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Grey heron
It is the largest of the herons that we encounter in our country and is the classic representative of his family. Can be observed in Greece throughout the year in most wetlands. Several Herons are also emigrational. Apart from his great stature, distinguishes itself from others herons for the grey color on its top, the white head and neck, with a broad black streak from the eye to the edge of the plume. The long, yellowish and sharp beak is a "harpoon" with astonishing capacity and efficiency. During the breeding season the beak and feet is turning from red to brown. Is sitting long time motionless near or into the water waiting patiently and with a lightning fast jolt of the its neck and beak harpoon with its beak its prey, usually fish, frogs and worms, snails, mice when fed in the fields.
Recurvirostra avosetta
Wader bird with size 43 cm. The long, thin and inclined upwards beak makes it easily recognizable. Has white plumage on the neck, chest and abdomen, and black and white. Very characteristic are also the two black stripes on the shoulders. The long bluish black legs are another element that helps recognition. The Avocet strolling the banks of lagoons, plunges its characteristic curved upwards beak into the shallow water and mud searching food: fish eggs, small clams, snails, small crabs. It detect them effectively moving its beak right and left in the water.
Tadorna ferruginea
The Tadorna ferruginea, is because of its rarity, the most important widgeon, which is reproducing in wetlands of Limnos and nests at lakes Chortarolimni and Aliki.
It is a migratory kind, although a few individuals stay in Greece during the winter. It nests in early April, always in natural or artificial holes in dunes, dikes, old houses or rocks.
In Greece nests mainly in lakes of Thrace, in the Evros delta and the islands of the Aegean, Lesvos, Limnos and in Kos.
The decrease in the population of Tadorna ferruginea. In the past, is mainly due to the drainage and other human intervention in wetlands. Today the main problem is the illegal hunting, especially at the beginning and end of the hunting season (August - September and February-March), which is their travelling season in Greece.
Island chukar
The much celebrated island Chukar has since ancient times been a symbol of grace and beauty, and was until recently abundant on many Aegean islands. Limnos, with its vast expanses of cereal crops and grazing land, welcomes large populations of this exquisite bird, that has started coming to the island since timely measures were taken, prohibiting hunting of the Chukar during the breeding season. Small flocks are frequently encountered, even on rural dirt roads in the remote eastern part of the island and on the peninsula of Fakos.
Phoenicopterus ruber
These are large wading birds of shallow salt or brackish water. They have extremely long neck and long slim legs. The beak is heavy and curved downwards. The pink color of their wings comes mainly from a chemical canthaxanthin. They feed on small aquatic animals (crustaceans, insects, worms) and plankton, filtering muddy water sticking in a unique way beak upside down. Their nest is a small hillock made of mud.
They are nomadic, who can wander for years to find suitable conditions for nesting. They are nesting in colonies, but not every year. The European race is reproduced in various wetlands of our country. The strict protection of the main breeding areas in the Mediterranean has led to significant population growth and creation of new colonies.
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