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- Finches | Birds of Malta
Finches Brambling Brambling Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Can also be in groups with Common Chaffinches. White rump and orange buff chest in all plumages. Breeding males with shiny black head and back. Females and winter plumage appears very speckled/mottled, especially in flight. Tail slightly shorter than Chaffinch, more deeply forked and almost black. Flight undulated and bouncing. Diet The main food is insects, caterpillars, seeds, berries and nuts. Longevity record 14 years 9 months (Sweden, 2197911) Sponsun Selvaġġ Fringilla montifringilla Passeriformes Fringillidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January Click on the image to open slideshow 27-10-17 27-10-17 1/6 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 16 19 - 28 Common Chaffinch Common Chaffinch Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Distinguished in all plumages by double wing-bars and white outer tail feathers. Male easily recognized by slate grey crown and nape, and pinkish face and underparts. Female with greyish green upperparts and whitish underparts. A long-tailed finch with peaked head. Appears more elegant in flight than other finches. Tripping gait when on ground. Diet Seeds, fruit, buds and shoots, insects, spiders, earthworms and snails eggs. Longevity record 16 years 4 months (Italy, L 442566) Sponsun Fringilla coelebs Passeriformes Fringillidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January - May, September Click on the image to open slideshow 11-4-19 11-4-19 1/13 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 16 16 - 30 Hawfinch Hawfinch Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups but can be seen in larger flocks. Very deep and heavy, conical bill. Large head and bull-neck, gives the bird a front-heavy appearance, especially in flight. The short tail adds to the impression. Wings with broad, white bars and tail with white terminal band. Bill grey in breeding plumage, and yellowish in winter. Largely unmistakable, but easily overlooked when hiding high in foliage. Often flies high, even for short distances. Flight heavily undulated. Diet Hard seeds from trees, together with fruit seeds which they can easily break with their tough beak. It can even break through the seeds of plums, cherries and even olive seeds. In winter, they commonly eat berries, pine seeds, sprouts and the occasional caterpillar. Longevity record 12 years 7 months (Found dead in Germany, 7241335) Għasfur taż-Żebbuġ Coccothraustes coccothraustes Passeriformes Fringillidae Fairly common Usually seen in March, October - November Occasionally seen in December - February, April Click on the image to open slideshow 18-10-17 18-10-17 1/23 Length (cm): Weight (g): 16.5 - 18 50 - 55 Back to Glossary Common Rosefinch Common Rosefinch Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Adult male easily recognized by its red head, chest and rump. Females and juvenile males may be mistaken for House Sparrow or Corn Bunting, but are slimmer with shorter and deeper bill. Juvenile plumage olive-brown with dark streaking and buff double wing-bars. Posture often erect, but with short neck, making the bird seem long-tailed. Heavily undulated flight. Diet Feeds heavily on seeds but can also feed on fledglings insects, fresh buds, nectar, and small fruits. Longevity record 8 years 11 months (Ring number read in the field in Finland, P-81988) Bumunqar Carpodacus erythrinus Passeriformes Fringillidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in March, June, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15 21 - 26 Trumpeter Finch Trumpeter Finch Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Resident bird in Tunisia and West Africa. and occurs in semi-desert areas. The Trumpeter Finch is a small, long-winged bird. It has a large head and short, very thick bill. The summer male has a red bill, grey head and neck, and pale brown upper parts. The breast, rump and tail are pink, the last having dark terminal feathers. Winter males, females and young birds are a very washed-out version of the breeding male. The song of this bird is a buzzing nasal trill, like a tin trumpet. Diet They are mainly vegetarian and their diet consists of small seeds, shoots and buds of grasses and low ground-loving plants. They will eat some insects as well, mainly grasshoppers . Longevity record - Trumbettier Bucanetes githagineus Passeriformes Fringillidae Rare Usually seen in Any month Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11.5 - 13 20 - 23 Back to Glossary Greenfinch European Greenfinch Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups, larger flocks but can also be seen individually. Plumage green, grey and yellow. Note bright, yellow base of primaries and sides of tail in all ages and plumages. Deep and heavy conical bill. Tail forked and quite short. Plump build. Female more grey than male, with back diffusely streaked in brown and underparts greyish. Juveniles similar to females, with even more drab colours and heavier streaking (also on underparts). Strongly undulated flight. Often appears somewhat clumsy when trying to perch on feeders etc. Diet Their primary food is seeds. In the breeding season insects, including beetles, are eaten and fed to the young birds. Buds and shoots are also eaten. Longevity record 13 years 7 months (Czech Republic, Z 1852) Verdun Chloris chloris Passeriformes Fringillidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in December - April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 16 25 - 35 Common Linnet Common Linnet Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups, larger flocks but can also be seen individually. In all plumages: Brown, unstreaked (or faintly streaked) back, grey bill, only faint wing-bars (or none), distinct white base to primaries and streaked throat. Both sexes with pale eye-ring and pale cheek patch. Breeding male distinct with slate grey head, cinnamon back, red chest and red forehead. Females and juveniles easily confused with Twite or Redpoll (both vagrants to the Maltese Islands) but note back and face pattern. Diet Their primary food is seeds. In the breeding season insects, including beetles, are eaten and fed to the young birds. Buds and shoots are also eaten. Longevity record 9 years 5 months (Found dead in France, 1192972) Ġojjin Linaria cannabina Passeriformes Fringillidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow 1/11 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12.5 - 14 15 - 21 Red Crossbill Red Crossbill Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in groups but can be seen in larger flocks. In October 2018, a flock of more than 60 birds had been seen passing from the West of Malta. As mentioned in the name, the upper and lower mandibles are crossed. The tip of the lower mandible protrudes from behind the upper (tips of mandibles visibly crossing). The chest is less deep, and birds are not so front heavy. Dark wings and tail. Males with rufous red head and body, females green. Juveniles greyish green with streaking. They have an erect posture especially when foraging on ground. Diet Red Crossbills eat seeds of spruce, pine, hemlock or larch. To obtain these seeds, they first grasp the cone with one foot (normally, the foot that is on the side opposite to which the lower mandible crosses). Longevity record 14 years 3 months (Czech Republic, RX 2233) Kruċjat Loxia curvirostra Passeriformes Fringillidae Very rare Usually seen in June - November Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 17 35 - 53 Back to Glossary Goldfinch European Goldfinch Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually and occasionally in small groups. Plumage stunningly colourful. Adults easily recognized by red face boldly framed in black and white. In all plumages; black wings with broad yellow panels, forked tail with white patches, and flashing white rump. Bill fairly long and pointed. Juveniles lack the red, black and white head, and are best identified by the contrasting wing-panel and white rump/tail patches. Light and bouncing flight, with bursts of wing-beats and variable acceleration. Diet Their diet in the wild is small seeds such as thistles and teasels, but insects are also taken when feeding young. Longevity record 14 years 1 month (Found dead in the Czech Republic, T 104726) Gardell Carduelis carduelis Passeriformes Fringillidae Very scarce Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow 1/7 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 15 - 19.5 Back to Glossary Serin European Serin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small parties. Small and compact, green and yellow bird. Smaller than Linnet and Siskin, with heavily streaked flanks, and stubby, deep and grey bill. Rump yellow in adults, but immature birds lack yellow tones in plumage altogether. Wing-bars narrow and much less marked than in Siskin, forehead in males bright yellow. Fairly long-winged with deeply forked tail. Flight light and bouncing. Song-flight of male characteristic, with butterfly-like gliding and slow-motion wing-beats. Diet Their diet in the wild is small seeds but insects are also taken when feeding young. Longevity record 13 years 4 months (Found dead in the Czech Republic, N 13903) Apparell Serinus serinus Passeriformes Fringillidae Scarce Usually seen in October - January Occasionally seen in February - June Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11 - 12 10 - 13 Back to Glossary Siskin Eurasian Siskin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in small parties and occasionally in larger flocks. In 2019 there was a record passage of Eurasian Siskins. Small green and yellow finch with contrasting dark wings and tail. Underparts whitish with grey streaking. Secondaries, inner primaries and outer tail feathers with yellow base. Relatively long and pointed bill as opposed to Serin. Male distinct with black crown and bib, bright yellow chest, throat and hind-cheeks. Female less contrasty, with more prominent streaking. Juveniles paler and duller than adults, with even heavier streaking than females. Diet Their diet in the wild is small seeds but insects are also taken when feeding young. Longevity record 13 years 6 months (Russia, S 730968) Ekru Spinus spinus Passeriformes Fringillidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - January Occasionally seen in September, February - March Click on the image to open slideshow 25-11-17 15-10-17 25-11-17 1/5 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11 - 12.5 10 - 15 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.
- Warblers & Allies | Birds of Malta
Warblers & Allies Cetti's Cetti's Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. It is heard more than seen as it is a very shy bird and loves to hide in dense vegetation. Small, warm buff warbler with skulking behaviour, but conspicuous song. Similar in size to Reed Warbler, but with short, rounded wings and rounded tail. Build fairly compact, but bill thin and slender. Supercilium thin and dull. Cheeks and underparts greyish white, lacking the purer white belly of confusion species. Pale eye-ring. Under tail-coverts usually brown with pale fringes. Often flicks tail or holds it raised. Usually hides among undergrowth, and shows itself only when moving from one shrub to another. Diet Insects and larvae. Longevity record 7 years 6 months (UK, KV 98586) Bagħal tal-Għollieq Cettia cetti Passeriformes Cettiidae Common Usually seen in All year round for resident breeding birds. Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14 9 - 17 Back to Glossary Zitting cisticola Zitting Cisticola Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs. However a number of individuals can be seen in the same area. Formerly known as the 'Fan-tailed Warbler'. Small, short winged warbler. Tail fan-shaped with black and white tips. Heavily streaked back, buff underparts and pale throat and vent. Pale area around eye. Flight diagnostic, with whirring wings and short, slightly spread, fan-like tail. Song flight even more distinct, with long undulations synchronised with voice. Diet It forages among grasses and gleans preys from bases of clumps of grasses. It occasionally hawks flying insects. It forages by walking and hopping on the ground. Its diet includes insects and small invertebrates such as grasshoppers, mantids, dragonflies, moths, caterpillars and insect larvae, mayflies and flies, spiders and snails. Some grass seeds are taken too. Longevity record - Bagħal tal-Imrewħa / Zippu Cisticola juncidis Passeriformes Cisticolidae Common Usually seen in All year round for resident breeding birds. Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 22-04-20 1/7 Length (cm): Weight (g): 10 - 11 8 - 12 Back to Glossary Savi's Warbler Savi's Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Reedbed-living, dull coloured warbler with fan-shaped tail. Under tail coverts lacking pale fringes or markings. Vague and short supercilium. Differs from other locustella by unstreaked chest, back and under tail coverts. From Reed Warbler and Marsh Warbler by very long and buff under tail coverts, smaller head and pinkish legs. Diet They feed on insects such as flies, beetles, moths, grubs and damselflies. Longevity record 9 years 9 months (Hungary, P 45251) Bagħal Aħmar Locustella luscinioides Passeriformes Locustellidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in April, October Occasionally seen in February - March, June, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15 14 - 17 Yellow-browed Warbler Yellow-browed Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small and secretive warbler, usually discovered by the contact call. Broad, yellow/whitish wing-bars framed in black, and dark tertials with pale fringes gives the species a contrasting plumage. Long and strong yellow supercilium (lacking the orange base of Pallas' Leaf Warbler). No central crown-stripe. Slightly smaller than a Chiffchaff, with smaller bill and shorter tail. Rump same colour as back (as opposed to Pallas'), and overall greener and more strikingly coloured than Hume's Leaf Warbler (but beware individual variation). Diet They feed on insects such as flies, beetles, moths, grubs and damselflies. Longevity record - Vjolin tal-Faxx Phylloscopus inornatus Passeriformes Phylloscopidae Very scarce Usually seen in April, October - November Occasionally seen in February - March, May, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 9 - 10.5 5 - 8 Back to Glossary Eastern's Bonelli Warbler Eastern Bonelli's Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. The adult has a plain grey-green back, green-toned rump and wings and whitish underparts. The bill is small and pointed and the legs brown. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers. The Eastern Bonelli's warbler lacks the browner tinge to the upperparts that Western Bonelli's warbler has; it sometimes has a greenish tinge instead. The song is a fast monotone trill, only slightly different from Western Bonelli's, and also some similarity to Wood Warbler . The call of the Eastern Bonelli's warbler is a hard chup, and completely different from the disyllabic hu-it of Western Bonelli's The genus name Phylloscopus is from Ancient Greek phullon, "leaf", and skopos, "seeker" (from skopeo, "to watch"). The specific orientalis is Latin for "eastern". Diet Like most warblers, the Eastern Bonelli's is insectivorous. Longevity record - Vjolin Bajdani tal-Lvant Phylloscopus orientalis Passeriformes Phylloscopidae Scarce Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 9 - 10.5 7 - 9 Back to Glossary Western Bonelli's Warbler Western Bonelli's Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. The adult has a plain grey-green back, green-toned rump and wings and whitish underparts. The bill is small and pointed and the legs brown. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers. The Western Bonelli's warbler has a browner tinge to the upperparts than Eastern Bonelli's warbler; the latter sometimes has a greenish tinge instead. The song is a fast monotone trill, only slightly different from Eastern Bonelli's, and also some similarity to Wood Warbler . The call of the Western Bonelli's warbler is a disyllabic hu-it, differing from that of Eastern which is a completely different hard chup. Diet Like most warblers, the Western Bonelli's is insectivorous. Longevity record - Vjolin Bajdani tal-Punent Phylloscopus bonelli Passeriformes Phylloscopidae Scarce Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in August - October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 9 - 10.5 7 - 9 Back to Glossary Wood warbler Wood Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple numbers can be within the same area. Most distinct species of the genus. Most similar to Willow Warbler, but with much more contrasting plumage. Upperparts pure green. Throat and upper chest yellow, contrasting with pure white underparts. Distinct and strong yellow supercilium and black eye-stripe. Long primary projection, with primaries reaching middle of relatively short tail. Tertials with pale green fringes. Legs pale yellowish brown. Posture often horizontal with drooping wings. Diet Wood Warblers' diet seems to be quite diverse. Caterpillars (17–81%) appear to be a predominant prey, but also spiders (5–21%) and various winged insects. Longevity record 10 years 3 months (Germany, AL 5318) Vjolin Ħadrani / Tal-Maltemp Phylloscopus sibilatrix Passeriformes Phylloscopidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May Occasionally seen in March, June, August - November Click on the image to open slideshow DSC_0799 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11 - 12.5 8 - 12 Back to Glossary Common Chiffchaff Common Chifchaff Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple numbers can be within the same area. Olive green upperparts, yellowish chest with gradual transition to off-white belly. Very similar to Willow Warbler, and most field characters are subtle and often hard to see. Distinguished by (usually) black, or dark-brown legs, only faint dark framing to ear-coverts, less marked supercilium. Shorter primary projection (1/2 to 2/3'rds the lenght of tertials), with regularly spaced tips (visible when wing folded). Wings more fan-shaped and less pointed than in Willow Warbler. Juveniles much less yellow below than in W.Warbler. Generally leaves a duller and greyer impression than W. Warbler, but plumage very variable. Frequently flicks tail, even sideways. Generally also more active when moving among the foliage. Diet The chiffchaff feeds on insects and invertebrates. Flies, gnats, midges and caterpillars form a large part of its diet. Seeds and berries may be taken in winter. Longevity record 8 years (Hungary, T 109177) Vjolin tax-Xitwa Phylloscopus collybita Passeriformes Phylloscopidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - April Occasionally seen in June - July Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Length (cm): Weight (g): 10 - 12 6 - 9 Back to Glossary Siberian Chiffchaf Siberian Chifchaff Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. It has been split as a different species from the Common Chiffchaff very recently and it is difficult to identify with precision. The key features for the Siberian Chiffchaff are, (1) absence of olive in the crown and mantle (2) presence of a grey-brown or pale brown hue in the upperparts (3) absence of yellow away from the underwing (4) presence of warm buff in the supercilium and tobacco ear-coverts (5) supercilium standing out more than the white eye ring (6) presence of whitish buff/ lack of yellow hints at the breast-sides/flanks (7) very black-looking bill and legs (8) a thin, piping monosyllabic Dunnock-like call (9) a song markedly different from Common Chiffchaff’s Diet The chiffchaff feeds on insects and invertebrates. Flies, gnats, midges and caterpillars form a large part of its diet. Seeds and berries may be taken in winter. Longevity record 8 years (Hungary, T 109177) Vjolin tas-Siberja Phylloscopus tristis Passeriformes Phylloscopidae Very rare Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in October - July Click on the image to open slideshow siberian chif siberian chif 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11 - 12 6 - 11 Back to Glossary Willow warbler Willow Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple numbers can be within the same area. Olive green upperparts, yellowish chest with gradual transition to off-white belly. Very similar to Chiff-chaff, and most field characters are subtle and often hard to see. Distinguished by (usually) pale, yellow-brown legs, dark framing to ear-coverts, stronger supercilium. Long primary projection (often 3/4ths the length of tertials) with irregularly spaced tips (visible when wing folded). Wings slightly more pointed than in Chiff-chaff, and not so fan-shaped. Juveniles often with whole underparts yellow. Frequently flicks tail, but not sideways (unlike Chiff-chaff). Generally also more calm when moving among the foliage. Diet Willow warblers are active during the day, feeding on a variety of small insects and spiders, as well as fruits and berries in the autumn. Longevity record 10 years 10 months (UK, 9J 1321) Vjolin Pastard Phylloscopus trochilus Passeriformes Phylloscopidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - October Occasionally seen in June, November Click on the image to open slideshow 20-04-20 20-04-20 1/3 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11 - 12.5 7 - 12 Back to Glossary Blackcap Eurasian Blackcap Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in pairs. Large and robust warbler with plain plumage, except for the characteristic cap (black in males, rufous in females and juveniles). Upperparts greyish brown and underparts pale grey. Vent white. No white in tail, as opposed to all other black-capped Sylvias in the region. Easily confused with Garden Warbler if the cap is not seen. Diet Blackcaps will pick insects, caterpillars and spiders from among the shrubs. In winter they will eat fruit such as berries. Longevity record 13 years 10 months (Czech Republic, T 274613) Kapinera Sylvia atricapilla Passeriformes Sylviidae Fairly common Usually seen in September - March Occasionally seen in April - May, July Click on the image to open slideshow 06-04-17 1/15 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15 15 - 24 Back to Glossary Garden Warbler Garden Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. An almost featureless, large warbler with greyish brown upperparts and buff underparts. Lack of distinct characters is a character! Most distinct character is probably the faint, slate grey half-collar. Vent has no markings, eye is dark and bill is relatively short. Body quite plump, and facial expression gentle and mild. Usually stays hidden in foliage. Lacks nervous behaviour of other Sylvia, and does not normally flick its tail and wings. Diet The garden warbler feeds mainly on insects in the breeding season, although other small invertebrates such as spiders are also eaten. It picks its prey off leaves and twigs, sometimes hovering to do so. It is also found in fig and loquat trees picking on fruit. Longevity record 14 years 2 months (Shot in Germany, 393985) Bekkafik Sylvia borin Passeriformes Sylviidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - June, August - October Occasionally seen in November - December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14.5 15 - 27 Back to Glossary Ruppell's Warbler Rüppell's Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in pairs. Adult male easily recognized by black throat and strong white moustache stripes. Female often also with black spotted throat which, together with the moustache stripe and pale chest/belly, makes it easy to distinguish from other Sylvia. Females and immatures with pure white throat may be confused with female Sardinian Warbler, but show darker front half of head, paler and purer coloured belly and flanks (lacking brownish tinge) and white fringes to greater coverts and tertials (less obvious in worn plumage). For all plumages look for curved culmen, pointed bill and longer and squarer tail than Sardinian Warbler. Build more similar to Whitethroat than Sardinian Warbler, and also less agile than smaller Sylvia. Diet Like most "warblers", it is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit Longevity record - Bufula tal-Pavalor Sylvia ruppeli Passeriformes Sylviidae Very rare Usually seen in March - April Occasionally seen in May, September - October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12.5 - 13.5 9 - 15 Back to Glossary Sardinian Warbler Sardinian Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in pairs and in smaller groups. Slender warbler with long tail, short wings and pointed bill. Restless and alert with frequently raised crown feathers and dark eye framed in red. Male with black head, white throat, greyish upperparts and off-white underparts. Female less striking, with grey head grey-brown upperparts, distinct buff flanks and paler belly. Both sexes with white sides and corners to tail. Rarely sits exposed, and usually betrays itself by it's frequently used scolding call. Often just glimpsed when it dives into a bush, spreading it's tail and showing the white markings. Diet Like most "warblers", it is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit Longevity record 8 years 4 months (Spain, 146809) Bufula Sewda Sylvia melanocephala Passeriformes Sylviidae Common Usually seen in All months of the year. Resident bird. Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/13 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14 10 - 15 Back to Glossary Eastern Subalpine Warbler Eastern Subalpine Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in pairs and in smaller groups. Medium small Sylvia with short tail, slender body and steep forehead. Bill slim,fairly short and pointed. Male with rufous breast and conspicuous, broad, white moustache stripes. Upperparts lead grey. Female with slightly more brownish upperparts and buff white below. Immature birds has greyish brown upperparts, and are prone to confusion with Spectacled Warbler due to broad, brown fringes of tertials. The colour is however less rufous, and the dark centre ends in a rounded, not pointed tip. Pale legs in all sexes and ages, but some variation. Eye-ring colour variable, but generally red in male and very pale in female and immature (rules out other Sylvia except Tristram and Sardinian). Colour of upperparts more uniform than in confusion species in both male and female. May cock tail, but does not keep it raised like Dartford Warbler. Diet Like most "warblers", it is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record - Bufula Passajra Sylvia cantillan Passeriformes Sylviidae Common Usually seen in March - May, July - October Occasionally seen in February, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13 9 - 13 Back to Glossary Common Whitethroat Common Whitethroat Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Fairly large warbler with long tail, giving the whole bird an elongated look. Tertials, secondaries and coverts with rufous fringes in contrast to greyish brown back. Underparts pale with buff flanks. Outer tail feathers white. Steep forehead and white throat. Males with slate grey head. Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record 9 years (Sweden, 2KK72878) Bekkafik Aħmar Sylvia communis Passeriformes Sylviidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in August - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/14 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 15 13 - 21 Lesser Whitethroat Lesser Whitethroat Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Similar to Common Whitethroat but, with greyish fringes on secondaries and shorter tail and wings. Forehead less steep than in Common Whitethroat. Upperparts evenly dark brown with no contrast between shoulders and back. Head grey with slightly darker ear-coverts. Throat and belly white. Legs dark. Tail dark with white edges. Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record 7 years 11 months (UK,N 439903) Bekkafik Irmiedi Sylvia curruca Passeriformes Sylviidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - October Occasionally seen in March - May Click on the image to open slideshow 12-09-20 12-09-20 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11.5 - 13.5 11 - 16 Spectacled Warbler Spectacled Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small and short-winged Sylvia with large head and high crown. In all plumages; evenly warm rufous wing-panel (lacking dark centered greater coverts of Whitethroat), very short primary projection, dark tail, thin pointed bill, narrow dark centres to tertials, pure white chin and (incomplete) white eye-ring. Adult male with lead-grey head, dark/black lore and often grey lower throat. Female and immature differs from Whitethroat by short primary projection, smaller size, slender build and thinner bill. Told from immature Subalpine Warbler by warmer rufous wings with only narrow dark centres to tertials. Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record - Bufula Ħamra Sylvia conspicillata Passeriformes Sylviidae Scarce Usually seen in All months. Resident bird. Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/12 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13 8 - 11 Back to Glossary Datford Warbler Dartford Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small and slender Sylvia about the size of Lesser Whitethroat. The short wings, steep forehead and striking long tail alone is often enough for positive id. Upperparts dark slate grey, and underparts of male vinous red with finely white spotted throat. Female less brightly coloured with more brownish tones and less red underparts. Immature duller still, with brownish underparts rather than red. Yellow base of lower mandible in all ages and sex. Lacks the white moustache-stripe of Subalpine Warbler. Tail frequently held raised. Skulking behaviour. Prefers scrubs and is usually only glimpsed when moving low from bush to bush, or when singing from more exposed perch. Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record - Bufula tax-Xagħri Sylvia undata Passeriformes Sylviidae Rare Usually seen in October - March Occasionally seen in April, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14 9 - 12 Back to Glossary Goldcrest Goldcrest Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple birds can be seen roaming the same area. This not just the smallest bird visiting the Maltese islands but also the smallest bird of the Western Palaearctic . Crown stripe yellow in female, orange in male. Since bird is often viewed from below, the crown stripe is often not visible. The dark eye with the large, pale grey eye-ring is a better character. Pale wingbars and pale tips of tertials. No supercilium. Behaviour essentially tit-like. Restlessly moving among branches in treetops, with frequent hovering to get at insects. Diet Mostly insects and spiders. Longevity record 5 years 5 months (Found dead in Denmark, 8A 46230) Bufula tal-Qamar Regulus regulus Passeriformes Regulidae Scarce Usually seen in November - March Occasionally seen in April, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Length (cm): Weight (g): 8.5 - 9.5 4.5 - 7 Back to Glossary Firecrest Firecrest Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple birds can be seen roaming the same area. This not the second smallest bird visiting the Maltese islands but also one of the smallest birds in the Western Palaearctic . Distinct head markings, with black eye-stripe contrasting with broad, white supercilium. Top of head yellow (female), or orange (male), framed by black crown stripes. Characteristic orange shoulder patch, lacking in all confusion species. Immature is distinguished by present supercilium, other head markings absent. Diet Mostly insects and spiders. Longevity record 5 years Bufula tax-Xemx / Bufula tat-Toppu Aħmar Regulus ignicapilla Passeriformes Regulidae Scarce Usually seen in October - March Occasionally seen in April, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Length (cm): Weight (g): 9 - 10 5 - 7 Back to Glossary Western Olivaceous Western Olivaceous Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. It is a medium-sized warbler looking more like a very pale Reed Warbler . The adults have a plain pale brown back and whitish underparts. The bill is strong and pointed and the legs grey. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are more buff on the belly. It has a characteristic downward tail flick. Western Olivaceous Warbler breeds in Iberia and North Africa . It is migratory , wintering in sub-Saharan Africa . It is larger and has a browner tinge to the upperparts than the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler. It also has a larger bill. The song is a fast nasal babbling. Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record - Bekkafik Griż tal-Punent Iduna opaca Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in May Occasionally seen in March - April, June - September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 10 - 15 Eastern Olivaceous Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. It is a medium-sized warbler resembling a very pale Reed Warbler. The adult has a plain pale brown back and whitish underparts. The bill is strong and pointed and the legs grey. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are more buff on the belly. It has a characteristic downward tail flick. Western Olivaceous Warbler differs from this species in being larger and having a browner tinge to the upperparts; it also has a larger bill. Eastern Olivaceous Warbler sometimes has a greenish tinge to its upperparts. The song is a fast nasal babbling. Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record - Bekkafik Griż Iduna pallida Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Rare Usually seen in May Occasionally seen in April, July, September - October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 10 - 15 Back to Glossary Icterine Warbler Icterine Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but occasionally multiple numbers are recorded in the same area. Green upperparts and yellow underparts. Sides of bill yellowish, legs slate grey. Short yellow supercilium which connects to yellow lore. Long wings and relatively short tail. The flat crown and long bill gives it a different head profile from Sylvia warblers. Often raises crown feathers. Very similar to Melodious Warbler, but differs from this in pale wing-panel and longer wings. Folded wings reaches tip of under tail coverts, and primary projection is as long as tertials. Juveniles paler than adults, with whitish supercilium. The pale wing-panel extends to fringes of greater coverts in addition to secondaries. Alert and agile bird. Usually hidden in foliage, also when singing Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record 10 years 10 months (Shot in Germany, 9G 77549) Bekkafik Isfar Hippolais icterina Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - June Occasionally seen in August - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/2 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 11 - 15 Back to Glossary Great Reed Warbler Great Reed Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Large and bulky warbler with long tail, heavy, thrush-like bill and relatively strong facial markings. Supercilium broad and strong and continues behind eye. Lores dark. Primary projection same length as tertials. Flanks warm beige. Crest often raised. Flight heavy and jerky, and birds are also much more detectable by moving reeds when foraging about in vegetation than congeners. Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take invertebrates, like small tadpoles, and also soft fruit. Longevity record 10 years 1 month (Hungary, A 94706) Bagħal Prim / Bagħal tal-Qasab Kbir Acrocephalus arundinaceus Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Scarce Usually seen in April - May, September - October Occasionally seen in March, June, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 20 29 - 36 Back to Glossary Marsh Warbler Marsh Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Plain and characterless plumage, but conspicuous song. Larger than Sedge Warbler, with larger wings, broader tail and tail-base. Very similar to Reed Warbler, and very hard to distinguish by plumage alone. The Marsh Warbler can be distinguished from the Reed Warbler only by biometric examination. Rump of Marsh warbler shows less contrast to back, and flanks have a yellowish tinge. Bill slightly shorter and less pointed. Differs from Blyth's Reed Warbler by longer primary projection, yellowish lower mandible and paler legs. Juveniles especially hard to identify because of even fainter plumage field marks. Less common in reed beds than Reed Warblers, and more attached to bushes with lush undergrowth. Diet The Marsh Warbler is mostly insectivorous, also taking some spiders and small numbers of snails. Longevity record 8 years 11 months (Sweden, AX 18398) Bagħal tal-Għadajjar Acrocephalus palustris Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Very rare Usually seen in August - October Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 15 11 - 15 Back to Glossary Eurasian Reed Warbler Eurasian Reed Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Plain and characterless warbler with secretive behaviour. Larger than Sedge Warbler, with larger wings, broader tail and tail-base. Very similar to Marsh Warbler, and very hard to distinguish by plumage alone. Rump of Reed warbler warm rufous brown, warm buff flanks (yellowish tinge in Marsh Warbler), and slightly longer and more pointed bill. Differs from Blyth's Reed Warbler by longer primary projection, yellowish lower mandible and paler legs. Juveniles especially hard to identify, because of even fainter plumage field marks. Attached to reed beds. Diet The Eurasian Reed W arbler is mostly insectivorous, also taking some spiders and small numbers of snails. Longevity record 16 years 11 months (Belgium, 5544265) Bagħal tal-Qasab Acrocephalus scirpaceus Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Fairly common Usually seen in August - October Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Length (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 20 10 - 15 Back to Glossary Sedge Warbler Sedge Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small and compact, brown warbler with strong supercilium and streaked back. Crown dark with faint streaking, contrasting with broad supercilium. Rump unstreaked and warmer brown than back and tail. Juveniles with faintly streaked chest. Long primary projection. Body shorter and more compact than Reed Warbler. Easiest. Often sings from exposed branch or reed, is inquisitive and not very shy. Diet They are mainly insectivorous, feeding on aphids, dragonflies and damselflies, grasshoppers, lacewings, moths, beetles and flies. Longevity record 11 years 10 months (Denmark) Bagħal tas-Simar Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May, September - October Occasionally seen in March, June, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11.5 - 13 11 - 15 Back to Glossary Moustached Warbler Moustached Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but more individuals can be seen in the same area. Small and restless species easily confused with Sedge Warbler, but showing both plumage and structural differences. Plumage differs from Sedge Warbler in; broad, white supercilium ending without narrowing, dark crown (usually appears black), pure white throat, grey ear-coverts, dark legs and warm-rufous flanks, rump and neck. Facial markings recalling firecrest. Very short primary projection and longer, more evenly rounded tail recalling Wren when raised. Bill thinner than Sedge Warbler. Skulky behaviour, forages low in vegetation, on ground or near water surface. Some variation in both size and plumage between western and eastern subspecies. Diet They are mainly insectivorous, feeding on aphids, dragonflies and damselflies, grasshoppers, lacewings, moths, beetles and flies. Longevity record 11 years 3 months (Hungary, Y 13562) Bagħal Qastni Acrocephalus melanopogon Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Scarce Usually seen in November - December Occasionally seen in October, January - March Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 10 - 14 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.
- Flycatchers | Birds of Malta
Flycatchers Rufous tailed scrub robin Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Adult male and female Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin look alike and measure about 15 cm long with relatively long legs and a large rounded tail. The upper parts are a rich brownish chestnut, with the rump and uppertail coverts rather more rufous. There is a distinct curved, creamy-white broad streak from the nostrils to behind the eye and a dark brown line through the eye. The under-eye area is whitish and the ear coverts pale brown. The eye and the beak are both brown but the lower mandible of the beak has a greyish base. The underparts are buffish white, with the chin, central belly and undertail coverts paler than the other parts. The feathers of the wing are dark brown, fringed on the leading edge with buff and on the trailing edge with pale chestnut-brown and with the secondaries tipped with white. The central pair of feathers on the tail are bright rufous-chestnut with narrow black tips and the rest a similar colour with white tips and adjacent broad black bands. The legs and feet are pale brown. Juveniles are similar in appearance but generally a paler sandy-brown colour. Diet It feeds mainly on the ground on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers and the larvae of butterflies and moths, and on earthworms, turning over the leaf litter to find its prey. Longevity record 7 years Rożinjol tax-Xagħri Cercotrichas galactotes Passeriformes Muscicapidae Rare Usually seen in April - May Occasionally seen in October - December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 17 20 - 27 Back to Glossary European Robin European Robin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen fighting for territory. Rufous red face, throat and chest, framed in slate grey in adults of both sexes. Olive brown to grey upperparts and dull white underparts. Head rather large, and body rather stocky when plumage puffed, despite thin bill and slender legs. Juveniles lack the red front and are heavily spotted in buff on a dark brown body with barred chest. Adults pretty unmistakable when seen well. Flight usually low and darting, with quick changes of directions before disappearing in thick bushes. Posture usually erect with frequent flicking of tail and wings. Diet European robins are insectivorous and eat a wide range of insects, including spiders. Worms are also part of their diet, and in autumn and winter, these birds will eat more fruit and berries when insects are difficult to find. Longevity record 19 years 4 months (Found dead in the Chech Republic, Z 364896) Pitirross Erithacus rubecula Passeriformes Muscicapidae Common Usually seen in September - March Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow 1/15 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12.5 - 14 13 - 21 Back to Glossary Comon Nightingale Common Nightingale Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Anonymous, indistinct plumage and secretive behaviour makes it an easily overlooked bird (except when singing). Tail rufous brown, upperparts warm brown. Underparts buff and white. Throat without streaking. Tail more rufous, and contrasts less with the warm brown back, than in Thrush Nightingale. Overall a more smooth and clean appearance. Behaviour with jumping gait, erect posture, raised tail and drooping wings. Diet Nightingales feed mainly on insects, mainly through foraging on the ground, and in particular are partial to ants and beetles. Longevity record 10 years 11 months (Spain, 2498771) Rożinjol Luscinia megarhynchos Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - October Occasionally seen in June, November Click on the image to open slideshow 22-04-20 14-04-20 22-04-20 1/6 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 16.5 18 - 27 Back to Glossary Bluethroat Bluethroat Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Male unmistakable. Blue throat with rufous red or white center (both sub-species occur in Malta), white supercilium and rufous base of outer tail feathers. Female lacking, or having just a partially blue throat. Female and juveniles could be confused with Redstart because of the rufous tail, but note its dark, bold trailing edge and center. An elegant and fairly long-legged chat that often flicks its wings and cocks its tail. The Bluethroat with a white chest spot is usually seen only in Spring, whereas the Red-spotted Bluethroat can be seen in both Autumn and Spring. Diet Primarily invertebrates, mainly insects, with some seeds and fruit. Longevity record 11 years 5 months (Spain, N 0074112) Rożinjol Ikħal Luscinia svecica Passeriformes Muscicapidae Rare Usually seen in March - April, October - November Occasionally seen in January, February, May, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1st winter plumage Svecica (N. Europe) sub-species due to the rusty patch just being seen on the top part of the blue throat. Eventually once the birds moults into its full plumage, the rusty spot will be in the middle of its blueish throat. 1st winter plumage Svecica (N. Europe) sub-species due to the rusty patch just being seen on the top part of the blue throat. Eventually once the birds moults into its full plumage, the rusty spot will be in the middle of its blueish throat. 1st winter plumage Svecica (N. Europe) sub-species due to the rusty patch just being seen on the top part of the blue throat. Eventually once the birds moults into its full plumage, the rusty spot will be in the middle of its blueish throat. 1/15 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14 15 - 21 Back to Glossary Western Black Redstart Western Black Redstart Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or multiple individuals fighting over territory or within the same area. Male: Charcoal to black plumage, with rufous red tail, pale belly and pale wing-panel (south-eastern subspecies with rufous belly and no wing-panel). Female: Grey brown overall, except rufous tail. Lacks the orange tinge to breast and belly of female Common Redstart. Juveniles resembles the adult female, and lacks the buff speckles of congeners. May jump around on the ground like Common Redstart, but are more prone to run. Also shows a more erect posture. Diet Black Redstart feeds mainly on invertebrates such as grasshoppers, bugs, lepidopteran insects, flies, ants, bees, wasps, beetles, spiders, small molluscs and earth worms. It also feeds on berries, fruits and seeds. Longevity record 10 years 2 months (Killed in the Netherlands, S 128312) Kudirross Iswed / Fjammu Iswed / Ta' Denbu Aħmar Phoenicurus ochruros gibraltariensis Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - March Occasionally seen in April Click on the image to open slideshow 29-10-17 1/11 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14.5 12 - 20 Back to Glossary Redstart Common Redstart Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or multiple individuals fighting over territory or within the same area. Rufous tail with dark brown center in all plumages. Most noticeable in flight when tail is spread. Male unmistakable with black face and throat, white band across forehead, orange-red breast and grey back. Female relatively featureless, except for the characteristic rufous tail. Other characters are brown-grey upperparts, pale eye-ring, and orange tinge to breast. Erect posture with frequent tail flicking. Diet The Common Redstart feeds mainly on invertebrates such as grasshoppers, bugs, lepidopteran insects, flies, ants, bees, wasps, beetles, spiders, small molluscs and earth worms. It also feeds on berries, fruits and seeds. Longevity record 10 years 3 months (Killed in Denmark, 9H 40474) Kudirross / Fjammu / Ta' Denbu Aħmar Phoenicurus phoenicurus Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - November Occasionally seen in June, December Click on the image to open slideshow 06-04-19 22-04-20 02-05-20 06-04-19 1/14 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14.5 12 - 18 Back to Glossary Moussier's Redstart Moussier's Redstart Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. It is an endemic resident breeder in the Atlas Mountains of northwest Africa . Its habitat is open woodland in rocky areas from sea level up to 3000 m altitude in the mountains. The male has a black head with a broad white stripe running above each eye and down the side of the neck. The upperparts are black other than a white wing patch, and the rich chestnut tail, from which it and other redstarts get their names ('start' is an old word for 'tail'). The underparts are a rich orange-red. The female has a pale brown head and upperparts, and the underparts are a paler orange than the male, although generally redder than the underparts of the similar but larger female Common Redstart Diet This Redstart feeds mainly on invertebrates such as grasshoppers, bugs, lepidopteran insects, flies, ants, bees, wasps, beetles, spiders, small molluscs and earth worms. It also feeds on berries, fruits and seeds. Longevity record - Kudirross Aħmar Phoenicurus moussieri Passeriformes Muscicapidae Rare Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in February - April, October - December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/16 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13 12 - 15 Back to Glossary Whinchat Whinchat Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple birds can be seen in the same area. An erect posture and large head. Distinct white or buff supercilium in all plumages. Base of primaries shiny white in adults, especially adult male. Coarsely spotted buff rump. Base of tail with white triangular patches. Juveniles with white speckles on upperparts and whitish throat. Lacks the white base of primaries, but supercilium bold. Diet Whinchats are insectivorous, feeding largely (about 80–90%) on insects, but also consume a wide range of other invertebrates including spiders, small snails and worms. They also eat small amounts of fruit such as blackberries, primarily in autumn. Longevity record 6 years 11 months (Czech Republic, T 389922) Buċaqq tas-Silla / Buċaqċaq Saxicola rubetra Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - October Occasionally seen in February, November - December Click on the image to open slideshow 20-04-18 26-04-19 20-04-18 1/12 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 14 14 - 18 Back to Glossary European Stonechat European Stonechat Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple birds can be seen in the same area. Quite similar to Whinchat all plumages lack the strong pale supercilium. Male easily identified by its mainly black and white plumage, black throat and white half-collar. Other plumages seem much more evenly coloured than the Whinchat's, with its more pronounced streaking. Adult females also with diffuse black throat, but this becomes paler as the plumage is worn. All plumages show white patch at base of wing in flight. Rump usually streaked, but sometimes has a white center, or can even be completely white. Juveniles like female, but with streaked underparts. Always restlessly on the move with frequent dipping of tail. Diet Almost entirely invertebrates, mainly small or medium-sized insects and their larvae; occasionally small vertebrates, seeds and fruit. Longevity record 8 years 10 months (Germany, 9X 36806) Buċaqq tax-Xitwa / Buċaqċaq Saxicola rubicola Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in September - April Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 30-10-20 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11.5 - 13 13 - 17 Back to Glossary Northern Wheatear Northern Wheatear Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple birds can be seen in the same area. Epitome of wheatears. Male with grey back, white supercilium, black mask and dark wings. Females have less contrast, are more brownish than grey, the supercilium is fainter and the black mask is missing. Rump white and tail white with black "T" in all plumages. The black in the middle tail-feathers is always at least as long as the width of the black terminal tail-band. Pale individuals can be mistaken for Isabelline Wheatear, but note that the supercilium is buff between eye and base of bill. Diet It feeds on adults and larvae of numerous insects' species, large insects, spiders, small snails and earthworms. In autumn, it feeds on berries from several plant species. The Northern Wheatear has similar diet on the wintering grounds where it is often attracted by burnt areas with ants and termites. Longevity record 10 years 1 months (Sweden, 1EE42448) Kuda Oenanthe oenanthe Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - November Occasionally seen in February, June Click on the image to open slideshow 15-04-17 24-04-20 15-04-17 15-04-17 1/12 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 16.5 19 - 29 Back to Glossary Isabelline Wheatear Isabelline Wheatear Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Male and female isabelline wheatear are similar in appearance. The upper-parts are a pale sandy brown with an isabelline tinge (isabelline is a pale grey-yellow, fawn, cream-brown or parchment colour). The lower back is isabelline and the rump and upper tail-coverts are white. The tail feathers are brownish-black with a narrow edge and tip of buff and a large white base. In the outer tail feathers this occupies more than half the length of the feather but in the central feathers it is about one third. There is an over-eye streak of creamy white and the ear-coverts are pale brown. The chin is pale cream and the throat pale buff. The breast is sandy or isabelline buff and the belly creamy white. The under tail-coverts are pale buff and the under wing-coverts and axilliaries white with dark bases. The wing feathers are brownish-black, tipped and edged with creamy buff. The beak, legs and feet are black and the irises are brown. Diet Its diet includes ants, grasshoppers, moths, flies, mites, spiders and insect larvae, and it sometimes eats seeds as well. Isabelline Wheatears are solitary birds in their winter quarters and may associate with other Oenanthe species during migration. Longevity record - Kuda Iżabellina Oenanthe isabellina Passeriformes Muscicapidae Scarce Usually seen in March - April Occasionally seen in May, October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 30-03-18 30-03-18 30-03-18 1/9 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 16.5 25 - 35 Back to Glossary Desert Wheatear Desert Wheatear Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. The head and nape of the adult male Desert Wheatear are a pale sandy-grey colour with the feathers tipped grey. The mantle, scapulars and back are a similar but rather richer colour. The rump and upper tail-coverts are pale buff. The basal third of the tail feathers are white and the rest black with a pale buff tip. A curved stripe over the eye is pale buff and extends backwards. The feathers of the chin, throat, lores and ear-coverts are black tipped with white. The breast and flanks are sandy-buff and the belly and under tail-coverts are creamy-white tinged with buff. The axillaries and under wing-coverts are black tipped with white. The primaries have black outer webs, tipped and edged with white and inner webs pale brown edged with white. The secondaries are similar but have broader white edges to both webs. The female has similar plumage but the rump and upper tail-coverts are more sandy brown, the lores, chin and throat pale buff and the dark parts of the tail brownish-black. Diet Its diet includes ants, grasshoppers, moths, flies, mites, spiders and insect larvae, and it sometimes eats seeds as well. Longevity record - Kuda tad-Deżert Oenanthe deserti Passeriformes Muscicapidae Vagrant Usually seen in March, October - November Occasionally seen in April, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14.5 - 15.5 21 - 27 Back to Glossary Western Black-eared Wheatear Western Black-eared Wheatear Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. The breeding male has the forehead and crown white or nearly white, the mantle buff, and the wings blacker than those of the Northern Wheatear . The underparts are white tinged with buff. The back, upper tail coverts and most of the tail are white. A black mask extends from the ear coverts to the bill. The throat can be either black (black-throated) or white (pale-throated). In autumn and winter the head and mantle are distinctly buff, as are the underparts (including the throat in pale-throated individuals), but the buff varies in intensity. Except for the central pair, the tail feathers are much whiter than in the Northern Wheatear, the white on the inner web often extending to the tip. The female is a browner bird, but has the characteristic white lower back, and her seasonal changes are less marked. The male Western Black-eared Wheatear can be distinguished from the male Eastern Black-eared Wheatear by its more buff-tinged upperparts, giving it a less distinctly black-and-white appearance than the latter species, as well as having the black of the mask stopping at the base of the bill rather than extending slightly above. Also the black mask of the Eastern type goes above the eye whilst that of the Western does not or is very slightly surpassed. Black-throated individuals of this species have less black on the throat and face than on the eastern birds, and the black generally terminates less abruptly. Females of this species differ from their eastern counterparts in being warmer brown overall. Diet Its diet includes ants, grasshoppers, moths, flies, mites, spiders and insect larvae, and it sometimes eats seeds as well. Longevity record 10 years Kuda Dumnikana tal-Punent Oenanthe hispanica Passeriformes Muscicapidae Very rare Usually seen in April Occasionally seen in March, May Click on the image to open slideshow 01-05-19 01-05-19 01-05-19 01-05-19 1/5 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15.5 15 - 22 Back to Glossary Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple individuals can be seen within the same area. The breeding male has the forehead, crown, and mantle white or nearly white with a buff tinge, and the wings blacker than those of the Northern Wheatear . The underparts are white tinged with buff. The back, upper tail coverts and most of the tail are white. A black mask extends from the ear coverts to the bill. The throat can be either black or white. The female is a more gray-brown bird, but has the characteristic white lower back, and her seasonal changes are less marked. The male Eastern Black-eared Wheatear can be distinguished from the male Western Black-eared Wheatear by its whiter, less buff-tinted upperparts than the latter species, giving it a more distinctly black-and-white appearance, as well as by having the black of the mask reaching just above the base of the bill. Black-throated individuals of this species have a greater amount of black on the throat and face than on the western birds, and the black generally terminates more abruptly or in a straighter line. Females of this species differ from their western counterparts in being overall colder-colored and duller. It is found breeding in the eastern Mediterranean , Southeast Europe to the Caspian Sea and Iran and migrates to winter quarters in the Sudan . Diet Its diet includes ants, grasshoppers, moths, flies, mites, spiders and insect larvae, and it sometimes eats seeds as well. Longevity record 10 years Kuda Dumnikana Oenanthe melanoleuca Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in June, August - October Click on the image to open slideshow 31-03-20 1/32 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15.5 15 - 22 Back to Glossary White-crowned Wheatear White-crowned Wheatear Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Large and powerful for a wheatear with glossy black plumage; found in rocky deserts. Only adults have a white cap. Sexes similar. In all plumages lacks a black terminal tail band; its mostly white tail separates it from other similar black wheatears. Inhabits rocky slopes and steep desert wadis. The male sings a clear series of whistles and trills; often given during a display flight. Diet Its diet includes ants, grasshoppers, moths, flies, mites, spiders and insect larvae, and it sometimes eats seeds as well. Longevity record n/a Kuda Rasha Bajda Oenanthe leucopyga Passeriformes Muscicapidae Vagrant Back to Glossary Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in March - April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/11 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15.5 23 - 32 Red-breasted flycatcher Red-breasted Flycatcher Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. A small and elegant flycatcher with deep chest, slender vent and fairly long tail. Head rounded and bill thin. Best field mark is the dark tail with white edges at the base (Wheatear-like) shown in all plumages. Often flirts tail, showing the diagnostic markings. Male recognized by Robin-like throat-patch and slate grey head. The red is restricted to the upper throat, and does not extend to the cheeks like in Robin. Very acrobatic flight when hunting. More pronounced flicking of tail than in other flycatchers, with tail sometimes even pointing forward over back, before being let down slowly. Diet The Red-breasted Flycatcher feeds primarily on insects of several species, and also takes worms, snails and woodlice Longevity record 10 years Żanżarell ta' Sidru Aħmar Ficedula parva Passeriformes Muscicapidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in October Occasionally seen in April - May, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11 - 12 10 - 12 Spotted flycatcher Spotted Flycatcher Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but are seen in good quantities within the same area. Seen in pairs in Spring and Summer and some reside and breed. Easily overlooked bird with greyish brown upperparts and pale underparts. Crown and chest speckled. Bill and legs black. Slim white fringes to flight feathers and greater coverts. Body, wings and bill longer than in Pied Flycatcher, leaving a more elongated impression. Erect posture. Behaviour similar to congeners, with rapid darts and frequent hovering when hunting insects. Flicks tail and wings while perched. Diet The Spotted Flycatcher feeds primarily on flying insects of several species, and also spiders, snails and earthworms, and some small fruits and berries. It hunts by performing sallies from perch, at 1-2 metres above the ground. It catches the prey while flying, and returns to the perch to eat the insect. Longevity record 11 years (Killed by a cat in Finland, J-978561) Żanżarell tat-Tikki Muscicapa striata Passeriformes Muscicapidae Common Usually seen in March - May, August - November Occasionally seen in all other months for resident birds Click on the image to open slideshow 16-06-18 16-06-18 1/10 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15 13 - 19 Back to Glossary Semi-collared Flycatcher Semi-collared Flycatcher Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. The breeding male is mainly black above and white below, with a white half-collar, extending further back than in pied, large white wing patch, extensively white tail sides and a large white forehead patch. It has a pale grey rump. The bill is black and has the broad but pointed shape typical of aerial insectivores. It mainly takes insects in flight, rarely hunting caterpillars amongst the tree foliage like Pied Flycatcher. Non-breeding male, females and juvenile semi-collared flycatchers have the black replaced by a pale brown, and may be very difficult to distinguish from other Ficedula flycatchers, particularly the Collared Flycatcher. A distinction is that Semi-collared may show a white second wing bar, but many individuals are not separable in the field. Diet t mainly takes insects in flight, rarely hunting caterpillars amongst the tree foliage like pied flycatcher Longevity record 9 years Żanżarell tal-Lvant Ficedula semitorquata Passeriformes Muscicapidae Very rare Usually seen in March - April Occasionally seen in May, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 10 - 17 Back to Glossary Collared flycatcher Collared Flycatcher Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but are seen in multiple numbers within the same area. The breeding male is mainly black above and white below, with a white collar, large white wing patch, black tail (although some males have white tail sides) and a large white forehead patch. It has a pale rump. The bill is black and has the broad but pointed shape typical of aerial insectivores. Non-breeding males, females and juveniles have the black replaced by a pale brown, and may be very difficult to distinguish from other Ficedula flycatchers, particularly the European Pied Flycatcher and the Semi-collared Flycatcher , with which this species hybridizes to a limited extent. Diet As well as taking insects in flight, this species hunts caterpillars amongst the foliage, and will take berries. Longevity record 9 years 10 months (Hungary, T 06103) Żanżarell tal-Kullar / Għasfur tal-Gamiem Ficedula albicollis Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May Occasionally seen in March, June, August - October Click on the image to open slideshow 18/04/20 1/13 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 10 - 17 Back to Glossary Pied flycatcher European Pied Flycatcher Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but are seen in multiple numbers within the same area. Male with shiny black upperparts and pure white underparts. Female grey-brown with pale underparts. Both sexes with broad white edges to tertials and greater coverts, forming a broad white patch (largest in males). Fairly compact body compared to Spotted Flycatcher, with shorter tail and bill. Easily confused with Collared and Semi-collared Flycatcher where these occur. Both sexes differs from Semi-collared in no white edges to end of tail and less white at base. Distinguished from Collared in white patch beneath alula being narrow and not reaching edge of wing (both sexes), white base of tail (black in Collared males) and no collar (males). Diet As well as taking insects in flight, this species hunts caterpillars amongst the oak foliage, and will take berries Longevity record 10 years 11 months (A shot bird in Finland, J-574662) Żanżarell Iswed / Għasfur tal-Gamiem Ficedula hypoleuca Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May Occasionally seen in March, June, August - November Click on the image to open slideshow 25-04-18 25-04-18 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 10 - 17 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.
- Swifts, Swallows & Martins | Birds of Malta
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''.
- Sources | Birds of Malta
''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
- Quail, Bust, Thick, Pratin, Night, Cuck | Birds of Malta
Quails, T'Knees, Pratincoles, Cursors, Nightjars & Cuckoos Quail Common Quail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs during breeding. Multiple birds can be flushed simultaneously. Seldom seen, often heard. Very small, compact bird with secretive behaviour. Heavily striated brown upperparts and paler belly. Males with black throat or black throat-band. Only the male shows different pale or rufous morphs. Appears long-winged when flying, with a straight and low line of flight. Diet Quails are foraging birds that live in shrub/bush lands in the wild. Their diet consists of insects, grains, seeds and sometimes berries. Longevity record 14 years 7 months (A shot bird in Slovakia, K 261152) Summiena Coturnix coturnix Galliformes Phasianidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - April, September - October Occasionally seen in February, May, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 18 32 - 35 70 - 155 Little Bustard Little Bustard Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small bustard about the seize of female pheasant. Stocky body, small head, slender neck and fairly long legs. Male: Grey head, black neck with two white rings, finely vermiculated upperparts and white underparts. Odd short p7 in male. Female lacks black neck and all upperparts are a vermiculated sandy brown. Young and non-breeding males similar to females, but often with a hint of white breast-band and more clearly defined white underparts. Flushed birds take off in noisy, grouse-like manner with rapid wing-beats and interspersed short glides on bowed wings. Longer flight with quick wing-beats mostly below level of back. Diet Seeds, insects, rodents and reptiles. Like other bustards, the male little bustard has a flamboyant display with foot stamping and leaping in the air. Longevity record 10 years (average) Pitarra Tetrax tetrax Galliformes Phasianidae Very rare Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in March - April, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 45 83 - 91 680 - 975 Back to Glossary Tellerita Eurasian Stone-curlew Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. It is also found as the 'Eurasian Thick-knee'. Mostly nocturnal and easily overlooked at daytime when resting. Runs for cover with hunched posture if disturbed. Easily identified in flight by dark wing with white window, long tail and trailing toes. Betrays it's presence at dusk when groups of birds often starts calling and moving about. Diet Food consists of insects and other small invertebrates, and occasionally small reptiles, frogs and rodents. Longevity record 17 years 10 months (Found dead by car accident in the UK, ED 41923) Tellerita Burhinus oedicnemus Charadriiformes Burhinidae Scarce Usually seen in March - May, September - October Occasionally seen in June, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 38 - 45 76 - 88 290 - 535 Back to Glossary Cream-coloured courser Cream-coloured Courser Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs. Around 30 known records as from 2010. These birds have long legs and long wings. They have slightly downcurved bills. The body plumage is sandy in colour, fading to whitish on the lower belly. The upperwing primary feathers and the underwings are black. The crown and nape are grey, and there is a black eyestripe and white supercilium. In flight, this species resembles a pratincole with its relaxed wingbeats, pointed wings and dark underwings. Diet Cream-coloured Coursers usually feeds on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, ants and flies. It also consumes molluscs and isopods (a kind of crustacean with flat body and all similar legs). It also feeds on seeds. Longevity record - Nankina Cursorius cursor Charadriiformes Glareolidae Very rare Usually seen in March, June - July Occasionally seen in January - February, April - May, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 24 - 27 51 - 57 93 - 156 Back to Glossary Collared Pratincole Collared Pratincole Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Slightly smaller than Golden Plover with much slender appearance. Only likely to be confused with other pratincoles, but diagnostic field marks often difficult to see. Tail streamers longer than wing-tips and base of bill with more red (in breeding plumage). Sexes alike. Lacks black necklace in winter plumage. Immature birds are similar to winter-plumaged adults, but with additional scaly upperparts. Often confusing at first glance when in flight, due to tern-like, acrobatic flight not resembling other waders. Diet Insects Longevity record - Perniċotta Glareola pratincola Charadriiformes Glareolidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May, September Occasionally seen in July, October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/7 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 24 - 28 60 - 70 60 - 100 European nightjar European Nightjar Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple individuals can be seen flying simultaneously. Falcon or cuckoo-like, nocturnal bird with long tail and slender, pointed wings. Unmistakable when seen in areas where no other species of nightjars occur, or when singing. If plumage is seen clearly, note general tone (grey brown), dark front edge of arm, broader upper wing-bar and small white throat patch. Diet The Nightjar's diet is made up of invertebrates, including moths, flies and beetles. Longevity record 11 years 11 months (UK, XJ 86805) Buqrajq Caprimulgus europaeus Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May, September - October Occasionally seen in March, June, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 24 - 28 52 - 59 56 - 85 Back to Glossary Egyptian Nightjar Egyptian Nightjar Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Its plumage is much paler than the European Nightjar . The adult is sand-colours, barred and streaked with buff and brown. The under parts are sandy or whitish. It is smaller, but relatively longer-winged and longer-tailed than the more widespread species. Like other nightjars, it has a wide gape, long wings, soft downy plumage and nocturnal habits. The male has tiny white wing spots. Diet The Nightjar's diet is made up of invertebrates, including moths, flies and beetles. Longevity record 11 years Buqrajq Abjad / Buqrajq tal-Eġittu Caprimulgus aegyptius Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in March - April, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 24 - 27 53 - 58 70 - 90 Great Spotted Cuckoo Great Spotted Cuckoo Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs. This species is slightly larger than the common cuckoo in length, but looks much larger with its broad wings and long narrow tail. The adult is grey above with a slender body, long tail and strong legs. It has a grey cap, grey wings, a yellowish face and upper breast, and white underparts. Sexes are similar. The juveniles have blackish upperparts and cap, and chestnut primary wing feathers. This species has a magpie-like flight. It is a bird of warm open country with trees. Diet It feeds on insects, spiders, small reptiles and hairy caterpillars, which are distasteful to many birds. Longevity record - Sultan il-Gamiem tat-Toppu Clamator glandarius Cuculiformes Cuculidae Rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in February - April Occasionally seen in May - July, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 35 - 39 58 - 66 140 - 210 Common Cuckoo Common Cuckoo Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Slate grey upperparts with barred white underparts. Female and juvenile sometimes rufous brown. Male with defined grey breast in contrast to barred white belly, female with diffusely barred chest and throat. Yellow iris and thin bill. Wings and tail long and slender, often giving the impression of a small falcon. Often perches with a more horizontal posture than hawks or falcons, i.e. tail pointing backwards and not towards the ground, and drooping wings. In flight wings are not raise above horizontal plane, and it seldom glides like raptors. Diet It feeds on insects, spiders, small reptiles and hairy caterpillars, which are distasteful to many birds. Longevity record 12 years 11 months (Found dead in Germany, 6023421) Sultan il-Gamiem Cuculus canorus Cuculiformes Cuculidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - October Occasionally seen in June - July, November Click on the image to open slideshow Female rufous morph (23-04-17) 1/21 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 32 - 36 54 - 60 80 - 160 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.
- Gulls & Skuas | Birds of Malta
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 1/28 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 tal-Kanada 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''.
- Harriers | Birds of Malta
Harriers Marsh Western Marsh Harrier Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Juvenile and female plumages are both brown. The yellowish crown, nape, marginal wing feathers and chest are lighter in juveniles whilst more dark rusty-yellowish in females. Both will have dark irises. Males have yellow eyes and a distinctive plumage with grey upperwings and lighter grey tail, black primaries and a rufous belly. In Malta, Marsh Harriers can be seen soaring and hunting in open areas, especially on wheat fields. Diet Feeds mostly on small mammals and birds. Longevity record 20 years (Found dead in Germany, D 16220) Bagħdan Aħmar / Bagħdan tax-Xemx Circus aeruginosus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May, August - October Occasionally seen in recorded in all other months except July Click on the image to open slideshow 1/40 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 47 - 56 115 - 130 400 - 800 Pallid Pallid Harrier Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A slender harrier with narrow wings. The adult male is a distinctive raptor with a white plumage pale, a grey head and a black wedge on the wing tips. The female has a whitish body with brown streaks heavier on the upper part, has a pale trailing edge of the hand and a white rump. Female and immature birds often difficult to tell from Montagu's Harrier and Hen Harrier. Adult female differs from Montagu's by lack of dark band on upper wing, and by diffuse, sooty inner underwing. Pale bands do not reach wingtip, and under coverts are darker. Differs from female Hen Harrier by noticeably slimmer wings (both hand and arm) and only 4 fingers (but beware moulting Hen Harriers). Immature similar to Montagu's with unstreaked, rufous underparts. Differs in pale tips of inner primaries, and dark half-collar and pale "boa". Diet Feeds mostly on small mammals and birds. Longevity record 13 years (France, FA 9410) Bagħdan Abjad Circus macrourus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Scarce Usually seen in March - April, September - October Occasionally seen in May, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 42 - 48 105 - 120 235 - 550 Back to Glossary Hen Hen Harrier Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* In all plumages: Glides with wings raised in shallow 'V'. Shows five primaries. This makes the wing tip broader than in Pallid and Montagu's harriers, and the wings seems shorter. Note that moulting individuals may show only four primaries. The males have grey with black primaries, white rump and underparts, and broad black trailing edge to underwing. Note that subadult males may show partly black primaries like Pallid. Females have a brown with white rump, barred tail and streaked underparts. Diet Feeds mostly on small mammals and birds. Longevity record 17 years (Hit by a car in the Netherlands, 3273552) Bagħdan Ikħal Circus cyaneus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in January, March - May, July, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow Five primaries for Hen Harrier. Iris is pale yellow indicating a juvenile male. Adult male Five primaries for Hen Harrier. Iris is pale yellow indicating a juvenile male. 1/12 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 42 - 52 100 - 120 300 - 600 Montagu's Montagu's Harrier Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* An elegant harrier with slender wings and four "fingers". Adult male easily recognized by single black band on upperwing, and double on underwing, and by rufous under wing-coverts. Chest is considerably darker grey than in Pallid Harrier, in contrast to white lower belly. Adult female differs from Hen- and Pallid Harrier by dark upper wing-band (not as prominent as in male). Broad, pale subterminal band on underwing reaching all the way to wing pit. Under wing coverts barred. Immature birds told from Hen Harrier by rufous, almost unstreaked underparts. From Pallid Harrier by dark wing tips and no marked, dark neck sides or pale collar. Very similar to moulting Hen Harriers, with four "fingers". Diet Feeds mostly on small mammals and birds, bird eggs, reptiles and insects. Longevity record 16 years (Found dead in Germany, D 178) Bagħdan Irmiedi Circus pygargus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May, September Occasionally seen in August, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/24 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 42 - 47 105 - 130 230 - 450 *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.
- Statistics | Birds of Malta
Statistics & Records The interest for bird observation from the hunting community and the general public had increased in the last few years, whilst the technological progress had lowered the prices to purchase photographic equipment which makes good quality pictures affordable. Social media have thus became sources that are being used to take statistical data of sightings. Every so often, new bird species are recorded from social media platforms, splits in the taxonomy order and genuine sightings recorded from the hunting community, which sightings are usually seen by a number of hunters whilst being out in the countryside. As of 2024, there are 435 bird species recorded in the Maltese Islands, excluding hypothetical records. These are split in 'Sighting occurrences' and identified as per hereunder. In this page we have included a table of all the recorded bird species, their occurrence and the months in which it is best to encounter (denoted by 'o ') and those other months that a species can be seen occasionally or have been recorded in the past (denoted by 'x '). Vagrant species have the number of known records listed in the 5th column, which also includes the latest date of known sighting. It should be assumed that the number of vagrants is far larger than what is denoted. However, the number of known records can be used for comparison between one vagrant and another. Sighting Occurrence Common Fairly common Scarce Very scarce Rare Very rare Vagrant Hypothetical Introduced Extinct No. of species 20 79 48 47 29 43 166 35 2 1 No. of recorded species as of 2024 435 Click for 'Yearly Sightings 2020+' 'o' - Mostly seen in those months 'x' - Can be seen/was recorded, in those months Search LIST OF RECORDS (December 2024)
- Bird ID | BirdsofMalta | Malta
Bird Identification Intro Click for Wiki Glossary of Bird Terms Although birds vary in size, flight and colours, the arrangement of feathers in birds is very similar across all species. As such, it is very important for a birder, bird enthusiast and ornithologist to be familiar with the bird's body parts and its group feathers, i.e. the bird topology. Such terminologies are used world-wide in several books, online sites and magazines, and are required to identify a bird by its appearance. The bird’s topography and the terms used will not only help you in understanding a bird's description, but will also help you describe any particular bird sighting to others. Head Orbital Ring: Unfeathered ring or skin around the eye. Some birds have brightly color Orbital Rings while others do not have one at all. Orbital ring can change color over time. Iris: Refers to the coloured part of the eye surrounding the pupil, which is always black. In some birds the iris colour change with age. Culmen: Refer to the ridge along the top of the upper mandible. Nostril: Equivalent to a channel of the nose of a bird. Nail: Tip of upper mandible. In ducks the size and coloration of the nail can be an important identification feature. Tomia : is the cutting edge of bill. Gonydeal Angle: Shallow angle near the tip of the lower mandible. The gonys spot is found in some adult breeding birds and is the contrastingly coloured spot that the chick pecks at when it is soliciting food. Gape: Fleshy edges at corners or the base of the beak. In most birds the gape are obvious in young individuals. Nape: Refers to the area behind the neck. Supraorbital Ridge: Is the boney protuberance above the eye socket; this ridge helps shade and protect the eye and gives raptors their fierce look. Cere: Is the bare area surrounding the nostrils and can be different colours according to species, age and sex of the bird. Chin: Is a very small area at the base of the lower mandible and can often be a good clue for the identification of certain birds. Facial disc/Facial ruff: Facial disc is the concave collection of feathers surrounding the eyes on the face of some birds; particularly owls. The concavity of the facial disc forms a circular paraboloid that collects sound waves and directs those waves towards the ears. Harriers have less prominent facial discs and are often called Facial ruffs and refer to feathers around the neck that are raised in response to noise. Essentially enlarging the facial disc and improving hearing. Crown: Refers to the top area of the head. Forehead: Area between the bill and the crown. Post Ocular Spot: Feathered or skin spot found behind the eye. Body Median Crown stripe: Area that runs along the middle of the crown generally beginning at the base of the upper mandible. Lateral crown stripes, when present, run along the median crown stripe. Eyeline: Stripe that extends from behind the eye towards the nape. Eye-ring or Orbital feathers: Refers to the very small feathers circling the eye. Mantle: Area below the nape. A distinctive group of feathers that cover the upper back and are flanked by the scapular feathers. Scapulars: Feathers that cover the base of the wing. Scapulars flank the mantle and generally cover the bend of the wing. Breast: Refers to the area surrounded by the bottom of the throat, the sides or bend of wing area, and the top of the belly. Sides: Generally the area around the bend of the wing. Flanks: Refers to the side areas below the folded wing. Rump: Refers to the area below the mantle down to the uppertail coverts. The mantle, rump, and uppertail coverts are loosely referred as back. The rump is generally under the folded wings of a perched bird. Vent: Refers to the area between belly and undertail coverts. Undertail Coverts: Feathers that overlap the bottom base of the tail. Uppertail Coverts: Feathers that cover the upper base of the tail. Supercilium: Refers to the feathers that generally run from the base of the bill, above the eye, and back to varying lengths. These feathers are also known as the eyebrow. Auriculars or Ear-patch: Refers to the feathers that cover the ear area. This area is also known as cheeks. Throat: Refers to the area below the lower mandible. Malar: Refers to the area along the sides of lower mandible, between the throat and the Auricular Feathers. The malar area is also referred to as Mustachial Streak. Belly: The area surrounded by the breast, the flanks, and the Vent. Tibial Feathering: Feathers that cover tibia; above the tarsus. Undertail Coverts: Feathers that overlap the bottom base of the tail. Uppertail Coverts: Feathers that cover the upper base of the tail. Rump: Refers to the area below the mantle down to the uppertail coverts. The mantle, rump, and uppertail coverts are loosely referred as back. The rump is generally under the folded wings of a perched bird. Lesser Coverts: Feathers near the leading edge of a wing that overlap the bases of the Median Coverts. These feathers are rarely visible in passerines, and are usually concealed by Scapular and Side Feathers when the wing is folded. Median Coverts: Feathers that overlap the bases of the Greater Coverts. The coloured tips of the Median Coverts make the upper wing-bars in some birds. Greater Coverts: Overlap the bases of the Secondaries. Coloured tips of the Greater Coverts often conform the lower wing bars in some birds. Flight feathers or Remiges: Refers to the wing feathers (Primaries, Secondaries, and tertials). Primaries: Long flight feathers growing from the hand of a wing. Primaries form the bottom of a folded wing. Most birds have ten primaries, but some sub-oscine passerines have nine. Secondaries: Long flight feathers growing from the forearm of wing. The outer Secondaries abut the Primaries. In some ducks, the Secondaries can be brightly coloured and conform the speculum. Tail or Rectrices: Refers to the feathers that conform the tail. Tail feathers occur in even numbers with the central pair on top in the folded tail, and the outer pair positioned at the bottom of the pile. Tertials: Refers to the feathers closest to the body and loosely cover the space between the body and the wing. Alula: Three feathers on the thumb. Primary Coverts: Cover the base of the Primaries. Lesser Underwing Coverts: Feathers near the leading edge of a wing that overlap the bases of the Median Underwing Coverts. Median underwing coverts: Cover the base of the Greater underwing coverts. Greater Underwing Coverts: Overlap the bases of the Secondaries. Axilars: Feathers located in the bird’s arm pit. These feathers are basically the underwing version of the tertial feathers. Primary Underwing Coverts: Cover the base of the Primaries. Tail Tail Feathers The tail feathers are called rectrices (singular: rectrix), and occur in an even number on birds. The central pair of rectrices are on top (towards the back of the bird) in the folded tail, while the outer pair will be positioned at the bottom of the pile. There are three basic tail shapes, square, forked, and rounded. Other tail shapes derive from these three types. Square Tail: Tail feathers of the same length. Fork tailed: Outer tail feathers are longer than the middle pair. Feathers increase in length from the central pair to the outer pair. Rounded Tail: Outer tail feathers are shorter than the middle pair. Feathers increase in length from the outer pair to the middle pair. Source: Begazo, A. (Ed.) (2020). Peru Aves. CORBIDI, Lima, Peru. Available at http://www.peruaves.org/ (Accessed: 2020)
- Yearly Sightings | Birds of Malta
Yearly Sightings 'x' - recorded 'number' - number of birds for vagrant/very rare sightings Last updated on 2nd January 2025
- Contact us | Birds of Malta
Contact us This site is continuously being updated and any ideas or participation are welcome. Although we are trying to display pictures that are taken only in Malta, some species are difficult to photograph or rather very rare to sight. If you would like to display your photos of such missing and rare species or even if you have good quality photos, you can send them over via 'WeTransfer' on the following e-mail address*. E-mail: birdsofmalta @gmail.com Submit Thanks for submitting! *The author reserves the right to publish any photographs or otherwise. The photographer is consenting 'Birds of Malta' to display his photographs on this website. Photographs should be taken personally, be of a very good quality, possibly watermarked and information on when and where are taken is mandatory. Photos can be sent as '.jpg' or '.png'. Find us on Facebook