ORIGINAL BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY BY J. ALVEO

Rose-ringed Parakeet, syn. Kingston Parakeet ~ Halsbandsittich, Syn. Kleiner Alexandersittich ~ Psittacula krameri

One of the chestnut leaves looked so surprised and so very, very different. :-) 

Oh yes, it is a parakeet, one of a feral population in London that counts at least 6,000 individuals (some estimates say 50,000 individuals). There are several theories and one suggests that Jimi Hendrix could be responsible for the introdution of this bird species to Great Britain.

At Kew Gardens, they were happily breeding in natural tree holes or woodpecker cavities, so there will be more leaves with eyes and beaks soon. :-) 

There is a lot of discussion and research going on to determine whether this protected bird species can be considered invasive (i. e. if they have a negative impact on native bird populations).

Kew Gardens, London, UK

Common Wood Pigeon ~ Ringeltaube ~ Columba palumbus

I’m back from my birding trip (adventure) to Wales ~ and a little ill. Where do you go to when ill? Of course: Facebook! :-D And Facebook friends from the US have alerted me: May 4 is Bird Day!! Whoops ... So here is a strolling, happily smiling Wood Pigeon to celebrate a Happy Bird Day. Actually this pigeon had some moments of bad luck after that stroll, but I will tell you that story later in a separate post. Thanks for bearing with birdsonly despite the longer absence!

Kew Gardens, London, UK

Blackbird (female) ~ Amsel (Henne) ~ Turdus merula

She’s a friend of mine. :-)

The backyard, Germany

House Sparrow (fledgling) ~ Haussperling (Ästling) ~ Passer domesticus

House Sparrow fledgling I photographed on one day, the next I found him/her run over by a car. :-( It makes a lot of sense to check all kinds of locations for hiding baby birds who might no be quick enough to escape a dangerous situation during breeding season. Fledglings like the one above still depend on regular food rations from their parents. If healthy and unharmed, they can be (carefully) touched with bare hands and placed in a safe spot close by where they will reunite with their parents. 

White Stork ~ Weißstorch ~ Ciconia ciconia

Ringed (but free) bird looking for food on a mowed field in Northern Germany.

Gannet ~ Basstölpel ~ Morus bassanus

Great Tit (fledgling) ~ Kohlmeise (Ästling) ~ Parus major

Spring is approaching real fast and knowing that soon I will again hand-raise and release baby wild birds, here is the one everything started with back in 2009: Chickie! :-)

Common Raven ~ Kolkrabe ~ Corvus corax

Hovering right above me and suddenly my CF card was full, so this is all I got. :-)

Death Valley, USA

Chicken ~ Haushuhn ~ Gallus gallus domesticus

The hen who dreamed she could fly <3

Scruffy hen from a neglected chicken coop in California. Each year, 250 million male cute just hatched baby chicks are ground up or gassed alive in the U. S. (45 million each year in Germany) - they don’t lay eggs, they don’t give meat, so they are trash. The surviving chickens (and turkeys) in factory farming also lead one of the most miserable lives on this planet (alongside feral pigeons).

California, USA

American White Pelican ~ Nashornpelikan ~ Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Cedar Key, Florida, USA

Acorn Woodpecker ~ Eichelspecht ~ Melanerpes formicivorus

Woody, the Proudest ;-)

New Mexico, USA

Black Redstart (fledgling) ~ Hausrotschwanz (Ästling) ~ Phoenicurus ochruros

A piece of art. :-)