"I photographed this passerine on 27.08 in the Lezíria of Vila Franca de Xira and I have doubts whether it is a juvenile blue-headed wagtail or not. Can you please confirm the species?", the reader asked Wilder.
It is a blue-headed wagtail (Motacilla flava).
Species identified by: Gonçalo Elias, responsible for the Aves de Portugal portal.
Yes, it is a blue-headed wagtail.
This is one of the most colorful Portuguese birds. Adult males have yellow plumage on the breast and belly and a blue head. In females the colors are less vivid and juveniles are more brownish.
According to the Aves de Portugal portal, the blue-headed wagtail is one of the earliest summer migrants. "The arrival of the first blue-headed wagtails represents, like that of swallows, one of the first signs that spring is near."
"It is a typical species of open areas, generally in the vicinity of wetlands, occurring in salt marshes and also in pastures, rice fields and other agricultural land."
Learn more here about the return of blue-headed wagtails in spring.
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A leitora Dina Leitão fotografou esta ave na lezíria de Vila Franca de Xira a 27 de agosto e pediu ajuda na identificação. Gonçalo Elias responde.
“Fotografei este passeriforme no dia 27.08 na lezíria de Vila Franca de Xira e tenho dúvidas se é ou não uma alvéola-amarela juvenil. Podem por favor confirmar-me a espécie?”, perguntou a leitora à Wilder.
Trata-se de uma alvéola-amarela (Motacilla flava).
Espécie identificada por: Gonçalo Elias, responsável pelo portal Aves de Portugal.
Sim, é uma alvéola-amarela.
Esta é uma das mais coloridas aves portuguesas. Os machos adultos têm uma plumagem amarela no peito e no ventre e a cabeça azulada. Nas fêmeas as cores são menos vivas e os juvenis são mais acastanhados.
Segundo o portal Aves de Portugal, a alvéola-amarela é um dos migradores estivais mais precoces. “A chegada das primeiras alvéolas-amarelas representa, tal como a das andorinhas, um dos primeiros sinais de que a primavera está próxima.”
“É uma espécie típica de zonas abertas, geralmente nas imediações de zonas húmidas, ocorrendo em sapais e também em pastagens, arrozais e outros terrenos agrícolas.”
Saiba mais aqui sobre o regresso das alvéolas-amarelas na primavera.
Agora é a sua vez.
Encontrou um animal ou planta que não sabe a que espécie pertence? Envie-nos para o nosso email a fotografia, a data e o local. Trabalhamos com uma equipa de especialistas que o vão ajudar.
Explore a série “Que espécie é esta?” e descubra quais as espécies que já foram identificadas, com a ajuda dos especialistas.
MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre revealed a study published in the scientific journal Marine Pollution Bulletin, led by researchers from MARE and ARNET – Aquatic Research Network, which updates to 231 the number of invasive species in Portuguese waters, with 62 confirmed in the waters of the Autonomous Region of Madeira. This work represents the most complete compilation ever carried out on the topic.
The city of Porto will host, between June 7 and 11, 2027, the "IPT Supervisor & Trainer International Conference," an international clinical conference dedicated to the training, supervision, and updating of professionals in Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Organized by the API Academy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy, an entity based in Porto and partnered with the Order of Portuguese Psychologists, the Portuguese edition follows the conferences in Los Angeles (2025) and Singapore (2026). The event aims to bring together internationally renowned professionals, including Dr. Scott Stuart, director of the IPT Institute International, and is in the preparation phase, with the scientific program and registration conditions to be announced shortly.
A crowd gathered in Los Angeles, United States, watched the lunar eclipse, taking the opportunity to see one of the most visible celestial objects regardless of air pollution levels. Despite some clouds that made observing the phenomenon more difficult, the spectators showed great enthusiasm and expectation to witness the last eclipse of the year.
A study published in the journal Human Reproduction revealed that vanillin, a substance used to give e-cigarettes a vanilla flavor, altered human embryonic stem cells in laboratory experiments and interfered with a process linked to the initial formation of the embryo. The researchers found these effects at concentrations that, according to a mathematical exposure model, could be reached in maternal blood during vaping. The study seeks to clarify the already observed links between e-cigarette use, difficulties getting pregnant, and miscarriages, areas that still have little scientific knowledge.
