Zakynthos Zante Birds
Zakynthos and its outlining island Strofada are an important stopping
point for many migrating birds - the most common being turtle doves
(Streptopelia turtur).
Streptopelia turtur
Unfortunately hunters have targeted the
turtledoves on Strofada, however local authorities introduced measures
to prevent poachers.
For more information please read this link:
>Article 1<
>Article 2<
Calonectris
diomedea
Also on Strofada lives a colony of Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris
diomedea) a beautiful bird with a yellow bill.
Calonectris
diomedea
There are many other types of birds that inhabit or stop over on Zante,
such as buzzards, puffins, swans, swallows etc. For anyone who is a keen
birdwatcher here are some of the birds you have good chance of seeing
Common Buzzard ( Buteo Buteo)
These birds are found in many countries and they bless Zante with their
presence. They are often to be seen circling the Zakynthian mountains
and forests- they are a species that likes to live and breed in woods
but hunt over open land. They have a distinctive voice - as they sound
like a cat meowing.
Elenora's falcon
Two - thirds of the world's population of Elenora's falcon breeds in
Greece; its chosen breeding ground. This bird can be seen in other areas
of the Mediterranean too and it migrates long distances (approx 11,000
km) to Africa. Elenora's falcons prefer small islands (such as in the
Aegean) or uninhabited areas, so on Zante it is mainly found in the
north. Elenora's falcons can be identified by their narrow wings and
long tail and their smooth gliding motion. Adult Elenora's falcons are
dark brown with black underwing coverts, but the young birds are lighter
in colour with beige underparts. These birds are often seen in pairs and
their call is typical of a falcon - kek kek kek.
Golden Oriole (Oriolus Oriolus)
These birds are very shy and notoriously hard to spot. They are
beautiful birds- the male is a striking yellow colour with black wings
and a tail, the female is green and yellow (and can look similar to a
green woodpecker.) When in flight they resemble the thrush, dipping and
soaring in turn. Their call is similar to a jay, but their song is
distinctive and beautiful (there are 3 different songs: iii-ole, peeloo-
peeleoo and weela-wee-ooo).
Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)
This bird is resident on Zante and the other Ionian islands. It is not
considered to be a migratory species although some birds do travel to
Africa for the winter. These birds are small warblers (about 13 cm in
size) and there are distinctions between the males and females. The
males have grey backs, white underneaths, a black head, white throat and
distinctive red eyes. The female is brown with a fawn underneath and a
grey head. It has a clear and harsh call - Chak chak chak.
Scops Owl (Otus scops)
This bird is resident on Zante and it is very likely that you will here
its distinctive call (dyoo dyoo) before you see it! It is a nocturnal
bird, which also makes it harder to spot - unless you want to stay up
all night. These owls are predominantly grey- brown in colour with a
paler face. They are not shy animals, as they live near humans and can
be seen flying in close proximity to apartments and studios, so if you
do want to stay up at night or happen to be walking back to your
accommodation one night then you may well have a chance to view these owls.
Woodchat Shrike (Lanius Senator)
This is a migratory bird that winters in Africa, but spends the summer
in Europe and often stays on Zante which it uses as a breading ground.
These birds like vineyards and fruit orchards, so Zante with an
abundance of both fits the bill perfectly.
The male birds are black with
white plumage and a chestnut crown and the female birds are brown with a
wavy pattern and beige underparts. It has a harsh call (sounds like
Kshairr) but its song is more pleasant to the ears with trills.
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