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Flamingoes, Spoonbills, Ibises, Grebes, O'Catchers, Avocets & Stilts
Flamingo
Greater Flamingo
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen in large flocks, in small groups and also individually.
Unmistakable, a great sized bird, with pink plumage and a pink bill with black tip and yellow eyes in adults. They also have long, lean, curved necks and black-tipped bills with a distinctive downward bend. Their bent bills allow them to feed on small organisms—plankton, tiny fish, fly larvae, and the like.
Immature birds first brown with white belly. Later dirty white with coverts tipped black.
Diet
Flamingos eat larva, small insects, blue-green and red algae, molluscs, crustaceans and small fish, according to Sea World. Their tendency to eat both vegetation and meat makes them omnivores.
Longevity record
27 years (Ring read in the field in France, FA 5233)
Usually seen in
August - November
Occasionally seen in
all the other months
Click on the image to open slideshow
Ad.
Pink body and bill with black tip. Rosy-red upperwings with black primaries and secondaries. Yellow iris.
Juvenile to immature
Note all brown plumage in juveniles. Bill is grey with less contrasting tip. Dark iris.
1/31
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (kg):
125 - 145
140 - 170
1.8 - 3.6
Great white pelican
Great White Pelican
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
The Great White pelican that lives in the shallow swamps in Africa is one of the largest flying birds in the world. It has the abilities of multiple birds, such as long flights and swimming. Its unique characteristic is the “gular pouch” inside its beak. Its legs are short and strong with fully webbed toes that allow it to propel itself in water and to take off from the surface of the water. They are powerful fliers and often travel in flocks in a V-formation to reduce drag for the group.
Diet
Great White pelicans are carnivores (piscivores), they eat fish and also small invertebrates.
Longevity record
51 years
Pellikan
Pelecanus onocrotalus
Pelecaniformes
Pelicanidae
Vagrant
Usually seen in
-
Occasionally seen in
September - November
Click on the image to open slideshow
1/2
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (kg):
140 - 175
245 - 295
6.9 - 11.5
Eurasian Spoonbill
Eurasian Spoonbill
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in small groups. Occasionally in flocks.
Largely unmistakable, but might be mistaken for an egret when at a distance. Differs from these in bill-shape and in neck held straight (not retracted) in flight. Plumage white with yellowish half collar and neck tuft in breeding season. Bill and legs dark. Immature birds with black tips to primaries and pinkish bill. Characteristic feeding behavior with sweeping bill-motions from side to side. Wing-beats slower than Glossy Ibis, and flocks generally fly in single file.
Diet
Water bugs adults and larvae, dragonflies, caddisflies, locusts, flies and other insect species. It also takes crustaceans, molluscs, worms, leeches, frogs, tadpoles and small fish, and occasionally some algae.
Longevity record
25-30 years
Usually seen in
February - May, September - October
Occasionally seen in
June - August, November - January
Click on the image to open slideshow
1/18
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (kg):
80 - 93
120 - 135
1.2 - 1.7
Bald Ibis
Northern Bald Ibis
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Seen singly on the 15th October 2017. From the ring details it was known that it was part of a reintroduction program in Fagnana, Udine in the North of Italy.
A largely unmistakable, even at a distance when bald head is not apparent. Note short legs and short, thick neck without bulbous head. In flight note that the legs are not protruding behind tail, and that the wings usually show 3-4 "fingers". Frequent soaring flight, as opposed to Glossy Ibis.
This ibis is listed as 'Endangered' under IUCN's list and several programs are being implemented for its reintroduction.
Diet
Northern bald ibis eat a wide variety of foods, especially grasshoppers, locusts, mole-crickets, crickets, beetles and small reptiles. They will also eat most other invertebrates and small vertebrates they can find, including scorpions, snails, worms, frogs and fish.
Longevity record
24-32 years
Usually seen in
-
Occasionally seen in
One single record on 15th Oct 2017
Click on the image to open slideshow
Immature
Pink bill and still have face feathers. Iris still darker than in adults.
Immature
Pink bill and still have face feathers. Iris still darker than in adults.
Adult
Red bill. Elongated nape feathers. Yellow to orange iris.
Immature
Pink bill and still have face feathers. Iris still darker than in adults.
1/4
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (kg):
70 - 80
120 - 135
1.0 - 1.3
Picture taken abroad
Glossy Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in small groups. Occasionally in larger groups >10 individuals.
Resembles a big, black Curlew, but can only be confused with Bald Ibis. Differs from this by longer, slender neck, rounded and feathered head, long legs (trailing in flight) and heavier bill. Bare parts greyish, not red. Adults with glossy green wings. Immatures and birds in winter plumage with white-speckled head and neck. Head and legs droops slightly below horizontal plane in flight, leaving a "hunched" impression. Wing beats faster than herons of same size. May glide longer distances, but does not soar like Bald Ibis. Flight formation loose, diagonal or in single file with undulating movements.
Diet
Insects, small fish and aquatic invertebrates, including molluscs and crabs. It uses its long bill to probe through mud and shallow water to find prey.
Longevity record
9 years (Shot in Hungary, 27530)
Usually seen in
March - April
Occasionally seen in
May-June, August - November
Click on the image to open slideshow
1/13
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
55 - 65
88 - 105
530 - 768
Little Grebe
Little Grebe
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in pairs.
Small, dark grebe with bright yellow gape, short neck and bill. Winter plumage paler than summer, with chestnut flanks, neck and cheeks, giving less contrast between upper- and underparts. Fluffy, pale stern. No crest or tufts/tippets and no white markings on wings.
Diet
Insects, small fish, molluscs, crustaceans and amphibians.
Longevity record
17 years (Switzerland, 929838)
Blonġun Żgħir
Tachybaptus ruficollis
Podicipediformes
Podicipedidae
Very scarce
Usually seen in
September - February
Occasionally seen in
March, July - August, all other months for resident individuals at Simar
Click on the image to open slideshow
Juvenile
Bright yellow bill, gape still not formed, broader white in chin and white side feathers indicating a juvenile.
Adult summer
Distinctive yellow gape, chestnut cheeks and foreneck in spring adults. Black bill with paler yellowish end tip.
Juvenile
Bright yellow bill, gape still not formed, broader white in chin and white side feathers indicating a juvenile.
Juvenile
Bright yellow bill, gape still not formed, broader white in chin and white side feathers indicating a juvenile.
1/15
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
23 - 29
40 - 45
140 - 193
Great Crested Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but occasionally in groups.
Unmistakable in summer plumage with black crest, and black and chestnut tippets. Paler coloured (pinkish) bill than other grebes (also in winter). Gives a slender and more elegant impression. Swims with body low and a stretched slender neck, or with head rested on back. Winter; very pale. Pale, pinkish bill. White area above lores. Front of neck white. Shows white lesser- and median coverts in flight together with white wing-bar.
Diet
The great crested grebe feeds mainly on fish, but also small crustaceans, insects small frogs and newts.
Longevity record
19 years (Shot in Russia, C 111277)
Blonġun Prim
Podiceps cristatus
Podicipediformes
Podicipedidae
Scarce
Usually seen in
October - March
Occasionally seen in
April, August - September
Click on the image to open slideshow
Adult summer
Long head plumes, chestnut face feathers and a darker back and sides in summer plumage.
Adult summer
Long head plumes, chestnut face feathers and a darker back and sides in summer plumage.
Adult summer
Long head plumes, chestnut face feathers and a darker back and sides in summer plumage.
Adult summer
Long head plumes, chestnut face feathers and a darker back and sides in summer plumage.
1/12
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (kg):
46 - 51
59 - 73
0.8 - 2.0
Black-necked Grebe
Black-necked Grebe
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in small groups.
Small and dark grebe, with squarish head and thin, uptilted bill. Adult breeding plumage distinct, with unique combination of black head and neck, and a spray of golden, fan-like feathers from eye to nape. Head profile distinct, with its steep forehead. In winter plumage highest point is above the eye. Much more contrasting plumage than Little Grebe. Avoids to take wing if possible.
Diet
This grebe eats mostly insects, of both adult and larval stages, as well as crustaceans, molluscs, tadpoles, and small frogs and fish. When moulting at lakes with high salinity, although, this bird feeds mostly on brine shrimp.
Longevity record
13 years (Shot in the Czech Republic, D 43196)
Blonġun Sekond
Podiceps nigricollis
Podicipediformes
Podicipedidae
Fairly common
Usually seen in
October - December
Occasionally seen in
January - April, August - September
Click on the image to open slideshow
Adult moulting to summer plumage
Adult moulting to summer plumage
Adult summer
Bright red iris, black head, neck and back. Peak on head. Chestnut side feathers. Yellow ear-tufts.
Adult moulting to summer plumage
1/22
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
28 - 34
56 - 60
250 - 350
Oystercatcher
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen in small groups but can be seen individually.
Unmistakable shorebird. Large wader with black and white plumage, striking orange-red, straight bill and red orbital ring. Legs pinkish in adults and grey in juveniles. Broad white wing-bars. Stocky build, with fairly short legs and broad chest. Flight pattern straight and level. Winter plumage with white half-collar on chin. Juveniles with browner tone to upperparts than adults, and black tip of bill.
Diet
In muddy coasts, worms are the most important part of the diet, whereas rocky shore oystercatchers prey upon limpets, mussels, gastropods, and chitons.
Longevity record
43 years (Killed by a bird of prey in Germany, 5022926)
Usually seen in
August
Occasionally seen in
March - July, September - December
Click on the image to open slideshow
Adult summer
Red bill showing an adult. Lack of white collar indicating a summer plumage. 1st summer birds have a dark tip on the end of the bill. Interesting to note that all photos taken are all of adult birds.
1/27
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
39 - 44
72 - 83
380 - 520
Pied Avocet
Pied Avocet
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen in small groups but can be seen individually and in large flocks.
An elegant, long-legged, black and white wader with a long, upcurved bill. Plumage mainly white, with black wing-tips, coverts, crown and hind-neck. Pretty unmistakable. Confusion with Juvenile Shelduck possible at very long range. Flight pattern even and mostly without glides.
Females have a shorter but more sharply curved bills than males.
Diet
Pied Avocets mostly feed on crustaceans and insects. They typically forage in shallow brackish water or on mud flats, often moving their bills from side to side in water as they search for food. Pied Avocets breed near shallow lakes with brackish water and exposed bare mud.
Longevity record
27 years (Ring read in the field in the Netherlands, 3047434)
Usually seen in
March - April, August - September
Occasionally seen in
May, October - December
Click on the image to open slideshow
Adult female
Shorter and more sharply curved bill indicative of a female.
1/16
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
42 - 46
67 - 77
225 - 400
Black-Winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen in small groups but can be seen individually and in large flocks.
Unmistakable due to the extremely long, red legs. High contrast plumage with pointed, black wings (both upper and under-side) and white underparts. Tail white, with white wedge extending up back. Back of adult male sooty black, while brownish black in female and immature. Head all white or with black markings independent of sex (males more often have black markings than females though). Immature with faint, pale fringes to coverts, and white trailing edge to secondaries visible in flight.
Diet
Black-winged Stilts feed mainly on aquatic insects, but will also take molluscs and crustaceans. They rarely swim for food, preferring instead to wade in shallow water, and seize prey on or near the surface. Occasionally, birds plunge their heads below the surface to catch sub-aquatic prey.
Longevity record
10 years (Ring read in the field in Spain, 4037768)
Usually seen in
March - May, July - August
Occasionally seen in
February, June, September - October
Click on the image to open slideshow
Adults
Males - dark black backs Females - brown tinged backs Black on head patterns varies between males and females but males tend to have more black on the head.
Adults
Males - dark black backs Females - brown tinged backs Black on head patterns varies between males and females but males tend to have more black on the head.
1/38
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
33 - 36
71 - 83
150 - 210
*Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.
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