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Storks & Cranes White Stork White Stork Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually or in small groups but sometimes in large flocks. Largely unmistakable. Huge, almost all white, bird with black flight feathers, long red legs and bill. Juveniles with dark bill tip and pale legs. Easily told from Black Stork in flight by all white underparts, including wing coverts. Only flight feathers black. Often soars high in flocks like raptors. Diet Their diet varies according to season, locality and prey availability. Common food items include insects (primarily beetles, grasshoppers, locusts and crickets), earthworms, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals such as voles, moles and shrews. Less commonly, they also eat bird eggs and young birds, fish, molluscs, crustaceans and scorpions. Longevity record 39 years (Bird found dead in Switzerland, S 127) Ċikonja Bajda Ciconia ciconia Ciconiiformes Ciconiidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - April, August - September Occasionally seen in May, July, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 95 - 110 180 - 218 2.3 - 4.4 Back to Glossary Black Stork Black Stork Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually or in small groups. Similar to White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), but with dark brown, metallic neck, head, breast and back. Only belly and innermost, under wing coverts are white. Legs, eye-ring and bill deep red. Flies with neck extended like White Stork, but contrasting white belly is visible at great distance. Immature birds duller brown than adults, with grey-green bill and legs. Diet The black stork mainly eats fish , small reptiles, amphibians , mammals, birds , invertebrates (such as snails , molluscs , earthworms) and insects like water beetles and their larvae . Longevity record 18 years (A shot bird in Poland, A 995853) Ċikonja Sewda Ciconia nigra Ciconiiformes Ciconiidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - October Occasionally seen in March - June, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/14 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 90 - 105 173 - 205 2.0 - 4.0 Common Crane Common Crane Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually or in groups and also in large flocks. A very large, long and slender bird. Bigger than Grey Heron. Plumage grey, with contrasting black throat and flight-feathers. White sides of neck. Tertials forms fluffed, ostrich-like rear end. Red crown visible at close range. Easily told from herons in flight by the straight neck. Juveniles with rufous head, lacking the marked pattern of adults. Diet It largely eats plant matter, including roots, rhizomes, tubers, stems, leaves, fruits and seeds. They also commonly eat, when available, pond-weeds, heath berries, peas, potatoes, olives, acorns and pods of peanuts. Notably amongst the berries consumed, the cranberry, is possibly named after the species. Longevity record 24 years 3 months (Markers in the field in Sweden, 9237782) Grawwa Grus grus Gruiformes Gruidae Scarce Usually seen in October - December, March - April Occasionally seen in January - February Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 96 - 119 180 - 222 4.1 - 6.0 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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

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

Yearly Sightings 'x' - recorded 'number' - number of birds for vagrant/very rare sightings Last updated on 6th March 2025

Swans, Geese & Ducks Mute Swan Mute Swan Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Big and white waterfowl with orange bill and black knob at base of bill. Juveniles more greyish. Neck usually held more S-shaped than other swans when swimming. Long tail prominent when upending. Diet Swans eat aquatic vegetation, molluscs, small fish, frogs and worms. They will graze big grassy fields, and can survive quite successfully in a field of short-cropped grass. Longevity record 28 years (A dead bird found in the UK, Z 40808) Ċinju Cyngus olor Anseriformes Anatidae Very rare Usually seen in December - January Occasionally seen in March Click on the image to open slideshow Juv. Dirty look with juvenile brown feathers, a pinkish bill and a lighter lore. Juv. Dirty look with juvenile brown feathers, a pinkish bill and a lighter lore. Ad. All white body and dirty looking neck, orange-red bill and a black lore in adults. Juv. Dirty look with juvenile brown feathers, a pinkish bill and a lighter lore. 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 140 - 160 200 - 240 9.0 - 13.0 Back to Glossary Red-breasted goose Red-breasted Goose Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Chestnut-red breast and cheek. It has a short and thick neck and a rounded head with a very short dark beak. A very distinctive colorful pattern with a contrast of chestnut-red , white and black plumage. Diet Breeding Red-breasted Geese will usually feed on grass leaves and the shoots of cotton-grasses. In their wintering territories, they usually take winter wheat, barley, maize, and pasture grasses. Longevity record 15 years Wiżża Ħamra Branta ruficollis Anseriformes Anatidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 54 - 60 110 - 125 1.0 - 1.5 Pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Greylag Greylag Goose Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Large, pale grey goose with bulky body and thick neck. Thick pink to orange (carrot-like) bill, without any dark markings. Almost giving the impression of being "false". Uniform colour of body. Light grey forewing stands out in flight. Pink legs. Diet Grass, roots, cereal leaves and spilled grain. Longevity record 24 years 0 months (Ring read in the field in Denmark, 7775) Wiżża Griża Anser anser Anseriformes Anatidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in December Occasionally seen in October, November, January, April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/2 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 74 - 84 149 - 168 3.1 - 4.3 Some pictures taken abroad Bean goose Taiga Bean Goose Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Orange legs, black and orange bill. Differs from juvenile White-fronted Goose by less contrast between cheeks and base of bill and crown, more prominent pale edges on back feathers, and by bill colour. Has much darker back than Pink-footed Goose (and never greyish). Colour of legs and bill can be surprisingly difficult to judge in unfavourable light. 2 subspecies that may be considered separate species in near future: A.f.rossicus has shorter bill with more extensive black markings than A.f.fabalis. Diet Grass, roots, cereal leaves and spilled grain. Longevity record 25 years 7 months (Found dead in Germany, 210151) Wiżża tal-Ful Anser fabalis Anseriformes Anatidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in December - January Occasionally seen in November, February Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 68 - 88 140 - 174 3.0 - 3.6 Greater White fronted goose Greater White-fronted Goose Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Orange legs and all pink bill without markings. Adults with white bill base and black markings on belly. Juveniles lacking those characters. Body shape and head more angular than other geese. Could be confused with Lesser White-fronted Goose, but Lesser have an obvious yellow eye-ring, and much more white around bill base. Wings more narrow than other grey geese. Diet Grass, roots, cereal leaves and spilled grain. Longevity record 25 years 3 months (Shot in the Netherlands, 8008491) Wiżża tal-Maskra Bajda Anser albifrons Anseriformes Anatidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in November - January Occasionally seen in February Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 64 - 78 130 - 160 2.0 - 2.9 Common Goldeneye Common Goldeneye Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Small, stocky diving duck with short bill, big triangular head and yellow eyes (dark in juveniles). Male: dark metallic green head and white patch at base of bill. Black back and tail. Neck, breast and underparts white. Female with brown head, white collar and pale underparts. White, square wing panels and dark underwing in both sexes. Diet Feeds mainly on small fish, also crustaceans, aquatic insects, and sometimes frogs, tadpoles, or worms. Young ducklings eat mostly insects. Longevity record 16 years 11 months (Russian Federation, D18692) Brajmla tal-Għajna Bucephala clangula Anseriformes Anatidae Vagrant Back to Glossary Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in November - February Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. female Female with brown head, white collar and pale underparts. Ad. female Female with brown head, white collar and pale underparts. 1/1 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 48 62 - 77 800 - 1100 Pictures taken abroad Red-breasted Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Noticeably smaller and more slender than Goosander. Bill much thinner, especially at base. Both sexes with more shaggy crest than Goosander. Male: dark head, white collar. Only sawbill with (medium) dark chest. Female differs from Goosander by smooth transition from brown head to grey lower neck, and less contrasting white throat patch. Striking white wing-bars with crossing black stripe visible in flight. Diet Feeds mainly on small fish, also crustaceans, aquatic insects, and sometimes frogs, tadpoles, or worms. Young ducklings eat mostly insects. Longevity record 21 years 4 months (A shot bird in Sweden, W 107522) Serra Mergus serrator Anseriformes Anatidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January, March - April, September Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. female Brown head, white bars on the secondaries and greater secondary coverts, very pale brown chest and white belly. Ad. female Brown head, white bars on the secondaries and greater secondary coverts, very pale brown chest and white belly. Ad. female Brown head, white bars on the secondaries and greater secondary coverts, very pale brown chest and white belly. 1/10 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 52 - 58 69 - 82 800 - 1100 Common Shelduck Common Shelduck Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in flocks but also in smaller groups. A big sized duck which gives an overall white impression. Reddish breast-band, dark blackish green head and black flight-feathers. Tip of tail black and adults with dark belly-band. Bill red. Males with red knob at base of bill. Juveniles duller, with white chin and no breast-band. Diet Small molluscs, small crustacea, small fish and fish spawn, occasionally insects and their larvae and a small amount of plant material, mainly algae. Longevity record 24 years (Dead specimen found in the UK, GM 96505) Kuluvert tas-Salib Tadorna tadorna Anseriformes Anatidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in December - January Occasionally seen in February - April, September - November Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. male Completely black head, more contrasting rufous and black patterns on the white breast and belly feathers, thicker bill and older male adults will grow a knob on the upper part of the bill. 1/26 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 55 - 65 100 - 120 800 - 1130 Ruddy Shelduck Ruddy Shelduck Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* This shelduck has short, dark legs, dark bill, thick neck and a distinctive rufous belly. Black and white wings conspicuous in flight. Sexes quite similar. Male with ringed neck in breeding plumage, and female with more contrasting facial pattern. Immature similar to female, but with "dirty" white wing-patches. Less dependent on water than most other ducks. Diet It is omnivorous and feeds on grasses, the young shoots of plants, grain and water plants as well as both aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Longevity record ---- Kuluvert Aħmar Tadorna ferruginea Anseriformes Anatidae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in May, September - March Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. female Note white face mask more prominent than in males and it does not have the black-neck collar such in males. Ad. female Note white face mask more prominent than in males and it does not have the black-neck collar such in males. Ad. female Note white face mask more prominent than in males and it does not have the black-neck collar such in males. Ad. female Note white face mask more prominent than in males and it does not have the black-neck collar such in males. 1/4 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 58 - 70 110 - 135 900 - 1500 Pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Red-crested Pochard Red-crested Pochard Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Big and plump-bodied diving duck with long neck, rounded head and long bill. Male unmistakable with it's red head, long deep-red bill, distinct white flank-patches and black belly. The contrasting light grey cheeks of the female recalls female Common Scooter, but note round head, pale body and much longer neck and bill. Both sexes with very broad and striking white wingbar clearly visible in flight. Diet Red-crested pochards feed mainly on the roots, seeds, and vegetative parts of aquatic plants, and sometimes supplement their diet with aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, mollusks, tadpoles, or small fish. Longevity record 8 years, 5 months (Ring number read in the field in the UK, 940448) Brajmla tat-Toppu Aħmar Netta rufina Anseriformes Anatidae Vagrant Back to Glossary Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in September - November Click on the image to open slideshow Adult males Rusty-orange rounded head with a lighter whitish crown and a coral-red bill. Black centre belly, rump and stern. White flank,underwings and broad wing-bars. Adult male Rusty-orange rounded head with a lighter whitish crown and a coral-red bill. Black centre belly, rump and stern. White flank,underwings and broad wing-bars. Adult male Rusty-orange rounded head with a lighter whitish crown and a coral-red bill. Black centre belly, rump and stern. White flank,underwings and broad wing-bars. Adult males Rusty-orange rounded head with a lighter whitish crown and a coral-red bill. Black centre belly, rump and stern. White flank,underwings and broad wing-bars. 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 53 - 57 85 - 9 0 900 - 1400 Pictures taken abroad Common Pochard Common Pochard Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but occasionally in small groups. Medium sized diving duck. Male with rufous brown head and pale grey body. Female indistinctly coloured in grey and brown, with diffuse head markings. Easiest identified by fairly distinct head profile; long bill continuous with sloping forehead, ending in peaked crown (both sexes). Bulky body and short neck. Both sexes with long, pale grey wing-bars. Juveniles like female, except body warmer brown. Diet They feed by diving or dabbling, eating aquatic plants with some mollusks, aquatic insects and small fish. They often feed at night, and when diving for food may feed upside down during feeding. Longevity record 23 years (A shot specimen in the UK, GK 61258) Brajmla Aythya ferina Anseriformes Anatidae Scarce Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 42 - 49 67 - 75 770 - 970 Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January - May, July - September Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. male Male with rufous brown head, half brown half black neck and a black breast. Belly, saddle and upperwings are pale grey. Black undertail coverts and tail. Red irises. Black and centre light blue bill. 1/9 Ferruginous Duck Ferruginous Duck Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in flocks but occasionally also individually. Shape resembles both diving and dabbling ducks. Characteristic head profile with long bill, long sloping forehead and rather high rear crown (not unlike Pochard). White undertail usually visible also when on the water. Broad, white wing-bars and white underwing conspicous in flight. White undertail separated from white belly by brown band. Male with shining white eyes. Female with brown eye and less bright rufous tones to plumage. Immature similar to female, but with even less rufous. Immatures told from immature Pochard by by darker back, no facial markings and white (not grey) wing-bars. Diet They feed by diving or dabbling, eating aquatic plants with some molluscs, aquatic insects and small fish. They often feed at night, and when diving for food may feed upside down during feeding. Longevity record 9 years (New Zealend, Z 5097) Brajmla t'Għajna Bajda Aythya nyroca Anseriformes Anatidae Scarce Usually seen in March, October Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. male White iris, very dark back and contrasting chestnut head and neck. Ad. male White iris, very dark back and contrasting chestnut head and neck. Ad. male White iris, very dark back and contrasting chestnut head and neck. 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 38 - 42 60 - 67 450 - 700 Some pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Tufted Tufted Duck Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small, compact diving duck with short neck and rounded head. Males with diagnostic tuft, white flanks and black back. Females with rudimentary tuft, mostly dark brown body, with varying white feathering at base of bill. Females in winter showing much white at base of bill are easily mistaken for Scaup, but note hint of small tuft, smaller head, broad black nail of bill and no white cheek spots. Both sexes show long, white wing stripes in flight. Diet They feed by diving or dabbling, eating aquatic plants with some molluscs, aquatic insects and small fish. They often feed at night, and when diving for food may feed upside down during feeding. Longevity record 45 years 3 months (Shot in Denmark, 444967) Brajmla tat-Toppu Aythya fuligula Anseriformes Anatidae Very rare Usually seen in March, November - December Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 47 65 - 72 550 - 820 Pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Garganey Garganey Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in large flocks and also in smaller groups. Small dabbling duck. Males unmistakable with broad white supercilium and high contrast between the dark mottled breast and the lighter flanks (visible at considerable distance). Female mottled in light brown colours with typical supercilium and contrasting eye-stripe. White spot at base of bill. Throat much lighter than in Teal. Both sexes with dark and fairly long bill. Head gives a square impression due to the flat crown. Speculum in flight shows narrow white edges, lacking Teal's broad front edge. Agile flight, but lacks the twists of Teals. Diet Garganeys are omnivores. Their diet includes aquatic invertebrates (worms, insects, crustaceans, molluscs), amphibians, small fish, seeds, roots, tubers and green parts of sedges, grasses and aquatic plants. Longevity record 14 years (A shot specimen in the UK, EC 74458) Sarsella Ħamra Spatula querquedula Anseriformes Anatidae Fairly common Usually seen in February - March, August - September Occasionally seen in April, October Click on the image to open slideshow Garganeys Males have a distinctive white crescent forming from just in front of the eye and diminishes right on the nape. The breast is darker brown and pale grey scapulars. Garganeys Males have a distinctive white crescent forming from just in front of the eye and diminishes right on the nape. The breast is darker brown and pale grey scapulars. Garganeys Males have a distinctive white crescent forming from just in front of the eye and diminishes right on the nape. The breast is darker brown and pale grey scapulars. 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 37 - 41 59 - 67 300 - 400 Back to Glossary Northern Shoveler Northern Shoveler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in flocks but can be seen individually or in small groups. Medium sized dabbling duck. Noticeably big and wide bill, giving the whole bird a front-heavy look. Male with dark green head, rusty brown flanks and belly. Vent and lower back black, flight feathers dark. Female brown with dark speckles, but with similar huge bill. Speculum green, lacking white rear edge. In flight the darker belly separates it from female mallards. Conspicuous forewing in flight; grey in females and light blue in males. Diet Northern shovelers feed by dabbling and sifting in shallow water. Seeds of sedges, bulrushes, saw grass, smartweeds, pondweeds, algae and duckweeds, as well as aquatic insects, molluscs and crustaceans, are consumed by filtering water which is taken in at the bill tip and jetted out at the base. Longevity record 20 years (Russia E47327) Palettuna Anas clypeata Anseriformes Anatidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March, October - November Occasionally seen in August - September, December - February Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. female All rufous-tinged body especially on flanks and belly. Orange greenish bill. Ad. male Black bill. Green head. Bright yellow iris. White breast and chestnut coloured belly. White vetn and black undertail coverts. Ad. male Black bill. Green head. Bright yellow iris. White breast and chestnut coloured belly. White vetn and black undertail coverts. Ad. female All rufous-tinged body especially on flanks and belly. Orange greenish bill. 1/41 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 44 - 52 73 - 82 490 - 740 Gadwall Gadwall Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but sometimes seen in small groups. Medium sized dabbling duck. Male with grey plumage, mottled breast, black rump and vent lacking white framing. Female brown and easily overlooked and confused with female Mallards. Bill with dark center and evenly broad orange sides. Plumage more greyish than female mallard, with a more slender body and steeper forehead. Diagnostic white wingbars and contrasting white belly in all plumages. Diet Aquatic vegetation such as pondweed and algae, and invertebrates, such as crustaceans and midges. Longevity record 22 years (UK Shot specimen, AT83971) Kuluvert Griż Mareca strepera Anseriformes Anatidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in November Occasionally seen in October, December - April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/16 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 46 - 56 78 - 90 850 - 1000 Wigeon Eurasian Wigeon Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but sometimes seen in small groups. Recognized in all plumages by its rounded head, steep forehead, short neck and contrasting white belly. Males with brown head and light yellow forehead, pinkish breast and grey body. Adult males with big white patch on forewing. Female mostly brown with bluish bill. Tail rather long and pointed, and wings narrow. Quite pale underwings, but not completely white like American Wigeon. Diet Aquatic surface vegetation like roots, leaves, seeds and stems. It also grazes for food on land. It sometimes waits for diving ducks to bring plants up to the surface of the water and then snatches away their food! Longevity record 35 years (A shot bird in the UK, AT71365) Silfjun Ewropew Mareca penelope Anseriformes Anatidae Scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - January Occasionally seen in February - March Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. male Males have an orange forehead from the bill up to the head, chestnut head and neck, pink rosy breast, white belly and vent, grey saddle and flanks and black undertail coverts. 1/12 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 42 - 50 75 - 87 600 - 850 Mallard Mallard Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but sometimes seen in small groups. In all plumages distinguished by blue or purple speculum boldly framed in white. Male: metallic green head, brown breast, grey body and yellow bill. Female: brownish with dark speckles. Bill with variable, uneven orange markings on sides. Differs from Gadwall and Pintail by being noticeably more heavily built. Diet Majority of diet is plant material, including seeds, stems, and roots, especially sedges, grasses, pondweeds, smartweeds, many others; also acorns and other tree seeds, various kinds of waste grain. Also eat insects, crustaceans, molluscs, tadpoles, frogs, earthworms and small fish. Longevity record 23 years (A shot bird in Sweden, TA 5685) Kuluvert Anas platyrhynchos Anseriformes Anatidae Scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in November - January Occasionally seen in February - March, September - October Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. male The male has a yellow bill, green head, white collar, dark brown neck and breast, light grey belly, flanks and upperwings and a black undertail. 1/8 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 50 - 60 79 - 87 900 - 1300 Pintail Northern Pintail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups or large flocks but sometimes seen individually. Large dabbling duck. In all plumages distinguished from other dabbling ducks by its slim neck and elegancy. Male with dark brown head, white breast and lower neck, with white wedges extending upwards on side of neck. Long, pin-like tail. Female mostly brown, wattled plumage, with longer tail than other dabbling duck females. Both sexes with bluish bill. Speculum dark green with broad white rear edge. Front edge buff in males. Edges more prominent in flight than the actual speculum. Flight pattern closer to Wigeon than Mallard. Diet Northern Pintails eat seeds from aquatic plants, worms, snails, crustaceans, aquatic insects, and grains such as rice, wheat, corn, and barley. They pick at seeds and grains while walking or scoop up aquatic insects and seeds with their bills. Longevity record 27 years (A shot bird at the Netherlands, 5009767) Silfjun Anas acuta Anseriformes Anatidae Scarce Usually seen in February - March, September - November Occasionally seen in January, August, December Click on the image to open slideshow Top and 5th below are adult males. Others are adult females. Males have a distinctive brown head, white belly, longer pointed tail, black vent area and larger in size. Top and 5th below are adult males. Others are adult females. Males have a distinctive brown head, white belly, longer pointed tail, black vent area and larger in size. 1/23 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 51 - 62 79 - 87 900 - 1100 Back to Glossary Teal Eurasian Teal Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups or large flocks but sometimes seen individually. The smallest dabbling duck. Agile, with quick and easy take-off. Male with brown and green head with yellow stripes, grey body with a white horizontal stripe, and a yellow patch by the tail. Female is mostly brown with slim bill with orange base and no cheek stripe (see Garganey). Both sexes with green speculum with broad, wedge-shaped, white front edge, and dark primaries clearly visible in flight. Easy and quick take-off from both water and land, with rapid and changing flight. Diet In the breeding season it eats mainly aquatic invertebrates, such as crustaceans, insects and their larvae, molluscs and worms. In winter, it shifts to a largely granivorous diet, feeding on seeds of aquatic plants and grasses, including sedges and grains. Longevity record 21 years (A shot bird in France, ED 1418) Sarsella Anas crecca Anseriformes Anatidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January - March, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. male Male with chestnut brown and green head with narrow yellow stripes, grey body with a white horizontal stripe, and faint yellow undertail coverts. Ad. male Male with chestnut brown and green head with narrow yellow stripes, grey body with a white horizontal stripe, and faint yellow undertail coverts. 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 34 - 38 53 - 59 270 - 330 Back to Glossary Marbled duck Marbled Duck Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in pairs or small groups. Adults have a pale sandy-brown colour, diffusely blotched off-white, with a dark eye-patch and shaggy head. The female averages smaller than the male, but otherwise the sexes are alike. Juveniles are similar but with more off-white blotches. In flight, the wings look pale without a marked pattern, and no speculum on the secondaries. Diet These birds feed mainly in shallow water by dabbling or up-ending, occasionally diving. Adults feed mostly on seeds, but also take significant quantities of invertebrates (especially aquatic insect larvae and pupae, tiny crustaceans, and highly unusual for a duck, ants ) and green plants. Their gizzard allows them to break down seeds and the lamellae in their beak allow them to filter feed on zooplanktonic organisms. Young marbled ducks feed mostly on invertebrates. Although they may take tiny seeds, they lack the large gizzard necessary to break down the larger seeds commonly consumed by adults. Longevity record - Sarsella Mnaqqxa Marmaronetta anustirostris Anseriformes Anatidae Very rare Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in April - August, December Click on the image to open slideshow 22-12-20 22-12-20 18-12-20 22-12-20 1/12 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 39 - 42 63 - 70 450 - 590 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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''.

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