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Difference between revisions of "Eurasian Blackcap" - BirdForum Opus

(Add alternative photo and misc.)
(Clearer photo of male. ID re-written. Some misc info added. References)
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[[Image:Blackcap.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Female<br />Photo by: {{user|Fuchsia|Fuchsia}}<br />]]
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[[Image:IMG 9345 1-bf.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Male<br />Photo by: {{user|Mahsleb|Mahsleb}}<br />[[Minsmere]], [[UK]], April 2009]]
[[Image:Blackcap_male_by_mali.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Male<br />Photo by: {{user|mali|mali}}<br />Alexandra Park, Hastings, [[UK]]. April 2009 ]]
 
 
;[[:Category:Sylvia|Sylvia]] atricapilla
 
;[[:Category:Sylvia|Sylvia]] atricapilla
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
<sup>[[#References|1]]</sup>
+
13.5-15cm<br />
13cm.  '''Male''' - grey-brown upper parts, pale grey underparts,  glossy black cap. '''Female''' - similar, browner upperparts, buff underparts and a red-brown cap.
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*Greyish-brown upperparts
 
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*Light olive-grey underparts
'''Juvenile''' - similar to adult female; juvenile male - black-brown cap, juvenile female - yellow-brown cap.
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*Crown is glossy-black in '''male''' - reddish-brown in '''female''' and '''juvenile'''.
 +
[[Image:Blackcap.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Female<br />Photo by: {{user|Fuchsia|Fuchsia}}<br />]]
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
Widespread and generally abundant in the Western Palearctic. Breeds in the [[British Isles]] (except western [[Ireland]] and northern [[Scotland]]), and from [[Iberia]] and [[France]] east to the [[Urals]]. Range extends to 70 degrees north in coastal [[Norway]], to the head of the [[Gulf of Bothnia]] in [[Sweden]], southern [[Finland]] and almost to the White Sea in [[Russia]]. In the south found as far as southern [[Spain]], the [[Balearics]], [[Corsica]], [[Sardinia]] and [[Sicily]], [[Italy]], [[Greece]] and northern [[Turkey]] east to the [[Caucasus]]. Also breeds on the [[Azores]], [[Madeira]], [[Canary Islands]], [[Cape Verde Islands]] and in northern parts of [[Morocco]] and [[Algeria]].
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Widespread and generally abundant in the [[Western Palearctic]].<br />
 
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'''Breeds''' in the [[British Isles]] (except western [[Ireland]] and northern [[Scotland]]), and from [[Iberia]] and [[France]] east to the Urals.<br />
Birds from central [[Europe]] eastwards and north to [[Scandinavia]] are migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan [[Africa]] and in western [[Europe]] from [[Britain]] southwards, around the [[Mediterranean]] and in [[North Africa]]. Western and southern birds are resident or partially migratory, incidence of wintering is increasing in [[Britain]] and North-West [[Europe]]. Most British birds migratory, arriving in Apr-May and departing Aug-Sep with variable but generally small numbers wintering.  
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Range extends to 70 degrees north in coastal [[Norway]], to the head of the Gulf of Bothnia in [[Sweden]], southern [[Finland]] and almost to the White Sea in [[Russia]]. In the south found as far as southern [[Spain]], the [[Balearics]], [[Corsica]], [[Sardinia]] and [[Sicily]], [[Italy]], [[Greece]] and northern [[Turkey]] east to the [[Caucasus]]. Also breeds on the [[Azores]], [[Madeira]], [[Canary Islands]], [[Cape Verde Islands]] and in northern parts of [[Morocco]] and [[Algeria]].  
  
Vagrants have been recorded in [[Iceland]].
+
Birds from central [[Europe]] eastwards and north to [[Scandinavia]] are migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan [[Africa]] and in western [[Europe]] from [[Britain]] southwards, around the Mediterranean and in North [[Africa]]. Western and southern birds are resident or partially migratory, incidence of wintering is increasing in [[Britain]] and North-West [[Europe]]. Most British birds migratory, arriving in April-May and departing August-September with variable but generally small numbers wintering.  
  
 +
'''Vagrants''' have been recorded in [[Iceland]].
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
 
+
*Nominate race occurs over much of [[Europe]].
Nominate race occurs over much of [[Europe]] with ''dammholzi'' in the [[Caucasus]], greyer above, whiter below and paler crown in female. In the [[Mediterranean]] ''pauluccii'' is found on the [[Balearics]], [[Corsica]], [[Sardinia]], [[Sicily]], [[Italy]] and [[Tunisia]], also greyer above but darker below. Race ''heineken'' is found in western [[Iberia]], NW [[Africa]] and on [[Madeira]] and [[Canary Islands]], darker and smaller than nominate, especially on [[Madeira]]. Race ''gularis'' from [[Azores]] and [[Cape Verde Islands]] is very similar to nominate differing only in minor measurements.
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*''dammholzi'' in the [[Caucasus]], greyer above, whiter below and paler crown in female.
 
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*In the Mediterranean ''pauluccii'' is found on the [[Balearics]], [[Corsica]], [[Sardinia]], [[Sicily]], [[Italy]] and [[Tunisia]], also greyer above but darker below.
 +
*Race ''heineken'' is found in western [[Iberia]], north-western [[Africa]] and on [[Madeira]] and [[Canary Islands]], darker and smaller than nominate, especially on [[Madeira]].
 +
*Race ''gularis'' from [[Azores]] and [[Cape Verde Islands]] is very similar to nominate differing only in minor measurements.
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 
Deciduous, mixed and in some areas, coniferous, forest and woodland with tall shrubs, sometimes in scrub with taller trees nearby. Also in parks, large gardens and orchards. In winter occurs in a wide range of habitats with trees and bushes and a frequent visitor to garden birdtables in parts of Europe.
 
Deciduous, mixed and in some areas, coniferous, forest and woodland with tall shrubs, sometimes in scrub with taller trees nearby. Also in parks, large gardens and orchards. In winter occurs in a wide range of habitats with trees and bushes and a frequent visitor to garden birdtables in parts of Europe.
 
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
 +
====Diet====
 
The diet includes insects and berries.
 
The diet includes insects and berries.
 
+
====Breeding====
The female builds a cup shaped nest from vegetation and mud, placed in a hedge, bush, or brambles.  4-6 glossy, smooth, pale buff with dark markings eggs are laid.  They are incubated by both parents who both feed the young. <sup>[[#References|1]]</sup>
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The female builds a cup shaped nest from vegetation and mud, placed in a hedge, bush, or brambles.  4-6 glossy, smooth, pale buff with dark markings eggs are laid.  They are incubated by both parents who both feed the young.  
 
====Vocalisation====
 
====Vocalisation====
 +
'''Call''': ''teck'' or ''tacc'' (louder than [[Lesser Whitethroat]]<br />
 +
'''Song''': Sings from a concealed perch. Beginning is similar to [[Garden Warbler]] but less sustained; ends with flutey notes.
 
<flashmp3>Sylvia atricapilla (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
 
<flashmp3>Sylvia atricapilla (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
 
''[[Media:Sylvia atricapilla (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
 
''[[Media:Sylvia atricapilla (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
 
 
==References==
 
==References==
#[http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/blackcap.htm British Garden Birds]
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#Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
 +
#Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
 +
#Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6
 +
# British Garden Birds
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
{{GSearch|Sylvia_atricapilla}}  
 
{{GSearch|Sylvia_atricapilla}}  

Revision as of 10:36, 10 June 2009

Male
Photo by: Mahsleb
Minsmere, UK, April 2009
Sylvia atricapilla

Identification

13.5-15cm

  • Greyish-brown upperparts
  • Light olive-grey underparts
  • Crown is glossy-black in male - reddish-brown in female and juvenile.
Female
Photo by: Fuchsia

Distribution

Widespread and generally abundant in the Western Palearctic.
Breeds in the British Isles (except western Ireland and northern Scotland), and from Iberia and France east to the Urals.
Range extends to 70 degrees north in coastal Norway, to the head of the Gulf of Bothnia in Sweden, southern Finland and almost to the White Sea in Russia. In the south found as far as southern Spain, the Balearics, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily, Italy, Greece and northern Turkey east to the Caucasus. Also breeds on the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands and in northern parts of Morocco and Algeria.

Birds from central Europe eastwards and north to Scandinavia are migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa and in western Europe from Britain southwards, around the Mediterranean and in North Africa. Western and southern birds are resident or partially migratory, incidence of wintering is increasing in Britain and North-West Europe. Most British birds migratory, arriving in April-May and departing August-September with variable but generally small numbers wintering.

Vagrants have been recorded in Iceland.

Taxonomy

Habitat

Deciduous, mixed and in some areas, coniferous, forest and woodland with tall shrubs, sometimes in scrub with taller trees nearby. Also in parks, large gardens and orchards. In winter occurs in a wide range of habitats with trees and bushes and a frequent visitor to garden birdtables in parts of Europe.

Behaviour

Diet

The diet includes insects and berries.

Breeding

The female builds a cup shaped nest from vegetation and mud, placed in a hedge, bush, or brambles. 4-6 glossy, smooth, pale buff with dark markings eggs are laid. They are incubated by both parents who both feed the young.

Vocalisation

Call: teck or tacc (louder than Lesser Whitethroat
Song: Sings from a concealed perch. Beginning is similar to Garden Warbler but less sustained; ends with flutey notes. <flashmp3>Sylvia atricapilla (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program

References

  1. Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
  2. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
  3. Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6
  4. British Garden Birds

External Links


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