P Is For Posing and Pisco.


Posing. Pisco, Portuguese for robin.

An European Robin, Erithacus rubecula, making a break from insect hunting to pose for the camera. The name “pisco” applies to several different insectivorous birds and is usually followed by a qualifier, redbreast in this case, but there are also the “bluebreast” (bluethroat, Luscinia svecica), “bluetail” (Tarsiger cyanurus) and “blacksmith” (redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros). However, if someone says only “pisco” and nothing else, they are almost certainly referring to this bird.

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© Nightjar, all rights reserved.

Comments

  1. says

    Perfect shot.
    This is a lovely birdie, and not particularly shy one either. They do love to nest near humans. I wish they nested in my garden, but I only see them very rarely, once-twice a year.

  2. jrkrideau says

    So that’s a European robin. Lovely bird and not a lot like our North American robins.

  3. Ice Swimmer says

    Rising up like a bear (except that they wouldn’t have front paws on the sides). A fine capture.

    Look at the feathers in front of the legs!

  4. Nightjar says

    Thank you!

    Yeah, they are very different from North American robins and so lovely to watch, always frantic when looking for food but they truly shine at dusk, in winter I often see a robin silhouette against the sunset singing his heart out. I love them.

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