Birds

The hood [Top of the head (Pileus).] Is the hallmark that gives name to this species and allows easy identification, the rest of the plumage is rather discreet.

Very distributed and often quite familiar, is the one most like living in our gardens. It fits in the bushes most diverse, both in the wild and in the beds of boxwood carving.

In March-April, after taking possession of a territory, the male tries, with varying mime, attract a female. During courtship, waving as soon as the tail wings frantically and inflates the breast feathers.

The molt begins in mid-July. The blackcaps barely move and go unnoticed. After a period of silence, by mid-August, we hear their voices again clear from the groves.

Although common breeding in most of Spain, appearing in greater numbers in winter with the arrival of large numbers of birds from other parts of Europe. Towards the end of September the advanced arrive, but it is in October, particularly when it's heavy bird that winters primarily around the center and south.

 

Identification: Upper parts grayish brown, the male with hood [Top of the head (Pileus).] Black, the female is reddish brown.

Nesting: Nest lightweight, built mainly by the female, dried herbs, lined with hair and rootlets, in bushes or other weeds. Puts from April to June, usually 4-5 eggs, dyed white speckled green and brown. Incubation, by both parents, about 12 days. The chickens, fed by both parents, leave the nest after about 10 days.

Food: Mosquitoes, caterpillars and other insects in autumn and winter, fruits and berries [type fleshy fruit with seeds.].

Habitat: Sotos.