Our feathered friends

Hungary Part 2
RenG

An early rise to watch birds. The light is diffuse and soft.

4.30 am no one there, just Ciconia nigras and us.

Biotope.

Unexpected our first Nycticorax nycticorax at 5.00 am. Is that a promise?

Ciconia nigra, Black Stork is a widespread, but uncommon bird, breeding in the warmer parts of Europe.

It is a shy and cautious bird, not like its relative the white stork.

We are rewarded for getting up early. We see dozens of Nycticorax nycticoraxs.

It is not the typical body shape of the herons. Night Herons are with shorter bill, legs and neck than the egrets.

The Night Heron has red eyes and .

.. short yellow legs.

A young Night Heron.

These birds stand at the water's edge and wait for their prey, especially early in the morning or at night.

Nycticorax nycticorax. Two or three long white plumes are at the back of the head, be used in greeting and courtship play.

and short yellow legs.

Nycticorax nycticorax with young.

Nycticorax nycticorax and Egretta garzetta. Could the idea of fraternity become the key concept?

Podiceps cristatus and Chlidonias niger.

Egretta garzetta

Little Egret in breeding plumage with two long plumes at the back of the head and plumes on the back and breast.

Egretta garzetta, Little Egret, no eyestripe

Ardea alba, Great Egret, with eyestripe. Also visible the plumes on the back.

Egretta garzetta, yellow feet.

Ardea alba, Great Egret, black feet.

Ardea albas actively hunting for prey.

Carduelis cannabina Common Linnet

The song of the Linnet is popular. William Wordsworth (1770-1850) wrote:

Books! 'tis a dull and endless strife: Come, hear the woodland linnet, How sweet his music! on my life, There's more of wisdom in it.

And the English poet Robert Bridges (18441930) wrote :

"I heard a linnet courting His lady in the spring: His mates were idly sporting, Nor stayed to hear him sing His song of love.-I fear my speech distorting His tender love.

Galerida cristata belonging to the punk subculture?

Kuifleeuwerik

Its name is Crested Lark, looking at the long spiky erectile crest you understand why.

Coccothraustes coccothraustes

The Hawfinch eats mainly seeds and fruit kernels.

That is no issue with its massive powerful bill.

Fight in the air.

You can find Falco vespertinus mainly on electricity wires.

Falco vespertinus, Red-footed Falcon.

We keep great distance not to disturb the birds.

The female sits on the nest.

Waiting for her partner.

When she hears him, she returns his call, because

she knows he will bring her something.

Watching these birds is like looking in a mirror: What is this?

Let me take a closer look. Its moving!

Shall I taste it?

Hhmm

Seconds later she still hesitates, probably thinks: Well, never look a gift horse in the mouth.

Red-footed Falcon female is waiting to change places with her partner.

She hears his call and .

also returns his call.

Male Red-footed Falcon now sitting on the nest.

Parus major

Parus caeruleus, Blue Tit can detect very good UV-light unlike humans and most animals.

Turdus merula, what a dad!

Ciconia ciconia

The White Storks are very welcome, because they are viewed as a good omen.

Turdus philomelos

The Song Thrush begins singing during morning twilight .

. in the evenings the song ceases just before sunset. Just like the Song Thrush, we were at dawn by the Night Herons till sunset at 8.00 pm here,we also take a rest.

Continuation part 3