Ornithological routes
Hoces del Jalón – Palo del Moro y Llanos de Calatorao – Alfamen
Hoces del Jalón – Palo del Moro y Llanos de Calatorao – Alfamen
ITINERARY
Hoces del Jalón en Ricla and Llanos de Calatorao-Alfamen
SPECIES
RESIDENT: Bonelli’s Eagle, Golden Eagle, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Eagle Owl, Long-eared Owl, Little Owl, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Kingfisher, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Red-billed Chough, Common Raven, Crag Martin, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Wheatear, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Calandra Lark, Penduline Tit, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Dartford Warbler, Rock Sparrow, Rock Bunting.
SUMMER: Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Black Kite, Lesser Kestrel, Scops Owl, Little Bustard, Stone Curlew, European Bee-Eater, Hoopoe, Eurasian Wryneck, Sand Martin, Melodious Warbler, Short-toed Lark, Meadow Pipit, Black-eared Wheatear, Orphean Warbler.
OVERWINTERING: Hen Harrier, Merlin, Woodcock, Brambling, Siskin, Hawfinch, Wallcreeper, Reed Bunting.
MIGRANT: European Bee-Eater, Black Stork, Common Crane.
DESCRIPTION
RECOMMENDED TIME OF YEAR: Winter and spring.
HABITATS: Hoces del Jalón – Palo del Moro:- Mediterranean shrub, gallery forests and cliffs. Llanos de Calatorao – Alfamen: Unirrigated cereal fields, almond groves, steppes and isolated mediterranean shrub.
![milano negro BIRDING ARAGÓN](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/milano-negro.jpg)
Black Kite. Photo: Miguel Ángel García
![alimoche aves emblematicas Alimoche Aves Emblematicas](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/alimoche-aves-emblematicas.jpg)
Egyptian Vulture. Photo: Miguel Ángel García
BIRDS
![Eurasian Siskin](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Jilguero-lugano-He-1080x675.jpg)
Eurasian Siskin
Carduelis spinus ES: Jilguero lúgano Description L: 12cm; W:20-23cm; Bird that presents a marked sexual dimorphism. Male with yellowish-green back, striped black; yellowish underparts and striated flanks; yellow rump; black crown and...
![Brambling](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pinzon-real-1080x675.jpg)
Brambling
Fringilla Montifringilla ES: pinzón real Description L: 14cm; W:24-26cm; This bird presents a marked sexual dimorphism, more striking in winter. Male breeding plumage with black head, bill, and back; in winter with a black-tipped yellowish...
![Rock Bunting](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/escribano-montesino-6-1080x675.jpg)
Rock Bunting
Emberiza companyES: Escribano montesino Description L: 15-16.5cm; W:21.5-27cm; Brown-backed bird with black stripes; ocher underparts; grey head streaked with black on crown and cheeks. Both sexes of similar pattern and colour, but more...
![Rock Sparrow](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Gorrion-chillon-1080x675.jpg)
Rock Sparrow
Petronia petronia ES: Gorrión chillón Description L: 15-17cm; W:28-32cm; Bird with a brown back with brown streaks and a white underpart with brown-grey streaks; Thick bill with grey upperparts; head with light supercilium, brown tail, with...
![Northern Raven](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Cuervo-grande-1080x675.jpg)
Northern Raven
Corvus corax ES: Cuervo grande Description L: 54-67cm; W:115-140cm; The largest bird within the passerines. Black plumage, with bluish and greenish reflections; "wedge" tail; stout bill and black legs. Both sexes are similar in plumage....
![Red-billed Chough](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Chova-piquirroja-1080x675.jpg)
Red-billed Chough
Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax ES: chova piquirroja Description L: 37-41cm; W:68-80cm; Corvid with uniform shiny black plumage; long curved bill; red beak and legs. Both sexes do not present differences in terms of plumage. Juveniles with fresh...
![Common Reed Bunting](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/escribano-palustre-6-1080x675.jpg)
Common Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclus ES: Escribano palustre Description L: 15-16.5cm; W:21-28cm; Wintering bird that shows sexual dimorphism in the breeding season. In autumn-winter, both sexes are similar with a reddish-brown head, ocher eyebrow and...
![Hawfinch](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Picogordo-1080x675.jpg)
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustes ES: Picogordo común Description L: 18cm; W:29-33cm. Striking bird for its colour and size. Both sexes have a similar appearance; if anything, the female with paler plumage than the male. Brown back with ocher...
![Eurasian Penduline Tit](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pajaro-moscon-1080x675.jpg)
Eurasian Penduline Tit
Remiz pendulinus ES: Pájaro-moscón europeo Description L: 11cm; W:16-17cm; Very small bird, with conical and pointed beak and short wings; with an intense chestnut-scented upperpart and paler underparts, grey head (brown in winter), dark...
![Wallcreeper](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Treparriscos-1080x675.jpg)
Wallcreeper
Tichodroma muraria ES: Treparriscos Description L: 15.5-17cm; W:27-32cm; Very beautiful bird of grey colour in the upper part; red coverts feathers in flight and grey underparts, or black when the male is in the breeding phase; Thin and...
![Western Orphean Warbler](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/curruca-mirlona-1080x675.jpg)
Western Orphean Warbler
Sylvia hortensis ES: Curruca mirlona Description L: 15cm; W:20-25 cm; The largest of the Iberian warblers. The male has a black mask, forehead and crown, and a white throat; highlights the whitish iris; back grey-brown, smooth; wings and...
![Sardinian Warbler](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Curruca-cabecinegra-1080x675.jpg)
Sardinian Warbler
Sylvia melanocephala ES: Curruca cabecinegra Description L:13-14cm; W:15-18cm; Bird that presents a pronounced sexual dimorphism. The adult male has a black crown that reaches below the eyes with a striking red orbital ring; dark grey back...
![Dartford Warbler](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Curruca-rabilarga-1-1080x675.jpg)
Dartford Warbler
Sylvia undataES: Curruca rabilarga Description L: 12-13cm; W:13-19cm; Species with elusive habits, with similar plumage in both sexes. It has a dark grey back and vinous underparts; vinaceous throat with white flecks; long tail; with...
![Melodious Warbler](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Zarcero-poliglota-He-1080x675.jpg)
Melodious Warbler
Hippolais polyglotta ES: Zarcero políglota Description L: 13-14cm; W:20-24cm; Bird of inconspicuous plumage, with olive-green back and yellowish underparts; slightly marked yellow eyebrow; robust bill and brown legs; yellowish axillae; with...
![Blue Rock Thrush](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Roquero-solitario-4-1080x675.jpg)
Blue Rock Thrush
Monticola solitarius ES: roquero solitario Description L: 21-23cm; W: 33-37cm; The male in breeding plumage is bluish-grey; dark wings and tail; in winter with brown rims on the blue feathers. Female has grey-brown upperparts, bluish tinge...
![Black Wheatear](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Collalba-negra-hori-1080x675.jpg)
Black Wheatear
Oenanthe leucura ES: collalba negra Description L: 18cm; W:26-29cm; Uniformly black body (male) or dark brown (female); white rump and undertail coverts; white tail with a central and terminal black band. Both sexes are similar, the male is...
![Black-eared Wheatear](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Collalba-rubia-1080x675.jpg)
Black-eared Wheatear
Oenanthe hispanicaES: collalba rubia Description L: 14cm; W:25-27cm; Male in breeding plumage with reddish ocher back; rump and upper coverts creamy white; black wings with white trim on the feathers; throat and sides of head black or black...
![Tawny Pipit](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bisbita-campestre-12-1080x675.jpg)
Tawny Pipit
Anthus campestris ES: Bisbita campestre Description L: 17cm; W:27cm; Summer species spread throughout the Aragon region in consistently low densities, in areas with sparsely covered vegetation. Observation difficulty: Medium Status:...
![Eurasian Crag Martin](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Avion-roquero-CB-1080x675.jpg)
Eurasian Crag Martin
Ptyonoprogne rupestris ES: Avión roquero Description L:14cm W:33cm. Strong greyish-brown upperparts. Dirty white underparts and short, square tail. Up close, finely ridged throat. With white markings near the end of the rectrices. Both...
![Sand Martin](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/avión-zapador-1080x675.jpg)
Sand Martin
Riparian riparian ES: Avión zapador Description L: 12cm. W:28cm. Bird with brown upperparts and white underparts, the chest has a brown band; with a short, slightly forked tail. Both sexes are similar. It nests near water and excavates its...
![Thekla Lark](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Cogujada-montesina-CB-1080x675.jpg)
Thekla Lark
Galerida theklae ES: Cogujada montesina Description L: 17cm W: 28-32cm. Bird with brown plumage very similar to the Crested lark; it has a crest and an eyebrow on its head; outer tail feathers ochre; and a clearly striated chest; ocher...
![Crested Lark](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Cogujada-común-1080x675.jpg)
Crested Lark
Cristata gallery ES: Cogujada común Description L: 17cm W: 29-38cm. Brown plumage similar to the Thekla lark, although with a larger wingspan; it has a crest and eyebrow on its head; ochre outer tail feathers; and diffusely striated chest;...
![Greater Short-toed Lark](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Terrera-comun-CB-1080x675.jpg)
Greater Short-toed Lark
Calandrella brachydactyla ES: Terrera común Description L: 13-14cm W: 25-30cm. Elongated beak and a straight lower mandible; It has a brownish upper part streaked with dark and white underparts, an unspeckled chest and two black spots on...
![Calandra Lark](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Calandria-5-1080x675.jpg)
Calandra Lark
Melanocorypha calandra ES: Calandria común Description L: 18-19cm W: 34-42cm. Crestless head without crown and marked eyebrow, thick and strong beak. Brown upper part, with light edges, chest with fine stripes and two dark lateral spots...
![Lesser Spotted Woodpecker](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Pico-menor-4-1080x675.jpg)
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos minor ES: Pico menor Description L: 14-16 cm W: 24 -29 cm. Observation difficulty: Hard Status: Resident. Optimal Season: Dec-Jan Conservation Status: Protected species Habitat: Riverbanks Best places to see in Aragón ...
![Great Spotted Woodpecker](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Pico-picapinos-He-1080x675.jpg)
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos major ES: Pico picapinos Description L: 23-26 cm. W: 38 – 44 cm. Back black, with two white spots on shoulders: white throat and chest; red underparts; white cheek and forehead; dark with white mottling wings; black tail with...
![European Green Woodpecker](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Pito-verde-5-1080x675.jpg)
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridis ES: Pito real Description L: 16-17cm W: 25-27cm.This insectivorous bird has cryptic plumage with a grey-brown back; grey underparts with ocher chest and throat; transversely streaked grey and brown tail; brown beak and legs....
![Eurasian Wryneck](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Torcecuello-1080x675.jpg)
Eurasian Wryneck
Jynx torquillaES: Torcecuello euroasiático Description L: 16-17cm W: 25-27cm. This insectivorous bird has cryptic plumage with a grey-brown back; grey underparts with ocher chest and throat; transversely streaked grey and brown tail; brown...
![Hoopoe](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/abubilla-banda-1080x675.jpg)
Hoopoe
Upupa epops ES: Abubilla Description L 25-28cm. W: 44-48 cm. Brown back, with black and white transverse stripes; pinkish-wine chest, with white underparts; fawn-coloured head with a pinkish crest tipped with black and white; black wings...
![European Bee-eater](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Abejaruco-1080x675.jpg)
European Bee-eater
Merops apiaster ES: Abejaruco europeo Description L: 27-29cm W: 44-49cm. Colourful insectivorous bird, with reddish-brown crown and anterior part of the back; golden yellow back; tail and underparts green; yellow throat and eyes covered by...
![Common Kingfisher](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Martín-pescador-1080x675.jpg)
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis ES: Martín pescador comúnr Description L: 15-17cm W: 24-26cm. Bluish above, brownish-orange below, white throat, with a white spot on both sides of the neck. Sexual dimorphism is not very evident and is limited to the colour...
![Long-eared Owl](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Buho-chico-1080x675.jpg)
Long-eared Owl
Asio otus ES: Búho chico Description L: 31-37cm; W: 86-98 cm; Nocturnal raptor with striking facial design. It has a gray-brown to reddish-brown back, speckled with brown; ocher underparts; reddish-brown flight feathers; tail rufous with...
![Little Owl](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Mochuelo-europeo-1080x675.jpg)
Little Owl
Athene nocturne ES: Mochuelo común Description L: 21-23cm; W: 51-54cm; With more diurnal habits than other owls, this owl has a brown back with rounded white spots; chest diffusely fringed brown and white; brown flight feathers, speckled...
![Eurasian Eagle-Owl](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/búho-real-1080x675.jpg)
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Bubo bubo ES: Búho real Description L: 57-75cm; W:140-188cm; Large nocturnal bird of prey with an ocher general color, speckled with dark; brown wings with transverse ocher stripes; white throat; bill dark; feet covered in buff feathers;...
![Eurasian Scops Owl](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Autillo-europeo-1080x675.jpg)
Eurasian Scops Owl
Otus scops ES: Autillo europeo Description L: 19-21cm; W: 47-54cm; The smallest of the owls of the Iberian Peninsula. It has a gray-brown to reddish-brown back, with a fine pattern of stripes; paler abdomen, also vermiculated; flight...
![Pin-tailed Sandgrouse](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ganga-iberica-birding-1080x675.jpg)
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
Pterocles alchata ES: Ganga ibérica Description L: 31-39cm; W: 55cm; Steppe smaller in size than the white-bellied sandgrouse. In breeding plumage, the male has a yellow-speckled back; black and yellow barred rump and long tail; Deep ocher...
![Black-bellied Sandgrouse](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ganga-ortega-destacada-1080x675.jpg)
Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Pterocles orientalis ES: Ganga ortega Description L: 34-36cm; W: 65-70cm; Steppe bird with camouflage colors, compact and voluminous body, long wings and black belly. Male with gray back mottled with yellow; gray head, neck and breast;...
![Eurasian Woodcock](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/chocha-perdiz-1080x675.jpg)
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticola ES: Chocha perdiz Description L: 33-38cm; W: 55-65cm; Wader of forest and solitary habits. Both sexes are similar, their cryptic plumage stands out, with gray upperparts with black and ocher stripes; gray underparts,...
![Eurasian Stone-curlew](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Alcaravan-1080x675.jpg)
Eurasian Stone-curlew
Burhinus oedicnemus ES: Alcaraván común Description L: 40-44cm; W: 77-85 cm; MediuMar-Sepized bird with sandy-toned plumage, with a large, bright yellow eye framed by two white lines; yellow bill with black tip and yellow legs; wings brown,...
![Little Bustard](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/sison-1080x675.jpg)
Little Bustard
Tetrax tetrax ES: Sisón común Description In breeding plumage, the male has an ocher hood with black striations and the rest of the head is gray; black neck with white stripes, followed by a white and a black collar. In non-breeding...
![Common Crane](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/grulla-comun-12-1-1000x675.jpg)
Common Crane
Grus Grus ES: Grulla común Description L: 96-119cm; W: 180-222cm; Adult slate gray; throat, nape and sides of face black; sides of head and neck white; crown red; black primaries; long secondaries giving the appearance of being part of the...
![Peregrine Falcon](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Halcon-peregrino-22-1000x675.jpg)
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus ES: Halcón peregrino Description L: 38-51cm; W: 89-113cm; The largest of the falcons of the Iberian Peninsula. Adults with bluish gray back; pale underparts, finely barred with dark; dark head with broad mustache; tail...
![Merlin](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/esmerejón-1080x675.jpg)
Merlin
Falco columbariusES: Esmerejón Description L: 26-33cm; W: 55-69cm; The smallest of the European falcons. Adult male with slate gray back, finely striated; reddish underparts, streaked with brown; dark gray tail, with thin bands smaller than...
![Common Kestrel](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/cernicalo-1080x675.jpg)
Common Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus ES: Cernícalo vulgar Description L: 31-37cm; W: 68-78cm; Raptor with pointed wings and long tail, with a black band near the end; dark nails; back brown, mottled in both sexes; light ocher underparts, mottled on body and...
![Lesser Kestrel](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/cernícalo-primilla-1080x675.jpg)
Lesser Kestrel
Falco naumanni ES: Cernícalo primilla Description L:26-31cm; W: 66-72cm; Raptor with pointed wings and long tail, with a black band near the end; light nails; back brown, mottled only in female; light ocher underparts, speckled with dark;...
![Bonelli’s Eagle](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Aguila-de-Bonelli-He-1080x675.jpg)
Bonelli’s Eagle
Aquila fasciata ES: Águila perdicera Description L: 60-70cm; W: 150-170cm; Adults with dark upperparts; underparts white, streaked with dark; tail grey-brown, with several dark bars; wings dark above and lighter and shaded dark below;...
![Booted Eagle](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Aguila-calzada-1080x675.jpg)
Booted Eagle
Aquila pennata ES: Águila calzada Description L: 42-51cm; W:110-135cm; With feathers on the tarsi, covering even the fingers. It has two types of plumagW: a light phase with white underparts; neck and breast often with a tawny band; ocher...
![Golden Eagle](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Aguila-real-1080x675.jpg)
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos ES: Águila real Description L: 76-96cm; W: 180-230cm; One of the best known birds of prey. The adult has dark brown plumage; head and nape golden; tail with diffuse transverse bands. In adult birds, the male has a darker...
![Northern Harrier](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/aguilucho-pálido-1080x675.jpg)
Northern Harrier
Circus cyaneusES: Aguilucho pálido Description L: 44-55cm; W: 97 - 118cm; Adult male with gray head and back; gray underparts on chest and white on rest; wing tips black; gray tail; white rump. Adult female with dark brown back; light brown...
![Short-toed Snake Eagle](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Culebrera-europea-1080x675.jpg)
Short-toed Snake Eagle
Circaetus gallicusES: Culebrera europea Description L: 62-69cm; W: 160-175cm; Raptor with brown back and large head; tail with four transverse dark bands, the terminal one wider; dark throat and chest; white underparts streaked with brown;...
![Griffon Vulture](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Buitre-leonado-1080x675.jpg)
Griffon Vulture
Gyps fulvus ES: Buitre leonador Description L: 95-110cm; W: 230-265cm; The most common of the Iberian vultures. Naked head and neck, with whitish down; light feather ruff; tawny plumage, with darker wings and tail; gray beak and claws...
![Egyptian Vulture](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Alimoche-1080x675.jpg)
Egyptian Vulture
Neophron perchnopterus ES: Alimoche común Description L: 55-65cm; W: 148-171cm; Adults white except wing feathers; head and throat without feathers, yellow. Both sexes are of similar size and plumage, the male being a little smaller than...
![Black Kite](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Milano-negro-1080x675.jpg)
Black Kite
Milvus migransES: Milano negro Descripción L: 55-60cm; W: 130-155cm. Brown-backed bird; striped reddish brown underparts; clear crown streaked with black; Wings dark brown, with a diffuse dark spot at the base of the primaries; barred...
![European Honey Buzzard](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/halcon-abejero-5.jpg)
European Honey Buzzard
Pernis apivorus ES: Abejero europeo Description L:52-59cm, W:115-135cm. Bird with a brown back and some pale fringes; light underside with dark mottling; wings brown and light on the underside; with a general appearance very similar to the...
![Black Stork](https://birdingaragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cigüeña-negra-MAG-1080x675.jpg)
Black Stork
Ciconia nigra ES: Cigüeña negra Description L: 95-100 cm; W: 145-155 cm; Similar in size and shape to the white or common stork, from which it differs in its shiny black plumage and distinctive white underparts. Red beak and legs....