Course on the identification of birds of prey and steppe birds in Environmental Ideas

In our continuous effort to specialize the Environmental Ideas team, we have had the opportunity to participate in the “Course on the Identification of Birds of Prey and Steppe Birds”. This internal training action was given by Ricardo Pérez, one of our field technicians specialized in avifauna and chiroptera with extensive experience both in the field and in training.

The course was designed to strengthen and expand knowledge about bird identification by those companions whose main work does not focus on environmental inventories. Providing all people with Environmental Ideas with knowledge confirms our commitment to continuous training, either through internal training with profiles Senior or external training, which allows us to provide our team with the best professionals.

Bird characteristics and identification challenges

The theme of the training focused on birds, which were classified into three major categories:

• Daytime birds of prey
• Nocturnal birds of prey
• Stepbirds

During the course, we address various characteristics of the species of interest, such as:

• sizing
• Body shape
• colouration
• Behavior
• Habitat

Learning to identify and distinguish them in an agile and accurate way is essential for any environmental work. Among the birds analyzed are the Kestrel Kestrel, the Peregrine Falcon, the Goshawk, the Hawk, various species of eagles and vultures, as well as owls and steppe birds such as gangas, sions and bustards.

Highlight of all the lessons learned, the way to differentiate the different stages of Iberian imperial eagle, one of the most representative species of Mediterranean ecosystems in the Iberian Peninsula, where its plumage changes in tone and color, depending on the age it acquires.

Differentiation between the Kestrel Kestrel and the Common Kestrel

One of the most interesting challenges was the distinction between two similar species: The Kestrel Kestrel and the Common Kestrel. While differentiating males from both species is relatively simple, in the case of females and juveniles the task becomes much more complex. To distinguish them, it is essential to observe details such as the color of the nails: black on the vulgar kestrel and a greyish white tone on the primilla kestrel. In addition, we reviewed other specific characteristics, such as the length of the ninth primary feather, which is smaller in the common kestrel, although as we saw in the formation, this characteristic is very difficult to observe in the field. Therefore, we reviewed other specific characteristics, such as the length of the ninth primary feather, which is smaller in the common kestrel, which, with some patience combined with other characteristics such as sound demands, gregarious behavior or others, allow us to correctly identify the species.

Field trip to apply the knowledge acquired

The course concluded with a field trip in which we put into practice the knowledge acquired, using telescopes and binoculars, always with the support and guidance of Ricardo Pérez.

Without a doubt, this training experience has been very enriching and has allowed us to carry out our work in a more agile and rigorous way. What used to cover part of our free time, such as the study of birds, has now become a regular professional practice.