After meeting more and more steemians with an interest in bird fauna as well, decided to share some of the species we can normally see in Portugal. I remember when I started birdwatching, being amazed by the diversity of bird species we can find around us, even in an urban setting; as we start to being able to identify more and more species and are more attentive to our surroundings, we begin to notice that some species seem to be everywhere :) Although the species below can be found all around the country, these photos were taken during a stroll near Serra da Estrela, away from the big buildings.
Greenfinch / Verdilhão (PT) Chloris chloris
Greenfinches are very comon birds, easily identified by the bright green body and yellow margin of the primary feathers; in flight the yellow color on the sides of the tail base can be easily seen too. We can see a couple in the photo above, female above. Females are less colorfull than males, with greyish body and not so bright yellow on the tail and wings.
Common stonechat / Cartaxo comum (PT) Saxicola torquatus, male
Common stonechat / Cartaxo comum (PT) Saxicola torquatus, female
Stonechats are one of my favourite birds; as usual, males are more colorfull than females, and the black head with the with spot on the sides of the neck helps in the identification. One of the things I like in these birds is that they tend to perch right on top of the branches, hence being easily spotted.
European goldfinch / Pintassilgo (PT) Carduelis carduelis
Impossible to mistake this little guy with any other bird, with its red face, following with white and black colors on the rest of the head; sexes are identical. They have a black tail with white spots, which also helps in identification if they're not facing you; and they're normally found in groups.
Hope you enjoyed it!