Filenews 5 July 2022
The Committee for the Rare Birds of Cyprus has confirmed that the registration by the Akrotiri Environmental Education Centre of curruca deserti on 19 April last year has been approved and the species has been officially added to the systematic list in Cyprus. This is a first mention of the species Curruca deserti for Cyprus.
Curruca deserti is traditionally a non-migratory bird and is known to live in the breeding areas of northwest Africa and not in the climate of Cyprus, a statement from the British Bases said.
Having initially submitted the registration last year, the news was confirmed to Dr. Thomas Hadjikyriacou, director of the Akrotiri Environmental Education Centre, at the end of April by the Committee for the Rare Birds of Cyprus and as expected, he says he is very pleased with the decision.
Explaining the effort made to officially recognize the species, he said: "The Curruca deserti was recorded in the west of the Peninsula when it was seen feeding on low scrub, mainly in juniperus phoenica and Thymbra capitata.
"The observation lasted about two hours, during which observations of his behavior were made and photos were taken."
Curruca deserti is a small bird with a length of 11.5 cm and breeds in semi-desert areas from Western Sahara to Western Libya.
Dr. Hadjikyriacou said the bird prefers "sandy deserts with sparse bushes and grasses. It feeds on bushes and grasses, but also on the ground, mainly with small insects and less with seeds and fleshy fruits."
Regarding the significance of the discovery, he continued: "This is an unexpected first mention of the species Curruca deserti for Cyprus. It is not a migratory species, with its area of spread in NW Africa located about two thousand kilometres away from Cyprus.
"Although the Akrotiri Peninsula is considered well-studied in terms of birdlife, canopy species continue to be identified, stressing the importance for further bird research."
