(The Real) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Big Canids

This article was originally published by Youth Time International Magazine

Humankind has a millennia-long history with canids, having domesticated and bred them into all different shapes and sizes. “Man’s best friends” were originally chosen as our trusty companions due to their loyalty and ability to provide protection.

But what of their wild cousins - today's species who share the same ancestral background as our pet pals from chihuahuas to great danes? From Africa’s endangered painted dog to the species most closely related to our trusty canine companions, the Gray Wolf, this article introduces you to the ten largest feral canids that walk the earth today!

Side-striped Jackal

In at number ten is the timid and rarely seen Side-striped Jackal. These medium-sized canids stand at 40-50 cm in height and weigh around 7-12 kg. Despite their elusive nature, these nocturnal omnivores are distributed across most of sub-Saharan Africa and are listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List. Sightings of Side-striped Jackals are rare, but for the best chances of witnessing them in their natural habitat, take a drive through Kruger National Park, South Africa after sunset.

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Red Fox

The Red Fox has the widest distribution of any canid, spanning across the entire northern hemisphere and even being introduced to New Zealand and Tasmania in Australia. Reaching heights of up to half a metre and masses up to 14 kg, the Red Fox is considered the largest of all true foxes. Despite their size and omnivorous diet, the species is still too small to pose a threat to humans. For this reason, the Red Fox has benefited from the presence of human habitation, and is a common visitor to gardens in many suburban and urban areas. They can be spotted virtually anywhere within their range, but are more frequently seen after dark owing to their nocturnal nature.

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Culpeo

The endangered Culpeo, or, Andean Fox is the second largest canid on the South American continent after the maned wolf. They weigh around the same as the aforementioned Red Fox, but tend to be slightly longer and taller. Larger populations can be found in open country and deciduous forests on the western slopes of the Andes. They have also been introduced to the Falkland Islands off the coast of Argentina. Head to Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile for the best chances of seeing Culpeo in the wild.

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Ethiopian Wolf

The species considered the rarest and most vulnerable of all canids, the Ethiopian Wolf is endemic to the highlands of its namesake country. Only around 400 individuals living in six fragmented populations roam the mountains of Ethiopia, making the Ethiopian Wolf Africa’s most endangered carnivore. Also known as the Abyssinian wolf, Simien fox, and cuberow, these medium-sized canids weigh up to 20 kg and can stand at over 60 cm tall. To witness these majestic creatures in their natural environment, pay a visit to Simien Mountains National Park in Ethiopia.

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Dhole

Also named the Asiatic wild dog, whistling dog, red dog, and mountain wolf, Dholes are a highly social species that are native to Central, South and Southeast Asia. With a population estimated at under 2,500 adults, these diurnal pack hunters have been listed as endangered by the IUCN. Habitat loss, disease, persecution and competition with other species (including leopards and tigers) have all been contributing factors toward their decline. Dholes can reach heights of 56 cm to the shoulder and weigh up to 21 kg making them very similar in size to the Ethiopian wolf. Head to Kanha Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh in India for excellent chances of spotting these canine critters in the wild.

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Coyote

The Coyote is a highly versatile species that has adapted well to human modified environments. It is abundant and widely spread throughout North America southwards through Central America into Panama. The largest coyote on record measured 1.5 metres from nose to tail and weighed a whopping 34 kg! However, the most vocal of all North American mammals typically grows to sizes similar to that of the Ethiopian wolf and dhole. Many wild areas in the United States have large populations of Coyotes, including Yellowstone National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.

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Maned Wolf

The Maned Wolf boasts the title of largest canid in South America. Due to its markings, the species is known locally as aguará guazú, which means “large fox” in the Guarani language. Despite their nickname and given name, the Maned Wolf is neither a fox nor a wolf. In fact, the Maned Wolf is not is not closely related to any other member of the canid family, making the species somewhat unique. They average 23 kg in weight and stand up to 90 cm tall at the shoulder, making them the fourth largest wild canid in the world. For the best chances of spotting Maned Wolves in their natural habitat, venture to the beautiful Serra da Canastra National Park in Brazil.

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African Wild Dog

Also known as the African hunting dog and painted wolf, the largest canid in Africa is a highly endangered species that has all but disappeared from much of its original range. Due to factors which include disease, human persecution and habitat fragmentation, the African Wild Dog population continues to decrease. These lean yet robust predators typically grow up to 70 cm in length and can weigh up to 30 kg. Their frames have evolved for stamina, a trait they demonstrate when chasing their prey to exhaustion. Nearly 80% of all wild dog hunts end in a kill, which is impressive considering the success rate of lions, often viewed as ultimate predators, is only 10%. Reliable areas for African Wild Dogs include Luangwa Valley, Zambia and the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

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Red Wolf

Considered the rarest species of wolf in the world and one of the five most endangered canid species, the Red Wolf is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. Also known as the Florida black wolf and Mississippi Valley wolf, they are native to the southeastern United States. Only around 50 Red Wolves now roam a confined area of just over 1.7 million acres through northeastern North Carolina. They are typically shorter and more slender than the Gray Wolf, though some specimens can grow to larger sizes than smaller sized Gray Wolves. Spotting Red Wolves in the wild can be difficult, but small populations can be found in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

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Gray Wolf

By far the largest of all the wild canids, the Gray Wolf, also known as the timber wolf, are the most widely distributed of all wolf species and were at one time the world’s most widely distributed mammal! One of the planet’s best known and most studied species, the Gray Wolf has been divided into many different subspecies of which five inhabit the North American continent and seven to twelve cover Eurasia. The northwestern wolf, also known as the Mackenzie Valley wolf, Alaskan timber wolf, or Canadian timber wolf is considered to be the largest of all subspecies, with specimens typically weighing 51 kg and standing at 85 cm shoulder height. To see the largest of all subspecies in the wild, head to Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta, Canada. For excellent chances of spotting Gray Wolves, check out The Lamar Valley located in the remote northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park, United States.

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Photos Shutterstock/Graphics Leigh Woods

(The Real) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Equids

This article was originally published by Youth Time Magazine

In this edition of (The Real) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, we delve into the realm of the equids. There are, of course many different kinds that have been domesticated over the centuries by humankind, but there are still seven species that are considered to be truly wild. From the iconic zebras roaming the plains of Africa to the elusive and mysterious Takhi of Mongolia, Leigh introduces you to the wild and majestic equidae family that graces our planet in the present day.

Note that the wild mustangs of the Americas have not be included for the reason that they are not currently considered a truly feral species.

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Przewalski’s Horse

Also known as the Dzungarian Horse or Takhi, the Przewalski’s Horse is native to both China and Mongolia, but was driven to extinction back in the 1960's primarily due to hunting and interbreeding with other domesticated horses. Thankfully, large conservation efforts including a breeding program supported by the Zooligical Society of London helped to preserve the species and reintroduce it to its former natural habitat. Their number has grown steadily since 12 horses were released in southern Mongolia in 1992. With all of them descended from 9 of 13 horses captured in 1945, there are now thought to be over 300 Przewalski’s Horse in the wild. Hustai National Park in Mongolia offers the best opportunities of witnessing them in the wild.

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Onager

Like other horses, the Onager has several different common names including Hemione and Asiatic Wild Ass. Around 55,000 wild Onager roam the arid deserts and mountainous steppes situated across several countries including China, Mongolia, Iran, India, and Turkmenistan. Data suggests that the Onager may have lost as much as 70% of its range since the 19th century. Due to severe over hunting and competition with livestock for pastures and water, they have become regionally extinct in most former range countries including Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Their favored habitats include arid grasslands, desert plains, savannahs and mountain ranges with the largest remaining population found in southern Mongolia and parts of adjacent China.

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Kiang

The largest of all the wild asses, the Kiang is native to the Tibetan Plateau. Also referred to as the Tibetan Wild Ass, Khyang or Gorkhar, its range is currently restricted to the montane and alpine grasslands that stretch across China, Nepal, India and Pakistan. Several subspecies (Western, Southern and Eastern Kiang) occur within its broad range as their distribution has become increasingly fragmented. The current global population estimate of Kiang is 60,000-70,000 individuals, with up to 90% of them located in protected areas along the China/Nepal border.

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African Wild Ass

Without doubt the most vulnerable to extinction of all the wild equids, the African Wild Ass is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, with species numbers estimated at approximately 200 mature individuals. Due to human/livestock impact and climate change, data reveals that their population may be undergoing a continuing decline (only 70 individuals have been observed), with the species meeting the threshold for critically endangered status. Their current range is approximately 23,000 km2 across the arid lands of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

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Burchell’s Zebra

The Burchell’s, or, Plains Zebra is the most common and widespread of the three zebra species. Easily distinguished from their close relatives by the stripes that meet around the belly, as opposed to the Grevy’s and Mountain Zebras which sport more compact stripes which end at the lower flanks. Around 500,000 Burchell’s Zebra walk the plains, deserts and savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa, and chances of spotting them on safari are extremely high. In fact, those travelling to wildlife hotspots such as the Maasai Mara, Serengeti, and Kruger National Parks in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa respectively are all but guaranteed to observe entire dazzles (herds) of these stripy steeds.

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Grevy’s Zebra

With a population estimated at around 2,860 individuals, the Grevy’s Zebra is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is restricted to the Horn of Africa, specifically Ethiopia and Kenya. It is the largest not only of the zebra family but of the entire living wild equid group. Also known as the Imperial Zebra, they are the most threatened of the three species of zebra. There are currently a discontinuous range of Grevy’s Zebra found from the eastern side of the Rift Valley in Kenya to the Tana River, with a small, isolated population roaming the Alledeghi Plains situated northeast of Awash National Park in Ethiopia.

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Mountain Zebra

Last but certainly not least are the beautiful Mountain Zebra which have been divided into two subspecies (Cape Mountain Zebra and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra). Some scientists argue that each is an entire species of its own due to some physiological and geographical differences. Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra are more numerous (up to 1300 in the wild) and they occur in the mountainous transition zone between the Namib Desert and the central plateau of Namibia. Numbering at between 600-700 individuals, the only surviving natural populations of Cape Mountain Zebra are found in Mountain Zebra National Park, Gamka Mountain Reserve and the Kamanassie Mountains.

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All Photos from Shutterstock/Graphics by Leigh Woods

Birds of Prague

After spending the best part of two years living in the small landlocked African country of Rwanda, it's hard not to notice the wide-array of flora and fauna that surrounds me in my everyday life.

Recently, I wrote an article on some of the most commonly spotted and impressive bird species found in Rwanda's capital city, Kigali. With the country being well-renowned for its abundance of bird species, the post attracted a rather large following from both professionals in the wildlife conservation field and city dwellers.

Before moving to Rwanda, I spent four-and-a-half years living in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Prague. While there may not be such a large group of bird enthusiasts in the Czech capital, it was very apparent to me that Czechs are very 'outdoorsy' people who would likely take some interest in the wildlife that surrounds them in the city.

While most of us are busy joining in the rat race that seems to dominate our lives, the plethora of wildlife residing and thriving in and around the city of 100 spires tends to evade us. With that said, this article aims to draw attention to our feathered friends, and what better time to explore Prague's wild side than the turn of Spring!

Blue Tit

A common and widespread pretty little bird with blue cap, wings and tail. They also exhibit a green back, yellow underparts, white cheeks, and a black line through the eye. Much of its food is located on outer twigs and branches where it frequently hangs upside down to feed. They live in a variety of habitats but are most often spotted in parks and gardens.

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Mute Swan

One of Europe's largest birds, the Mute Swan is most commonly spotted along the banks of the Vltava river. They have a rounded head and long, graceful, S-shaped neck and pointed tail. This imposing water bird also showcases a bright orange bill with black knob at the base. They feed mostly on aquatic plants and other vegetation. A fairly silent bird (hence the name), but will make a loud hiss and other snorting sounds when angry.

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Redstart

Similar in size to the Eurasian Robin but with slimmer and longer wings and a longer tail that quivers up and down. Like many birds, they are a sexually dimorphic species with the male having more striking plumage than the female. Both have a bright-orange red tail and rump. In the spring, the male exhibits blue/grey upperparts, black face and throat, white forehead and orange breast and flanks. They're not the most easily spotted species on this list, but can be observed in parks and gardens.

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Kestrel

The first bird of prey on this list and probably the most common and widespread in Prague.  From balconies to bell towers, the Kestrel is a small raptor that has been observed nesting in many elevated spaces in the city. They are renowned for their ability to hover when hunting their prey, which includes small mammals such as shrews, mice, and voles. Males and females are similar in appearance, with the former sporting a grey head and tail.

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Bullfinch

A plump little bird with a large head, thick neck, and short black, bulbous-bill. Their cap, wings, and tail are all a glossy black in contrast to a gleaming white rump. However, their most distinguishing feature is the brightly coloured lower face and breast, with males sporting a beautiful rose pink plumage and females pinkish-grey. These birds are rather secretive and seldom seen far from cover. They are regular visitors to gardens and orchards, however.

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Great-spotted Woodpecker

Six different woodpecker species have been recorded in the city of 100 spires, with the Great-Spotted Woodpecker being one of the most common. A common resident of both urban and rural gardens, they are a medium-sized black-and-white woodpecker with dirty white underparts and crimson red feathers under its short stiff tail. The male also has a small crimson patch on the back of its head. They are most often spotted perched vertically on trees, both coniferous and deciduous.

Goldcrest

At a mere 9cm, this plucky species is Europe's smallest bird. The Goldcrest is a tiny, rather round looking species with small rounded wings and large eyes. Both the male and female have a rather dull green plumage all over with the exception of the crown patch which is bright yellow bordered by black stripes. The males yellow patch becomes an orange-red when displaying. They can be found in most parks, and mature gardens with large trees.

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Pochard

This diving duck exhibits a short neck and very round head. Another sexually dimorphic species with the male sporting a rusty red head and neck, black breast and tail contrasting against a pale grey body. The female is mostly a dull grey-brown with pale cheeks and neck. Pochards are most commonly spotted along the banks of the Vltava and are quite happy around human habitation. They can often be seen in flocks along with Mute Swans, Cormorants, and Tufted Ducks close to the Charles Bridge.

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Eurasian Jay

Probably the most conspicuous species of the crow family, the Eurasian Jay is a brightly coloured corvid that is more common and widespread than one might think. They exhibit a pinkish-fawn body, rounded head with a small pale streaked crest that can be raised in display or when they are excited, and a small black 'moustache'. Jays also possess a distinctive electric blue wing patch that is barred with black. They are essentially a woodland bird but are frequently spotted in parks, cemeteries, and mature gardens.

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Black-headed Gull

One of the noisiest birds and probably the most common and widespread of gulls in Prague. The Black-headed Gull has slim, pointed wings with obvious white stripes along the front edge. In late winter and spring, both males and females exhibit a dark chocolate brown hood behind the eye. In spring, the bill and legs are wax red but appear duller at other times. They can be spotted mostly around water bodies including the Vltava river, but will frequent in built-up areas too.

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Long-tailed Tit

One of the prettiest birds you'll find in Prague and a fairly common and widespread city dweller too. They are similar in size to the tiny Goldcrest, but their long, narrow tails make them a bit larger. Long-tailed Tits are tiny round birds with a stubby black bill. They are pinkish-brown above, pinkish-white below, with dark marks on the sides of the head and a white crown. Their small rounded wings are mostly black. They are a highly sociable species and are commonly spotted in groups around parks and gardens.

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Woodpigeon

Prague's largest pigeon and with an increasing population, the Woodpigeon has a small head, broad wings, longish tail, and bulging chest. The adult is blue-grey with white crescent on wing, black band on tail and white patch on the neck. The neck also has a green and purple sheen and the breast has a pink flush, making it one of Europe's more colourful pigeons. They can be found in just about any habitat in Prague, but prefer areas where they can roost in trees.

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Kingfisher

One of Europe's most colourful and celebrated birds, the Kingfisher is a beautiful little bird that can be highly elusive. That said, they have been spotted in Prague along the more vegetated areas of the Vltava river where they'll often perch on reeds as they look out for their next meal. These stunning birds sport a large head with a dagger like bill. The underparts and cheeks are orange with the upperparts electric blue or oily green depending on lighting. They also exhibit white throat and neck patches.

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Greenfinch

A chunky looking finch with large head, rather short, slightly forked tail and heavy looking conical bill. The male is olive-green with a brighter back and rump and bright yellow patches on the wings and tail. The female is slightly duller than the male, with less yellow and slightly streaky upperparts. They can usually be observed feeding in small groups and will often join other finches and sparrows in large communal roosts. Greenfinches are regular visitors to gardens and Prague's beautiful gardens.

Peregrine Falcon

The second raptor on the list, the Peregrine falcon is famous for being the fastest bird in the world. They can be observed mostly in flight, where they ascend high in the sky before stooping quickly to catch prey including Feral Pigeons, Black-headed Gulls, and Blackbirds. This large and powerful bird of prey has blue-grey upperparts and dark blue wings and head. The crown is black and has a conspicuous 'moustache' contrasting with white face, giving it a hooded look. They can be found almost anywhere in the city, with one pair recorded nesting on Týn cathedral at the Old Town square.

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House Sparrow

One of the most common and widespread birds in Europe but with a population declining at an alarming rate. The House Sparrow is a small plump bird with thick bill, which becomes black when breeding, and rather short legs. The males has a chestnut brown head with a grey crown, pale grey underparts, grey cheeks and a black bib. Females have streaked backs, pale underparts and cheeks, pale brown crown and often a distinct straw-coloured line above and behind the eye. They are historically associated with human habitats and use buildings as nest sites.

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Wren

Europe's joint second smallest bird (along with the Firecrest), the Wren is a very frequent visitor to gardens. Tiny, dumpy and energetic birds that are constantly on the move. They possess a long thin bill and rather large feet. Their small tails are often cocked above the back, and their short neck gives the appearance of a small brown ball. They can be spotted continuously searching for food but can be fairly inconspicuous due to their small size and dull colouring. Wrens are most frequently observed among bushes, vegetation and small crevices in tree trunks.

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Great Tit

The largest member of the tit family, the Great Tit exhibits a large black cap, collar and throat, and a black line running down the yellow breast and belly. Their cheeks are white, back is greenish, and wing are grey-blue with a single white bar. Although it sometimes occurs in small flocks an mixes with other species, it is less social than some other members of the tit family. They can be seen mostly in and around hedgerows and trees in residential gardens and parks.

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Mallard

The most common and widespread duck in Europe, the Mallard is a familiar bird to most of us. Sexes are dissimilar, with males sporting a dark green head, yellow bill, white neck ring, purple-brown breast, mainly grey body, and black curly upper tail feathers. The female is brown with darker mottling, dark crown, dark eye stripe, pale breast, orange bill and legs. Mallards are often seen in small flocks in and around the Vltava river.

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Blackbird

Slightly larger than a Starling, the Blackbird is plump with a round head and medium-length tail. The male is matt black with a bright yellow bill and ring around the eye. The female is dark brown with darker wings and tail. They tend to feed under or close to cover and can be observed turning over leaves to search for food. Blackbirds are a highly adaptable species which is why they are so common and widespread. They are primarily a woodland bird but can be frequently spotted in gardens and parks.

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Common Buzzard

Another commonly spotted raptor in and around Prague and the largest of the three raptors on the list. The Common Buzzard is a large thickset bird with wide rounded head, short neck, broad rounded wings with 'fingered' ends and a rather short, broad tail. They are most often observed in flight where they will soar and glide with head hardly extending in front of the wings. They'll frequently hang in the air, almost motionless as they look for prey.

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Green Woodpecker

The second woodpecker on the list, and along with the Great-spotted Woodpecker, the species most commonly spotted in Prague. They have heavy looking bodies, short tails, and a strong, rather long bill. Their upperparts are green-grey in colour, with dullish underparts, vivid yellow-green rump and most distinctively, a bright red rump and crown. The 'moustache' mark of the male is dull red while that of the female is black. The Green Woodpecker is renowned for its laughing 'queu, queu, queu' call. It is not uncommon to see these large woodpeckers feeding on garden lawns.

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Chaffinch

About the size of a House Sparrow, the Chaffinch is a small plump finch with medium-sized bill, slightly peaked crown, rather long wings, white shoulder-patch and a white stripe in its wing. Males and females have different plumage with the former sporting a blue-grey head, pinkish-brown breast and cheeks, and chestnut back. The females are a paler yellowish-brown. They can be found mostly in gardens and parks where they perch in trees and bushes and are generally observed feeding on the ground.

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Feral Pigeon

Not everyone's favourite and considered a pest by many. The Feral Pigeon is smaller than the Woodpigeon and can vary greatly in plumage. Actually, they vary from pure white to almost black, but include plumages that are various shades of grey and brown. Some of the feral population resemble their Rock Dove ancestors. They are a highly sociable bird that can be found among just about any human habitation from the bustling Wenceslas Square to the quieter parks in and around Prague.

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Nuthatch

This pretty little bird is about the size of a Great Tit and resembles a small woodpecker. The Nuthatch is plump with a long black pointed bill, rather large head, and short neck, short stiff tail, and short strong legs. They exhibit soft blue-grey upperparts, buff underparts, chestnut flanks, and broad black stripe running through the eye toward the back of the head. Nuthatches are a fairly elusive species but are most frequently spotted moving up and down tree trunks and branches in short jerky movements.

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Tufted Duck

Slightly smaller than a Mallard, the Tufted Duck is arguably the nicest looking of all duck species found on the Vltava river. These beautiful diving ducks have short necks, rounded heads, and relatively large, broad bill with a broad black tip. The male is glossy black with white flanks and belly and a powder blue bill. Females are more brown in colour but both sexes sport impressive golden eyes. They get their name for their long tuft of feathers on the back of their heads, which can often be seen waving around in the wind.

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Jackdaw

A fairly common resident of Prague and a small member of the highly intelligent crow family. The Jackdaw is a neat, stocky bird that is mainly black, but with a slight purple sheen on its back and head and a grey 'hood'. The grey of the males 'hood' tends to be paler than that of the female. They are usually spotted in pairs or flocks and will often join Rooks and Starlings on rooftops. They find their food mostly on the ground but will also feed on insects and other invertebrates on trees.

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Spotted Flycatcher

The Spotted Flycatcher is a summer migrant so don't waste any time looking for this species during Prague's cold, harsh winters. When these pretty little birds do arrive to central and other parts of Europe, they can be spotted in mature gardens and parks. The dark bill is long and wide, the head quite rounded and the wings and tail rather long. They have grey-brown upperparts, off-white underparts, streaks on the breast and fine streaking on the crown. They feed mainly on flying insects including larger flies and butterflies.

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Robin

One of Europe's darling birds, the Eurasian Robin is one of the most commonly spotted species in gardens and parks around Prague. This familiar bird has a body shape that varies from rotund to sleek. The upper parts are olive-brown with face, breast, and neck a bright orange-red. Robin's are very comfortable around human habitats and are notoriously fierce when protecting their chicks. On the ground, they move in a series of hops, sometimes with wings drooped.

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Magpie

The Magpie is a medium-sized member of the crow family that appears black and white with a very long, wedge-shaped tail. The crown of the head is rather flat and bill medium-sized but very powerful. The body is black with an iridescent blue-green shade to the black wings and tails. They are often seen perched on top of a bush or tree, but can sometimes be spotted on man-made structures such as pylons. On the ground they walk or hop, usually with their tails lifted above the level of the back.

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Fieldfare

One of the lesser-known bird species in Europe yet one of the most widespread. The Fieldfare is a large, plump thrush with rather long tail. They have grey heads with dark streaks on the crown, long pale-grey rump, chestnut back and wings, and black tail and flight feathers. The breast is a yellow-orange and is heavily spotted. In the winter, they can be observed feeding along hedgerows and in orchards. They will sometimes travel with, and feed alongside other thrushes and Starlings.

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Grey Wagtail

Colourful and graceful little birds with a very long tail that is constantly 'wagging'. Both sexes sport bright egg-yellow under the tail. The male has a yellow breast, blue-grey upperparts, white stripe over the eye and black throat. Females are quite similar but have pale throats. Grey Wagtails are not the easiest birds to spot and are usually seen singly or in pairs. They can be observed in most habitats, but are usually found in areas quite close to sources of water.

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Crested Tit

Another highly elusive species on this list but a great bird to observe. The Crested Tit has a brown back and pale buff underparts. Its face is off-white with a black bib, speckled forehead and crown and pointed crest. They exhibit a blackish mark through the eye and curving round the cheeks. They are active and restless feeders, constantly moving as it searches for food by hanging on tree trunks or upside down as it searches the underside of branches.

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Grey Heron

Keep your eyes peeled around the quieter areas of the Vltava river and you might just spot this large wader. Grey Herons are large, with a long neck, long legs, and dagger-like bill. Their heads are white with white centre to the black crown that ends in a long, black wispy crest. The whitish neck has rows of black marks and the back is blue-grey in colour. The Grey Heron is usually seen solitary on the ground, near shallow edges of lakes and rivers.

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Song Thrush

Along with the Blackbird, the Song Thrush is one of the most abundant thrushes in Europe and the Czech Republic.  These stocky birds have relatively short tails, medium-brown upperparts and small black spots all over a buff breast and flanks. They stand rather upright and flick their wings when excited. Song Thrushes have a far carrying musical song comprising a series of short phrases, each repeated 3-5 times. Individuals may have a repertoire of up to 100 phrases. Expect to see these vocal birds in the parks and gardens around the capital.

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Starling

One of Europe's most common and widespread species, the Starling is actually quite a pretty bird upon closer inspection. They are fairly stocky, with a pointed yellow bill that is darker during the winter months. Their feet also change from brown to pink in the spring. Their plumage is mostly black with a purple-green sheen and tiny white spots. Starlings have a rather jaunty walk and can often be observed on garden lawns where they probe for worms and other invertebrates.

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Rook

Not a particularly good-looking bird, the Rook is the last species on the list and yet another member of the crow family. They have a purplish-black plumage and bare greyish skin at the base of the bill. Their foreheads are quite flattened and they have a rather peaked crown. Feathers appear 'looser', especially at the top of the legs, giving it a 'baggy trouser' appearance. They frequent mainly around tall trees and feed mostly on the verges of roads and rubbish tips in and around Prague.

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If you're struggling to spot some of these species, one surefire way to attract garden birds such as Blue Tits, Robins, Chaffinches and Wrens is to hang up bird feeders in your outdoor spaces! There are also many other impressive bird species that can be found in and around Prague including Black Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawks, Chiffchaff and the Short-toed Treecreeper!

Special thanks to Pexels and Pixabay for some of the amazing free images used in this blog post.