2013

Gray-capped Woodpecker

Gray-capped Woodpecker

The Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker (Dendrocopos canicapillus) is an Asian bird species of in the woodpecker family (Picidae).

This is a small, dark woodpecker with dark irides. Barred black and white above, it usually has unbarred central tail feathers. Its dark buff underside has prominent dark streaking. The dark grey crown – with a red nape in males –, strong black eyestripes and thin dark malar stripe contrast with broad white supercilia and cheeks.