המועדפים של alexander_dashkov

Feral Pigeon (Columba livia ssp. domestica) A.k.a. Rock Dove. Introduced/naturalized, wild pigeons that vary in plumage patterns. Head and neck darker than back, black bar on inner wing, white rump, and black band at the end of tail. Some have iridescent dark green and dark pink on neck. Eyes are red.
Rock Pigeon is the world's oldest domesticated bird. Research suggests that domestication of pigeons occurred as early as 10,000 years ago. Pigeons have made contributions of considerable importance to humanity, especially in times of war. The homing ability of pigeons has been put to use by making them messengers. So-called war pigeons have carried many vital messages and some have been decorated for their services. Medals such as the Croix de Guerre, awarded to Cher Ami, and the Dickin Medal awarded to the pigeons G.I. Joe and Paddy, amongst 32 others, have been awarded to pigeons for their services in saving human lives.
Despite this, city pigeons today are seen as pests, mainly due to their droppings. Feral pigeons are considered invasive in many parts of the world, though they have a positive impact on wild bird populations, serving as an important wild food source for birds of prey.

Rock Pigeon is a "fairly large pigeon with wild and feral populations throughout the world. True wild birds nest on cliffs and in caves from western Europe to central Asia. Pale gray overall with two bold black wingbars and iridescent purple and green on neck. Feral varieties are common in cities and farmland, often in large flocks. Variable plumage: some identical to wild-type birds, but can be completely black, white, or orangey-brown and any combination in between."
Ebird with species description, range map and sound recordings: https://ebird.org/species/rocpig/

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of Western North America, ed. Jon L. Dunn, 2008, pp. 208-209.

Audubon Guide to North American Birds https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/rock-pigeon

Xeno-canto Bird songs, sound recordings, and species range map: https://xeno-canto.org/species/Columba-livia

The Cornell Lab https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/ and and https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rock_Pigeon

Monterey Birds, Don Roberson, 2nd ed. 2002, sponsored by Monterey Peninsula Audubon Society

Merlin Bird ID (great app available for Iphones) by The Cornell Lab (Bird ID help for 8,500+ species) https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

Comprehensive Feather I.D. tools and more: https://foundfeathers.org/resources/

Found Feathers (Worldwide): https://www.fws.gov/lab/featheratlas/idtool.php

flying fox with pup
pups are carried by the mother for the first few weeks of life, with weaning occurring around 5 months of age. Males do not participate in parental care. Young bats learn to fly at approximately 11 weeks of age.

A wintry photo saved to the end of the year to thank you all for id's, help and useful information - @tayloria, @harrinygren, @juhakinnunen, @vesaoikonen, @scapiculata, @pihlaviita, @alrumpel, @jurga_li and many many others. - Happy New Year to you all!