The Similarities of Whales and Sardinian Warblers

Sardinian Warblers are great. I was walking about in the Atalaya Forest Park (see the male below) on the edge of town looking for butterflies amongst the mediterranean bush up there when I heard the loud, and not totally un-melodic, sound of one. Sure enough, a male was only a few metres away from me climbing about in the bushes. 

They remind a bit of whales. I know it sounds stupid. Why would a Sardinian warbler remind anyone of a whale? Is it because they are grey? No. For me it’s their inquisitiveness. It’s the way they will come fairly close to you and have a good look at you by cocking their head, to see you with one eye, just like whales and dolphins do. The similarities end there I suppose. I love the black head of the male and the red eye-rings of both sexes. They just seem like a fun bird who is entertained by visitors and then goes off about its business. The bird above was in a spot not far from the road and near a viewing area which I must return to when it’s not so hot. 

The bird above and the female below were in a bush in the garden of a Casa Rural, or rented rural house, down in Osuna near Seville. Totally in character with what I have just said, they spent the whole day about 10 metres away from a bunch of loud homebrewers making beer on the patio.