In the dictionary the word passerine is described thus: passerine |ˈpasərin, -ˌrīn|Ornithology
adjective – of, relating to, or denoting birds of a large order distinguished by feet that are adapted for perching, including all songbirds. noun – a passerine bird; a perching bird.
The order Passeriformes comprises more than half of all bird species, the remainder being known informally as the nonpasserines. All passerines in Europe belong to the suborder Oscines (the oscine passerines), so that the term is effectively synonymous with ‘songbird’ there (see songbird). Those of the suborder Deutero-Oscines (the suboscine passerines) are found mainly in America (ORIGIN late 18th cent.: from Latin passer ‘sparrow’ + -ine1.)
This lovely bird arrived this week with not a feather out of place, surviving hundreds of ‘sport’ hunters from many N European countries who go to Morocco, Tunisia & Senegal to shoot birds on migration as a personal challenge and for the sheer fun of it. There are very few breeding Turtle Doves left in France and Italy these days and by annihilating the numbers travelling north through Morocco just shows what a pathetic species we are.
What beautiful and gentle creatures Turtle Doves are
Apologies for this short photo report but time is against me as I continue to lead more tours and enjoy my own back-yard!
Stephen Daly
Stephen Daly, has been birding since he was eight years old in his native Scotland. After living in Germany and France he established Andalucian Guides the successful birding and wildlife tour company on The Strait of Gibraltar in Spain and has been living here since 2001. Photographing birds in flight is one passion and his photos can be found in many books, magazines and journals. Studying bird behaviour and bird migration are two other positive aspects of being based on one of the busiest migration routes on Earth.
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