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Gulls & Skuas Kittiwake Black-legged Kittiwake Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Takes two/three years to reach maturity. ​ A small and agile gull with all black wing-tips, black legs (adults) and yellow bill. Area close to wing-tips much paler than rest of wings, and often visible at surprisingly long range (more so than the black tips). Adult winter with grey neck and black half-collar. Juveniles with black zig-zag pattern to wings, resembling pattern seen in Little Gull, Ross's Gull and Sabine's Gull. Differs from those in; no dark bar on secondaries, underparts of wing white, back grey, black on primaries reaches wing-tip. Flight action different from larger gulls; fast, stiff wing-beats and elegant manoeuvring even in strong winds. ​ ​ Diet The black-legged kittiwake eats marine invertebrates, plankton, and fish. It feeds in flocks and catches food at the surface of the water. It also dives just below the surface of the water to catch its prey, in fact, it is the only gull that dives and swims underwater! ​ Longevity record 28 years (Found dead in the UK, EC 26662) Gawwija tal-Ingilterra Rissa tridactyla Charadriiformes Laridae Rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in January - February ​ Occasionally seen in March, October - December ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Juv. Note distinctive black neck patch & plain grey back in the Black-legged Kittiwake. 1/27 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 38 - 40 93 - 120 305 - 525 Slender-billed Gull Slender-billed Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but occasionally in small groups. ​ Takes two/three years to reach maturity. ​ This scarce gull breeds in colonies, nesting on the ground and laying up to three eggs. Like most gulls, it is gregarious in winter, both when feeding or in evening roosts. It is not a pelagic species, and is rarely seen at sea far from coasts. ​ The head and dark red bill have an elongated tapering appearance, and this bird also appears long-necked. The legs are dark red, and the iris is yellow. In summer, the breast has a pink coloration. This bird takes two years to reach maturity. First year birds have a black terminal tail band, and dark areas in the wings. ​ ​ Diet Mainly feeds on fish. Occasionally feeds on marine invertebrates and catches insects in flight. ​ Longevity record 16 years (Russia, E 271491) Gawwija Munqhara Irqiq Chroicocephalus genei Charadriiformes Laridae Scarce Usually seen in March, October ​ Occasionally seen in all other months ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer The dark bill indicates an adult in summer plumage. 1st winter Light orange bill and legs characteristics of 1st winter gull. Ad. 3rd winter Note a more pink tinge on breast, belly, tail and primaries and a small ear spot in the ear coverts. Bill and legs are redder. This is considered as a complete winter moult. In summer the beak and legs will be darker. Adult summer The dark bill indicates an adult in summer plumage. 1/14 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 44 100 - 112 223 - 375 Back to Glossary Bonaparte's Gull Bonaparte's Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* A small gull that is a North American resident and breeder. A vagrant to see in Europe. ​ The Bonaparte's gull takes two years to reach maturity. It is slightly larger than the Little Gull and resembles also a similar flight although it has a jizz more likely of a Black-headed gull but with narrower wings. At all ages, it has whitish translucent primaries with a black trailing edge, a slender body, pale pinkish legs a nd a shortly slender dark bill. ​ ​ Diet Mainly feeds on fish. Occasionally feeds on marine invertebrates and catches insects in flight. ​ ​ Longevity record 18 years Gawwija ta' Bonaparti Chroicocephalus philadelphia Charadriiformes Laridae Vagrant Usu ally seen in --- Occasionally seen in November, January Click on the image to open slideshow 1st year gull Whitish head with broad dark ear spot. Pale pinkish legs. Dark markings on back indicate a 1st year bird. 1st year gull Whitish head with broad dark ear spot. Pale pinkish legs. White outer primaries with black trailing edge. Dark markings on back indicate a 1st year bird. 1st year gull Whitish head with broad dark ear spot. Pale pinkish legs. White outer primaries with black trailing edge. Dark markings on back indicate a 1st year bird. 1st year gull Whitish head with broad dark ear spot. Pale pinkish legs. Dark markings on back indicate a 1st year bird. 1/19 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 30 75 -90 170 - 235 Back to Glossary Black-headed Gull Black-headed Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen in flocks, small groups or individually. ​ Takes two years to reach maturity. Chocolate-brown hood in adult plumage (seemingly black at a distance), but head only with dark markings in winter and juvenile plumages. Underparts of inner primaries dark grey. First few primaries white with black tip, both on upper side of wing and under. Last character conspicuous in all plumages, but slightly less obvious in juveniles due to larger dark area of wing-tip. ​ . Diet This gull is omnivorous. It eats mostly animal material, including wide variety of insects, also earthworms, marine worms, molluscs, crustaceans, small fish, carrion. During summer may eat many seeds and small fruits. ​ Longevity record 32 years (Ring read in the field in the Netherlands, 3275396) Gawwija Rasha Kannella Chroicocephalus ridibundus Charadriiformes Laridae Common ​ Usually seen in November - February ​ Occasionally seen in March - April, September - October ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. winter transitioning to Summer plumage Clean grey upperwings, black head. The white eye rings are still not complete and the bill and legs are yet to get darker for a Summer plumage. Ad. winter transitioning to Summer plumage Clean grey upperwings, black head. The white eye rings are still not complete and the bill and legs are yet to get darker for a Summer plumage. Ad. winter moulting to summer Ad. winter transitioning to Summer plumage Clean grey upperwings, black head. The white eye rings are still not complete and the bill and legs are yet to get darker for a Summer plumage. 1/42 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 34 - 39 100 - 110 161 - 400 Back to Glossary Little Gull Little Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but may be seen in very small groups. ​ Takes three years to reach maturity. Very small gull with rounded wings and almost tern-like appearance. Underwing black, with broad white trailing edge. Lacks Black-headed Gull's conspicuous white outer primaries. Adult summer plumage with black (not chocolate) hood, that reaches far down on hind-neck. Winter plumage without hood, but with dark cheek-patch and dark cap. Juveniles differs from juvenile Kittiwake in slender body, dark cap, dark patch at trailing base of underwing, faint dark wing-bar and shorter wings. Can, with experience, be identified by fluttering, butterfly-like flight at long distance. ​ ​ Diet Mostly insects. During summer and migration feeds mostly on insects. Also eats brine shrimp and other crustaceans, small molluscs, spiders, marine worms, and some small fish. ​ Longevity record 20 years (Ring read in the field in Finland, AT-35319) Gawwija Żgħira Hydrocoloeus minutus Charadriiformes Laridae Very scarce Usually seen in December - February ​ Occasionally seen in March - April, September - November ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 2nd. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. Ad. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. 1st winter Greyish back indicative of a juvenile in its first winter. Wings still show dark feathers on the outer wings and at the end of the tail which shall turn into grey and white in a 2nd winter bird. 2nd. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. 1/27 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 25 - 27 75 - 80 66 - 133 Back to Glossary Franklin's Gull Franklin's Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* There is only one record of an adult gull transitioning to its summer plumage which was seen at Għadira Nature Reserve and later on at Salini Nature Reserve on the 9th May 2024. ​ Click link for Facebook post by Mario V. Gauci. ​ A true long-distance migrant, Franklin's breeds at freshwater marshes on the prairies of North America and winters along the Pacific coast of South America from Peru to southern Chile. It was previously much more abundant, with a decline of up to 90% noted between 1950 and 2000. Its world population now stands at around 350,000 pairs. This epic annual migration cycle seems to make it more susceptible to spectacular vagrancy, and it has been recorded in locations as diverse as Australasia, inland Africa and central and eastern Asia. ​ Franklin's is superficially similar to Laughing Gull at all ages, particularly at rest. However, it is a smaller bird, falling between Bonaparte's and Black-headed Gulls in size, and its upperparts average slightly paler (Kodak Scale 6-9). Unusually, it also undertakes two complete moults each year – once after breeding and another on reaching its wintering grounds. ​ At all ages, structure can be a good clue as to the identification: it tends to look 'cuter' than Laughing, with a smaller, rounder head, daintier bill and bigger eye. The white eyelids are even more pronounced than in its larger cousin. ​ Adults are largely similar in appearance to adult Laughing, with the greatest differences seen in flight – Franklin's has a broader-looking wing-tip that is accentuated by a striking primary pattern. The primaries are essentially white tipped, albeit with a variable amount of black subterminal markings from p6-10. This is easily discernible both at rest and in flight, with the wing-tip looking distinctly whitish. ​ As in Laughing, breeding-plumaged Franklin's show a glossy black hood, although the bill tends to be noticeably redder and so contrasts more. It may also retain the hood well into autumn. Winter birds show an extensive 'half-hood'. Second-winter Franklin's shows much more black in the wing-tip and thus can be trickier to separate from Laughing. ​ ​ Diet Mostly insects. During summer and migration feeds mostly on insects. Also eats brine shrimp and other crustaceans, small molluscs, spiders, marine worms, and some small fish. ​ Longevity record --- Gawwija ta' Franklin Leucophaeus pipixcan Charadriiformes Laridae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in --- Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 32 - 38 85 - 92 230 - 300 Back to Glossary Mediterrenean Gull Mediterrenean Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen in flocks but can be seen individually or in small groups. ​ Takes three years to reach maturity. ​ Small, but bulky gull. Black hood with white crescents above and below eye, blood-red bill and legs in breeding plumage. The rest of the body seems all white at a distance. Wingtips pure white in adult birds. Chest deeper than in Black-headed gull, and wings fairly broad and rounded. In winter the black hood is largely lost, but dark streaking around, and at the back of the eye remains. Second year birds are similar to adult winter, but varying degrees of black markings remains on wing-tips. ​ Diet An opportunistic omnivore, eating fish, worms, scraps, insects, offal and carrion. ​ Longevity record 22 years (Ring read in the field in Greece, E 000958) Gawwija Rasha Sewda Larus melanocephalus Charadriiformes Laridae Common ​ Usually seen in September - March ​ Occasionally seen in April, August ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer Note white body and very pale grey back with no dark tips on the primaries indicating an adult gull. Velvety black hood with distintive white crescents above and below the eye and coral red bill and legs. The second gull is at a more advanced stage - head nearly completely black and legs are coral red. The first gull although adult still lacks a black head and feet are darker. Ad. summer Note white body and very pale grey back with no dark tips on the primaries indicating an adult gull. Velvety black hood with distintive white crescents above and below the eye and coral red bill and legs. The second gull is at a more advanced stage - head nearly completely black and legs are coral red. The first gull although adult still lacks a black head and feet are darker. Ad. summer Note white body and very pale grey back with no dark tips on the primaries indicating an adult gull. Velvety black hood with distintive white crescents above and below the eye and coral red bill and legs. The second gull is at a more advanced stage - head nearly completely black and legs are coral red. The first gull although adult still lacks a black head and feet are darker. Ad. summer Note white body and very pale grey back with no dark tips on the primaries indicating an adult gull. Velvety black hood with distintive white crescents above and below the eye and coral red bill and legs. The second gull is at a more advanced stage - head nearly completely black and legs are coral red. The first gull although adult still lacks a black head and feet are darker. 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 36 - 40 92 - 100 217 - 348 Back to Glossary Audouin's Gull Audouin's Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but sometimes seen in very small groups. ​ Takes four years to reach maturity. ​ A large gull found only in the Mediterranean and the western coast of Saharan Africa. It was considered one of the rarest gulls in the 1960's being said that the population was a mere 1,000 pairs. Today it had increased to an established 10,000 pairs. Slightly smaller and more elegant than the Yellow-legged Gull with a slender bill, more elongated, sloping forehead, and longer, narrower wings. It can be distinguished from the Yellow-legged gull by its blood-red bill with black and yellow tip (sometimes hard to appreciate), very dark iris, dark grey or greenish legs (often visible in flight), much paler grey upper-wing with only a tiny white patch at the wing-tip and small white tips to the wing feathers (appears like a ‘string of pearls'). Juveniles have a paler face, a smooth unstreaked chest, unstreaked greyish neck feathers, a 'U' shaped rump patch on the tail and a strongly patterned underwing. ​ Diet Mostly fish and cephalopods (squids, octopii, etc.), but small mammals, arthropods, birds and plant material are also taken. ​ Longevity record 25 years (Spain, 6005620) Gawwija tal-Gżejjer Larus audouinii Charadriiformes Laridae Scarce ​ Usually seen in August ​ Occasionally seen in all other months ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Adults (Jan 21) Note coral red bills, white head and body, pale grey upperparts and white patches on black primaries indicative of a full adult moult. Third summer gulls are similar but lack the white patches on the primaries. Adults (Jan 21) Note coral red bills, white head and body, pale grey upperparts and white patches on black primaries indicative of a full adult moult. Third summer gulls are similar but lack the white patches on the primaries. Adult Note coral red bill, white head and body, pale grey upperparts and white patches on black primaries indicative of a full adult moult. Third summer gulls are similar but lack the white patches on the primaries. Adults (Jan 21) Note coral red bills, white head and body, pale grey upperparts and white patches on black primaries indicative of a full adult moult. Third summer gulls are similar but lack the white patches on the primaries. 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 48 - 52 115 - 140 460 - 625 Back to Glossary Pallas Gull Pallas's Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* A vagrant bird that is seen individually. ​ A very large gull, listed as the third largest species of gull in the world, after the Great black-backed gull and the Glaucous gull . It measures 55–72 cm in length with a 142 to 170 cm wingspan. Summer adults are unmistakable since no other gull of this size has a black hood. The adults have grey wings and back, with conspicuous white "mirrors" at the wing tips. The legs are yellow and the bill is orangey-yellow with a red tip. ​ Diet These birds are predatory, taking fish, crustaceans, insects and even small mammals. ​ Longevity record 29 years 2 months (Found dead in FInland, DT-13489) Gawwija Imperjali Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus Charadriiformes Laridae Vagrant Usually seen in ---- Occasionally seen in January, March, October, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/16 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 57 - 61 149 - 170 900 - 2000 Back to Glossary Mew Gull Common Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Takes three years to reach maturity. ​ A gull in smaller size, having a lighter bill and light flight. Head profile rounded, and the small bill lacks the red spot of the larger gulls. Told apart from Kittiwake by greenish legs and large white spot on wing tips. ​ ​ Diet Mostly fish, worms, insects, fish, carrion and rubbish. ​ Longevity record 33 years, 8 months (Ring read in the field in Denmark, 5003247) Gawwija Sekonda Larus canus Charadriiformes Laridae Rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in December - January ​ Occasionally seen in February, November ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1st winter Head and body white with brown markings. Also scaly tail. Pale bill with black tip. Heavy brown upperwing and grey saddle. 1st winter Head and body white with brown markings. Also scaly tail. Pale bill with black tip. Heavy brown upperwing and grey saddle. 1st winter Head and body white with brown markings. Also scaly tail. Pale bill with black tip. Heavy brown upperwing and grey saddle. 1st winter Head and body white with brown markings. Also scaly tail. Pale bill with black tip. Heavy brown upperwing and grey saddle. 1/29 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 45 100 - 130 290 - 548 Lesser Black-backed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Takes four years to reach maturity. ​ Yellow legs, black to dark grey back (regional variations) and black primaries with only small white spots. Winter plumage with streaked head and neck. Underside of flight feathers smoky grey. Juveniles very variable, but with completely dark inner primaries and broad terminal band to tail. There are basically four sub species in the European region, being ​ --> L.f. graellsi which has a slate grey back --> L.f. intermedius which has a much darker back than 'graellsi' --> L.f. fuscus aka 'BALTIC GULL' which has a black back --> L.f. heuglini aka 'HEUGLIN'S GULL' which is similar to 'graellsi' but larger in proportion Klaus Malling Olsen, author of ''Gulls of the World: A Photographic Guide'', describes the L.f. fuscus i.e. the 'Baltic Gull' and the L.f. heuglini i.e. the 'Heuglin's Gull' separately from the 'graellsi' and ' intermediate' ssp. ​ ​ Diet Feed on fish, but can also feed on invertebrates such as crustaceans, molluscs and terrestrial prey. ​ Longevity record 34 years, 10 months (A shot bird in the UK, GM 21509) Gawwija Daharha Iswed Larus fuscus Charadriiformes Laridae Fairly common Usually seen in September - March ​ Occasionally seen in April, July - August ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Baltic Gull (L.f.fuscus) 2nd winter bird. Bill still with black marking indicating that this gull had not reached the adult stage. However the few head streaks and already all white tail are indicative that it is moulting to an adult summer plumage. Ad. winter (L.f.intermedius) Bill neat yellow with red gonys spot features an adult. White head with few black streaks in winter plumage. The back of ssp. intermedius may in some individuals be much more grey than normal and sometimes can be as nearly as black such as in this individual. Adult summer. Clean white head and yellow bill with red gonys spot. Baltic Gull (L.f.fuscus) 2nd winter bird. Bill still with black marking indicating that this gull had not reached the adult stage. However the few head streaks and already all white tail are indicative that it is moulting to an adult summer plumage. 1/21 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 49 - 57 118 - 150 452 - 1100 Back to Glossary Herring gull European Herring Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Large gull with deep chest, light grey back and heavy yellow bill with red spot (adult). Pinkish legs and black tipped primaries with white windows. Winter plumage with streaked head and neck. Develops grey mantle in 2.nd winter. Young birds may be difficult to distinguish from juvenile Greater- or Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and the species shows notable variation in both plumage and size. Juveniles generally shows darker head and less contrasting markings than Greater Black-back, and pale inner primaries (window), as opposed to the all black hand of young Lesser Black-backs. Diet Herring Gulls feeds primarily on fish and crustaceans, and destroys the clutches of terns, petrels and ducks. It also frequents rubbish dumps. It also consumes invertebrates, small mammals, molluscs, lizards and large insects. Longevity record 34 years 9 months (Accidentally trapped in fishnet in Norway, 5020154) Gawwija Prima Saqajha Roża Larus argentatus Charadriiformes Laridae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in November -Jan uary Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer Note the pinkish legs. Yellow-legged Gulls are very similar but have yellow legs. Ad. summer Note the pinkish legs. Yellow-legged Gulls are very similar but have yellow legs. Ad. summer Note the pinkish legs. Yellow-legged Gulls are very similar but have yellow legs. 1/2 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 55 - 67 125 - 155 717 - 1495 Back to Glossary Yellow-legged Gull Yellow-legged Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually, in groups and in flocks. ​ Takes four years to reach maturity. ​ Silvery upperparts, bright yellow legs and more black and less white in wing-tips. Orbital ring red, not orange. Big, red gonys spot, often extending to upper mandible. Marked gonys angle. Primary feather P5 (counted from innermost feather in gulls) usually with broad, black band. In winter plumage head is less streaked and often completely white. Immatures first winter: Pale belly and head. Dark underwings with blotchy markings. Only vague pale window of inner primaries, and well defined, wedge-shaped tail-band. Dark base of bill. ​ ​ Diet Yellow-legged Gull feeds primarily on fish and crustaceans, and destroys the clutches of terns, petrels and ducks. It also frequents rubbish dumps. It also consumes invertebrates, small mammals, molluscs, lizards and large insects. ​ Longevity record 20 years (Ring read in the field in Portugal, 16678) Gawwija Prima Larus michahellis Charadriiformes Laridae Common Usually seen in November - February ​ Occasionally seen in all other months for residents ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Juvenile/1st winter Contrasting white and brown plumage. Dark eye mask on whitish head. Bill is black and have a pronounced gonydeal angle. 1st winter moulting to 1st summer A strongly worn plumage. Bill is getting lighter. 2nd summer The combination of brown and grey patterned coverts and the extensive black mark on the bill indicates a 2nd year gull. Some brown feathers near the eye and a bright white head, breast and belly indicating the gull is moulting to a summer plumage. Juvenile/1st winter Contrasting white and brown plumage. Dark eye mask on whitish head. Bill is black and have a pronounced gonydeal angle. 1/14 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 52 - 58 120 - 140 550 - 1600 Back to Glossary Caspian Gull Caspian Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Takes four years to reach maturity. ​ The Caspian Gull has a long, slender bill with lacking pronounced gonys angle, accentuated by the sloping forehead. One has to note that most individuals with a narrower bill will probably be females. Males may have a somehow stronger bill but still slightly drooping and a less pronounce gonys- angle than in Yellow-legged Gulls. The legs, wings, and neck are longer than those of the Yellow-legged Gull . The eye is small and often dark (in circa 75% of adult individual). However 1st and 2nd year gulls have a black iris, possibly brownish in 3rd years (in 25% probability) and a mid-yellow iris in adults (25% probability), and the legs vary from pale pink to a pale yellowish colour. The back and wings are a slightly paler than the Yellow-legged Gull. The outermost primary feather has a large white tip and a white tongue running up the inner web. ​ First-winter birds have a pale head with dark streaking on the back of the neck. The underparts are pale and the back is greyish. The greater and median wing coverts have whitish tips forming two pale lines across the wing. ​ ​ Diet They are scavengers and predators with a very varied diet. During the breeding season, they often eat rodents such as ground squirrels , flying some distance into the steppes to find them. ​ Longevity record - Gawwija tal-Kaspju Larus cachinnans Charadriiformes Laridae Very scarce Usually seen in November - February ​ Occasionally seen in September, March - April ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1st winter (26-12-20) Small clean rectangular shaped white head with a very narrow darker eye mask. Black eye and pale grey saddle. Bill is narrower and gonydeal is less protruding. Slender look. The greater coverts have dark bases with a greyish tip that form a light wing-bar pattern. Mottled pattern in the greater coverts. 1st winter Small clean rectangular shaped white head with a very narrow darker eye mask. Black eye and pale grey saddle. Bill is narrower and gonydeal is less protruding. Slender look. The greater coverts have dark bases with a greyish tip that form a light wing-bar pattern. Mottled pattern in the greater coverts. 1st winter Small clean rectangular shaped white head and breast with a very narrow darker eye mask. Black eye and pale grey saddle. Bill is narrower and gonydeal is less protruding. Slender look. Worn coverts with watered and out-washed pattern. 1st winter (26-12-20) Small clean rectangular shaped white head with a very narrow darker eye mask. Black eye and pale grey saddle. Bill is narrower and gonydeal is less protruding. Slender look. The greater coverts have dark bases with a greyish tip that form a light wing-bar pattern. Mottled pattern in the greater coverts. 1/5 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 56 - 58 137 - 145 680 - 1590 Back to Glossary Long-tailed Jaeger Long-tailed Jaeger Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually and off the coast in open waters. ​ Formerly known as the 'Long-tailed Skua'. ​ Breeding plumaged adults with streamers unmistakable (streamers comprising two thirds of total tail length). Adult plumage shows less variation than in other skuas. No hint of breast band, and transition between pale belly and darker vent very diffuse. No white patches at base of primaries of underwing in adults. Juveniles easily confused with juvenile Arctic Skua, but are more slender. Wings narrower and primaries and tail longer. Juvenile Arctic Skua shows white patches at base of primaries on both sides of wings, juvenile Long-tailed only on underwing, and on first few primaries of upper. Barred rump and tail coverts in juveniles. Flight elegant and buoyant. ​ ​ Diet Small mammals and when at sea, small fish, offal and carrion. ​ Longevity record 17 years 11 months (Sweden,6164551) Skua Denbha Twil Stercorarius longicaudus Charadriiformes Stercorariidae Very rare Usually seen in - ​ Occasionally seen in September - January, March ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 51 - 62 94 - 104 230 - 350 Back to Glossary Parasitic Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually and off the coast in open waters. ​ Formerly known as the 'Arctic Skua'. ​ Dark, pale and intermediate morphs. Elongated middle tail feathers (projection comprising about half the total tail length), but not as long as in adult Long-tailed skua. White patches at base of primaries, both on upper and underside of wings. Dark morph chocolate brown with darker hood. Pale morph with white throat and belly and incomplete breast band. Relatively marked transition from pale belly to dark vent (as opposed to Long-tailed). Size close to Common Gull. Flight powerful, elegant and falcon-like. Juveniles with short but pointed middle tail-feathers. Confusion with other juvenile skuas very likely. Differs from Long-tailed in prominent white base of most primaries on upper side of wing (not just the first few feathers). Lacks the double white patch of Pomarine Skua's underwing, and shows less contrast between back and rump. Wings broader than Long-tailed but narrower than Pomarine. Approximately equal to distance from wing rear edge to tail-tip (projections excluded). ​ ​ Diet This bird will feed on rodents, insects, eggs, chicks and small birds in the breeding season, but the majority of its diet (especially in winter and on migration) is made up of food that it acquires by robbing other birds (primarily gulls and terns) of their catches in an act called kleptoparasitism . ​ Longevity record 31 years 1 months (Found dead in Finland, ST-24110) Skua tal-Artiku Stercorarius parasiticus Charadriiformes Stercorariidae Very scarce Usually seen in September, November - February ​ Occasionally seen in April, July, October ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 41 - 54 110 - 125 330 - 610 Back to Glossary Pomarine Jaeger Pomarine Jaeger Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually and off the coast in open waters. ​ Identification of this jaeger is complicated by its similarities to Parasitic Jaeger and the existence of three morphs . Pomarine Jaegers are much bulkier, broader-winged and less falcon -like than the Parasitic Jaeger, but show the same wide range of plumage variation. The flight is more measured than that of the smaller species. ​ Light-morph adult Pomarine Jaegers have a brown back, mainly white underparts and dark primary wing feathers with a white "flash". The head and neck are yellowish-white with a black cap. Dark morph adults are dark brown, and intermediate morph birds are dark with somewhat paler underparts, head and neck. All morphs have the white wing flash, which appears as a diagnostic double flash on the underwing. In breeding adults of all morphs, the two central tail feathers are much longer than the others, spoon-shaped, and twisted from the horizontal. Juveniles are even more problematic to identify, and are difficult to separate from parasitic jaegers at a distance on plumage alone. ​ ​ Diet During breeding, Pomarine Jaegers specialize on eating brown lemmings, with smaller numbers of other rodents like tundra voles and collared lemmings. They catch shorebirds, ducks, and ptarmigan infrequently during summer, but the constant threat of predation seems to lower shorebird nest success when jaegers are around. During the nonbreeding season the diet is much more varied, including lemmings, birds, eggs, carrion, insects, fish, squid, and crabs. At sea, they harry kittiwakes, shearwaters, petrels, puffins, terns, boobies, gulls, and other seabirds to steal their catches. ​ Longevity record 30 years Skua ta' Denbha Stercorarius pomarinus Charadriiformes Stercorariidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - April, October - December ​ ​ Occasionally seen in February, May, July - September ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer plumage Long tail spoon shaped as in Summer. White collar and belly. Ad. summer plumage Long tail spoon shaped as in Summer. White collar and belly. Ad. summer plumage Long tail spoon shaped as in Summer. White collar and belly. Ad. summer plumage Long tail spoon shaped as in Summer. White collar and belly. 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 46 - 51 125 - 138 550 - 850 Back to Glossary Great Skua Great Skua Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually and off the coast in open waters. ​ Large and heavy skua with broad wings and short tail. The white patches at base of primaries are more striking than in the other skuas, and are visible both on upper and underside of wings. Size comparable to Yellow Legged Gull, but build more compact. Seemingly black at a distance, but white wing-patches usually visible. Confusion with juvenile Pomarine Skua possible, but body is heavier (not just the chest), wings rounder, bill longer, neck thicker and tail shorter. ​ ​ Diet They eat mainly fish, birds, eggs, carrion, offal, rodents, rabbits, and occasionally berries. ​ Longevity record 35 years 11 months (Iceland, 215553) Skua Kbira Stercorarius skua Charadriiformes Stercorariidae Very scarce Usually seen in February - March, October - December ​ ​ Occasionally seen in January, April Click on the image to open slideshow Immature/Adult Colour is pale, barrel shaped body and pale underwing secondaries to primaries bar. Immature/Adult Colour is pale, barrel shaped body and pale underwing secondaries to primaries bar. 1/9 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 53 - 61 127 - 146 1.1 - 1.7 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''. Little Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but may be seen in very small groups. ​ Takes three years to reach maturity. Very small gull with rounded wings and almost tern-like appearance. Underwing black, with broad white trailing edge. Lacks Black-headed Gull's conspicuous white outer primaries. Adult summer plumage with black (not chocolate) hood, that reaches far down on hind-neck. Winter plumage without hood, but with dark cheek-patch and dark cap. Juveniles differs from juvenile Kittiwake in slender body, dark cap, dark patch at trailing base of underwing, faint dark wing-bar and shorter wings. Can, with experience, be identified by fluttering, butterfly-like flight at long distance. ​ ​ Diet Mostly insects. During summer and migration feeds mostly on insects. Also eats brine shrimp and other crustaceans, small molluscs, spiders, marine worms, and some small fish. ​ Longevity record 20 years (Ring read in the field in Finland, AT-35319) Gawwija Żgħira Hydrocoloeus minutus Charadriiformes Laridae Very scarce Usually seen in December - February ​ Occasionally seen in March - April, September - November ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 2nd. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. Ad. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. 1st winter Greyish back indicative of a juvenile in its first winter. Wings still show dark feathers on the outer wings and at the end of the tail which shall turn into grey and white in a 2nd winter bird. 2nd. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. 1/27 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 25 - 27 75 - 80 66 - 133 Back to Glossary Kittiwake Black-legged Kittiwake Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Takes two/three years to reach maturity. ​ A small and agile gull with all black wing-tips, black legs (adults) and yellow bill. Area close to wing-tips much paler than rest of wings, and often visible at surprisingly long range (more so than the black tips). Adult winter with grey neck and black half-collar. Juveniles with black zig-zag pattern to wings, resembling pattern seen in Little Gull, Ross's Gull and Sabine's Gull. Differs from those in; no dark bar on secondaries, underparts of wing white, back grey, black on primaries reaches wing-tip. Flight action different from larger gulls; fast, stiff wing-beats and elegant manoeuvring even in strong winds. ​ ​ Diet The black-legged kittiwake eats marine invertebrates, plankton, and fish. It feeds in flocks and catches food at the surface of the water. It also dives just below the surface of the water to catch its prey, in fact, it is the only gull that dives and swims underwater! ​ Longevity record 28 years (Found dead in the UK, EC 26662) Gawwija tal-Ingilterra Rissa tridactyla Charadriiformes Laridae Rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in January - February ​ Occasionally seen in March, October - December ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Juv. Note distinctive black neck patch & plain grey back in the Black-legged Kittiwake. 1/27 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 38 - 40 93 - 120 305 - 525 Slender-billed Gull Slender-billed Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but occasionally in small groups. ​ Takes two/three years to reach maturity. ​ This scarce gull breeds in colonies, nesting on the ground and laying up to three eggs. Like most gulls, it is gregarious in winter, both when feeding or in evening roosts. It is not a pelagic species, and is rarely seen at sea far from coasts. ​ The head and dark red bill have an elongated tapering appearance, and this bird also appears long-necked. The legs are dark red, and the iris is yellow. In summer, the breast has a pink coloration. This bird takes two years to reach maturity. First year birds have a black terminal tail band, and dark areas in the wings. ​ ​ Diet Mainly feeds on fish. Occasionally feeds on marine invertebrates and catches insects in flight. ​ Longevity record 16 years (Russia, E 271491) Gawwija Munqhara Irqiq Chroicocephalus genei Charadriiformes Laridae Scarce Usually seen in March, October ​ Occasionally seen in all other months ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer The dark bill indicates an adult in summer plumage. 1st winter Light orange bill and legs characteristics of 1st winter gull. Ad. 3rd winter Note a more pink tinge on breast, belly, tail and primaries and a small ear spot in the ear coverts. Bill and legs are redder. This is considered as a complete winter moult. In summer the beak and legs will be darker. Adult summer The dark bill indicates an adult in summer plumage. 1/14 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 44 100 - 112 223 - 375 Back to Glossary Bonaparte's Gull Bonaparte's Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* A small gull that is a North American resident and breeder. A vagrant to see in Europe. ​ The Bonaparte's gull takes two years to reach maturity. It is slightly larger than the Little Gull and resembles also a similar flight although it has a jizz more likely of a Black-headed gull but with narrower wings. At all ages, it has whitish translucent primaries with a black trailing edge, a slender body, pale pinkish legs a nd a shortly slender dark bill. ​ ​ Diet Mainly feeds on fish. Occasionally feeds on marine invertebrates and catches insects in flight. ​ ​ Longevity record 18 years Gawwija ta' Bonaparti Chroicocephalus philadelphia Charadriiformes Laridae Vagrant Usu ally seen in --- Occasionally seen in November, January Click on the image to open slideshow 1st year gull Whitish head with broad dark ear spot. Pale pinkish legs. Dark markings on back indicate a 1st year bird. 1st year gull Whitish head with broad dark ear spot. Pale pinkish legs. White outer primaries with black trailing edge. Dark markings on back indicate a 1st year bird. 1st year gull Whitish head with broad dark ear spot. Pale pinkish legs. White outer primaries with black trailing edge. Dark markings on back indicate a 1st year bird. 1st year gull Whitish head with broad dark ear spot. Pale pinkish legs. Dark markings on back indicate a 1st year bird. 1/19 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 30 75 -90 170 - 235 Back to Glossary Black-headed Gull Black-headed Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen in flocks, small groups or individually. ​ Takes two years to reach maturity. Chocolate-brown hood in adult plumage (seemingly black at a distance), but head only with dark markings in winter and juvenile plumages. Underparts of inner primaries dark grey. First few primaries white with black tip, both on upper side of wing and under. Last character conspicuous in all plumages, but slightly less obvious in juveniles due to larger dark area of wing-tip. ​ . Diet This gull is omnivorous. It eats mostly animal material, including wide variety of insects, also earthworms, marine worms, molluscs, crustaceans, small fish, carrion. During summer may eat many seeds and small fruits. ​ Longevity record 32 years (Ring read in the field in the Netherlands, 3275396) Gawwija Rasha Kannella Chroicocephalus ridibundus Charadriiformes Laridae Common ​ Usually seen in November - February ​ Occasionally seen in March - April, September - October ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. winter transitioning to Summer plumage Clean grey upperwings, black head. The white eye rings are still not complete and the bill and legs are yet to get darker for a Summer plumage. Ad. winter transitioning to Summer plumage Clean grey upperwings, black head. The white eye rings are still not complete and the bill and legs are yet to get darker for a Summer plumage. Ad. winter moulting to summer Ad. winter transitioning to Summer plumage Clean grey upperwings, black head. The white eye rings are still not complete and the bill and legs are yet to get darker for a Summer plumage. 1/42 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 34 - 39 100 - 110 161 - 400 Back to Glossary Little Gull Little Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but may be seen in very small groups. ​ Takes three years to reach maturity. Very small gull with rounded wings and almost tern-like appearance. Underwing black, with broad white trailing edge. Lacks Black-headed Gull's conspicuous white outer primaries. Adult summer plumage with black (not chocolate) hood, that reaches far down on hind-neck. Winter plumage without hood, but with dark cheek-patch and dark cap. Juveniles differs from juvenile Kittiwake in slender body, dark cap, dark patch at trailing base of underwing, faint dark wing-bar and shorter wings. Can, with experience, be identified by fluttering, butterfly-like flight at long distance. ​ ​ Diet Mostly insects. During summer and migration feeds mostly on insects. Also eats brine shrimp and other crustaceans, small molluscs, spiders, marine worms, and some small fish. ​ Longevity record 20 years (Ring read in the field in Finland, AT-35319) Gawwija Żgħira Hydrocoloeus minutus Charadriiformes Laridae Very scarce Usually seen in December - February ​ Occasionally seen in March - April, September - November ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 2nd. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. Ad. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. 1st winter Greyish back indicative of a juvenile in its first winter. Wings still show dark feathers on the outer wings and at the end of the tail which shall turn into grey and white in a 2nd winter bird. 2nd. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. 1/27 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 25 - 27 75 - 80 66 - 133 Back to Glossary Mediterrenean Gull Mediterrenean Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen in flocks but can be seen individually or in small groups. ​ Takes three years to reach maturity. ​ Small, but bulky gull. Black hood with white crescents above and below eye, blood-red bill and legs in breeding plumage. The rest of the body seems all white at a distance. Wingtips pure white in adult birds. Chest deeper than in Black-headed gull, and wings fairly broad and rounded. In winter the black hood is largely lost, but dark streaking around, and at the back of the eye remains. Second year birds are similar to adult winter, but varying degrees of black markings remains on wing-tips. ​ Diet An opportunistic omnivore, eating fish, worms, scraps, insects, offal and carrion. ​ Longevity record 22 years (Ring read in the field in Greece, E 000958) Gawwija Rasha Sewda Larus melanocephalus Charadriiformes Laridae Common ​ Usually seen in September - March ​ Occasionally seen in April, August ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer Note white body and very pale grey back with no dark tips on the primaries indicating an adult gull. Velvety black hood with distintive white crescents above and below the eye and coral red bill and legs. The second gull is at a more advanced stage - head nearly completely black and legs are coral red. The first gull although adult still lacks a black head and feet are darker. Ad. summer Note white body and very pale grey back with no dark tips on the primaries indicating an adult gull. Velvety black hood with distintive white crescents above and below the eye and coral red bill and legs. The second gull is at a more advanced stage - head nearly completely black and legs are coral red. The first gull although adult still lacks a black head and feet are darker. Ad. summer Note white body and very pale grey back with no dark tips on the primaries indicating an adult gull. Velvety black hood with distintive white crescents above and below the eye and coral red bill and legs. The second gull is at a more advanced stage - head nearly completely black and legs are coral red. The first gull although adult still lacks a black head and feet are darker. Ad. summer Note white body and very pale grey back with no dark tips on the primaries indicating an adult gull. Velvety black hood with distintive white crescents above and below the eye and coral red bill and legs. The second gull is at a more advanced stage - head nearly completely black and legs are coral red. The first gull although adult still lacks a black head and feet are darker. 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 36 - 40 92 - 100 217 - 348 Back to Glossary Audouin's Gull Audouin's Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but sometimes seen in very small groups. ​ Takes four years to reach maturity. ​ A large gull found only in the Mediterranean and the western coast of Saharan Africa. It was considered one of the rarest gulls in the 1960's being said that the population was a mere 1,000 pairs. Today it had increased to an established 10,000 pairs. Slightly smaller and more elegant than the Yellow-legged Gull with a slender bill, more elongated, sloping forehead, and longer, narrower wings. It can be distinguished from the Yellow-legged gull by its blood-red bill with black and yellow tip (sometimes hard to appreciate), very dark iris, dark grey or greenish legs (often visible in flight), much paler grey upper-wing with only a tiny white patch at the wing-tip and small white tips to the wing feathers (appears like a ‘string of pearls'). Juveniles have a paler face, a smooth unstreaked chest, unstreaked greyish neck feathers, a 'U' shaped rump patch on the tail and a strongly patterned underwing. ​ Diet Mostly fish and cephalopods (squids, octopii, etc.), but small mammals, arthropods, birds and plant material are also taken. ​ Longevity record 25 years (Spain, 6005620) Gawwija tal-Gżejjer Larus audouinii Charadriiformes Laridae Scarce ​ Usually seen in August ​ Occasionally seen in all other months ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Adults (Jan 21) Note coral red bills, white head and body, pale grey upperparts and white patches on black primaries indicative of a full adult moult. Third summer gulls are similar but lack the white patches on the primaries. Adults (Jan 21) Note coral red bills, white head and body, pale grey upperparts and white patches on black primaries indicative of a full adult moult. Third summer gulls are similar but lack the white patches on the primaries. Adult Note coral red bill, white head and body, pale grey upperparts and white patches on black primaries indicative of a full adult moult. Third summer gulls are similar but lack the white patches on the primaries. Adults (Jan 21) Note coral red bills, white head and body, pale grey upperparts and white patches on black primaries indicative of a full adult moult. Third summer gulls are similar but lack the white patches on the primaries. 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 48 - 52 115 - 140 460 - 625 Back to Glossary Pallas Gull Pallas's Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* A vagrant bird that is seen individually. ​ A very large gull, listed as the third largest species of gull in the world, after the Great black-backed gull and the Glaucous gull . It measures 55–72 cm in length with a 142 to 170 cm wingspan. Summer adults are unmistakable since no other gull of this size has a black hood. The adults have grey wings and back, with conspicuous white "mirrors" at the wing tips. The legs are yellow and the bill is orangey-yellow with a red tip. ​ Diet These birds are predatory, taking fish, crustaceans, insects and even small mammals. ​ Longevity record 29 years 2 months (Found dead in FInland, DT-13489) Gawwija Imperjali Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus Charadriiformes Laridae Vagrant Usually seen in ---- Occasionally seen in January, March, October, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/16 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 57 - 61 149 - 170 900 - 2000 Back to Glossary Mew Gull Common Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Takes three years to reach maturity. ​ A gull in smaller size, having a lighter bill and light flight. Head profile rounded, and the small bill lacks the red spot of the larger gulls. Told apart from Kittiwake by greenish legs and large white spot on wing tips. ​ ​ Diet Mostly fish, worms, insects, fish, carrion and rubbish. ​ Longevity record 33 years, 8 months (Ring read in the field in Denmark, 5003247) Gawwija Sekonda Larus canus Charadriiformes Laridae Rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in December - January ​ Occasionally seen in February, November ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1st winter Head and body white with brown markings. Also scaly tail. Pale bill with black tip. Heavy brown upperwing and grey saddle. 1st winter Head and body white with brown markings. Also scaly tail. Pale bill with black tip. Heavy brown upperwing and grey saddle. 1st winter Head and body white with brown markings. Also scaly tail. Pale bill with black tip. Heavy brown upperwing and grey saddle. 1st winter Head and body white with brown markings. Also scaly tail. Pale bill with black tip. Heavy brown upperwing and grey saddle. 1/29 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 45 100 - 130 290 - 548 Lesser Black-backed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Takes four years to reach maturity. ​ Yellow legs, black to dark grey back (regional variations) and black primaries with only small white spots. Winter plumage with streaked head and neck. Underside of flight feathers smoky grey. Juveniles very variable, but with completely dark inner primaries and broad terminal band to tail. There are basically four sub species in the European region, being ​ --> L.f. graellsi which has a slate grey back --> L.f. intermedius which has a much darker back than 'graellsi' --> L.f. fuscus aka 'BALTIC GULL' which has a black back --> L.f. heuglini aka 'HEUGLIN'S GULL' which is similar to 'graellsi' but larger in proportion Klaus Malling Olsen, author of ''Gulls of the World: A Photographic Guide'', describes the L.f. fuscus i.e. the 'Baltic Gull' and the L.f. heuglini i.e. the 'Heuglin's Gull' separately from the 'graellsi' and ' intermediate' ssp. ​ ​ Diet Feed on fish, but can also feed on invertebrates such as crustaceans, molluscs and terrestrial prey. ​ Longevity record 34 years, 10 months (A shot bird in the UK, GM 21509) Gawwija Daharha Iswed Larus fuscus Charadriiformes Laridae Fairly common Usually seen in September - March ​ Occasionally seen in April, July - August ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Baltic Gull (L.f.fuscus) 2nd winter bird. Bill still with black marking indicating that this gull had not reached the adult stage. However the few head streaks and already all white tail are indicative that it is moulting to an adult summer plumage. Ad. winter (L.f.intermedius) Bill neat yellow with red gonys spot features an adult. White head with few black streaks in winter plumage. The back of ssp. intermedius may in some individuals be much more grey than normal and sometimes can be as nearly as black such as in this individual. Adult summer. Clean white head and yellow bill with red gonys spot. Baltic Gull (L.f.fuscus) 2nd winter bird. Bill still with black marking indicating that this gull had not reached the adult stage. However the few head streaks and already all white tail are indicative that it is moulting to an adult summer plumage. 1/21 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 49 - 57 118 - 150 452 - 1100 Back to Glossary Herring gull European Herring Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Large gull with deep chest, light grey back and heavy yellow bill with red spot (adult). Pinkish legs and black tipped primaries with white windows. Winter plumage with streaked head and neck. Develops grey mantle in 2.nd winter. Young birds may be difficult to distinguish from juvenile Greater- or Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and the species shows notable variation in both plumage and size. Juveniles generally shows darker head and less contrasting markings than Greater Black-back, and pale inner primaries (window), as opposed to the all black hand of young Lesser Black-backs. Diet Herring Gulls feeds primarily on fish and crustaceans, and destroys the clutches of terns, petrels and ducks. It also frequents rubbish dumps. It also consumes invertebrates, small mammals, molluscs, lizards and large insects. Longevity record 34 years 9 months (Accidentally trapped in fishnet in Norway, 5020154) Gawwija Prima Saqajha Roża Larus argentatus Charadriiformes Laridae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in November -Jan uary Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer Note the pinkish legs. Yellow-legged Gulls are very similar but have yellow legs. Ad. summer Note the pinkish legs. Yellow-legged Gulls are very similar but have yellow legs. Ad. summer Note the pinkish legs. Yellow-legged Gulls are very similar but have yellow legs. 1/2 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 55 - 67 125 - 155 717 - 1495 Back to Glossary Yellow-legged Gull Yellow-legged Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually, in groups and in flocks. ​ Takes four years to reach maturity. ​ Silvery upperparts, bright yellow legs and more black and less white in wing-tips. Orbital ring red, not orange. Big, red gonys spot, often extending to upper mandible. Marked gonys angle. Primary feather P5 (counted from innermost feather in gulls) usually with broad, black band. In winter plumage head is less streaked and often completely white. Immatures first winter: Pale belly and head. Dark underwings with blotchy markings. Only vague pale window of inner primaries, and well defined, wedge-shaped tail-band. Dark base of bill. ​ ​ Diet Yellow-legged Gull feeds primarily on fish and crustaceans, and destroys the clutches of terns, petrels and ducks. It also frequents rubbish dumps. It also consumes invertebrates, small mammals, molluscs, lizards and large insects. ​ Longevity record 20 years (Ring read in the field in Portugal, 16678) Gawwija Prima Larus michahellis Charadriiformes Laridae Common Usually seen in November - February ​ Occasionally seen in all other months for residents ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Juvenile/1st winter Contrasting white and brown plumage. Dark eye mask on whitish head. Bill is black and have a pronounced gonydeal angle. 1st winter moulting to 1st summer A strongly worn plumage. Bill is getting lighter. 2nd summer The combination of brown and grey patterned coverts and the extensive black mark on the bill indicates a 2nd year gull. Some brown feathers near the eye and a bright white head, breast and belly indicating the gull is moulting to a summer plumage. Juvenile/1st winter Contrasting white and brown plumage. Dark eye mask on whitish head. Bill is black and have a pronounced gonydeal angle. 1/14 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 52 - 58 120 - 140 550 - 1600 Back to Glossary Caspian Gull Caspian Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Takes four years to reach maturity. ​ The Caspian Gull has a long, slender bill with lacking pronounced gonys angle, accentuated by the sloping forehead. One has to note that most individuals with a narrower bill will probably be females. Males may have a somehow stronger bill but still slightly drooping and a less pronounce gonys- angle than in Yellow-legged Gulls. The legs, wings, and neck are longer than those of the Yellow-legged Gull . The eye is small and often dark (in circa 75% of adult individual). However 1st and 2nd year gulls have a black iris, possibly brownish in 3rd years (in 25% probability) and a mid-yellow iris in adults (25% probability), and the legs vary from pale pink to a pale yellowish colour. The back and wings are a slightly paler than the Yellow-legged Gull. The outermost primary feather has a large white tip and a white tongue running up the inner web. ​ First-winter birds have a pale head with dark streaking on the back of the neck. The underparts are pale and the back is greyish. The greater and median wing coverts have whitish tips forming two pale lines across the wing. ​ ​ Diet They are scavengers and predators with a very varied diet. During the breeding season, they often eat rodents such as ground squirrels , flying some distance into the steppes to find them. ​ Longevity record - Gawwija tal-Kaspju Larus cachinnans Charadriiformes Laridae Very scarce Usually seen in November - February ​ Occasionally seen in September, March - April ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1st winter (26-12-20) Small clean rectangular shaped white head with a very narrow darker eye mask. Black eye and pale grey saddle. Bill is narrower and gonydeal is less protruding. Slender look. The greater coverts have dark bases with a greyish tip that form a light wing-bar pattern. Mottled pattern in the greater coverts. 1st winter Small clean rectangular shaped white head with a very narrow darker eye mask. Black eye and pale grey saddle. Bill is narrower and gonydeal is less protruding. Slender look. The greater coverts have dark bases with a greyish tip that form a light wing-bar pattern. Mottled pattern in the greater coverts. 1st winter Small clean rectangular shaped white head and breast with a very narrow darker eye mask. Black eye and pale grey saddle. Bill is narrower and gonydeal is less protruding. Slender look. Worn coverts with watered and out-washed pattern. 1st winter (26-12-20) Small clean rectangular shaped white head with a very narrow darker eye mask. Black eye and pale grey saddle. Bill is narrower and gonydeal is less protruding. Slender look. The greater coverts have dark bases with a greyish tip that form a light wing-bar pattern. Mottled pattern in the greater coverts. 1/5 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 56 - 58 137 - 145 680 - 1590 Back to Glossary Long-tailed Jaeger Long-tailed Jaeger Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually and off the coast in open waters. ​ Formerly known as the 'Long-tailed Skua'. ​ Breeding plumaged adults with streamers unmistakable (streamers comprising two thirds of total tail length). Adult plumage shows less variation than in other skuas. No hint of breast band, and transition between pale belly and darker vent very diffuse. No white patches at base of primaries of underwing in adults. Juveniles easily confused with juvenile Arctic Skua, but are more slender. Wings narrower and primaries and tail longer. Juvenile Arctic Skua shows white patches at base of primaries on both sides of wings, juvenile Long-tailed only on underwing, and on first few primaries of upper. Barred rump and tail coverts in juveniles. Flight elegant and buoyant. ​ ​ Diet Small mammals and when at sea, small fish, offal and carrion. ​ Longevity record 17 years 11 months (Sweden,6164551) Skua Denbha Twil Stercorarius longicaudus Charadriiformes Stercorariidae Very rare Usually seen in - ​ Occasionally seen in September - January, March ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 51 - 62 94 - 104 230 - 350 Back to Glossary Parasitic Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually and off the coast in open waters. ​ Formerly known as the 'Arctic Skua'. ​ Dark, pale and intermediate morphs. Elongated middle tail feathers (projection comprising about half the total tail length), but not as long as in adult Long-tailed skua. White patches at base of primaries, both on upper and underside of wings. Dark morph chocolate brown with darker hood. Pale morph with white throat and belly and incomplete breast band. Relatively marked transition from pale belly to dark vent (as opposed to Long-tailed). Size close to Common Gull. Flight powerful, elegant and falcon-like. Juveniles with short but pointed middle tail-feathers. Confusion with other juvenile skuas very likely. Differs from Long-tailed in prominent white base of most primaries on upper side of wing (not just the first few feathers). Lacks the double white patch of Pomarine Skua's underwing, and shows less contrast between back and rump. Wings broader than Long-tailed but narrower than Pomarine. Approximately equal to distance from wing rear edge to tail-tip (projections excluded). ​ ​ Diet This bird will feed on rodents, insects, eggs, chicks and small birds in the breeding season, but the majority of its diet (especially in winter and on migration) is made up of food that it acquires by robbing other birds (primarily gulls and terns) of their catches in an act called kleptoparasitism . ​ Longevity record 31 years 1 months (Found dead in Finland, ST-24110) Skua tal-Artiku Stercorarius parasiticus Charadriiformes Stercorariidae Very scarce Usually seen in September, November - February ​ Occasionally seen in April, July, October ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 41 - 54 110 - 125 330 - 610 Back to Glossary Pomarine Jaeger Pomarine Jaeger Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually and off the coast in open waters. ​ Identification of this jaeger is complicated by its similarities to Parasitic Jaeger and the existence of three morphs . Pomarine Jaegers are much bulkier, broader-winged and less falcon -like than the Parasitic Jaeger, but show the same wide range of plumage variation. The flight is more measured than that of the smaller species. ​ Light-morph adult Pomarine Jaegers have a brown back, mainly white underparts and dark primary wing feathers with a white "flash". The head and neck are yellowish-white with a black cap. Dark morph adults are dark brown, and intermediate morph birds are dark with somewhat paler underparts, head and neck. All morphs have the white wing flash, which appears as a diagnostic double flash on the underwing. In breeding adults of all morphs, the two central tail feathers are much longer than the others, spoon-shaped, and twisted from the horizontal. Juveniles are even more problematic to identify, and are difficult to separate from parasitic jaegers at a distance on plumage alone. ​ ​ Diet During breeding, Pomarine Jaegers specialize on eating brown lemmings, with smaller numbers of other rodents like tundra voles and collared lemmings. They catch shorebirds, ducks, and ptarmigan infrequently during summer, but the constant threat of predation seems to lower shorebird nest success when jaegers are around. During the nonbreeding season the diet is much more varied, including lemmings, birds, eggs, carrion, insects, fish, squid, and crabs. At sea, they harry kittiwakes, shearwaters, petrels, puffins, terns, boobies, gulls, and other seabirds to steal their catches. ​ Longevity record 30 years Skua ta' Denbha Stercorarius pomarinus Charadriiformes Stercorariidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - April, October - December ​ ​ Occasionally seen in February, May, July - September ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer plumage Long tail spoon shaped as in Summer. White collar and belly. Ad. summer plumage Long tail spoon shaped as in Summer. White collar and belly. Ad. summer plumage Long tail spoon shaped as in Summer. White collar and belly. Ad. summer plumage Long tail spoon shaped as in Summer. White collar and belly. 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 46 - 51 125 - 138 550 - 850 Back to Glossary Great Skua Great Skua Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually and off the coast in open waters. ​ Large and heavy skua with broad wings and short tail. The white patches at base of primaries are more striking than in the other skuas, and are visible both on upper and underside of wings. Size comparable to Yellow Legged Gull, but build more compact. Seemingly black at a distance, but white wing-patches usually visible. Confusion with juvenile Pomarine Skua possible, but body is heavier (not just the chest), wings rounder, bill longer, neck thicker and tail shorter. ​ ​ Diet They eat mainly fish, birds, eggs, carrion, offal, rodents, rabbits, and occasionally berries. ​ Longevity record 35 years 11 months (Iceland, 215553) Skua Kbira Stercorarius skua Charadriiformes Stercorariidae Very scarce Usually seen in February - March, October - December ​ ​ Occasionally seen in January, April Click on the image to open slideshow Immature/Adult Colour is pale, barrel shaped body and pale underwing secondaries to primaries bar. Immature/Adult Colour is pale, barrel shaped body and pale underwing secondaries to primaries bar. 1/9 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 53 - 61 127 - 146 1.1 - 1.7 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Pipits Yellow wagtail Richard's pipit Richard's Pipit Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually and sometimes in pairs. This is a large pipit , 17–20 cm in length and a wingspan of 29 to 33 cm. It is a slender bird which often stands very upright. It has long yellow-brown legs, a long tail with white outer-feathers and a long dark bill with a yellowish base to the lower mandible. The hindclaw is long and fairly straight. It is an undistinguished-looking species on the ground, mainly brown above and pale below. There are dark streaks on the upperparts and breast while the belly and flanks are plain. The face is strongly marked with pale lores and supercilium and dark eyestripe, moustachial stripe and malar stripe. There are two wingbars formed by pale tips to the wing-coverts. ​ The song is a repeated series of monotonous buzzy notes given in an undulating song-flight. ​ ​ Diet Like other pipits, this species is insectivorous . It mainly feeds on the ground and will also make short flights to catch flying insects. A few seeds are also eaten. ​ Longevity record - Bilblun Prim Anthus richardi Passeriformes Motacillidae Rare Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in September - May Click on the image to open slideshow 15-03-19 1/15 Length (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 20 27 - 37 Back to Glossary Tawny Pipit Tawny Pipit Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually and sometimes in pairs and in small groups. Large, but slender and long-legged pipit recalling wagtail in build. Easily confused with Richard's Pipit, but differs in dark lores, almost unstreaked breast, short hind-claw, slender body and thinner bill. The thin moustache-stripe combined with the dark lores stands out from the otherwise pale head. Greater coverts with dark centres and pale fringes are the most contrasting part of the body. Tertials are fringed warm brown. Tail with broad white edges. Immatures are more streaked above and on breast and sometimes flanks, but lore dark as in adults. Flight wagtail-like and less powerful than Richard's Pipit. Stance less upright, with wagtail-like gait. ​ ​ Diet Like other pipits, this species is insectivorous . It mainly feeds on the ground and will also make short flights to catch flying insects. A few seeds are also eaten. ​ Longevity record - Bilblun Anthus campestris Passeriformes Motacillidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May Occasionally seen in March, June - October Click on the image to open slideshow 08-05-19 1/11 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15.5 - 18 26 - 32 Back to Glossary Olive-backed Pipit Olive-backed Pipit Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. A fairly characteristic pipit due to the fresh plumage tones, defined facial pattern and marked breast streaking. Back olive-coloured with only faint streaking. Rump lacks streaking. Usually shows a pale and a black spot on rear cheeks. Legs pinkish, with short hind-claw, similar to Tree Pipit. Similar behaviour as Tree Pipit. Readily enters trees, and will also walk along branches. Flight also similar to Tree Pipit, lacking the stuttering motion of Meadow Pipit. ​ ​ Diet Like other pipits, this species is insectivorous . It mainly feeds on the ground and will also make short flights to catch flying insects. A few seeds are also eaten. ​ Longevity record - Diżż tal-Lvant / Diżżu tal-Lvant Anthus hodgsoni Passeriformes Motacillidae Very rare Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in December - February Click on the image to open slideshow 1/7 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 15.5 21 - 24 Back to Glossary Tree Pipit Tree Pipit Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in small groups or in larger flocks. Very similar to Meadow Pipit, but streaking on flanks noticeably finer than on breast. Bill heavier, with pinkish base. Legs pinkish. Short and curved hind claw. Plain rump. Slightly more elongated shape than Meadow Pipit. ​ ​ Diet Like other pipits, this species is insectivorous . It mainly feeds on the ground and will also make short flights to catch flying insects. A few seeds are also eaten. ​ Longevity record 8 years 9 months (Found dead in the Czech Republic, Z 347042) Diżż / Diżżu Anthus trivialis Passeriformes Motacillidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in August - November Click on the image to open slideshow 06/04/20 26/04/19 06/04/20 1/4 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 16 19 - 25 Meadow Pipit Meadow Pipit Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually, in small groups or in larger flocks. Streaking on flanks just as heavy as that on chest (see Tree Pipit). Legs pinkish. Hind toe long and almost straight. Bill slender with yellowish base. Rump unstreaked. Jerky flight pattern. Generally a featureless bird, and is easily confused with other pipits. Best identified by sound. ​ ​ Diet Like other pipits, this species is insectivorous . It mainly feeds on the ground and will also make short flights to catch flying insects. A few seeds are also eaten. ​ Longevity record 13 years 1 month (Found dead in Poland, KX 21880) Pespus Anthus pratensis Passeriformes Motacillidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - March Occasionally seen in April - May, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/4 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 15.5 15 - 23 Back to Glossary Red-throated pipit Red-throated Pipit Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Pipit with distinctly streaked breast and flanks. Adults with rich rusty red coloured throat, breast and supercilium. Males usually more red than females. Easily confused with other pipits when in winter- and juvenile plumage. Characterised by two whitish stripes on back, heavily streaked rump and flight call. ​ ​ Diet Like other pipits, this species is insectivorous . It mainly feeds on the ground and will also make short flights to catch flying insects. A few seeds are also eaten. ​ Longevity record - Diżż Aħmar / Diżżu Aħmar Anthus cervinus Passeriformes Motacillidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May ​ Occasionally seen in October - January Click on the image to open slideshow 1/15 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 15 19 - 23 Back to Glossary Water Pipit Water Pipit Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. Contrasting, double wing-bars, unstreaked belly (and only modestly streaked flanks), brownish rump, broad supercilium, paler underwing and pure white outer tail feathers. Summer plumage with more strongly coloured buff or pinkish underparts and greyer upperparts, but difficult to identify when plumage wo ​ ​ Diet Like other pipits, this species is insectivorous . It mainly feeds on the ground and will also make short flights to catch flying insects. A few seeds are also eaten. ​ Longevity record - Back to Glossary Diżż tal-Ilma / Diżżu tal-Ilma Anthus spinoletta Passeriformes Motacillidae Very scarce ​ Usually seen in November - December ​ Occasionally seen in October, February - April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15.5 - 18 18 - 23 *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Shrikes & Larks Red-backed Shrike Red-backed Shrike Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Male with brown back, pinkish white underparts and a bluish grey head with a black eye mask. Female more dull with barred underparts. Juvenile like female, but upperparts also barred. Tail brown with white edges in all plumages. Females and juveniles easily confused with the Brown Shrike & Woodchat Shrike. Differs from those in white sides of tail, barred rump, mantle and scapulars, scaly underparts and dark or yellowish base of bill (not pink). ​ ​ Diet The Red-backed Shrike forages in habitats where large insects, small reptiles and rodents are abundant. Its diet includes mainly insects, and various other invertebrates. Small mammals (voles), birds and reptiles are taken too. ​ Longevity record 10 years 1 month (Found dead in Hungary, 156914) Kaċċamendula Ħamra Lanius collurio Passeriformes Laniidae Very scarce Usually seen in August - October ​ Occasionally seen in April - May, July, November ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 18 25 - 35 Back to Glossary Lesser Grey Shrike Lesser Grey Shrike Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ In all plumages told from Great Grey Shrike by very long primary projection, stout bill, large rectangular wing patch and extended white at base of tail. Tertials without white edge. Adult birds with black forehead (more extended in male and often speckled grey in female), and a pink wash to underparts (especially male). Immatures lack the black forehead and wing coverts have pale fringes. ​ ​ Diet The Lesser Grey Shrike hunts from a strategic post, wire or branch and primarily feeds on insects which it catches in the air or on the ground. The diet includes beetles, moths and butterflies, large flies, grasshoppers, crickets and millipedes. Some fruits such as cherries and figs are eaten to a limited extent. ​ Longevity record 6 years (Slovakia, Z 740717) Kaċċamendula Griża Lanius minor Passeriformes Laniidae Rare Usually seen in August - September ​ Occasionally seen in February - June, October - November ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 19 - 21 41 - 50 Back to Glossary Great Grey Shrike Great Grey Shrike Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Light grey upperparts, black wings and tail with white patches, white underparts and throat. Broad, black eyestripe not reaching above highest point of bill. Bill long and medium heavy (not as heavy as in Lesser Grey Shrike). White patch at base of primaries varies according to subspecies. Black part of tail most narrow at base. Juveniles less pure in colour, with faintly barred underparts and buff fringes to greater coverts. ​ ​ Diet Eats mostly insects when available, especially beetles, grasshoppers, flies, and caterpillars, also spiders, snails, earthworms, and other invertebrates. Food is often stored in a 'larder' by impaling it on a thorn! Especially in fall and winter, eats a wide variety of berries, fruits, and seeds. ​ Longevity record 8 years 2 months (Finland, A-409668) Kaċċamendula Griża Kbira Lanius excubitor Passeriformes Laniidae Rare Usually seen in August - September ​ Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 22 - 26 56 - 80 Back to Glossary Woodchat Shrike Woodchat Shrike Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple individuals can be seen simultaneously. Adults easily recognized by rufous cap, black back, white scapular patches and white rump. Appears more compact and bigger headed than Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrike. White spot at base of bill larger in female than in male. Immatures told from Red-backed Shrike by whitish scapulars, greyer upperparts, diffuse patch at base of primaries, pale rump and dark brown tail. Subspecies L. s. badius lacks primary patch. More skulking than many shrikes. Likes high viewpoints. The most common type in Malta is the senator nominate, however the badius nominate occurs as well. Diet Eats mostly insects when available, especially beetles, grasshoppers, flies, and caterpillars, also spiders, snails, earthworms, and other invertebrates. Longevity record 5 years 8 months (Found dead by a train hit in Germany, 7367101) Kaċċamendula / Ċeklemenda Lanius senator Passeriformes Laniidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - October ​ Occasionally seen in February, June Click on the image to open slideshow ssp.badius Note the absence or virtual absence of visible white at the base of the primaries in the closed wing. On the closed wing of 60-70% of adults, both male and female, white is absent; on the remaining 30-40% it is restricted to a small spot on the bases of the inner primaries. ssp. senator ssp.badius Note the absence or virtual absence of visible white at the base of the primaries in the closed wing. On the closed wing of 60-70% of adults, both male and female, white is absent; on the remaining 30-40% it is restricted to a small spot on the bases of the inner primaries. 1/30 Length (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 19 29 - 37 Back to Glossary Calandra Calandra Lark Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Large, fairly characteristic lark. Wings blackish underneath with conspicuous white trailing edge, obvious in flight. Outer tail-feathers white. Perched birds easiest identified by large black breast patch (though variable in size and shape), and very deep bill. Broad, buff supercilium and eye-ring. Leaves a robust and compact impression, with its broad wings, short tail and heavy bill. Stance usually upright when perched. Flight undulating, but less hesitant than Skylark. ​ ​ Diet Its diet is seasonal, feeding mostly on insects in the summers and seeds and grass shoots in the winter. ​ Longevity record 5-10 years Kalandra Melanocorypha calandra Passeriformes Alaudidae Rare Usually seen in - ​ Occasionally seen in March - April , September - Decem ber Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 17.5 - 20 53 - 70 Back to Glossary Greater short-toed lark Greater Short-toed Lark Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs. It is an annual local breeder. ​ Small, compact lark with finch-like bill. 30% smaller than Skylark. Primaries almost completely covered by tertiaries, as opposed to Lesser Short-toed Lark. Upperparts typical lark-like, while underparts are almost unstreaked. Most individuals shows small, black shoulder patch. Bill deep, but pointed. Base colour variable, but western birds usually warmer brown than eastern. Lacks crest. Crown is rather flat (often rufous) and head squarish. Tail black with buff centre and pure white outer feathers. Flight moderately undulating. ​ ​ Diet Its diet is seasonal, feeding mostly on insects in the summers and seeds and grass shoots in the winter. ​ Longevity record 5-10 years Bilbla Calandrella brachydactyla Passeriformes Alaudidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - September ​ Occasionally seen in October Click on the image to open slideshow 18-04-19 1/14 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 16 16 - 25 Back to Glossary woodlark Woodlark Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Can gather together with Skylarks. ​ Bill finer than Skylark. Strong white supercilium reaching the neck. Distinctly streaked nape. Wings rounded, and with white edged primary coverts, but no white trailing edge as opposed to Skylark. Tail short and square with white trailing edge. Differs from skylark in posture and behaviour, and appears more erect when perched. Undecisive, bat-like flight. ​ ​ Diet As with many of the birds in the lark family, the Woodlark is primarily vegetarian as an adult but during the breeding season will also eat medium-sized insects. The diet is mainly composed of seeds and such insects as beetles, flies and moths. ​ Longevity record 5 years 0 months (UK, VC 1823-) Ċuqlajta Lullula arborea Passeriformes Alaudidae Scarce Usually seen in October - November ​ Occasionally seen in March - April, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15 23 - 35 Back to Glossary Skylark Eurasian Skylark Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen in small groups or in larger flocks. ​ Short foldable crest. Pale eye-ring and supercilium. Long primary projection (primaries extend well beyond tertials), white trailing edge to wing and white outer tail feathers. Tail much longer than in Wood Lark. ​ Skylarks nest on the ground, in vegetation which is 20–50 cm high. This vegetation must be open enough to give the birds easy access to the ground. ​ ​ Diet Adults feed on leaves and seeds of crops and weeds. Their strong association with weedy stubbles in winter shows the importance of seeds and weed leaves. ​ Longevity record 10 years 0 months (Found dead in the Check Republic, M 107989) Ċuqlajta Alauda arvensis Passeriformes Alaudidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - November ​ Occasionally seen in September, December - May Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Length (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 18 33 - 45 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

''Nature Guide Series BIRDS of the Maltese Islands'' by Natalino Fenech ISBN: 978-99957-67-36-5 ''A Complete Guide to the Birds of Malta'' by Natalino Fenech ISBN: 978-99932-7-310-3

Hawks & Falcons Levant Sparrowhawk Levant Sparrowhawk Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* The Levant Sparrowhawk is a small raptor with short broad wings and a longish tail, both adaptations to manoeuvring through trees. The adult male is blue-grey above and pale below, with underparts and leg feathers finely barred in rufous and white. His head is blue-grey as well, with a white throat bisected by a dark central stripe (sometimes quite faint). As with all raptors, the female is larger than the male. The female is similar, though her plumage is generally a darker brownish-grey. Both sexes have orangish-yellow legs and a yellow cere . The Levant Sparrowhawk has dark eyes as opposed by the yellow irises of Eurasian Sparrowhawks. ​ ​ Diet It hunts small birds, insects, rodents, and lizards in woodland or semi-desert areas, relying on surprise as it flies from a perch to catch its prey unaware. ​ Longevity record 15 years 6 months Sparvier tal-Lvant Accipiter brevipes Accipitriformes Accipitridae Very rare Usually seen in October ​ Occasionally seen in May, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 31 - 36 69 - 75 140 - 290 Back to Glossary Sparrowhawk Eurasian Sparrowhawk Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* A small raptor with long tail and short, rounded wings. Upperparts grey in male, and brownish in female and juvenile. Underparts barred in buff in male, and brown barring in female and juveniles. Supercilium may be prominent in females. ​ Male regularly kill birds weighing up to 40 g and sometimes up to 120 g or more; females can tackle prey up to 500 g or more. The weight of food consumed by adult birds daily is estimated to be 40–50 g for males and 50–70 g for females. During one year, a pair of Eurasian sparrowhawks could take 2,200 house sparrows , 600 common blackbirds or 110 wood pigeons . ​ ​ Diet Males tend to take tits , finches , sparrows and buntings ; females often take thrushes and starlings . More than 120 bird species have been recorded as prey and individual Eurasian sparrowhawks may specialise in certain prey. The birds taken are usually adults or fledglings, though chicks in the nest and carrion are sometimes eaten. Small mammals, including bats and mice are sometimes caught but insects are eaten only very rarely. ​ Longevity record 20 years (Found dead in Denmark, 588073) Sparvier Accipiter nisus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Scarce ​ Usually seen in September - November ​ Occasionally seen in March - May, December ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 27 - 38 67 - 77 110 - 345 Back to Glossary Lesser Kestrel Lesser Kestrel Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen in groups and occasionaly in large flocks but can also be seen individually. Easily confused with Kestrel, especially in female and immature plumage. Adult male with clean, grey cheeks, no moustache-stripe and no streaking on crown. Upper wing, greater coverts are grey, contrasting with brick red forewing and back without dark spots. Belly sparsely spotted. Underside of wings paler with less barring than Kestrel, and with more pronounced dark wing tips and trailing edge. This is also more or less visible in females and young birds. Female and young birds has a less stern look than Kestrel, due to more faint facial markings. Mask do not extend behind the eye. Tail slighty shorter than Kestrel, usually with central feathers slightly elongated (rare in Kestrel). Talons pale white, not black as in Kestrel. Flight light and fast, with shallow wing-beats. Hovers less than Kestrel, but soars on up-winds. Identification of female/immature birds requires a combination of plumage, structural and behavioural (flight action) characters. ​ ​ Diet Mainly insects but feeds also on small birds, reptiles and rodents. ​ Longevity record 10 years (Captured by bird ringer in Spain, 4019231) Spanjulett Sekond Falco naumanni Falconiformes Falconidae Fairly common ​ Usually seen in March - May, September - October ​ Occasionally seen in February, June - August, November ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/13 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 29 - 33 57 - 72 90 - 210 Back to Glossary Kestrel Common Kestrel Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but occasionally in small groups. Medium sized falcon with long tail and long wings. Upperparts brick-red, underparts pale buff with dark speckles. Male; light grey head and tail. Female; brick-red head and tail. Both sexes with broad, black terminal tail-band visible on both sides. Evident, but diffuse moustache-stripe. Hovers more frequently than other raptors. Tail and wings gives a more rounded impression when soaring. Very similar to Lesser Kestrel. ​ ​ Diet Mainly insects but feeds also on small birds, reptiles and rodents. They are able to see near ultraviolet light, allowing the birds to detect the urine trails around rodent burrows as they shine in an ultraviolet colour in the sunlight, catching mouse-sized mammals. ​ Longevity record 20 years (Found sick in Germany, GN 4735) Spanjulett / Seqer Aħmar Falco tinnunculus Falconiformes Falconidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - November ​ Occasionally seen in all the other months ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 32 - 38 67 - 83 165 - 290 Back to Glossary Red Footed Falcon Red-footed Falcon Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but occasionally in small groups. A small falcon recalling both Kestrel and Hobby at a distance, but most likely to be confused with latter. Adult male unmistakable with ashy grey plumage and rufous red "trousers". Colour of trousers not always obvious, but silvery upperwing often visible in flashes at distance. Adult female also distinct with almost unstreaked buff underparts and under wing-coverts, buff neck and crown, dark mask and white cheeks. Immature most likely to be confused with Hobby but differs in barred upper side of tail, pale forehead, white (half) collar, contrasting dark trailing edge to wing and more striking fringes to coverts. Underparts also less heavy streaked. Flight profile similar to Hobby but tail slightly longer and more rounded. Hunts insects in flight, but in contrast to Hobby, hovers frequently and with deeper wingbeats than Kestrel. ​ ​ Diet Diet consisting of a variety of insects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and small birds. ​ Longevity record 13 years (France, GT 9477) Żumbrell Falco vespertinus Falconiformes Falconidae Scarce ​ Usually seen in April - May ​ Occasionally seen in June - October ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. female Colourful orange underbody with black eye mask and a short black moustache. Upperwings are greyish with darker barring. Ad. female Colourful orange underbody with black eye mask and a short black moustache. Upperwings are greyish with darker barring. 2nd cycle male Bluish grey head and underbody with rusty red thighs and vent. In 2nd cycle males the underwings are still not fully dark and can have a mix of juvenile, transitional and adult plumage feathers. Ad. female Colourful orange underbody with black eye mask and a short black moustache. Upperwings are greyish with darker barring. 1/38 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 31 65 - 78 110 - 200 Back to Glossary Sooty Falcon Sooty Falcon Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* It is a vagrant sighting. The one in the pictures was taken by Patrick Spiteri on the 13th September 2022 over Buskett. A small elegant bird of prey, 32–37 cm long with a 78–90 cm wingspan. It is shaped like a large Hobby or a small Eleonora's Falcon, with its long pointed wings, long tail and slim body. The adults are blue-grey, and lack the black underwing coverts of the Eleonora’s Falcon. The young bird is like a large juvenile Hobby, or small juvenile Eleanora’s Falcon. Its dark trailing edge to the wings and tail distinguish it from the former species, and it lacks the underwing contrast caused by the dark coverts of the larger falcon. In adults, it distinct itself from the Red-footed male falcon by having yellowish legs and yellow orbital rings instead of more orange legs and orbital rings in Red-footed's. The Sooty falcon also does not have the red orange vent seen on male Red-footed and Amur falcons. ​ Diet Diet consisting of a variety of insects, bats, reptiles, mammals and small birds. ​ Longevity record --- Żumbrell Għarbi Falco concolor Falconiformes Falconidae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in April, September -November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 32 - 37 78 - 90 220 - 350 Back to Glossary Eleonora's Falcon Eleonora's Falcon Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. This falcon is shaped like a Eurasian Hobby or a juvenile Red-footed falcon, with its long pointed wings, long tail and slim body. There are two colour morphs : The adult dark morph is all sooty brown, with black underwing coverts . The light morph is more like a juvenile Eurasian hobby, but has buff underparts, and also shows the contrast between the black underwing coverts and paler base to the flight feathers. Young birds are also like a large juvenile hobby, but the pale underparts contrast with darker wingtips and wing coverts. ​ Eleonora's falcons have greenish legs and a consistent pale patch on the face, which is indented and thus can be seen divided in a Eurasian Hobby. ​ ​ Diet Large insects, birds and bats. ​ Longevity record 11 years (Shot bird in Germany, 5265733) Bies Tar-Reġina Falco eleonorae Falconiformes Falconidae Scarce ​ Usually seen in August - October ​ Occasionally seen in February, April - July, November - December ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 43 86 - 102 330 - 450 Back to Glossary Merlin Merlin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. This falcon is the smallest falcon visiting our islands. It is a very agile falcon which can be seen flying swiftly through tree branches. ​ The male has slate grey upperparts, and pinkish buff with speckled underparts. The female is dark brown above and heavily speckled below. Tail of female with dark broad bands, tail of male with broad black terminal band. Diffuse facial markings. Short wings. Acrobatic flight with sharp twist and turns when chasing prey. Alternating glides and bursts of wing-beats gives undulating flight. ​ ​ Diet Usually feeds on small birds but also large insects, rodents, reptiles and bats. ​ Longevity record 12 years (Found dead in the UK, EB 28714) Seqer ta' Denbu Falco columbarius Falconiformes Falconidae Very scarce ​ Usually seen in October - November ​ Occasionally seen in December - May, August - September ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 34 61 - 67 160 - 210 Back to Glossary Eurasian Hobby Eurasian Hobby Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ The Eurasian Hobby is a small and elegant falcon, with white throat and rufous thighs (adults). Long, narrow wings and medium long tail. Dark grey above and heavily streaked below. Head dark, with marked facial pattern resembling Peregrine. Tail often looks slightly wedge-shaped. Impressive speed of flight, with acrobatic skills when hunting. Will glide, but seldom hovers. Perched birds shows wing-tips reaching end of tail. ​ Diet Feeds normally on swifts, martins, swallows, bats but also on insects. ​ Longevity record 14 years (Found dead in Germany, 5103443) Seqer tal-Ħannieqa Falco subbuteo Falconiformes Falconidae Fairly common ​ Back to Glossary Usually seen in April, September - October ​ Occasionally seen in May - June, August ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/16 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 35 75 - 85 176 - 285 Saker Saker Falcon Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. A large, powerful, falcon with a pale head, a thin mustache, and dark "trousers"; tail extends beyond wingtips at rest. In flight the wings are broad, with dark underwing coverts. Found in open grasslands with rocky areas and cliffs or in gallery forests. Often nests in heronries. ​ ​ Diet Birds comprise 44% of the diet, mammals 47%, reptiles 8% and insects 1%. Our results suggest that this falcon is an opportunistic hunter and feeds on a wide range of animals throughout its habitat. ​ Longevity record 15 years (Hungary, 517363) Bies Rasu Bajda Falco cherrug Falconiformes Falconidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in April, October - November ​ Occasionally seen in August, Decemebr - January ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow © Darren Caruana 1/8 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 48 - 55 110 - 125 700 - 1300 Peregrine Falcon Peregrine Falcon Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in pairs or in small groups during breeding. ​ The nominates 'peregrinus', 'calidus' and 'brookei' occur in Malta. The latter being the one that breeds in Malta. A large and athletic falcon. Adults slate-grey above. Underparts white with black barring. Head almost black. Juveniles with brown tone to plumage, coarse longitudinal streaking below and paler head. Differs from the smaller falcons by less pointed wings, heavier hips and short tail. Highly contrasting and broad moustache-stripe. Underside of wings evenly barred, without contrasting coverts. ​ ​ Diet Feral Pigeons (Columba livia) comprise one third of the diet by frequency and just over half of the diet when measured by mass. The remainder of the diet comprises a wealth of other species including wading birds, other doves and pigeons, ducks, gulls and terns, and rails. ​ Longevity record 17 years (Killed by a vehicle in Sweden, 9002638) Bies Falco peregrinus Falconiformes Falconidae Very scarce ​ Usually seen in March - May, September - November ​ Occasionally seen in January, June, August, December, all other months for resident birds ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 37 - 45 90 - 105 580 - 1100 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Wagtails Yellow wagtail Western Yellow Wagtail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Seen individually, in groups or in larger flocks. ​ Head is mainly greenish with a yellow face, throat, breast and belly. Also a yellow supercilium in males. Females are paler with a greyish head paler supercilium and paler throats. Tail quite short compared to other wagtails, and the whole bird in profile is like a pipit. Hybrids are not uncommon. Differs from Grey Wagtail in dark legs, only pale yellow vent and narrow wing-bars. Juvenile White Wagtails and Yellow Wagtails can be confused, but White Wagtail is greyer, with big grey breast patch (Yellow Wagtail may show narrow breast band). Closest congener is Citrine Wagtail, which lacks dark lore, has broad wing-bars and grey back. ​ ​ Diet Insects and spiders, particularly flying insects in sparse vegetation and open ground. ​ Longevity record 8 years 10 months (Found dead in Sweden, 2407355) Isfar Motacilla flava Passeriformes Motacillidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - November ​ Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow ssp. Motacilla flava 1/32 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 16 15 - 23 Back to Glossary Eastern yellow wagtil Eastern Yellow Wagtail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A vagrant seen twice in December, at (i) Salini salt pans in 2019 and (ii) M'Xlokk in 2022. It is very similar to a Blue-headed Wagtail (M.flava) i.e. a blueish/grey head with but it has a slightly paler grey forehead to nape, and mostly pale grey ear-coverts (sometimes blackish), blackish-grey lores and conspicuous white eyebrow. Crown and nape are bluish-grey. Call is very distinctive and different from its Western Yellow Wagtails species. Diet Insects and spiders, particularly flying insects in sparse vegetation and open ground. Longevity record - Isfar tal-Lvant Motacilla tschutschensis Passeriformes Motacillidae Vagrant ​ Usually seen in - ​ Occasionally seen in December Click on the image to open slideshow 14-03-20 14-03-20 1/12 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 16 15 - 23 Back to Glossary Citrine Wagtail Citrine Wagtail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Seen individually. ​ Adult male easily recognized with all yellow head with dark edges and grey back. Prominent white wing-bars and all dark bill, lacking the pale base of Yellow Wagtail. Females and adult winter lacks the dark lore-stripe of Yellow Wagtail, and the flanks are grey. The same applies to the juveniles. These also give a very grey impression, almost resembling a Pied Wagtail without the dark breast-pattern. Juvenile Yellow Wagtails have a less grey and more olive tone to their backs. The dark facial markings/ear coverts of females/winter/juveniles birds are usually framed by the continuation of the strong supercilium. Some Yellow Wagtails are very similar to Citrine, and call and tail length should be considered as well (tail longer in Citrine). ​ ​ Diet Insects and spiders, particularly flying insects in sparse vegetation and open ground. ​ Longevity record - Zakak Rasu Safra Motacilla citreola Passeriformes Motacillidae Rare Usually seen in - ​ Occasionally seen in August, September, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15.5 - 17 15 - 24 Back to Glossary Grey Wagtail Grey Wagtail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Seen individually. ​ Elegant and very long-tailed wagtail. Vent always bright yellow in all plumages. Legs pinkish flesh-coloured, not black as in Yellow Wagtails species. Wings with single white bar, visible both from below and above. Male with black throat in summer. Constantly wags tail, often in a more horizontal posture than congeners. Flight more attenuated and more bounding than in other wagtails. Attached to water and streams. ​ ​ Diet Insects and spiders, particularly flying insects in sparse vegetation, open ground and especially near water ponds and streams. ​ Longevity record 8 years 0 months (Germany, BO 87112) Zakak tad-Dell Motacilla cinerea Passeriformes Motacillidae Scarce Usually seen in March - April, September - October ​ Occasionally seen in February, May, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Length (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 20 17 - 23 Back to Glossary White Wagtail White Wagtail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Seen individually, in small groups or larger flocks. ​ Grey and white wagtail with prominent black markings on head and breast. Different from the Pied Wagtail found within the British Isles which is now considered as a full species M. yarreli, that has a black back, whilst it is grey in the White Wagtail. Only faint black markings on head in juveniles and in winter plumage, but always shows big dark breast patch. Unmistakable in breeding plumage. Pale individuals of Yellow Wagtail and Citrine Wagtail, differs in lacking large breast patch, and in contact call. ​ ​ Diet Insects and spiders, particularly flying insects in sparse vegetation, open ground and especially near water ponds and streams. ​ Longevity record 13 years 8 months (Czech Republic, N 212046) Zakak Abjad Motacilla alba Passeriformes Motacillidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - February ​ Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow Leucistic White Wagtail 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 16.5 - 19 18 - 23 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Crows, Jays & Starlings Red-billed Chough Red-billed Chough Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Only one record in 1975. All black plumage, red legs and long, curved, red bill. Bill of juveniles yellowish-brown and shorter. Though never as pure yellow as in Alpine Chough, and more curved. Easily confused with Alpine Chough at a distance where both species occur, but note broader, more fingered wings, shorter and squarer tail with broader base and different calls. Flight extremely acrobatic. Diet Choughs feed in pairs or flocks. A specialist feeder on invertebrates, they will take beetles and their larvae, fly larvae (especially leatherjackets), ants, their grubs and pupae, spiders, sand hoppers, and sometimes earthworms. Longevity record 17 years 5 months (EC 00074- Found dead in the GB) Ċawla Munqarha Aħmar Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Passeriformes Corvidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in Only one record in November of 1975 Click on the image to open slideshow Adult Red bill indicating an adult bird. Adult Red bill indicating an adult bird. 1/1 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 37 - 41 68 - 80 260 - 350 Back to Glossary Eurasian Jay Eurasian Jay Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Largely unmistakable. Pale pinkish brown. Wings dark with white and blue patches. Tail black and rump white (conspicuous in flight). Crown speckled in black. Striking black moustache stripe. Flight pattern straight and fluttering like Nutcracker, but tail longer and bill shorter. Diet Feeding in both trees and on the ground, it takes a wide range of invertebrates including many pest insects, acorns (oak seeds, which it buries for use during winter), beech and other seeds, fruits such as blackberries and rowan berries, young birds and eggs, bats, and small rodents. Longevity record 17 years 0 months (DS 22102 - Found dead in the GB) Ċawla Dumnikana Garrulus glandarius Passeriformes Corvidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in May, August, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/8 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 32 - 35 54 - 58 140 - 190 Back to Glossary Magpie Eurasian Magpie Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually. An unmistakable black and white passerine of it's size in Europe. Short rounded wings and exceptionally long tail. Wings fan-shaped and tail graded. Tail constitutes about half of the total length in adult birds. Compact body but relatively long legs. Flat crown. White wing patches/flight feathers very conspicuous in flight. Diet Food includes invertebrates and their larvae, seeds, nuts, fruit and carrion. Some young nestlings and fledgling of songbirds are also taken, but this is not a major food source. Longevity record 21 years 8 months (74564 - Shot in the GB) Ċawla Dumnikana Pica pica Passeriformes Corvidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in September - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 51 52 - 60 175 - 295 Back to Glossary Western Jackdaw Western Jackdaw Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. The one in the pictures was photographed by Bernard Farrugia on the 24th April 2018 in the limits of Siġġiewi. Small, compact and energetic crow with black upperparts, dark grey underparts and short bill. Most visible plumage character is the pale grey hind neck contrasting with the dark face. Eye white in adults. Often recognized from its compact body and upright posture and gait alone. Flight quick and light. ​ ​ Diet Food includes invertebrates and their larvae, seeds, nuts, fruit and carrion. Some young nestlings and fledgling of songbirds are also taken, but this is not a major food source. ​ Longevity record 20 years 4 months (Denmark) Ċawla Coloeus monedula Passeriformes Corvidae Very rare ​ Usually seen in - ​ Occasionally seen in January, March, April, November ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 24-04-18 24-04-18 24-04-18 1/2 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 30 - 35 64 - 73 180 - 270 Back to Glossary Rook Rook Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* An all shiny black crow with diagnostic bare, pale grey base of bill, and "baggy trousers". Juveniles lacks bare bill base and are difficult to separate from Carrion Crow. Young Rooks however, has a steeper forehead and more conical bill with less curved culmen. Tail is more rounded and base of wings more narrow. Flight action includes less gliding than Carrion Crow, and individuals are more spread when a flock flies. Diet Rooks will eat almost anything, including worms, grain, nuts and insects, small mammals, birds (especially eggs and nestlings) and carrion. Longevity record 22 years 11 months (FV 55866, Found dead in GB) Korvu Corvus frugilegus Passeriformes Corvidae Vagrant Usually seen in April Occasionally seen in February, March, May, October - December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 41 - 49 81 - 94 280 - 340 Back to Glossary Norther Raven Northern Raven Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Buzzard size and largest passerine in the family. All black with very heavy bill, flat crown and shaggy throat. Long, broad wings and wedge-shaped tail. Superb, powerful and often playful flight. Often soars like a raptor. Diet They are omnivorous and will feed on everything from small mammals to nesting birds, eggs and berries. They will also eat carrion, scavenge from other predators and even from human landfills. A group, or a flock, of ravens will raid seabird colonies, consuming the eggs and young of these colonies. Longevity record 23 years 3 months (NOS, Norway) Għarb Corvus corax Passeriformes Corvidae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in --- Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 54 - 67 115 - 130 800 - 1560 Back to Glossary Carrion Crow Carrion Crow Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Very similar to Hooded Crow, apart from the all-black plumage. Easily confused with young Rooks, since these lack the naked bill base and baggy trousers of adults. Carrion Crow differs from Rooks by deeper bill with a more curved upper mandible (bill of Rook conical). The wings are evenly broad, not more narrow closer to the body (difficult to judge). Carrion Crow shows no hint of crest, as is often seen in Rooks. Differs from Raven in less deep bill, no neck ruff and rounded, not wedge-shaped, tail. Diet They are omnivorous and will feed on everything from carrion, insects, worms, seeds, fruit, eggs and any scraps. Longevity record 19 years 2 months (Z 58565, Read from the field in Switzerland) Ċawlun Corvus corone Passeriformes Corvidae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/2 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 44 - 51 84 - 10 0 370 - 650 Back to Glossary Hooded Crow Hooded Crow Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. A recent record was photographed by Patrick Spiteri on the 16th March 2019 in the limits of Mellieħa. Unmistakable, if not in silhouette. In poor light or at a distance, when the grey plumage is not visible, confusion with other crows is possible. Bill is deeper than in Rook, and the upper mandible more curved towards the tip. Smaller than raven, and much less heavy bill. The wings are shorter and more rounded, and the tail is not wedge-shaped. Posture less upright than Rook. ​ ​ Diet Hooded crows are omnivores, eating a diet made up of carrion, insects, grain and eggs. They will steal eggs from other birds' nests and are also known to eat chicks on occasion. They can often be seen feeding together in groups. ​ Longevity record 20 years Ċawlun Griż Corvus cornix Passeriformes Corvidae Vagrant ​ Usually seen in - ​ Occasionally seen in March - June, November ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 44 - 51 84 - 100 410 - 675 Back to Glossary Rosy Starling Rosy Starling Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually, in small groups and can also be seen with other Common Starlings. ​ Adults at close range unmistakable with their striking pink and shiny black plumage and crest. In flight note the pale back in contrast to the black head and wings. Head profile quite different from Starling. Bill considerably shorter and slightly down-curved. Forehead flatter and head more rounded when crest is not erect. Immature birds more anonymous, with brownish upperparts, pale belly and darker brown wings with pale fringed coverts and flight feathers. Bill yellowish with darker tip and legs flesh coloured. Very gregarious and immature vagrants usually seeks company with Common Starling. Then easily spotted as a much paler bird. Especially the rump stands out in flight. Common Starling sometimes show pale plumage but can then be identified by bill shape. Forages with less rapid head movements than Common Starling. ​ ​ Diet The Rosy Starling feeds primarily on flightless locusts and other grasshoppers. It also takes bugs, ants, beetles, moths and caterpillars. Spiders, woodlice and snails are eaten too. After the breeding season, it consumes fruits (wild and cultivated species), seeds of cereals and nectar from several flowers. ​ Longevity record 15 years Sturnella Roża Pastor roseus Passeriformes Sturnidae Rare ​ Usually seen in - ​ Occasionally seen in March - April, July - December ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 19 - 22 35 - 40 67 - 88 Back to Glossary Common Starling Common Starling Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen in small groups or in larger flocks. ​ Largely unmistakable where other species of starlings don't occur. Shiny, glossy black/dark-green plumage, speckled with white dots. Yellow bill, and pinkish legs. Juveniles brownish with light throat. As they age, winter plumage breaks through the juvenile feathers, creating large dark patches with white spots. These birds frequently puzzles new birders as they are commonly seen, but often not listed in bird guides. Starlings are easily recognized on the ground by their walking gait. Flight profile also characteristic with short sharp-cornered tail and short pointed wings. May be mistaken for a Waxwing when seen in silhouette. ​ ​ Diet Eats mostly insects when available, especially beetles, grasshoppers, flies, and caterpillars, also spiders, snails, earthworms, and other invertebrates. Especially in fall and winter, eats a wide variety of berries, fruits, and seeds. ​ Longevity record 22 years 11 months (Found dead in Denmark,8552412) Sturnella Sturnus vulgaris Passeriformes Sturnidae Fairly common Usually seen in September - March ​ Occasionally seen in August, April - May ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/11 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 19 - 22 37 - 42 75 - 90 Back to Glossary Spotless starling Spotless Starling Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Similar to Starling, and may be difficult to tell apart in winter and immature plumages. Most birds are in breeding plumage from March on, completely lacking spots, and with a purple (not green) sheen. Flight feathers lacks pale fringes, and the overall look is much darker than Starling. Elongated head and throat feathers are slightly longer than in Starling. Winter and immature plumage birds difficult to identify, but has small and spearhead-shaped spots, and darker wings (due to lack of pale fringes). Leg colour generally paler pink, than Starling, but some overlap occurs. Diet Eats mostly insects when available, especially beetles, grasshoppers, flies, and caterpillars, also spiders, snails, earthworms, and other invertebrates. Especially in fall and winter, eats a wide variety of berries, fruits, and seeds. Longevity record 8 years 6 months (Controlled by ringer, 3173460) Sturnella sewda Sturnus unicolor Passeriformes Sturnidae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in March, April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 20 - 23 38 - 42 75 - 96 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Back to top Bird Glossary This page includes a list of all known species recorded over the Maltese Islands*. Birds are classified in the following categories and do not follow any particular taxanomy order. Click on the links below or scroll along the list as you wish. SWANS, GEESE & DUCKS LOONS AUKS GANNETS CORMORANTS SKUAS GULLS & TERNS PETRELS & SHEARWATERS FLAMINGOS PELICANS SPOONBILLS & IBISES GREBES OYSTERCATHERS AVOCETS & STILTS BITTERNS, HERONS & EGRETS CURLEWS, SANDPIPERS & SNIPES PLOVERS RAILS, CRAKES & COOTS PIGEONS & DOVES SANDGROUSE PHEASANTS, FOWLS & ALLIES BUSTARDS STONE-CURLEWS COURSERS & PRATINCOLES NIGHTJARS CUCKOOS CRANES STORKS OSPREY KITES, BUZZARDS, HAWKS, EAGLES & VULTURES FALCONS BARN OWLS & OWLS HOOPOES, WOODPECKERS, BEE-EATERS, ROLLERS, KINGFISHERS & ORIOLES CROWS & JAYS STARLINGS SHRIKES LARKS SWALLOWS, MARTINS & SWIFTS THRUSHES FLYCATCHERS VIREOS, WARBLERS & ALLIES WALLCREEPERS WRENS, TITS & ACCENTORS WAXWINGS & DIPPERS WAGTAILS & PIPITS FINCHES & SNOWFINCHES OLD WORLD SPARROWS BUNTINGS NEW WORLD BLACKBIRDS Sightings classification Sightings are classified in the following qualifier categories and are subjective to the author of the page. However the description gives a very good indication of the occurrence related with each species. ​ Hypothetical Introduced Vagrant Very rare Rare Very Scarce Scarce Fairly common Common no evidence to confirm if the bird was either a record or imported a species that was locally introduced into the wild appeared beyond the migrating/normal habitat range (<20 records) very few sightings that may be seen over a large number of years very few sightings that may be seen over a few years seen in very few sightings during the year or migration period seen in small quantities during the year or migration period seen in good quantities during the year or migration period seen in substantial quantities during the year or migration period Sighting occurrence *Sources x Source 1 x Source 2 x Source 3 BOTMI BLM BOM - Birds of the Maltese Islands [1] - Birdlife Malta [2] - Birds of Malta [3] [1] ''Nature Guide Series BIRDS of the Maltese Islands'' by Natalino Fenech, ISBN: 978-99957-67-36-5 & '' A Complete Guide to the Birds of Malta'' by Natalino Fenech, ISBN: 978-99932-7-310-3 [2] 'Birdlife Malta', "'https://birdlifemalta.org/information/birds-of-malta/ '' [3] 'Birds of Malta' facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/birdsofmaltagroup ​ N.B. Sightings under 'BOM' will be only referred for species not published in [1] & [2] Start of list Loons Auks Gannet Cormorants Skuas Gulls & Terns Petrels and shearwater Flamingos Pelican Spoonbills Grebes Oysetrcatchers Avovets & stilts Bitterns Curlews,Sandpipers & snipes Plovers Rails Pigeons & doves Sandgrouse Pheasants Bustards Stone-Curlews Coursers & Pratincoles Nightjars Cuckoos Cranes Storks Osprey Kites, hawks, eagles & owls Falcons Barn Owls Owls Hoopoes Crows & Jays Starlings shrikes Larks Swallows, Martins & Swifts Thrushes Flycatchers Vireos, warblers & allies Wallcreepers Wrens, Tits & accentors Waxwing & Dippers Wagtails & Pipits Finches old world sparrows Buntings Swans, Geese & Ducks English name Maltese name Scientific binomen Qualifier Source BOTMI BLM BOM Mute Swan Barnacle Goose Red-breasted Goose Bar-headed Goose Pink-footed Goose Greylag Goose Taiga Bean Goose Greater White-fronted Goose Egyptian Goose Common Eider Common Scoter Common Goldeneye Smew Goosander Red-breasted Merganser Common Shelduck Ruddy Shelduck Red-crested Pochard Common Pochard Ferruginous Duck Tufted Duck Greater Scaup Garganey Northern Shoveler Falcated Duck Gadwall Eurasian Wigeon Mallard Northern Pintail Eurasian Teal Blue-winged Teal Baikal Teal Marbled Duck White-headed Duck Ċinju Wiżża tal-Koċċli Wiżża Ħamra Wiżża tal-Indja Wiżża Saqajha Roża Wiżża Griża Wiżża tal-Ful Wiżża tal-Maskra Bajda Wiżża tal-Eġittu Ajder Borka Sewda Brajmla tal-Għajn Serra Bajda Serra Prima Serra Kuluvert tas-Salib Kuluvert Aħmar Brajmla tat-Toppu Aħmar Brajmla Brajmla t'Għajna Bajda Brajmla tat-Toppu Brajmla Rasha Sewda Sarsella Ħamra Palettuna Silfjun Asjatiku Kuluvert Griż Silfjun Ewropew Kuluvert Silfjun Sarsella Sarsella tal-Ġewnaħ Ikħal Brajmla tas-Siberja Sarsella Mnaqqxa Brajmla Rasha Bajda Cygnus olor Branta leucopsis Branta ruficollis Anser indicus Anser brachyrhynchus Anser anser Anser fabalis Anser albifrons Alopochen aegyptiaca Somateria mollissima Melanitta nigra Bucephala clangula Mergellus albellus Mergus merganser Mergus serrator Tadorna tadorna Tadorna ferruginea Netta rufina Aythya ferina Aythya nyroca Aythya fuligula Aythya marila Spatula querquedula Spatula clypeata Mareca falcata Mareca strepera Mareca penelope Anas platyrhynchos Anas acuta Anas crecca Anas discors Sibirionetta formosa Marmaronetta angustirostris Oxyura leucocephala Very rare Hypothetical Vagrant Hypothetical Hypothetical Very rare Very rare Very rare Hypothetical Hypothetical Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Very scarce Fairly common Vagrant Vagrant Scarce Scarce Very rare Vagrant Fairly common Fairly common Hypothetical Very Scarce Scarce Very scarce Scarce Fairly common Hypothetical Hypothetical Very rare Vagrant x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x ​ x ​ ​ x x x ​ ​ x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x x x ​ x x Loons Red-throated Loon Black-throated Loon Bugħaddas tal-Maltemp Bugħaddas Iswed tal-Maltemp Gavia stellata Gavia arctica Vagrant Vagrant x x ​ ​ x ​ Auks Atlantic Puffin Razorbill Little Auk Common Murre Purċinell tal-Baħar Mus tal-Baħar Pulċinell Żgħir Mus Munqaru Rqiq Fratercula arctica Alca torda Alle alle Uria aalge Very rare Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant x x x x x x x x ​ Gannets Northern Gannet Brown Booby Sula Sula Kannellija Cormorants Pygmy Cormorant European Shag Great Cormorant Margun Żgħir Margun tat-Toppu Margun Morus bassanus Sula leucogaster Scarce Vagrant x x ​ ​ x ​ Microcarbo pygmaeus Phalacrocorax aristotelis Phalacrocorax carbo Vagrant Vagrant Fairly common x x x x x x ​ Skuas Long-tailed Jaegar Parasitic Jaeger Pomarine Jaeger Great Skua Skua Denbha Twil Skua tal-Artiku Skua ta' Denbha Skua Kbira Stercorarius longicaudus Stercorarius parasiticus Stercorarius pomarinus Stercorarius skua Vagrant Very scarce Very scarce Very scarce x x x x x x x x ​ Gulls & Terns Black-legged Kittiwake Sabine's Gull Slender-billed Gull Bonaparte's Gull Black-headed Gull Little Gull Laughing Gull Mediterranean Gull Audouin's Gull Pallas's Gull Common Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull European Herring Gull Yellow-legged Gull Caspian Gull Glaucous Gull Great Black-backed Gull Little Tern Gull-billed Tern Caspian Tern Whiskered Tern White-winged Tern Black Tern Roseate Tern Common Tern Arctic Tern Lesser Crested Tern Sandwich Tern Royal Tern Gawwija tal-Ingilterra Gawwija tat-Tandra Gawwija Munqarha Rqiq Gawwija ta' Bonaparti Gawwija Rasha Kannella Gawwija Żgħira Gawwija Amerikana Gawwija Rasha Sewda Gawwija tal-Gżejjer Gawwija Imperjali Gawwija Sekonda Gawwija Daharha Iswed Gawwija Prima Saqajha Roża Gawwija Prima Gawwija tal-Kaspju Gawwija Bajda Gawwija Baħrija Ċirlewwa Żgħira Ċirlewwa Munqarha Oħxon Ċirlewwa prima Ċirlewwa bil-Mustaċċi Ċirlewwa tal-Ġewnaħ Abjad Ċirlewwa Sewda Ċirlewwa Roża Ċirlewwa tal-Baħar Ċirlewwa tal-Artiku Ċirlewwa tal-Libja Ċirlewwa tax-Xitwa Ċirlewwa Rjali Rissa tridactyla Xema sabini Chroicocephalus genei Chroicocephalus philadelphia Chroicocephalus ridibundus Hydrocoloeus minutus Leucophaeus atricilla Ichthyaetus melanocephalus Ichthyaetus audouinii Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus Larus canus Larus fuscus Larus argentatus Larus michahellis Larus cachinnans Larus hyperboreus Larus marinus Sternula albifrons Gelochelidon nilotica Hydroprogne caspia Chlidonias hybrida Chlidonias leucopterus Chlidonias niger Sterna dougallii Sterna hirundo Sterna paradisaea Thalasseus bengalensis Thalasseus sandvicensis Sterna maxima albididorsalis Rare Hypothetical Scarce Vagrant Common Very scarce Hypothetical Common Scarce Vagrant Rare Fairly common Vagrant Common Very scarce Vagrant Hypothetical Very rare Very scarce Very rare Very rare Very rare Fairly common Vagrant Very rare Vagrant Vagrant Common Hypothetical x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x ​ x x ​ x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x x x x x x x x ​ Petrels & Shearwaters Mediterrenean Storm Petrel Leach's Storm Petrel Swinhoe's Storm Petrel Scopoli's Shearwater Cory's Shearwater Sooty Shearwater Great Shearwater Manx Shearwater Balearic Shearwater Yelkouan Shearwater Kanġu ta' Filfla Kanġu tal-Atlantiku Kanġu ta' Lvant Ċiefa Ċiefa Kbira Garnija Sewda Ċiefa tal-Atlantiku Garnija tal-Atlantiku Garnija Balearika Garnija tal-Mediterran Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis Hydrobates leucorhous Oceanodroma monorhis Calonectris diomedea Calonectris borealis Puffinus grisea Ardenna gravis Puffinus puffinus Puffinus mauretanicus Puffinus yelkouan Common Vagrant Vagrant Common Vagrant Vagrant Hypothetical Vagrant Vagrant Common x x ​ x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x Flamingos Greater Falmingo Fjamingu Phoenicopterus roseus Scarce x x Pelicans Great White Pelican Pellikan Pelecanus onocrotalus Vagrant x x Spoonbills & Ibises Eurasian Spoonbill Northern Bald Ibis Glossy Ibis Paletta Velleran Qargħi Velleran Platalea leucorodia Geronticus eremita Plegadis falcinellus Very scarce Vagrant Very scarce x x x x ​ x ​ Grebes Little Grebe Red-necked Grebe Great Crested Grebe Black-necked Grebe Blonġun Żgħir Blonġun Aħmar Blonġun Prim Blonġun Sekond Tachybaptus ruficollis Podiceps grisegena Podiceps cristatus Podiceps nigricollis Very scarce Hypothetical Scarce Fairly common x x x x x ​ x x Oystercatchers Eurasian Oystercatcher Gallina tal-Baħar Haematopus ostralegus Very scarce x x Avocets & Stilts Pied Avocet Black-winged Stilt Xifa Fras-Servjent Recurvirostra avosetta Himantopus himantopus Very scarce Fairly common x x x x Bitterns, Herons & Egrets Eurasian Bittern Little Bittern Dwarf Bittern Black-crowned Night Heron Squacco Heron Western Reef Heron Grey Heron Purple Heron Great Egret Western Cattle Egret Little Egret Kappun Russett tas-Siġar Russett Nanu Kwakka Agrett Isfar Agrett tax-Xatt Russett Griż Russett Aħmar Russett Abjad Agrett tal-Bhejjem Agrett Abjad Botaurus stellaris Ixobrychus minutus Ixobrychus sturmii Nycticorax nycticorax Ardeola ralloides Egretta gularis gularis Ardea cinerea Ardea purpurea Ardea alba Bubulcus ibis Egretta garzetta Very scarce Scarce Vagrant Fairly common Scarce Vagrant Common Fairly common Very scarce Scarce Common x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x x x x x Whimbrels, Curlews, Sandpipers & Snipes Eurasian Whimbrel Eurasian Curlew Slender-billed Curlew Bar-tailed Godwit Black-tailed Godwit Ruddy Turnstone Red Knot Ruff Broad-billed Sandpiper Curlew Sandpiper Temminck's Stint Sanderling Dunlin Purple Sandpiper Little Stint Buff-breasted Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Upland Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper Long-billed Dowitcher Terek Sandpiper Common Sandpiper Green Sandpiper Lesser Yellowlegs Spotted Redshank Common Greenshank Greater Yellowlegs Common Redshank Wood Sandpiper Marsh Sandpiper Red-necked Phalarope Grey Phalarope Eurasian Woodcock Great Snipe Common Snipe Jack Snipe Gurlin Żgħir Gurlin Gurlin Munqaru Rqiq Girwiel Denbu bl-Istrixxi Girwiel Prim Monakella Imperjali Girwiel Saqajha Qosra Girwiel Begazzina ta' Munqarha Begazzina Ħamra Tertuxa Griża Pispisella Bajda Begazzina tat-Tizz Begazzina tan-Nord Tertuxa Girwiel Amerikan Begazzina Amerikana Pluverott ta' Denbu Begazzina tal-Punent Girwiel Munqaru Twil Begazzina tax-Xifa Begazzina tar-Rokka Swejda Ċewċewwa Amerikana Ċuvett Ċewċewwa Ċewċewwa Kbira Pluverott Pespus tal-Baħar Ċewċewwa żgħira Baruża Baruża Griża Gallina Bekkaċċ ta' Mejju Bekkaċċ Ċinkonja Numenius phaeopus Numenius arquata Numenius tenuirostris Limosa lapponica Limosa limosa Arenaria interpres Calidris canutus Calidris pugnax Calidris falcinellus Calidris ferruginea Calidris temminckii Calidris alba Calidris alpina Calidris maritima Calidris minuta Calidris subruficollis Calidris melanotos Bartramia longicauda Actitis macularius Limnodromus scolopaceus Xenus cinereus Actitis hypoleucos Tringa ochropus Tringa flavipes Tringa erythropus Tringa nebularia Tringa melanoleuca Tringa totanus Tringa glareola Tringa stagnatilis Phalaropus lobatus Phalaropus fulicarius Scolopax rusticola Gallinago media Gallinago gallinago Lymnocryptes minimus Scarce Very scarce Vagrant Rare Very scarce Very scarce Very rare Fairly common Vagrant Scarce Very Scarce Very scarce Fairly common Vagrant Fairly common Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Common Scarce Hypothetical Rare Scarce Hypothetical Very scarce Fairly common Very scarce Vagrant Vagrant Fairly common Rare Fairly common Scarce x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x ​ x x ​ x x x x x x x x x ​ x ​ Plovers Grey Plover Eurasian Golden Plover Pacific Golden Plover Eurasian Dotterel Common Ringed Plover Little Ringed Plover Spur-winged Lapwing Sociable Lapwing White-tailed Lapwing Northern Lapwing Caspian Plover Greater Sand Plover Kentish Plover Pluviera Griża Pluviera Pluviera Żgħira Birwina Monakella Prima Monakella Venewwa tal-Ixpruni Venewwa tal-Qtajja' Venewwa Denbha Abjad Venewwa Birwina tal-Asja Birwina tad-Deżert Monakella Saqajha Suwed Pluvialis squatarola Pluvialis apricaria Pluvialis fulva Charadrius morinellus Charadrius hiaticula Charadrius dubius Vanellus spinosus Vanellus gregarius Vanellus leucurus Vanellus vanellus Charadrius asiaticus Charadrius leschenaultii Charadrius alexandrinus Very scarce Fairly common Vagrant Scarce Fairly common Fairly common Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Scarce Vagrant Vagrant Very scarce x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Rails, Crakes & Coots Water Rail Corncrake Spotted Crake Little Crake Baillon's Crake Striped Crake Western Swamphen Allen's Gallinule Purple Gallinule Common Moorhen Red-knobbed Coot Common Coot Gallozz tax-Xitwa Gallozz Aħmar Gallozz tat-Tikki Gallozz Żgħir Gallozz tal-Faxxi Gallozz Afrikan Faġan tal-Baħar Faġan tal-Baħar Afrikan Faġan tal-Baħar Amerikan Gallozz Iswed Tiġieġa tat-Toppu Tiġieġa tal-Baħar Rallus aquaticus Crex crex Porzana porzana Zapornia parva Zapornia pusilla Aenigmatolimnas marginalis Porphyrio porphyrio Porphyrio alleni Porphyrio martinica Gallinula chloropus Fulica cristata Fulica atra Scarce Rare Scarce Very scarce Rare Vagrant Vagrant Very rare Hypothetical Common Vagrant Scarce x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x Pigeons & Doves Rock Dove Stock Dove Common Woodpigeon European Turtle Dove Oriental Turtle Dove Eurasian Collared Dove African Collared Dove Laughing dove Tudun tal-Ġebel Tudun tas-Siġar Tudun Gamiema Gamiema tal-Orjent Gamiema tal-Kullar Ħamiema tal-Barr Gamiema tal-Ilwien Columba livia Columba oenas Columba palumbus Streptopelia turtur Streptopelia orientalis Streptopelia decaocto Streptopelia roseogrisea Spilopelia senegalensis Fairly common Very rare Very scarce Fairly common Vagrant Fairly common Introduced Rare x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x ​ x Sandgrouse Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Spotted Sandgrouse Black-bellied Sandgrouse Ganga Ganga Mtektka Ganga ta' Spanja Pterocles alchata Pterocles senegallus Pterocles orientalis Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant x x x x x Pheasants, Fowls & Allies Common Quail Chukar Partridge Summiena Ċukar Coturnix coturnix Alectoris chukar Fairly common Introduced x x x Bustards Little Bustard Great Bustard Houbara Bustard Pitarra Pitarrun Għubara Tetrax tetrax Otis tarda Chlamydotis undulata Very rare Vagrant Vagrant x x x x x x Stone-Curlews Eurasian Stone-curlew Tellerita Burhinus oedicnemus Scarce x x Coursers & Pratincoles Cream-coloured Courser Collared Pratincole Nankina Perniċotta Cursorius cursor Glareola pratincola Very rare Very rare x x x x Nightjars Red-necked Nightjar European Nightjar Egyptian Nightjar Common Nighthawk Buqrajq Aħmar Buqrajq Buqrajq Abjad Buqrajq Amerikan Caprimulgus ruficollis Caprimulgus europaeus Caprimulgus aegyptius Chordeiles minor Vagrant Fairly common Very rare Vagrant x x x x x x ​ ​ ​ x Cuckoos Clamator glandarius Coccyzus americanus Cuculus canorus Sultan il-Gamiem tat-Toppu Kuku' Munqaru Isfar Sultan il-Gamiem Great Spotted Cuckoo Yellow-billed Cuckoo Common Cuckoo Very scarce Vagrant Fairly common x x x x ​ x Cranes Demoiselle Crane Common Crane Damiġella Grawwa Grus virgo Grus grus Vagrant Scarce x x x x Storks Black Stork White Stork Ċikonja Sewda Ċikonja Bajda Ciconia nigra Ciconia ciconia Very scarce Very scarce x x x x Osprey Osprey Arpa Pandion haliaetus Scarce x ​ x Kites, Buzzards, Hawks, Eagles & Vultures Red Kite Black Kite Brahminy Kite Black-winged Kite Swallow-tailed Kite European Honey Buzzard Rough-legged Buzzard Common Buzzard --> Steppe Buzzard Long-legged Buzzard Western Marsh Harrier Hen Harrier Pallid Harrier Montagu's Harrier Levant Sparrowhawk Eurasian Sparrowhawk Short-toed Snake Eagle Lesser Spotted Eagle Greater Spotted Eagle Steppe Eagle Eastern Imperial Eagle Golden Eagle Bonelli's Eagle Booted Eagle White-tailed Eagle Egyptian Vulture Hooded Vulture Griffon Vulture Astun Aħmar Astun Iswed Astun Rasu Bajda Astun Abjad Astun Amerikan Kuċċarda Kuċċarda tal-Kalzetti Kuċċarda Prima Kuċċarda Prima Ħamranija Kuċċarda Saqajha Twal Bagħdan Aħmar Bagħdan Ikħal Bagħdan Abjad Bagħdan Irmiedi Sparvier tal-Lvant Sparvier Ajkla Bajda Ajkla tat-Tikki Ajkla tar-Russja Ajkla tal-Isteppa Ajkla Imperjali Ajkla Rjali Ajkla tal-Mediterran Ajkla tal-Kalzetti Ajkla tad-Denb Abjad Avultun Abjad Avultun tal-Barnuża Avultun Prim Milvus milvus Milvus migrans Haliastur Indus Elanus caeruleus Elanoides forficatus Pernis apivorus Buteo lagopus Buteo buteo Buteo buteo vulpinus Buteo rufinus Circus aeruginosus Circus cyaneus Circus macrourus Circus pygargus Accipiter brevipes Accipiter nisus Circaetus gallicus Clanga pomarina Clanga clanga Aquila nipalensis Aquila heliaca Aquila chrysaetos Aquila fasciata Hieraaetus pennatus Haliaeetus albicilla Neophron percnopterus Necrosyrtes monachus Gyps fulvus Very rare Scarce Hypothetical Vagrant Hypothetical Fairly common Vagrant Very scarce Vagrant Vagrant Fairly common Rare Scarce Fairly common Very rare Scarce Very scarce Rare Vagrant Hypothetical Vagrant Vagrant Hypothetical Very scarce Vagrant Rare Hypothetical Vagrant x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x x x x x x ​ ​ x x ​ x x x ​ x ​ ​ ​ x Falcons Lesser Kestrel Common Kestrel American Kestrel Red-footed Falcon Amur Falcon Sooty Falcon Eleonora's Falcon Merlin Eurasian Hobby Lanner Saker Falcon Peregrine Falcon Barbary Falcon Spanjulett Sekond Spanjulett Sekond Spanjulett Amerikan Żumbrell Seqer t'Amur Żumbrell Għarbi Bies tar-Reġina Seqer ta' Denbu Seqer tal-Ħannieqa Bies Rasu Qastnija Bies Rasu Bajda Bies Bies ta' Barbarja Falco naumanni Falco tinnunculus Falco sparverius Falco vespertinus Falco eamurensis Falco concolor Falco eleonorae Falco columbarius Falco subbuteo Falco biarmicus Falco cherrug Falco peregrinus Falco pelegrinoides Fairly common Fairly common Vagrant Scarce Vagrant Vagrant Scarce Very scarce Fairly common Vagrant Very rare Very scarce Hypothetical x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x x x x ​ Barn Owls Western Barn Owl Barbaġann Tyto alba Rare x ​ x Owls Little Owl Eurasian Scops Owl Long-eared Owl Short-eared Owl Eurasian Eagle Owl Kokka tat-Tikki Kokka tas-Siġar Kokka tal-Qrun Kokka tax-Xagħri Kokka Imperjali Athene noctua Otus scops Asio otus Asio flammeus Bubo bubo Vagrant Scarce Very scarce Fairly common Hypothetical x x x x x x x x x ​ Hoopoes Eurasian Hoopoe Daqquqa tat-Toppu Upopa epops Fairly common x x Woodpeckers Eurasian Wryneck European Green Woodpecker Bulebbiet Bulebbiet Aħdar Jynx torquilla Picus viridis Fairly common Hypothetical x x x ​ Bee-Eaters Blue-cheeked Bee-eater European Bee-eater Qerd in-Naħal Aħdar Qerd in-Naħal Merops persicus Merops apiaster Very rare Fairly common x x x x Rollers European Roller Farruġ Coracias garrulus Scarce x x Kingfishers Common Kingfisher Għasfur ta' San Martin Alcedo atthis Common x x Orioles Eurasian Golden Oriole Tajra Safra Oriolus oriolus Fairly common x x Crows & Jays Red-billed Chough Eurasian Jay Eurasian Magpie Western Jackdaw Rook Northern Raven Carrion Crow Hooded Crow Ċawla Munqarha Aħmar Sultan iċ-Ċawl Ċawla Dumnikana Ċawla Korvu Għarb Ċawlun Ċawlun Griż Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Garrulus glandarius Pica pica Coloeus monedula Corvus frugilegus Corvus corax Corvus corone Corvus cornix Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Very rare Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant x x x x x x x x ​ ​ ​ x x x x ​ Starlings Brahminy Starling Rosy Starling Common Starling Spotless Starling Superb Starling Sturnella tal-Parrokka Sturnella Roża Sturnella Sturnella Sewda Sturnell Afrikan Sturnia pagodarum Pastor roseus Sturnus vulgaris Sturnus unicolor Lamprotornis superbus Hypothetical Rare Fairly common Vagrant Hypothetical x x x x x ​ x x x ​ Shrikes Brown Shrike Red-backed Shrike Red-tailed Shrike Daurian Shrike Lesser Grey Shrike Iberian Grey Shrike Great Grey Shrike Woodchat Shrike Masked Shrike Kaċċamendula Kannellija Kaċċamendula Ħamra Kaċċamendula Denbha Aħmar Kaċċamendula Iżabellina Kaċċamendula Griża Kaċċamendula Balearika Kaċċamendula Griża Kbira Kaċċamendula Kaċċamendula tal-Maskra Lanius cristatus Lanius collurio Lanius phoenicuroides Lanius isabellinus Lanius minor Lanius meridionalis Lanius excubitor Lanius senator Lanius nubicus Vagrant Very scarce Vagrant Vagrant Rare Vagrant Rare Fairly common Vagrant ​ x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x x x ​ Larks Greater Hoopoe Lark Thick-billed Lark Bar-tailed Lark Bimaculated Lark Calandra Lark Greater Short-toed Lark Lesser Short-toed Lark Woodlark White-winged Lark Eurasian Skylark Crested Lark Shorelark Temminck's Lark Black Lark Dupont's Lark Alwetta Bumunqar Kalandra Bumunqar Alwetta Qastnija Kalandra tal-Lvant Kalandra Bilbla Bilbla Sekonda Ċuqlajta Kalandra tal-Ġewnaħ Abjad Alwetta Ċuqlajta tat-Toppu Alwetta Safra Alwetta tal-Qrun Kalandra Sewda Kalandra tad-Deżert Alaemon alaudipes Rhamphocoris clotbey Ammomanes cinctura Melanocorypha bimaculata Melanocorypha calandra Calandrella brachydactyla Alaudala rufescens Lullula arborea Alauda leucoptera Alauda arvensis Galerida cristata Eremophila flava Eremophila bilofa Melanocorypha yeltoniensis Chersophilus duponti Very rare Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Rare Fairly common Very rare Scarce Vagrant Fairly common Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x x x x x x x x Swallows & Martins Common House Martin Red-rumped Swallow Barn Swallow Eurasian Crag Martin Pale Rock Martin Sand Martin Ħawwiefa Reġina tal-Ħuttaf Ħuttafa Ħawwiefa tal-Blat Ħawwiefa Griża Ħawwiefa tax-Xtut Delichon urbicum Cecropis daurica Hirundo rustica Ptyonoprogne rupestris Ptyonoprogne obsoleta Riparia riparia Fairly common Scarce Fairly common Very rare Vagrant Fairly common x x x x x x x x x x x Swifts White-throated Needletail Alpine Swift White-rumped Swift Little Swift Pallid Swift Common Swift Rundun tal-Labar Rundun ta' Żaqqu Bajda Rundun tal-Ħawwief Rundun Żgħir Rundun Kannelli Rundun Hirundapus caudacutus Tachymarptis melba Apus Caffer Apus affinis Apus pallidus Apus apus Vagrant Scarce Vagrant Vagrant Fairly common Fairly common x x x x x x x x x x x x Thrushes White's Thrush Siberian Thrush Tickell's Thrush Ring Ouzel Common Blackbird Eyebrowed Thrush Naumann's Thrush Black-throated Thrush Fieldfare Song Thrush Redwing Mistle Thrush Malvizzun Dehbi Malvizz tas-Siberja Malvizz Irmiedi Malvizz tas-Sidra Bajda Malvizz Iswed Malvizz tan-Nord Malvizz Qastni Malvizzun tas-Sidra Sewda Malvizzun tal-Qtajja' Malvizz Żerżur Malvizzun Prim Zoothera aurea Geokichla sibirica Turdus unicolor Turdus torquatus Turdus merula Turdus obscurus Turdus anaumanni Turdus atrogularis Turdus pilaris Turdus philomelos Turdus iliacus Turdus viscivorus Vagrant Vagrant Hypothetical Very scarce Fairly common Vagrant Hypothetical Vagrant Scarce Fairly common Scarce Very scarce x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x ​ ​ x x x x Flycatchers Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Blue Rock Thrush Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin European Robin Thrush Nightingale Common Nightingale Bluethroat Siberian Ruby Throat Red-flanked Bluetail Western Black Redstart Common Redstart Moussier's Redstart Whinchat Siberian Stonechat European Stonechat Northern Wheatear Seebohm's Wheatear Isabelline Wheatear Desert Wheatear Western Black-eared Wheatear Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Pied Wheatear Black Wheatear White-crowned Wheatear Spotted Flycatcher Red-breasted Flycatcher Semi-collared Flycatcher Collared Flycatcher European Pied Flycatcher Atlas Flycatcher Ġanbublu Merill Rożinjol tax-Xagħri Pitirross Rożinjol Skur Rożinjol Rożinjol Ikħal Rożinjol tas-Siberja Ta' Dembu Ikħal Kudirross Iswed Kudirross Kudirross Aħmar Buċaqq tas-Silla Buċaqq tas-Lvant Buċaqq tax-Xitwa Kuda Kuda ta' Seebhom Kuda Iżabellina Kuda tad-Deżert Kuda Dumnikana tal-Punent Kuda Dumnikana Kuda tal-Lvant Kuda Sewda Kuda Rasha Bajda Żanżarell tat-Tikki Żanżarell ta' Sidru Aħmar Żanżarell tal-Lvant Żanżarell tal-Kullar Żanżarell Iswed Żanżarell tal-Atlas Monticola saxatilis Monticola solitarius Cercotrichas galactotes Erithacus rubecula Luscinia luscinia Luscinia megarhynchos Luscinia svecica Calliope calliope Tarsiger cyanurus Phoenicurus ochruros gibraltariensis Phoenicurus phoenicurus Phoenicurus moussieri Saxicola rubetra Saxicola maurus Saxicola rubicola Oenanthe oenanthe Oenanthe seebohmi Oenanthe isabellina Oenanthe deserti Oenanthe hispanica Oenanthe melanoleuca Oenanthe pleschanka Oenanthe leucura Oenanthe leucopyga Muscicapa striata Ficedula parva Ficedula semitorquata Ficedula albicollis Ficedula hypoleuca Ficedula speculigera Very scarce Common Rare Common Vagrant Fairly common Rare Vagrant Vagrant Fairly common Fairly common Rare Fairly common Vagrant Fairly common Fairly common Vagrant Scarce Very rare Very rare Fairly common Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Common Very scarce Very rare Fairly common Fairly common Vagrant x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x ​ x x ​ x x x ​ x x x x x x x x ​ Vireos Red-eyed Vireo Virju t'Għajnu Ħamra Vireo olivaceus Vagrant x x Warblers & allies Cetti's Warbler Zitting Cisticola Common Grasshopper Warbler River Warbler Savi's Warbler Greenish Warbler Arctic Warbler Pallas's Leaf Warbler Yellow-browed Warbler Hume's Leaf Warbler Radde's Warbler Dusky Warbler Eastern Bonelli's Warbler Western Bonelli's Warbler Wood Warbler Mountain Chiffchaff Common Chiffchaff Siberian Chiffchaff Iberian Chiffchaff Willow Warbler Eurasian Blackcap Garden Warbler Barred Warbler Western Orphean Warbler Eastern Orphean Warbler African Desert Warbler Asian Desert Warbler Tristram's Warbler Ménétrie's Warbler Rüppell's Warbler Sardinian Warbler Moltoni's Subalpine Warbler Eastern Subalpine Warbler Common Whitethroat Lesser Whitethroat Spectacled Warbler Marmora's Warbler Dartford Warbler Goldcrest Firecrest Booted Warbler Western Olivaceous Warbler Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Icterine Warbler Melodious Warbler Great Reed Warbler Paddyfield Warbler Blyth's Reed Warbler Marsh Warbler Eurasian Reed Warbler Aquatic Warbler Sedge Warbler Moustached Warbler Bagħal tal-Għollieq Bagħal tal-Imrewħa Bagħal tal-Ġurati Bagħal tax-Xmajjar Bagħal Aħmar Vjolin tar-Russja Vjolin tal-Artiku Vjolin ta' Pallas Vjolin tal-Faxx Vjolin ta' Hume Vjolin ta' Radde Vjolin Skur Vjolin Bajdani tal-Lvant Vjolin Bajdani tal-Punent Vjolin Ħadrani Vjolin tal-Muntanji Vjolin tax-Xitwa Vjolin tas-Siberja Vjolin ta' Spanja Vjolin Pastard Kapinera Bekkafik Bekkafik tal-Istrixxi Bekkafik t'Għajnu Bajda tal-Punent Bekkafik t'Għajnu Bajda tal-Lvant Bufula tas-Saħara Bufula tad-Deżert Bufula tat-Tuneżija Bufula ta' Ménétries Bufula tal-Pavalor Bufula Sewda Bufula ta' Moltoni Bufula Passajra Bekkafik Aħmar Bekkafik Irmiedi Bufula Ħamra Bufula Griża Bufula tax-Xagħri Bufula tal-Qamar Bufula tat-Toppu Aħmar Bekkafik tal-Kalzetti Bekkafik Griż tal-Punent Bekkafik Griż Bekkafik Isfar Bekkafik tal-Għana Bagħal Prim Bagħal tas-Saqwi Bagħal ta' Blyth Bagħal tal-Għadajjar Bagħal tal-Qasab Bagħal tal-Qamar Bagħal tas-Simar Bagħal Qastni Cettia cetti Cisticola juncidis Locustella naevia Locustella fluviatilis Locustella luscinioides Phylloscopus trochiloides Phylloscopus borealis Phylloscopus proregulus Phylloscopus inornatus Phylloscopus humei Phylloscopus schwarzi Phylloscopus fuscatus Phylloscopus orientalis Phylloscopus bonelli Phylloscopus sibilatrix Phylloscopus sindianus Phylloscopus collybita Phylloscopus tristis Phylloscopus ibericus Phylloscopus trochilus Sylvia atricapilla Sylvia borin Sylvia nisoria Sylvia hortensis Sylvia crassirostris Sylvia deserti Sylvia nana Sylvia deserticola Sylvia mystacea Sylvia ruppeli Sylvia melanocephala Sylvia subalpina Sylvia cantillans Sylvia communis Sylvia curruca Sylvia conspicillata Sylvia sarda Sylvia undata Regulus regulus Regulus ignicapilla Iduna caligata Iduna opaca Iduna pallida Hippolais icterina Hippolais polyglotta Acrocephalus arundinaceus Acrocephalus agricola Acrocephalus dumetorum Acrocephalus palustris Acrocephalus scirpaceus Acrocephalus paludicola Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Acrocephalus melanopogon Common Common Vagrant Vagrant Very scarce Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Very scarce Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Scarce Scarce Fairly common Vagrant Fairly common Very rare Vagrant Fairly common Fairly common Fairly common Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Very rare Common Vagrant Common Fairly common Very scarce Scarce Very rare Rare Scarce Scarce Vagrant Very rare Rare Fairly common Vagrant Scarce Vagrant Vagrant Very rare Fairly common Vagrant Fairly common Scarce x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x ​ x x ​ x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Wallcreepers Wallcreeper Daqquqa tal-Ġebel Tichodroma muraria Vagrant x x Wrens Eurasian Wren Bumistur Troglodytes troglodytes Rare x x Tits Ultramarine Tit Eurasian Blue Tit African Blue Tit Great Tit Eurasian Penduline Tit Primavera Rasha Griża Primavera Primavera tat-Tuneżija Fjorentin Pendulin Cyanistes ultramarinus Cyanistes caeruleus Cyanistes teneriffae Parus major Remiz pendulinus Hypothetical Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Very rare x x ​ x x ​ x x x x Accentors Alpine Accentor Dunnock Żiemel tal-Alpi Żiemel Prunella collaris Prunella modularis Very rare Fairly common x x x x Waxwing Bohemian Waxwing Sultan l-Isponsuni Bombycilla garrulus Vagrant x x Dippers White-throated Dipper Għasfur tal-Ixmajjar Cinclus cinclus Vagrant x x Wagtails & Pipits Western Yellow Wagtail Eastern Yellow Wagtail Citrine Wagtail Grey Wagtail White Wagtail Richard's Pipit Blyth's Pipit Tawny Pipit Olive-backed Pipit Tree Pipit Meadow Pipit Red-throated Pipit Eurasian Rock Pipit Water Pipit Isfar Isfar tal-Lvant Zakak Rasu Safra Zakak tad-Dell Zakak Abjad Bilblun Prim Bilblun ta' Blyth Bilblun Diżż tal-Lvant Diżż Pespus Diżż Aħmar Diżż tal-Blat Diżż tal-Ilma Motacilla flava Motacilla tschutschensis Motacilla citreola Motacilla cinerea Motacilla alba Anthus richardi Anthus godlewskii Anthus campestris Anthus hodgsoni Anthus trivialis Anthus pratensis Anthus cervinus Anthus petrosus Anthus spinoletta Fairly common Vagrant Rare Scarce Fairly common Rare Hypothetical Fairly Common Very rare Fairly common Fairly common Fairly Common Vagrant Very scarce x ​ x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x x x x x ​ Finches Brambling Common Chaffinch Hawfinch Common Rosefinch Eurasian Bullfinch Trumpeter Finch Mongolian Finch European Greenfinch Common Linnet Twite Lesser Redpoll Mealy Redpoll Red Crossbill European Goldfinch European Serin Eurasian Siskin Sponsun Selvaġġ Sponsun Għasfur taż-Żebbuġ Bumunqar Bugeddum Trumbettier Trumbettier tal-Mongolja Verdun Ġojjin Ġojjin tat-Tramuntana Ġojjin Rar Bagħal ta' Ġojjin Kruċjat Gardell Apparell Ekru Fringilla montifringilla Fringilla coelebs Coccothraustes coccothraustes Erythrina erythrina Pyrrhula pyrrhula Bucanetes githagineus Bucanetes mongolicus Chloris chloris Linaria cannabina Linaria flavirostris Acanthis cabaret Acanthis flammea Loxia curvirostra Carduelis carduelis Serinus serinus Spinus spinus Very scarce Fairly common Fairly common Very rare Vagrant Very scarce Vagrant Fairly common Fairly common Hypothetical Hypothetical Vagrant Very rare Very scarce Scarce Fairly common x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ ​ x x x x x Snowfinches White-winged Snowfinch Għammiel tas-Silġ Montrifingilla nivalis Vagrant x x Old World Sparrows Spanish Sparrow Eurasian Tree Sparrow Yellow-throated Sparrow Rock Sparrow Għasfur tal-Bejt Ġaħġaħ Għasfur tal-Bejt Sidirtu Safra Għammiel tal-Blat Passer hispaniolensis Passer montanus Gymnoris xanthocollis Petronia petronia Common Fairly common Hypothetical Vagrant x x x x x x ​ x Buntings White-throated Sparrow Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Rose-breasted Grosbeak Red-headed Bunting Black-headed Bunting Corn Bunting Rock Bunting Cretzschmar's Bunting Ortolan Bunting Cirl Bunting Yellowhammer Pine Bunting Common Reed Bunting Yellow-breasted Bunting Chestnut Bunting Little Bunting Rustic Bunting Durrajsa Amerikana Durrajsa Bajda Durrajsa tan-Nord Bumunqar Amerikan Durrajsa Rasha Ħamra Durrajsa Rasha Sewda Durrajsa Ortolan tal-Blat Ortolan Rasu Blu Ortolan Ortolan Iswed Durrajsa Safra Durrajsa Rasha Bajda Durrajsa tal-Qasab Ortolan tal-Lvant Durrajsa tal-Lvant Durrajsa Qerqnija Durrajsa Qastnija Zonotrichia albicollis Plectrophenax nivalis Calcarius lapponicus Pheucticus ludovicianus Granativora bruniceps Granativora melanocephala Emberiza calandra Emberiza cia Emberiza caesia Emberiza hortulana Emberiza cirlus Emberiza citrinella Emberiza leucocephalos Emberiza schoeniclus Emberiza aureolus Emberiza rutilus Emberiza pusillus Schoeniclus rusticus Hypothetical Very rare Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Vagrant Scarce Vagrant Vagrant Rare Very rare Very rare Vagrant Very scarce Vagrant Vagrant Very scarce Very rare x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ​ x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x New World Blackbirds Dolichonyx oryzivorus Bobolink Bobolink Vagrant x Bobolink Back to top x x x BOTMI BLM BOM - Birds of the Maltese Islands [1] - Birdlife Malta [2] - Birds of Malta [3]

Auks, Gannets & Cormorants Puffin Atlantic Puffin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* One of the recent records is of a single individual seen near the shores of Marsascala in September 2010. A small bird, white bellied, black back, orange feet and a large orange to greenish bill. Bill in juveniles almost black, and much less deep than in adults. Adults in winter plumage also show much darker bill and cheeks than in summer. At a distance head gives an all dark impression, with characteristic dark "shadow " in front of the eye. Wings rounded with dark undersides. "Thighs" dark. Flight fluttering and energic, with shifting weight and angle. ​ ​ Diet Small fish but occasionally crustaceans. ​ Longevity record 45 years (A shot bird at Iceland, 56309) Purċinell tal-Baħar Fratercula arctica Charadriiformes Alcidae Very rare Usually seen in - ​ Occasionally seen in January, March, October, December ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer Ad. summer Ad. summer 1/2 Pictures taken abroad Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 34 50 - 60 320 - 480 Back to Glossary Razorbill Razorbill Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Last record of a single individual seen in the Maltese - Gozo channel on January 2022. At a distance quite similar to Guillemot. Bill deep, rectangular and with white markings. Flanks unstreaked and armpits white. Tail longer than in Guillemot, with legs not protruding behind tail in flight. Tail often held clear of the surface when swimming. Cheeks white in winter, with broad, short and black eye stripe. Neck collar short and wide. Upperparts blacker, and underparts whiter than Guillemot. Heavy neck, head and bill, in combination with the long tail, gives it a front heavy, and different profile from Guillemot, whether perched, swimming or flying. Top of head in line with tip of uptilted bill when swimming. ​ Diet Small fish but occasionally crustaceans. ​ Longevity record 42 years 0 months (Controlled by a ringer in the UK, AT 73954) Mus tal-Baħar Alca Torda Charadriiformes Alcidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in January, November, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 38 - 43 60 - 69 600 - 840 Back to Glossary Northen Gannet Northern Gannet Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. White with black wing tips and yellow-buff at back of head. Juveniles brown with small pale speckles, white u-shaped rump patch and pale underparts. Fully coloured only after 5 years, and patchy, intermediate plumages often seen. Unmistakable bird at close range or with favorable light, but can be confused with shearwaters at a distance and/or in strong wind. Differs from those by long tail and much longer neck and head. Alternates between powerful, even and shallow wing-beats and glides. Flight becomes more shearwater-like in strong winds. ​ ​ Diet Mostly fish and squid. ​ Longevity record 37 years (Found dead in the UK, 1010527) Sula Morus bassanus Suliformes Sulidae Scarce Usually seen in October - March ​ Occasionally seen in April, September ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Immature (3rd/4th-cal.-yr) Yellowish head so 3rd yr+. Secondaries are still dark so this bird is still not in its full adult plumage. the back cannot be seen so it should either be a 3rd or 4th-cal. yr. Ad. Yellowish head and white secondaries indicative of an adult. Ad. Yellowish head and white secondaries indicative of an adult. Immature (3rd/4th-cal.-yr) Yellowish head so 3rd yr+. Secondaries are still dark so this bird is still not in its full adult plumage. the back cannot be seen so it should either be a 3rd or 4th-cal. yr. 1/7 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 85 - 97 170 - 192 2.9 - 3.2 Back to Glossary Great Cormorant Great Cormorant Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen in small groups but can be seen in flocks and single individuals. A large, heavy built with a thick neck blackish bird. Head diagnostically wedge-shape, with the back of the head as the highest point. Bill never yellow (but yellow naked area at base of bill). Often dives without jumping, more common in brackish water, often flies high, and often chooses high ground or objects when perching. ​ ​ Diet Mostly fish and occasionally crustaceans. ​ Longevity record 32 years (Found dead in Iceland, 623) Margun Phalacrocorax carbo Suliformes Phalacrocoracidae Fairly common ​ Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - March ​ Occasionally seen in April - May ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Juv. 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 77 - 94 121 - 149 2.2 - 3.6 *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Martins, Swallows & Swifts House Martin Common House Martin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen in groups or in flocks. A small, compact martin with short, forked tail and pure white rump. Underparts shiny white (including throat and vent). Upperparts dark with shiny metallic glow to head and back. Juveniles overall more dull, with white tips to tertials and dusky, brownish upperparts. Flight determined and steady. Glides more than Sand Martin, with less frequent change of direction. ​ ​ Diet Insects, including flies, beetles and aphids. ​ Longevity record 15 years 0 months (Sweden, 1519863) Ħawwiefa Delichon urbicum Passeriformes Hirundinidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May, September - October ​ Occasionally seen in all other months ​ ​ 1/7 Click on the image to open slideshow Red-rumped Red-rumped Swallow Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen in small groups but can be seen singly. Differs from Barn Swallow in all plumages by pale throat and black under tail coverts, which are visible at greater distance than the red rump. Rufous cheeks and collar. Underparts finely streaked, giving the bird a slightly "dirty" look from a distance, with less contrast to the upperparts than in Barn Swallow. Immature birds with short streamers and buff cheeks and rump. Build more compact than Barn Swallow, with shorter bill, rounded wings and slightly shorter streamers. Flight slower and with more frequent gliding. ​ ​ Diet The Red-rumped Swallow feeds almost entirely on flying insects all year round. The diet includes a wide variety of species caught by aerial pursuit, sometimes up to 100 metres or more. ​ Longevity record 5 years Reġina tal-Ħuttaf Cecropis daurica rufula Passeriformes Hirundinidae Scarce ​ Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May ​ Occasionally seen in February, June, August - November ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 23-03-19 1/16 Barn Swallow Barn Swallow Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen in small groups and larger flocks but occasionally can be seen singly. Dark blue metallic upperparts, deep red forehead and throat and light underparts. Long tail-streamers in adults and deeply forked tail. Both the metallic blue and the deep red appears black at a distance. Combination of dark throat/breast and light underparts and vent is diagnostic, and distinguishes it both from Red-rumped Swallow and the smaller martins. Juveniles are less brightly coloured with a dull red throat, and short streamers. ​ ​ Diet Feeds on a wide variety of flying insects, especially flies (including house flies and horse flies), beetles, wasps, wild bees, winged ants, and true bugs. Also eats some moths, damselflies, grasshoppers, and other insects, and a few spiders and snails. Only occasionally eats a few berries or seeds. ​ Longevity record 11 years 1 month (Found dead in the UK, LK 620) Ħuttafa Hirundo rustica Passeriformes Hirundinidae Fairly common Usually seen in February - June, August - November ​ Occasionally seen in December - January, all year for resident breeders ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Back to Glossary Crag Martin Eurasian Crag Martin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. Stocky martin with broad (but pointed) wings, broad tail and broad head. Mostly dusky brown with paler underparts, except almost black under wing-coverts, and fairly dark vent. Most tail-feathers with small, white "window" visible from below. Immature similar to adults, but with pale fringes to coverts. Flight less acrobatic than other martins, with frequent, long glides. Strays less away from breeding grounds than congeners. ​ ​ Diet The Eurasian Crag Martin feeds mainly on insects caught in its beak in flight, although it will occasionally take prey items off rocks, the ground, or a water surface. When breeding, birds often fly back and forth near to a rock face hunting for insects, feeding both inside and outside the nesting territory. ​ Longevity record - Ħawwiefa tal-Blat Ptyonoprogne rupestris Passeriformes Hirundinidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in October ​ Occasionally seen in September, November - April ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/2 Sand Martin Sand Martin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen in small groups or larger flocks. Small martin with dark brown chest-band and white throat. Upperparts dark brown, underparts white. Underside of wings dark. Juveniles with light fringes to brown feathers, and buff throat. Flight more elegant than Barn Swallow and House Martin. Often changes direction but keeps altitude. More fluttering flight than House Martin, with less gliding. ​ The sand martin is sociable in its nesting habits; from a dozen to many hundred pairs will nest close together, according to available space. ​ Diet The food consists of small insects, mostly gnats and other flies whose early stages are aquatic. ​ Longevity record 10 years 1 month (Found dead through a car accident in Sweden, AR 45926) Ħawwiefa tax-Xtut Riparia riparia Passeriformes Hirundinidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - June ​ Occasionally seen in all the other months ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Alpine swift Alpine Swift Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen in small groups or individually. Only swift in the region with white underparts divided by breast-band. Upperparts brown. Distinctly bigger than Swift, with robust build and powerful flight. Tail short with rather shallow fork. Wing-action slower than Swift, with each beat discernible. May give Hobby-like impression at a distance. ​ ​ Diet They are opportunistic feeders, and exploit swarms and hatchings wherever possible. They avoid stinging insects. Insects are collected in the back of the throat in a special food pouch and bound together with saliva into a ball called a bolus, which is periodically eaten or taken to the nest. These food balls can contain thousands of insects. ​ Longevity record 26 years 0 month (Found sick in Switzerland, 900438) Rundunu ta' Żaqqu Bajda / Rundunu Abjad Tachymarptis melba Apodiformes Apodidae Scarce ​ Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May ​ Occasionally seen in June - November ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 26-04-20 15-09-17 26-04-20 1/5 Little swift Little Swift Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. Little swifts are readily identified by their small size. Their wingspan is only 33 cm compared to 42 cm in the case of Common Swift . Their plumage is black except for a white throat and rump, the white rump patch extending onto the flanks. They have a short square tail, with all rectrices round-tipped. The flight is fluttering like that of a House Martin , and the call is a high twittering. Like other swifts they are very short-legged. The legs are used for clinging to vertical surfaces only. ​ ​ Diet They are opportunistic feeders, and exploit swarms and hatchings wherever possible. They avoid stinging insects. Insects are collected in the back of the throat in a special food pouch and bound together with saliva into a ball called a bolus, which is periodically eaten or taken to the nest. These food balls can contain thousands of insects. ​ Longevity record - Rundunu Żgħir Apus affinis Apodiformes Apodidae Vagrant ​ Back to Glossary Usually seen in - ​ Occasionally seen in March - July, September, November, December ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Pallid Swift Pallid Swift Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually, in small groups or small flocks. Very similar to Common Swift, and often difficult to identify in the field. Seeing the birds against a darker background, as opposed to the sky, brings out some of the characters more clearly. Generally paler and more sandy brown than Common Swift. Differs further from C. Swift by: Rounder wing tip (outermost primary shorter than the next), slightly broader wings, broader and flatter head. White throat patch bigger and more prominent. The face seems paler, which brings out the dark eye-mask. Back slightly darker than upper part of wings. More contrast between outer and inner primaries. Underparts with more pronounced scaly pattern. Flight less acrobatic, with slightly slower wing-beats, more frequent gliding and much less twinkling turns. ​ Diet They are opportunistic feeders, and exploit swarms and hatchings wherever possible. They avoid stinging insects. Insects are collected in the back of the throat in a special food pouch and bound together with saliva into a ball called a bolus, which is periodically eaten or taken to the nest. These food balls can contain thousands of insects. ​ Longevity record - Rundunu Kannelli Apus pallidus Apodiformes Apodidae Fairly common ​ Usually seen in May - August ​ Occasionally seen in April, September ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/2 Back to Glossary Common swift Common Swift Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually, in small groups or larger flocks. All black swift with small white throat patch. Very difficult to separate from Pallid swift. Pallid Swift; brownish plumage tone (best seen against darker background), bigger throat-patch than swift, scale pattern on body more prominent, wing-tips slightly rounded, "saddle" darker than wings, and more contrast between darker outer primaries and inner. ​ Diet They are opportunistic feeders, and exploit swarms and hatchings wherever possible. They avoid stinging insects. Insects are collected in the back of the throat in a special food pouch and bound together with saliva into a ball called a bolus, which is periodically eaten or taken to the nest. These food balls can contain thousands of insects. ​ Longevity record 21 years 1 month (Found sick in Sweden, ZB 84?) Rundunu Apus apus Apodiformes Apodidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in May - September ​ Occasionally seen in February - April, October - December ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 07-05-19 07-05-19 07-05-19 07-05-19 1/5 *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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Whimbrels, Curlews, Sandpipers & Snipes Whimbrel Eurasian Whimbrel Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups but can be seen in larger flocks.​ ​ Notably smaller than Curlew. Bill is shorter and curves more closer to the tip. Markings on head much more prominent than in Curlew, with double dark lateral crown-stripes (light stripe on top of crown) and dark eye-stripe. Note that young Curlews have noticeably shorter bill than adults! Gives an overall darker impression than Curlew, especially underwing and flanks. ​ ​ Diet The whimbrel uses its long, curved bill to probe deep in the sand and mud for food. It wades in shallow water in search of crabs, fish, worms and molluscs. It also eats insects, seeds, berries, and leaves. ​ Longevity record 16 years (A shot bird in the UK, EH 49697) Gurlin Żgħir Numenius phaeopus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Scarce ​ Usually seen in March - April, July - September ​ Occasionally seen in November - December ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Whimbrel (18-07-19) Note a darker and shorter bill and a white belly oppositely than the Eurasian Curlew. The bill is just around two times the length of the Whimbrel's head. The eye-stripe is darker than in E.Curlew and goes furtherly beyond the eye. Flock of Whimbrels (29-03-18) Whimbrels Note a darker and shorter bill and a white belly oppositely than the Eurasian Curlew. The bill is just around two times the length of the Whimbrel's head. The eye-stripe is darker than in E.Curlew and goes furtherly beyond the eye. Whimbrel (18-07-19) Note a darker and shorter bill and a white belly oppositely than the Eurasian Curlew. The bill is just around two times the length of the Whimbrel's head. The eye-stripe is darker than in E.Curlew and goes furtherly beyond the eye. 1/5 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 37 - 45 78 - 88 305 - 425 Back to Glossary Curlew Eurasian Curlew Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Biggest wader in area. Differs from Whimbrel in longer bill with a more even curve, only diffuse head markings without crown stripes or marked eye-stripe. Note that young Curlews have much shorter bill than adults. Base of bill pinkish. Plumage gives a paler impression than Whimbrel, with paler underwings and flanks. ​ ​ Diet Feeds by probing soft mud for small invertebrates, but will also pick small crabs and earthworms off the surface. ​ Longevity record 31 years (Ring read in the field in the UK, FS 40887) Gurlin Numenius arquata Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very scarce ​ Usually seen in March - April, October - November ​ Occasionally seen in August - September Eurasian Curlews (19-03-19) Note a very long bill which is just around three times the length of the Whimbrel's head in juveniles and males. An adult female will have its bill four times its head length as a rule of thumb. Eurasian Curlew Note a very long bill which is just around three times the length of the Whimbrel's head in juveniles and males. An adult female will have its bill four times its head length as a rule of thumb. Eurasian Curlew Note the very long bill which is just around three times the length of the Whimbrel's head in juveniles and males. An adult female will have its bill four times its head length as a rule of thumb. Also note the the eye-stripe does not go beyond the eye and the crown is striped and not dark as in the Whimbrel. Eurasian Curlews (19-03-19) Note a very long bill which is just around three times the length of the Whimbrel's head in juveniles and males. An adult female will have its bill four times its head length as a rule of thumb. 1/4 Click on the image to open slideshow Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 48 - 57 89 - 106 415 - 980 Back to Glossary Bar-tailed Godwit Bar-tailed Godwit Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Most likely to be confused with Black-tailed Godwit, but easily recognized in flight by plain dark wings, white wedge on back and barred tail. More difficult to identify when not flying. Generally more compact, heavier built and less upright than Black-tailed, and with clearly upcurved bill and shorter legs. Belly always unmarked. Base of bill dark in summer and pinkish in winter and in juveniles. Back with arrow-shaped streaking. Adult winter also streaked, and the pale supercilium reaches behind the eye. ​ Diet The bar-tailed godwit eats insects in the summer. Occasionally, it eats seeds and berries. In the winter and during migration, it wades in the water, probing in the mud with its long, thin bill for molluscs, crustaceans, snails, worms, and other aquatic invertebrates. ​ Longevity record 33 years (UK, DS 66532) Girwiel Denbu bl-Istrixxi Limosa lapponica Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Rare ​ Usually seen in September - October ​ Occasionally seen in March - July ​ ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Bar-tailed Godwit Bar-tailed Godwit 1/1 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 33 - 41 62 - 72 190 - 400 Back to Glossary Black-tailed Godwit Black-tailed Godwit Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Most likely to be confused with Bar-tailed Godwit, but easily recognized in flight by its contrasting black and white wings and tail. More difficult to identify when not flying. Generally much leggier, more elegant and upright than Bar-tailed, and with straighter bill. Tibia especially long. Summer plumage with barred/spotted belly (never in Bar-tailed), and orange base of bill. Juveniles with scaled back, not arrow-shaped streaking. Adult winter with mainly uniformly grey plumage, and short supercilium not reaching behind the eye. ​ Diet The bar-tailed godwit eats insects in the summer. Occasionally, it eats seeds and berries. In the winter and during migration, it wades in the water, probing in the mud with its long, thin bill for mollusks, crustaceans, snails, worms, and other aquatic invertebrates. ​ Longevity record 23 years (Ring read in the field in the UK, EF 90838) Girwiel Denbu bl-Istrixxi Limosa limosa Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very scarce ​ Usually seen in February - April ​ Occasionally seen in January, July - November ​ ​ 1/12 Click on the image to open slideshow Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 37 - 42 63 - 74 160 - 440 Back to Glossary Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. ​ Adults unmistakable. White head with bold black markings and orangely brown back. Even more striking in flight, with white wedge on back, large white patches at base of wings, white wing-bars and black and white tail. Juvenile and winter plumage birds with similar white patches, but with darker head and greyish, dark brown back. Underside always pure white. Leaves a robust and compact impression, with heavy bill and square head. ​ Diet Ruddy Turnstones feed primarily on adult and larval flies and midges during the breeding season. They uncover their prey by flipping over rocks, pebbles, shells, or seaweed with their stout, slightly upturned bills. They also eat spiders, beetles, bees, and wasps. ​ Longevity record 21 years (UK, XS 56243) Monakella Imperjali Arenaria interpres Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very scarce ​ Usually seen in April - May, August - September ​ Occasionally seen in June - July, October - December ​ ​ Adult summer moulting to winter plumage White crown but few darker streaks, white nape and collar, rufous back feathers and contrasting black breast indicate an adult in its breeding/summer plumage. But the white on the face and some feathers on the back and upperwings are turning black indicating that this bird is moulting in its winter plumage. In winter all the rufous feathers and the white feathers on its head will turn to darker brown. Adult summe White crown but few darker streaks, white nape and collar, rufous back feathers and contrasting black breast indicate an adult in its breeding/summer plumage. But the white on the face and some feathers on the back and upperwings are turning black indicating that this bird is moulting in its winter plumage. In winter all the rufous feathers and the white feathers on its head will turn to darker brown. Adult summer moulting to winter plumage White crown but few darker streaks, white nape and collar, rufous back feathers and contrasting black breast indicate an adult in its breeding/summer plumage. But the white on the face and some feathers on the back and upperwings are turning black indicating that this bird is moulting in its winter plumage. In winter all the rufous feathers and the white feathers on its head will turn to darker brown. 1/21 Click on the image to open slideshow Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 21 - 24 43 - 49 90 - 130 Back to Glossary Red Knot Red Knot Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs. ​ Large, stocky Calidris. Easily identified when direct size-comparison with congeners possible. Elongated body shape and short legs. Bill robust, short and straight. Summer plumage: Upperparts speckled in brown and grey, underparts warm rufous brown, like Curlew Sandpiper. Legs dark. Winter- and juvenile plumage: Pale grey upperparts (scaly pattern in juveniles), and white belly. Legs greenish in both juveniles and winter-plumaged adults. Note pale grey rump and uniformly grey tail in flight. Wing-bars less prominent than in Sanderling. ​ ​ Diet Crab eggs, molluscs, insects, vegetation and seeds. During their migration and in the winter, the bird feeds on small invertebrates that live in mud, such as small molluscs, marine worms and crustaceans. ​ Longevity record 26 years , 8 months (Read in the field in the UK, CE 25745) Girwiela Saqajha Qosra Calidris canutus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very rare ​ Usually seen in - ​ Occasionally seen in May, August - September ​ 1/13 Click on the image to open slideshow Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 23 - 26 47 - 53 98 - 122 Back to Glossary Ruff Ruff Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. ​ A relatively large wader with long orange or greenish (juveniles) legs. Scaly back and medium long, slightly curved and heavy bill. Male in breeding plumage unmistakable with ruff in various colours and patterns. Characteristic upright posture and body shape with long neck, small head and humped back. Conspicuous white oval patches at upper base of tail. Notable difference in size between sexes (male largest). Often seen feeding in meadows and fields when away from breeding ground. ​ Diet Mostly eats insects, especially flies, beetles, caddisflies. Also eats small molluscs, crustaceans, spiders, worms, small fish and frogs. ​ Longevity record 13 years , 11 months (Accident trapped in a fishnet in Finland,AT-8167) Girwiela Calidris pugnax Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Fairly common ​ Usually seen in March - June, August - October ​ Occasionally seen in July, December ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/13 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 25 - 34 46 - 60 85 - 242 Back to Glossary Curlew Sandpiper Curlew Sandpiper Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. ​ Summer plumage: Warm, rufous brown below like Knot, but much smaller. Bill curved and much longer, and appearance more long-legged. Winter and juvenile plumage grey above and pale below. Differs from Dunlin in slightly longer legs and bill, more pronounced supercilium, no black patches on belly (some rufous summer feathers may show when moulting) and more upright stance. Juveniles with buff-pinkish tone to breast, and scaly upperparts. Always distinct in all plumages when flying, due to bright white and crescent-shaped rump-patch. ​ ​ Diet Feeds on crustaceans (amphipods and shrimps), molluscs, marine worms and insects (mainly flies and beetles). Insects are the main part of the diet during the breeding season. ​ Longevity record 19 years 8 months (A shot bird in Finland, PT-30356) Begazzina Ħamra Calidris ferruginea Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Scarce ​ Usually seen in April - May ​ Occasionally seen in July - October ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Adult moulting to a summer plumage (11-05-19) Neck, breast and belly turning into purple brown as in the summer/breeding plumage. 1/15 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 19 - 22 38 - 41 43 - 67 Back to Glossary Temminck's Stint Temminck's Stint Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ A small wader with yellowish legs and short, almost straight, dark bill with pale base. Noticeably smaller than Dunlin, and with shorter and straighter bill. Similar in size to Little Stint, but legs light yellowish, tail longer with white edges and markings on back quite plain. Clear divide between markings of breast and white underparts. Juveniles with prominent scale-pattern on back. Upperparts of adults in winter plumage more evenly grey, lacking the star shaped spots of summer. Prefers fresh or brackish waters, even on migration. ​ ​ Diet They mostly eat insects and other small invertebrates. ​ Longevity record 14 years 11 months (Read in the field in Finland, X-509990) Tertuxa Griża Calidris temminckii Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very scarce Usually seen in May - September ​ Occasionally seen in April, October ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer Rufous brown edges on some feathers on the back indicate an adult in summer plumage. 1/11 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 15 34 - 37 20 - 31 Back to Glossary Sanderling Sanderling Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually or in very small groups. ​ An energetic, stocky and robust wader. Black legs and bill. Black wing-bend (not always visible), and broad white wing-bars framed in black. Summer plumage with rufous head and back. Winter and juvenile plumaged birds gives a much whiter impression than all congeners, with light grey upperparts and pure white underside. Juveniles with star-shaped, black markings on back. Lacks hind toe. ​ ​ Diet Feeds on a wide variety of small creatures on beach, including sand crabs, amphipods, isopods, insects, marine worms, small molluscs; also may eat some carrion. Wintering birds on southern coasts may eat corn chips and other junk food left by people. ​ Longevity record 18 years 7 months (UK, BB 52147) Pispisella Bajda Calidris alba Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very scarce Usually seen in May ​ Occasionally seen in April, August - October ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Adult in summer plumage moulting to winter (20-08-19) Note the few rufous feathers on the head and neck are moulting away and fresh grey feathers on the saddle and upperwings are emerging. Since this photo was taken in August it means that the bird is moulting to its winter plumage. Winter birds will have a pale grey crown and saddle. 1/14 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 18 - 21 35 - 39 50 - 60 Back to Glossary Dunlin Dunlin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually or in very small groups. ​ Only small wader in the region with a dark or spotted belly. Bill quite long with slightly curved tip. Legs dark. Summer plumage with unmistakable large black patch on belly, and variable warm, rufous brown back. Juveniles and moulting adults usually shows at least some diagnostic dark spots on belly in contrast to white flanks. White V-shaped markings on back, but not as striking as in juvenile Little Stint. Only adults in winter plumage shows completely white underparts (and uniformly grey back). ​ ​ Diet The Dunlin eats insects and larvae, marine worms, small crustaceans, snails and small fish. Sometimes it is called the "sewing machine" because of the way it bobs its head up and down and pokes into the ground when it probes for food. ​ Longevity record 28 years 10 months (Denmark, 807017) Begazzina tat-Tizz Calidris alpina Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Fairly common ​ Usually seen in March - May, July - October ​ Occasionally seen in June ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Adult winter In winter plumage the saddle, crown and upperwings are grey. The breast will be full white and no black streaks are present on the head and chest. 1/13 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 21 32 - 36 35 - 62 Back to Glossary Little Stint Little Stint Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually or in very small groups. ​ A small compact wader with dark legs and short, almost straight dark bill. Noticeably smaller than Dunlin, and with shorter, and straighter bill. Similar in size to Temminck's Stint, but legs dark, tail shorter (and grey) and markings on back less plain. Juveniles with prominent white V on back, and split white supercilium. Upperparts of adults rufous brown in summer, and light grey in winter. ​ ​ Diet Mainly insects but also crustaceans and molluscs. ​ Longevity record 14 years 8 months (Found dead in the Czech Republic, RX 17327) Tertuxa Calidris minuta Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Fairly common ​ Usually seen in March - November ​ Occasionally seen in December ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Juvenile Pale hind neck, white stripes on back, white chin and breast with no black streakes and pale broad edges on upperwing feathers typical in juveniles. Adult summer moulting to winter (23-08-20) Buff on chest with black streaks indicative in adults. Head and back not so much rufous meaning that it is moulting to a winter plumage. Juvenile Pale hind neck, white stripes on back, white chin and breast with no black streakes and pale broad edges on upperwing feathers typical in juveniles. 1/10 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 15.5 27 - 30 20 - 30 Back to Glossary Terek Sandpiper Terek Sandpiper Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Slightly larger than the common sandpiper in length, its long upcurved bill – somewhat reminiscent of an avocet 's, but not as strongly curved – makes it very distinctive. As the scientific specific name implies, this wader has a grey back, face and breast in all plumages ; a white supercilium may appear more or less distinct. The belly is whitish and the feet yellow; the bill has a yellowish base, with the rest being black ​ ​ Diet Terek Sandpipers feed busily, walking briskly pecking at the surface or probing in shallow water, on soft wet intertidal mudflats. They eat crustaceans and insects, adding seeds, molluscs and spiders in their breeding grounds. ​ Longevity record 16 years (Finland, AT-73914) Bgazzina tax-Xifa Xenus cinereus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Vagrant Usually seen in - ​ Occasionally seen in May - June, August ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 22 - 25 57 - 59 60 - 78 Back to Glossary Common Sandpiper Common Sandpiper Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually and in small groups. ​ A small, active and quick wader. Most easily identified in the field by it's behaviour and sound. Most distinct plumage feature is the white wedge in front of the wings at the sides of the breast. Body is elongated and legs fairly short and greenish. Constantly bobs body and head. In flight the dark rump and white wing-bars are obvious. Often flickers its wings when flying low above water, especially just before landing. In flight, common sandpipers have a stiff-winged style and typically stay close to the water or ground. ​ Sex cannot be distinguished from the plumage but only from the body size. Birds with a wing shorter than 111 mm are males and those with a wing longer than 117 mm are females. Anything in between can either be a male or a female. In order to have a 95% probably right guess of a bird's sex, one has also to take into consideration the tarsus and toe together with the wing measurements. ​ ​ Diet Sandpipers are ground feeders that dine on crustaceans, insects, worms, and other coastal creatures. They retrieve them by meticulously pecking and probing with their short bills. ​ Longevity record 14 years 6 months (Found dead in Sweden, 3189307) Begazzina tar-Rokka / Pispisella Actitis hypoleucos Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Common ​ Usually seen in March - May, July - October ​ Occasionally seen in all other months ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Juvenile Note pale feather tips and chest side buff without black streaks in juveniles. Adult winter (Dec 20) Note there are no pale feather tips present and black streaks on the side chests indicative of an adult. Winter birds will have the brown buffs on the sides of the chest paler than in summer. Juvenile Note the pale feather tips on the upperwings forming a yellowish stripe. Also side of chest buff is without black streaks in juveniles. Juvenile Note pale feather tips and chest side buff without black streaks in juveniles. 1/12 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 18 - 20.5 32 - 35 41 - 56 Back to Glossary Green Sandpiper Green Sandpiper Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually and in small groups but occasionally in larger flocks ​ A dark, often secretive, wader. Quite similar to Wood Sandpiper, but differs in dark underwings, only small white spots on back, defined border between speckled chest and white belly, broad dark markings on tail and a supercilium that does not reach behind eye. Leaves an overall much darker impression than Wood Sandpiper. Particularly in flight. ​ ​ Diet Nymphs, bugs and larva of caddis-flies and true-flies. ​ Longevity record 11 years 6 months (UK, CR 63312) Swejda Tringa ochropus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Scarce Usually seen in February - May, July - October ​ Occasionally seen in January, June ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer Head pattern darker feathers as in adults. 1/7 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 20 - 24 39 - 44 75 - 85 Back to Glossary Spotted Redshank Spotted Redshank Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Unmistakable in breeding plumage, with all dark/blackish body unique among Tringas. Most birds seen in Europe will probably be in winter- or juvenile plumage, and can then be mistaken for Redshanks. Spotted Redshanks are slimmer, longer legged and more elegant than Redshanks. The supercilium is much more prominent, the bill is slimmer and longer. Most diagnostic is the lack of white wing-bars, and the white cigar-shaped patch on the back. The barring in juveniles reaches from the belly and all the way back to the vent. Often feeds in deeper water than Redshanks, even by swimming and upending. ​ ​ Diet Insect larvae, shrimps, small fish and worms. ​ Longevity record 8 years 7 months (Shot bird in Finland, B-70005) Ċuvett Tringa erythropus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Rare Usually seen in April - May, July - September ​ Occasionally seen in March, October ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Adult winter Legs are still orange and crown and hind neck grey as in winter. Upperwings are getting darker indicating a process to summer moult. Adult winter Legs are still orange and crown and hind neck grey as in winter. Upperwings are getting darker indicating a process to summer moult. 1/5 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 29 - 33 59 - 66 125 - 160 Back to Glossary Common Greenshank Common Greenshank Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Large Tringa with upcurved bill. The mainly white and pale grey plumage (and head) gives it a pale appearance. Upper parts speckled in black in summer plumage. Upper side of wings rather dark, back lighter grey with conspicuous long white wedge. Tail white, with diffuse grey barring. Back of juveniles with v-shaped scales/fringes. Legs greenish to grey-green. Wing beats quite deep and sometimes with "slow motion" like quality. ​ ​ Diet Greenshanks eat insects, worms, molluscs, small fish and crustaceans, feeding both by day and night. They feed by picking from the surface, probing, sweeping and lunging at the edges of mudflats or shallows. They may walk along the shoreline and even chase small fish in the shallow water. ​ Longevity record 24 years 5 months (Netherlands, 2040963) Ċewċewwa Tringa nebularia Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Scarce ​ Usually seen in March , August - October ​ Occasionally seen in April - June, November ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Adult winter Grey/green legs and back pattern is more uniform in winter adults. 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 30 - 34 55 - 62 155 - 210 Back to Glossary Common Redshank Common Redshank Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Adults differ from most other waders by bright red legs. Large white rectangular patches on secondaries conspicuous in flight in all plumages. Spotted redshanks in winter- or juvenile plumage lacks white wing bars, are more elegant with a more slender bill, and shows a stronger dark eye-stripe and white supercilium. Juvenile Redshanks are unevenly, and sparsely spotted below from the legs to the vent, as opposed to the barring of juvenile Spotted Redshanks. Leg colour in juveniles often dull yellowish. Flanks evenly spotted. Winter plumage with brownish upperparts. ​ ​ Diet The Common Redshank feeds mainly on insects, spiders and worms. Outside the breeding season, the bird feeds on molluscs and crustaceans, but also on small fish and tadpoles. Its feeding behaviour depends on the season. ​ Longevity record 26 years 11 months (Found dead in Denmark, 721125) Pluverott / Pluvirott Tringa totanus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very scarce Usually seen in June - August ​ Occasionally seen in November - December ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer (11-05-19) Heavy black streaks on neck, breast and belly in adults. In juveniles these streaks will form parallel stripes. Adults also have an orange base on the bill. The back and upperwings are non-uniform (dirty) having black broad streaks on grey feathers. Adult summer Heavy black streaks on neck, breast and belly in adults. In juveniles these streaks will form parallel stripes. Adults also have an orange base on the bill. The back and upperwings are non-uniform (dirty) having black broad streaks on grey feathers. Adult summer (11-05-19) Heavy black streaks on neck, breast and belly in adults. In juveniles these streaks will form parallel stripes. Adults also have an orange base on the bill. The back and upperwings are non-uniform (dirty) having black broad streaks on grey feathers. 1/8 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 24 - 27 47 - 53 92 - 127 Back to Glossary Wood Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually or in small flocks. ​ An energetic, small tringa wader. Most similar to Green Sandpiper. Differs by light underwings, larger white spots on back, diffuse border between speckled chest and white belly, narrower dark markings on tail and a supercilium that reaches behind eye. Plumage leaves an overall much paler impression than Green Sandpiper, particularly in flight. ​ ​ Diet Wood Sandpipers feed mainly on aquatic insects and their larvae and molluscs in moist or dry mud. They high-step daintily through shallow water, probing in mud or picking at the surface. They also swim well and may feed by sweeping their bill from side to side under water. ​ Longevity record 11 years 8 months (Shot in Sweden, 4035425) Pespus tal-Baħar Tringa glareola Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Fairly common ​ Usually seen in March - May, July - October ​ Occasionally seen in June, November - December ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Adult Prominent white spots on back and heavily streaked crown, neck and breast in adults. Flanks are also barred in adults. 1/16 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 18.5 - 21 35 - 39 50 - 70 Back to Glossary Marsh Sandpiper Marsh Sandpiper Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. ​ Small, but tall and elegant Tringa. Body the size of Wood Sandpiper, but stands as tall as Greenshank. Tibia especially long. The needle-like, straight bill adds to the elegance. Pale face, especially at base of bill. Back grey in adults, with star-shaped speckles in summer and narrow, pale fringes in winter. Immatures with broader fringes and overall darker upperparts. In flight the long legs trails far behind the tail, and the narrow white wedge on the back is conspicuous. Wings are dark with no bars, and shows as the darkest part of the bird also when on ground (especially in adults). Surprisingly quick and easy take-off. Posture generally erect and tall, particularly when nervous. ​ ​ Diet Marsh Sandpipers eat aquatic insects, larvae, molluscs and crustaceans. They feed by wading briskly in shallow water, pecking from the surface or sometimes sweeping the bill from side to side. They may wade deeper and feel for prey. ​ Longevity record 7 years 1 months (A shot bird in France, GA 84137) Ċewċewwa Żgħira Tringa stagnatilis Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - May ​ Occasionally seen in June - September ​ Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer (19-03-20) The black streaks on the upperwings are moulted during the summer plumage of adult birds. Summer birds will also have dark streaks on the crown, chin, neck and flanks. Adult summer The black streaks on the upperwings are moulted during the summer plumage of adult birds. Summer birds will also have dark streaks on the crown, chin, neck and flanks. Adult summer (19-03-20) The black streaks on the upperwings are moulted during the summer plumage of adult birds. Summer birds will also have dark streaks on the crown, chin, neck and flanks. Adult summer (19-03-20) The black streaks on the upperwings are moulted during the summer plumage of adult birds. Summer birds will also have dark streaks on the crown, chin, neck and flanks. 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 22 - 25 55 - 59 43 - 120 Back to Glossary Woodcock Eurasian Woodcock Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in groups of two or even three birds. ​ Large and stocky wader, which is flushed from undergrowth in very close proximity. More often seen in display flight than on ground. Crown crossed with diagnostic broad bars, unlike any snipe. Base of tail warm, rufous brown. Wings rounded and broad. Flies with bill pointed downwards in an angle. Usually lands quickly after being flushed with characteristic abrupt and sudden drop into undergrowth ​ ​ Diet Eurasian woodcock forage in soft soil in thickets, usually well hidden from sight. They mainly eat earthworms, but also insects and their larvae, freshwater molluscs and some plant seeds. ​ Longevity record 15 years 8 months (A shot bird in the UK, R 4516) Gallina Scolopax rusticola Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Fairly common ​ Usually seen in October - December ​ Occasionally seen in September, January - April ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 33 - 38 55 - 65 225 - 370 Back to Glossary Great Snipe Great Snipe Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in groups of two. ​ Underparts almost completely barred. Prominent white edges to primary and secondary coverts. Shorter bill than Common Snipe, with stockier body, but slightly longer wings and legs. Less obvious trailing white edge to secondaries in flight. Corners of tail white (obvious when landing). Usually flies only a short distance and in a straight line after being flushed. Bill held in straighter angle than Snipe in flight. ​ Diet A specially adapted bill enables this bird to efficiently grasp and consume small creatures, such as worms, insects, crustaceans, molluscs, and small amphibians without stopping to remove its bill from the mud. It also eats berries, seeds, and plant fibers. ​ Longevity record 5 years 11 months (Sweden, 5127024) Bekkaċċ ta' Mejju / Bukkaċċ Kbir Gallinago media Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Rare Usually seen in May ​ Occasionally seen in April ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 26 - 30 43 - 50 140 - 260 Back to Glossary Common Snipe Common Snipe Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. ​ By far the most common snipe in most areas. Bill longer than congeners. Belly white, in contrast to barred flanks. Upperparts of wings with white trailing edge, underparts with white wingbars. Longitudinal crown stripe. Diagnostic escape flight when flushed, with zig-zag change of direction, characteristic call and long period of circling the area before landing (or leaving altogether). ​ Diet A specially adapted bill enables this bird to efficiently grasp and consume small creatures, such as worms, insects, crustaceans, molluscs, and small amphibians without stopping to remove its bill from the mud. It also eats berries, seeds, and plant fibers. ​ Longevity record 16 years 3 months (A shot bird in Sweden, 4104395) Bekkaċċ / Bukkaċċ tan-Nofs Gallinago gallinago Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May, September - December Occasionally seen in January - March ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 28-04-2017 1/11 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 23 - 28 39 - 45 78 - 105 Back to Glossary Jack Snipe Jack Snipe Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence ​ Info* Usually seen individually. ​ Notably smaller, darker and with shorter bill than Common Snipe. Two prominent yellowish back-stripes. Dark wedge-shaped tail, and slightly rounded wings. Lacks median crown-stripe. Flanks spotted, not barred. Usually flushed only at close range. Takes off silently, then quickly lands nearby. Whole body bounces rhythmically when feeding. ​ Diet They mainly eat insects and earthworms, also plant material. ​ Longevity record 12 years 4 months (A shot bird in Germany, 7170838) Ċinkonja / Bukkaċċ miż-Żagħar Lymnocryptes minimus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Scarce ​ Usually seen in October - December ​ Occasionally seen in January - April ​ Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 18 - 20 33 - 36 50 - 85 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.