Os Eucaliptos e as Aves da Quinta de São Francisco

a quinta e a natureza
a quinta e a natureza
124 the quinta and nature the quinta and nature 125
É durante a Primavera que se torna mais fácil
observar as várias aves já que este é o principal
período de reprodução das espécies que ali
nidificam. Nesta altura os animais afadigam-se
a construir os ninhos, em rituais de
acasalamento e na recolha de alimentos
para as crias.
O comportamento do pisco-de-peito-ruivo
altera-se entre Abril e Julho e o macho deixa
de tolerar a presença de elementos da mesma
espécie, no seu território, durante todo o período
de reprodução. Depois de uma incubação de
duas semanas, os cinco a sete ovos da postura
eclodem, num ninho construído numa cavidade
no solo. Ao contrário dos pais, caracterizados
pelas suas cores vibrantes, as crias apresentam
um tom escuro uniforme.
Mais difíceis de detectar são os ninhos da
trepadeira-comum (Certhia brachydactyla),
sempre bem escondidos em cavidades de
troncos.
During the spring it is easier to watch certain
species, as this is the main breeding season in the
Quinta. At this time of year, the animals are busy
building their nests, in coupling rituals and in the
collection of food for their young.
The behaviour of the robin changes between
April and July, with the male not tolerating the
presence of members of the same species within
its territory during the breeding season. After a
two-week incubation period, the five or seven laid
eggs hatch in a nest built on a soil cavity.
Contrary to the parents’ vibrant colours,
the young have a uniform dark tone.
More difficult to find are the short-toed tree
creepers’ (Certhia brachydactyla) nests which are
always well hidden in holes in tree trunks.
The two woodpecker species that exist in the
Quinta build their nests here. Very sensitive to
human presence, they are quite difficult to watch
but easy to detect through their calling and wood
pecking. At the Quinta, the green woodpecker
(Picus viridis) chooses places where there are tall
trees, on which it builds its nest, looking for
cavities in the trunk which it widens and drills
with strong pecks made with its beak. The
breeding season extends from May to the
beginning of July, when the wood pecking sound
intensifies together with the frequency of the
callings, resembling laughter. As implied by the
name, green dominates in this woodpecker
species, which also has a red patch that goes
from the head to the nape. The tip of its
tail is yellowish.
O verdilhão é das espécies mais comuns.
The greenfinch is one of the most widespread species.
Predador. O gavião vem à Quinta para se alimentar.
A predator. The sparrow hawk comes to the Quinta to feed.