While you’re on Cyprus, be sure to take a look at the different types of birds you can see. Cyprus is home to several species of crow, including the Cyprus Warbler and Cyprus Scops Owl.
But did you know that Cyprus is also home to leaf warblers and nightjars?
Learn about these amazing birds so you can spot them on your Cyprus vacation! Here’s a quick look at a few of them!
What will I learn?
Cyprus Warbler
The Cyprus Warbler is a small passerine bird that breeds on the island of the same name. Although it is endemic to Cyprus, some individuals winter in parts of the Middle East.
Male Cyprus warblers are characterized by their black heads and white malar stripes. Female Cyprus warblers have gray and brown plumage with light spotting. Their song is similar to the one of the Sardinian warbler.
The Cyprus Warbler breeds mainly in sparse woodland areas, such as broom slopes. During the day, it is difficult to see it. They tend to hide in trees close to the trunks, so they’re easy to spot by night.
They prefer shady areas and live at elevations of between 1400 and 1500 metres. Although it often migrates to other countries to breed, it sometimes prefers to stay in Cyprus for the harsh winters.
The Cyprus Warbler has a short life span. The average lifespan of a warbler is two years. Unlike some species, this bird mate for life. Its breeding season lasts from late March until June.
Male Cyprus warblers sing songs to woo the female. The female lays four to five eggs in a nest built of stems, leaves, and cobwebs. The Cyprus Warbler’s young depend on their parents for two weeks after hatching.
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Cyprus Scops Owl
The Cyprus scops owl is a subspecies of the Eurasian scops owl. Although this species is native to Cyprus, some taxonomists consider it to be a subspecies of Eurasian scops owl.
In fact, the Cyprus scops owl is not widely distributed. Therefore, it is considered an endemic species. Regardless of its distribution, it is a fascinating bird to watch!
Its habitats include forest and farmland. While it is a native of the island, Cyprus Scops Owls have adapted to living in urban areas. Their breeding success is estimated to be 64%.
The species has an important role in the local ecosystem and is critically endangered due to human activity. The Cyprus Scops Owl was given initial species status in 1801.
The Cyprus Scops Owl is the oldest living bird in Europe. It is mentioned in medieval folk songs as being contemporaneous with the creation of the world.
It is carefully protected and is a valuable resource when it comes to destroying rodents and large insects. Its habitat in Cyprus is suitable for roosting year-round. There is a good chance of seeing a Cyprus Scops Owl at any time of year.
Leaf warblers
The leaf warblers of Cyprus are small and insectivorous birds that live in wooded habitats. These birds are native to Eurasia and parts of Asia, including India.
Their colors vary from green to yellow and their body is often greyish green to brown. Their plumage is distinctive because of the contrasting blue and green colors on their heads and bodies. They are most commonly found in trees and shrubs, such as birches, oaks, and cypress.
The Cyprus Warbler has a distinctive song consisting of vigorous chatters and loud sounds. It sings from bushes or sometimes while flying.
Cyprus Warblers feed on invertebrates such as midges, flies, and butterflies that they find in low shrubs and vegetation. While the Cyprus Warbler is a solitary species, it is sometimes seen in small flocks of 10 to 30 individuals, including a single female.
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Nightjars
The silhouette of the Nightjar is similar to that of a large swift or small hawk. Its large body and long pointed wings with prominent elbows close to the body create a silhouette resembling that of a hawk.
The long axe-head-shaped tail also lends itself to the hawk-like appearance, which has led to some people thinking the Nightjar is a bird of prey.
The song of the Nightjar is difficult to describe but many people have described it as sounding like a spinning wheel or a small motor. Their soft plumage is designed to resemble leaves and bark, and some species even perch on branches to keep their identity secreted during the day.
Their incubation period is between 24 and 28 days, and they start to fly at around 18-20 days. The parents will care for the chicks for a number of weeks until they are old enough to fly on their own.
The Nightjar is a medium-sized nocturnal bird that breeds in the open country. It prefers small trees and bushes over forests. It also avoids areas where there is dense wood, and its habitat is primarily farmland or sandy country.
Some individuals of this species have been recorded at over two hundred meters (9100 feet) altitude, so it’s always important to look for a nightjar near you to enjoy the beauty of the island.
Swifts
The Swifts of Cyprus are a highly endangered species. Their decline has been caused by intensification of farming. Increasing agricultural output, a decrease in available food, and the destruction of nesting sites have negatively affected the species’ population.
To conserve the Swifts, conservation organizations are trying to find ways to restore the ecosystem. This is a difficult task, but they will need your help. To save the Swifts of Cyprus, please donate to the organization.
BirdLife Cyprus has been placing nesting boxes for swifts around the island, and in particular, in urban areas. This conservation initiative has already led to the construction of 30 nest boxes for Cyprus’s Common Swifts at five Cyta buildings in Nicosia, Larnaca, and Limassol.
While common swifts rarely build nests, they often prefer to use tiny holes on rooftops to lay their eggs. However, they are becoming increasingly scarce in Cyprus.
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Cranes
ConAgro Ltd., the largest importer of machinery and equipment in Cyprus, has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of Raimondi Cranes.
Founded in 1986, ConAgro is based in Nicosia with a branch in Limassol. Founded by two brothers, the company has become the largest importer of machinery and equipment in Cyprus. This move will help expand the range of products offered by Raimondi Cranes.
Demoiselle cranes breed on the island of Cyprus and range from the Black Sea to North Eastern China. The Demoiselle cranes nest in patchy vegetation which hides the nests from predators and protects the nest.
It flies to higher altitudes, reaching elevations of 16,000 feet. While many of these cranes die on their journey, lower routes are possible to the Khyber Pass. This makes them particularly important in the Indian subcontinent and their cultural significance in Cyprus.
Rails
The name rail refers to a group of birds that are common throughout the Mediterranean region, and are also found in the Mediterranean. Rails are omnivores and are found everywhere; they also migrate at night and nest in dense vegetation.
While they are easily observed and heard, they are extremely shy. If you are interested in learning more about this beautiful bird, here is some information you might find useful. Listed below are some interesting facts about rails in Cyprus:
Rails are native to Cyprus, where they breed in marshy areas. They construct their nest above water level, where the female incubates the eggs.
The female guards the brood aggressively, and raises two clutches per season. Rails are omnivorous, eating invertebrates during the summer and berries during the winter. During breeding season, they defend the nests from predators and will defend them fiercely.
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Larks
The Larks of Cyprus are a species of non-migratory bird native to the island. They nest in small depressions in the ground and lay eggs similar to those of the Eurasian skylark.
The young leave the nest at a very early age and take flight when they are about fifteen or sixteen days old. There are two subspecies in Cyprus – the Small pale lark and the Great short-toed lark.
The Crested Lark is a medium-sized nocturnal bird with a long, spear-shaped bill. They are well-adapted to flying and swimming, with their legs positioned towards the rear of their bodies.
They are almost helpless on land. Northern storm-petrels, the smallest seabirds in the world, feed on small fish and planktonic crustaceans.
Their flight is fluttering. Swifts, on the other hand, spend most of their time flying. Their short legs and swept-back wings make them easy to spot and photograph.
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