Field guide to the most commonly encountered mammals and birds

Here, we provide some basic information regarding commonly observed species (plus some others about which we have had queries).  

Feel free to contact us by email if you have any questions regarding species you have encountered on the site.

For more information about mammals, we recommend the Mammal Society's species hub, here. For birds, excellent resources are available from the RSPB (here) and the BTO (here).

 

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Felis catus × silvestris

Scientific name: Felis catus × silvestris

Family: Felidae

Appearance: As a hybrid, it can be very similar in appearance to both a Scottish wildcat and a domestic cat. Most obviously, alongside typical tabby markings the coat can be black, tabby with white patches or blotchy tabby, none of which are associated with wildcats. More subtle variations from a typical tabby wildcat coat are difficult to distinguish but can include 1) a tail tip shape that is intermediate between the blunt wildcat tip and the tapered domestic cat tip, 2) tail rings that are fused or indistinct, 3) a dorsal line that extends from the back onto the tail, 4) more thinner stripes on the nape and shoulders compared with wildcats, 5) flank markings that show frequent broken stripes or spots. Any one of these features alone doesn’t necessarily indicate the cat is a hybrid but a cat showing several of these characteristics is very likely a hybrid.

Size: Usually bigger than a domestic cat and can be as large as a wildcat. Sizes here are full range of domestic and wildcat lengths. Head and body 44-54 cm (female), 44-63 cm (male); tail 23-34 cm

Natural history: Wildcat hybrids are found throughout the range of the Scottish wildcat. In addition, due to historic translocations of Scottish wildcat, they may be found on some islands such as Skye and Mull, in Galloway and possibly even northern Wales. Habitat preference and diet are very similar to wildcat: They can be found especially in mixed habitats of woodland/scrub and grassland in which activity is concentrated around habitat edges. Rabbit and rodents are important in their diet. Hybrid wildcats may be more likely to use grassland habitat away from the cover of woodland and scrub and therefore grassland rodents such as field vole may be more commonly hunted than by wildcats. It is thought that hybrid wildcats may also be more willing to hunt and den near human habitations and may be more willing to feed on human hand-outs.

Territorial and breeding behaviour are very similar to wildcats. Territories will be defended against wildcats as well as domestic cats. Gestation may be shorter (63 days for domestic cats versus 68 for wildcats), litter sizes and offspring development are likely the same as wildcat (3-4 kittens, weaned at 6-7 weeks old and independent at 5-6 month old), though domestic cats are capable of larger litter sizes in the right conditions. Seasonality in breeding may be less restricted but evidence is limited.

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