Come sapete ormai, uno dei miei interessi e’ il birdwatching e non perdo occasione di alzare la testa quando, anche durante una normale passeggiata, sento richiami di uccelli o li vedo alzarsi in volo.
In questo post ve ne propongo due: qui sopra la Pavoncella (Vanellus vanellus), col suo bel ciuffetto sopra la testa, un volatile che sverna al caldo e poi si spinge fino in Scandinavia per nidificare. Durante le migrazioni si ferma a rifocillarsi in località intermedie, come ad esempio il lago di Costanza. L’individuo nelle foto mi tiene d’occhio, in quanto umano e perchè non vuole essere disturbato durante il corteggiamento, fino ad alzarsi in volo sopra la mia testa nel tentativo di spaventarmi: messaggio ricevuto… me ne vado.
Il suo nome in finnico è: Töyhtöhyyppä e fa proprio riferimento all’adorabile ciuffetto.
Il secondo volatile che vi propongo oggi non è di facile avvistamento, specialmente in un’area urbana, devo dire, ma ci vuole sempre anche un pizzico di fortuna quando si va a contatto con gli animali selvatici. Tutti voi conoscete bene la sua voce, ma forse non il suo (brutto) piumaggio: è il Cuculo (Cuculus canorus). In finnico: Käki.
Anche il cuculo sverna al caldo, ma arriva a maggio in Scandinavia per accoppiarsi frettolosamente, scaricare il suo uovo in qualche nido altrui per lasciarlo alle cure di altri uccelli e tornarsene in Africa. Un vero genitore snaturato! Questo individuo l’ho intercettato per le vie di un paese in provincia di Verona (una zona di campagna), dove mi ero recata per una commissione, quindi per puro caso: ho sentito il suo richiamo inconfondibile e mi sono incamminata in quella direzione…e lui era là che cantava appollaiato su un’antenna. Ovviamente se n’è andato immediatamente!
Dedico questo post agli amici bloggers Giuliano e Giacinta. (In questo loro post trovate anche uno spunto musicale dedicato al cuculo). Ciao e grazie di seguirmi!
Spring Flights.
As you know, birdwatching is among my interests. Whenever I hear birds’ voices or see birds perched somewhere I like to admire them and maybe determine who they are. In this post I will share two different birds which I met recently.
The first one is the Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), who carries the amiable lock on top of his head so gracefully. This bird spends winter in the south but migrates to Scandinavia in spring for the mating season. During the migration, large groups stop half way to eat and drink, for instance along the shores of Lake Constance. The individual in my shots is carefully watching me: I am a human, so a potential enemy and he does not want to be disturbed during courting. After a while he solves to start flying over my head to try to scare me: message received…I will move away.
The Finnish name of this bird is: Töyhtöhyyppä, which literally refers to its crest.
The second bird I’d like to share with you today is usually quite difficult to see, especially in an urban environment, but you always need a bit of luck when it is about wild animals. You all know its voice very well, but perhaps not its (dull) plumage: the Common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). In Finnish: Käki.
This bird spends winter in the south of the world too, but arrives to Scandinavia in May just in time to mate, lay his precious egg into another bird’s nest, leave the chick to the caring of other parents and fly back to Africa. The cuckoo’s chick is the only bird who never meets his real parents! I met this individual in a small rural town not far from Verona, just by chance. I was there on business and I heard the cuckoo’s call: I started walking in his direction and there he was…perching on a tv antenna. Of course he flew away at once.
I’d like to dedicate this post to blog-friends Giuliano and Giacinta. (In this post of theirs a music reference to the cuckoo as well). Thanks for following!
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Linked to: Willy-Nilly Friday. Floral Bliss. Saturday’s Critters. My Corner of the World. Wild Birds Wednesday.
Sono bellissimi ed i loro versi meravigliosi 😉 Birdwatching da soddisfazioni 😉 🐦
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Bel post , belle immagini, in questi giorni ho sentito anch’io il verso del cucù si era appollaiato su di una antenna del palazzo difronte al mio forse per una sosta…..buona giornata
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Grazie, Roberta. Anche a te buona giornata!
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Verissimo. Non so capire chi non ami la natura…
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Ah non sapevo… un gran bel elemento però! E come conserva la specie… è sicuro che poi altri uccelli coveranno il suo uovo? Che stranezza….
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…Luisella, it’s nice to see these two unknown birds for me!!!
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Hello, I have always loved the Lapwing, it is a beautiful bird. The Common Cuckoo is a great sighting too, your photos are great. Wishing you a happy day!
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Bellissimi scatti.
Il cuculo ancora mi manca…
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Gret shots! Töyhtöhyyppä is so fun, I think I have never seen…
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Yes, it is a funny beauty. Thanks, Riitta!
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Si…ti capisco…è un tipo schivo.
Grazie mille! 🙂
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The first is a beauty, while the latter is a bit dull. Thank you Eileen. Have a nice evening!
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Thank you, Tom. My pleasure.
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Quello con il ciuffetto è proprio un bel tipo 🙂
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La tua è una bella domanda, ma accade così da millenni. Lui lascia il suo pulcino ad altri e se ne va. Il piccolo cuculo è l’unico volatile che non conosce mai i propri genitori. Chissà perchè la natura lo ha programmato così…un bel mistero!
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Poveretto però 🙃
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Si…hai ragione. E’ una bellezza.
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Two interesting birds. The lapwing is easier to spot in the open field, but you were also fortunate to see the cuckoo which I have only heard.
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The Lapwing is quite a common view nowadays but the cuckoo is so rare! Thanks, Linda.
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Wonderful photos from Birds and thanks for the explanation!
Greetings Elke
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Grazie, carissima! Un post bellissimo è un pensiero davvero gentile!😊🙏
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Il mio IPhone fa continuamente scherzi… “e “ e non “è “.😊
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Grazie a te, Giacinta. Buon weekend!
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Thank you Elke. Happy weekend!
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Hello, I enjoyed your bird post and photos. The Lapwing is a bird I would love to see in person. They are beautiful. I am glad you got a chance to see the rare Cuckoo. Great photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend! PS, thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog.
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grazie dell’attenzione 🙂
se guardi bene, abbiamo già dedicato sei post al cucù – infatti penso che per l’anno prossimo ti ruberò una foto, quelle che avevo le ho finite…
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With that long crest the Lapwing looks to be a male. You were blessed by getting a picture of the Cuckoo. For me, never.
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I’ve never seen the Lapwing! What a pretty bird and you took wonderful photos! I’ll have to check and see if it’s possible to see them here in Florida. Happy weekend!
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Grazie. Darò un’occhiata agli altri post. Buona giornata, Giuliano.
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Thank you very much. Happy weekend to you too!
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As I said…we always nedd a little luck too. Your shots are gorgeous always!!
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Thanks for hosting. All the best!
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Hello. Great sightigs! Lapwings are beautiful. Their feathers shine in the sun. Cuckoo is a slightly mystical bird because it’s hard to see. Take care!
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Thank you, Anu. Take care you too!
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Love the Lapwings, but well done on capturing the Cuckoo.
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Thank you Adam. Thanks for stopping by.
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that lapwing is gorgous – love the little feather on his head
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One arrogant bird Käki is. One of Natures weird creatures. Did You know that when You hear it by counting times it Kukkuu that´s how many years You still have. An old Finnish folklore that is.
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A cute bird. Thanks, Carol!
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I know. There is a similar tradition in Italy too. 🙂
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They are lovely birds and I appreciate seeing them and the information you provided.
Thanks for being a part of ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!
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Thank you, Betty. Have a nice day!
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Fascinating post, Luisella! I enjoy seeing photos of birds that I don’t find in my corner of the world.
Happy Friday!
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Thank you, Veronica. Happy Friday to you!
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