Andalucían Bird Checklist

1 – Some authorities have recently ‘split’ the three races of Cory’s Shearwater into three extremely similar species – Cory’s Shearwater (C. borealis), Scopoli’s Shearwater (C. diomedia) and Cape Verde Shearwater (C. edwardsii). The Mediterranean form, diomedia, is common off Andalucia, but both other forms could potentially occur in the western approaches to the Straits of Gibraltar. However, for a birdwatcher these distinctions may be purely notional as identification from anything other than skins is highly problematical. Fortunately, the identification of Balearic and Levantine Shearwaters, previously lumped as ‘Mediterranean’ Shearwater, is (usually) much less difficult. As their names imply, Balearic Shearwaters breed in the western and Levantine (or Yelkouan) Shearwaters in the eastern Mediterranean. Levantine was formerly much commoner off Andalucia, but still occurs regularly.

2 – In recent years a number of large African species (e.g. storks & vultures) have been recorded in southern Spain. Initially regarded as escapes from captivity, they are increasingly being accepted as genuine vagrants. Most remain very rare, but Rüppell’s Vulture is now a regular visitor as is Lesser Flamingo (which has even bred here).

3 – Despite being one of the most critically endangered birds in the world, several records of apparently wild Bald Ibis have occurred in Spain. A small group of Bald Ibis were recently released in south west Spain by Jerez Zoo which has a large captive colony. In 2008 these exceeded expectations by breeding in the wild.

4 – Since they are often kept in collections the true status of some species (esp. exotic wildfowl) is notoriously difficult to judge, but a number of the birds listed here are highly likely to be escapes directly from captivity. An added complication is the existence of feral populations of such birds elsewhere in Europe. Bar-headed Goose, Ruddy Duck and Sacred Ibis amongst others fall into this category. The latter has recently attempted to breed in Andalucia. Ruddy Duck hybridises with White-headed Duck and threatens its integrity as a species. Some long established populations (e.g. Pheasant) have been treated as native species. Barbary Partridge is found only on Gibraltar where it has been present c200 years.

5 – Like several African species records of Long-legged Buzzard have increased in recent years and breeding has been suspected.

6 – Not yet on the ‘official list’, but a Steppe Eagle was well seen and photographed near Cadiz in 2008 by Europe’s foremost expert on raptors .

7 – Like wildfowl, records of large falcons are bedevilled by the question of escapes. Lanner breeds in nearby North Africa and is probably more frequent than records suggest. As an eastern species  records of Saker are more questionable, but several records exist.

8 – Little Button Quail or, as it more euphoniously was once know, Andalucian Hemipode has always been historically an extremely rare and elusive breeding bird. It may well be extinct …..

9 – Cream-coloured Courser is a rare visitor, but like other African species has recently attempted to breed in Andalucia.

10 – Egyptian Plover is an unlikely vagrant as it is now extinct in Egypt and found no nearer than sub-Saharan Africa. However, one was seen and photographed in coastal Andalucia in summer 2008.

11 – Notoriously difficult to separate and superficially similar to Kentish Plover, one of the two     sandplovers Charadrius mongolus/leschenaultii (Chorlitejo Mongol sp) has been recorded, but was not identified to specific level.

12 – If you find a Slender-billed Curlew immediately check your lottery ticket! This species, which once wintered widely in the Mediterranean basin, is teetering on the edge of extinction.

13 – Exotic parrots have increasingly formed feral populations in Spain – particularly in towns. Species other than those listed may also be in the process of colonising such areas.

14 – Little Swift appears to be following White-rumped Swift in colonising extreme south western Spain from nearby Morocco. Unlike most swifts, however, at least some of the tiny population seem to winter here.

15 – The Iberian form of Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis sharpei) differs from the nominate form resembling Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker which is found in North Africa. This has already been recognised as a full species by some authorities. Birds resembling or identical to the nearby African races of Great-spotted Woodpecker have also been found, but this form is not recognised as a full species

16 – The ‘Yellow’ wagtail complex includes a bewildering range of subspecies many of which have been found in Spain. The blue-grey headed local breeding birds, are usually called the Spanish wagtail (iberiae). These subspecies are increasingly being ‘split’ by taxonomists which, depending on the favoured expert, would bump up the list by 4-5 species.

17 – The Balearic race of Mamora’s Warbler (Sylvia sarda balearica) is increasingly recognised as a separate species, Balearic Warbler. Its status in Andalucia is disputed despite claims of breeding on the mainland.

18 – Seebohm’s Wheatear (Oeanthe oeanthe seebohmi), a masked form of Northern Wheatear from northern Africa, is sometimes treated as a separate species and is an extremely rare vagrant to the area.

19 – The North African race of Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus ultramarinus) has been claimed from the Tarifa area and is also sometimes treated as a ‘full species’.

20 – There are handful  records of Great Grey Shrike, a northern species, but all predate the ‘splitting’ of the very similar local Southern Great Grey Shrike so may be suspect

21 – The House and Pied Crow are notorious for hitch-hiking their way round the world by boat.

22 – Escaped cage birds, particularly various African and Asian finch-like species, have built up increasing feral populations in Spain often in reedbeds and wetlands. Some species like Red-billed Quela seem to be declining so future of these populations is uncertain.

23 – A number of passerines, mainly American species, have been recorded close to docks and may have been wholly ship assisted.  .

24 – Large numbers of Red-headed Bunting were formerly imported into Europe for the cagebird trade.  As a result records the single record for the region must be suspect despite the dictinct possibility of genuine vagrancy.