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The ultimate bird atlas for the Maltese Islands. All known bird records visiting Malta. Table of yearly sightings. Information on migrating birds. Links to distribution and bird calls. Local photography. Statistics. Birdsofmalta. Birds of malta. Birdsofmalta.com birds of malta birds of malta 1/8 Birds of Malta Species list >>> A passion for birds Contact us >>> Search table >>> Yearly sightings >>> DONATE >>> Press the 'Ctrl' button and rotate the mouse wheel to adjust the webpage resolution to your monitor's size

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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 please send us on birdsofmalta@gmail.com 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

Sparrows & Buntings Spanis Sparrow Spanish Sparrow Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* The most widespread bird of the Maltese Islands. The Spanish Sparrow is a rather large sparrow, slightly larger and heavier than Tree Sparrows, and also has a slightly longer and stouter bill. The male is similar to the Tree Sparrow in plumage, but differs in that its underparts are heavily streaked with black, has a chestnut crown and has white cheeks. Diet Like other sparrows, it feeds principally on the seeds of grains and other grasses, also eating leaves, fruits, and other plant materials. Young birds are fed mostly on insects, and adults also feed on insects and other animals during and before the breeding season. Longevity record 7 years 9 months (Spain, 2718667) Għammiel tal-Bejt / Għasfur tal-Bejt Passer hispaniolensis Passeriformes Passeridae Common Usually seen in All months Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/10 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 16 24 - 33 Back to Glossary Tree Sparrow Eurasian Tree Sparrow Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups, larger flocks but can be seen individually. Differs from Spanish Sparrow by cheek patch, and lack of black breast markings. Brown and streaked rump. The black bib does not expand towards the chest. Head profile rounder and neater than Spanish Sparrow, with slightly smaller bill. Identification by profile alone is possible with practice. Sexes and ages alike. Diet Like other sparrows, it feeds principally on the seeds of grains and other grasses, also eating leaves, fruits, and other plant materials. Young birds are fed mostly on insects, and adults also feed on insects and other animals during and before the breeding season. Longevity record 13 years 1 month (Found dead in France, 417586) Ġaħġaħ Passer montanus Passeriformes Passeridae Fairly common Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in March - May, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12.5 - 14 22 - 24 Back to Glossary Snow Bunting Snow Bunting Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Easily recognized bunting with highly contrasting plumage. Tail with black center, boldly framed by white edges and white rump in all plumages. Males with white wings with black hand. Adult females with most inner parts of wings white, juveniles with white wing-bars only. A flock usually has a few adult males which gives away the species with their flashing white wings. Summer plumage of male white with black back, bill and legs. Female less pure white, with buffish head and cheeks. Juveniles mostly grey. Though most of adults white on wing is missing, the tail-pattern is diagnostic in flight also in young birds. In winter plumage the black parts of the plumage turn more brown and buff in both sexes. Diet Snow Buntings eat grass and flowering-plant seeds as well as insects and spiders. They pick seeds and insects from the ground or leap up from the ground to grab a seed or other prey. Longevity record 10 years 2 month (Found dead in Iceland, 946781) Durrajsa Bajda Plectrophenax nivalis Passeriformes Calcariidae Very rare Usually seen in November - December Occasionally seen in June Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 19 29 - 42 Back to Glossary Corn Bunting Corn Bunting Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. A featureless, bulky bunting. Larger than Yellowhammer, but with a shorter tail. Combination of size, build, flight-pattern and sound important for identification. Recalls the bigger larks in build. Takes off with a loose and surging flight, often with legs dangling underneath. Undulations particularly strong just before landing. Wings dark, and tail without white feathers or markings. "Tooth" in upper mandible visible at close range when singing. Bill and legs yellowish pink. Often shows an indistinct, dark breast patch. Diet Its natural food consists mainly of seeds but also includes insects such as crickets, especially when feeding young. Longevity record 10 years 7 months (Czech Republic, Z 289597) Durrajsa Emberiza calandra Passeriformes Emberizidae Scarce Usually seen in March, October Occasionally seen in February, April, September, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/7 Length (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 19 35 - 56 Back to Glossary Ortolan Bunting Ortolan Bunting Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Medium sized bunting, resembling a compact Yellowhammer in shape. Head green with yellow markings and underparts orange-brown. Distinct and characteristic, yellow eye-ring and earth-brown (not rufous) rump in all plumages. Female like male, but duller coloured, with streaked head and chest. Diet Its natural food consists mainly of seeds but also includes insects such as crickets, especially when feeding young. Longevity record 6 years 10 months (Hit by vehicle in Switzerland, E 966705) Ortolan Emberiza hotulana Passeriformes Emberizidae Rare Usually seen in April Occasionally seen in March, May, August - October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 16.5 21 - 27 Back to Glossary Cirl Bunting Cirl Bunting Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Slightly more compact than Yellowhammer, with shorter wings and heavier bill. In all plumages note; olive to grey rump, greyish lesser coverts and finely streaked flanks. Male unmistakable with black throat and eye-stripe. Female and immature lacks black throat, but have more contrasting eye- and moustache-stripe than Yellowhammer. Diet Its natural food consists mainly of seeds but also includes insects such as crickets, especially when feeding young. Longevity record - Ortolan Iswed Emberiza cirlus Passeriformes Emberizidae Very rare Usually seen in November - December Occasionally seen in August - September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 16.5 22 - 31 Back to Glossary Yellowhammer Yellowhammer Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Large and long-tailed bunting with rufous rump. Mainly yellow and brown plumage. Head bright yellow with dark markings in breeding male. Female darker, with streaked head, yellow throat and supercilium. Back greyish and streaked. Rufous rump distinguishes it from Ortolan and Cirl Bunting. Underparts pale yellow, with relatively coarse streaking. Diet The diet of the Yellowhammer is rather varied, and consists of seeds, grain, some small fruits such as blackberries, insects and spiders. Longevity record 13 years 3 months (Found dead in the UK, JC 97236) Durrajsa Safra Emberiza citrinella Passeriformes Emberizidae Very rare Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow A15A9586 A15A9586 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15.5 - 17 24 - 37 Back to Glossary Common Reed Bunting Common Reed Bunting Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Breeding male easily recognized by all black head, prominent white moustache stripe and white collar. Rufous greater coverts in young birds. Females and juveniles otherwise plain and rather characterless, and are easily confused with other rare buntings. Reed bunting however, lacks the pale eye-ring and plain cheeks of Little Bunting, and the rufous rump of Rustic Bunting. Diet Its diet consists of seeds, grain, small fruits, insects and spiders. Longevity record 12 years 3 months (Switzerland, A 220452) Durrajsa tal-Qasab Emberiza schoeniclus Passeriformes Emberizidae Very scarce Usually seen in November - December Occasionally seen in January - May, July Click on the image to open slideshow 18-12-20 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15.5 15 - 24 Back to Glossary Little Bunting Little Bunting Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small bunting with warm rufous cheeks framed in black. Often with a pale spot hind-cheek, towards the neck. Pale eyering, pale wing-bar, rufous median and black lateral crown-stripe . Bill grey with straight culmen. Easily confused with female Reed Bunting. In addition to mentioned criteria, also note pinkish legs and much paler lores. Sexes more or less alike, but birds with rufous throat and contrasting crown-stripes are usually males. Diet Its diet consists of seeds, grain, small fruits, insects and spiders. Longevity record - Durrajsa Qerqnija Emberiza pusilla Passeriformes Emberizidae Very scarce Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in December, April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 12 - 13 Back to Glossary Rustic bunting Rustic Bunting Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. All plumages differs from Reed Bunting, and most other buntings by; white belly, pale cheek-patch, flanks coarsely spotted in rufous red, rufous rump with no streaking, pale pinkish legs and lower mandible. Summer plumage male easily recognized by boldly rufous breast and contrasting black and white head pattern. Young male resembles females, and may breed before adult plumage is fully developed. Posture often erect when moving around on the ground. Crown feathers often erect. Flight pattern light and fluttering, and more even than in Reed Bunting. Diet Its diet consists of seeds, grain, small fruits, insects and spiders. Longevity record - Durrajsa Qastnija Emberiza rustica Passeriformes Emberizidae Very rare Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in February, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14.5 16.5 - 23 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Owls, Hoopoes, Wrynecks, Bee-Eaters, Rollers, Kingfishers & Orioles Barn Owl Western Barn Owl Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. A beautiful, very pale owl with a diagnostic, heart-shaped face and black eyes. Underparts white to buff. Buff-bellied individuals most likely to be confused with other owls, but note lack of barring and streaking. Instead the underparts may be covered in small spots. Underwing almost white. Posture upright, both on ground and when perched. Flight-pattern variable, but often hunts from low above ground in slow and buoyant flight. Diet The natural diet of the Barn Owl in the wild comprises small mammals, mainly rodents. A Barn Owl will usually swallow small prey items whole. It is much better to provide small food items for Barn Owls rather than small parts of larger animals (such as pieces of meat). Longevity record 17 years 11 months (A bird found dead in the Netherlands, 102460) Barbaġann Tyto alba Strigiformes Tytonidae Rare Usually seen in May, October - December Occasionally seen in January - April, June, August 29-10-17 29-10-17 29-10-17 1/2 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 33 - 39 80 - 95 280 - 400 Back to Glossary Click on the image to open slideshow Cucumiau Little Owl Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Also known as 'Cucumiau'. A vagrant sighting seen individually. A small, tubby and compact owl with long legs, yellow eyes and stern expression. Upperparts greyish brown to buff, with boldest white spots of any small owl in the region. Underparts whitish with heavy, brown streaking. Flight characteristic, with alternating wing flapping and closed wings. Runs, or even hops along the ground. Posture mostly erect, but hunched when in alarm. Diet Diet consists primarily of crickets, grasshoppers and other invertebrates such as beetles and earthworms, as well as small mammals. Small birds are also taken during the breeding season. Little Owls are most active at dawn and dusk, and after dark when most hunting occurs. Longevity record 11 years 1 months (UK, ES 03970) Kokka tat-Tikki Athene noctua Strigiformes Strigidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in March, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 23 - 28 50 - 57 105 - 260 Pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Scops Owl Eurasian Scops Owl Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small, starling sized owl. Smaller than Little Owl. Perches in upright position. Ear-tufts not prominent when relaxed, but gives angular shape to head. Plumage appears uniform, and colour varies from brown to rufous-brown. At closer range, whitish spots on shoulders and yellow eyes with dark surround, are visible. Appears long-winged in flight. Diet Scops owls hunt from perches in semi-open landscapes. They prefer areas which contain old trees with hollows; these are home to their prey which includes insects, reptiles, small mammals such as bats and mice and other small birds. The owls will also eat earthworms, amphibians and aquatic invertebrates. Longevity record 6 years 11 months (Hungary, 392864) Kokka / Kokka tas-Siġar Otus scops Strigiformes Strigidae Scarce Usually seen in April - May, September - November Occasionally seen in March, June, December Click on the image to open slideshow 29-09-18 1/8 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 20 47 - 54 60 - 135 Back to Glossary Long-eared Owl Long-eared Owl Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually and occasionally in pairs. A medium sized, brown and long-winged owl, with long ear-tufts and deep orange eyes. Only half the size of Eagle Owl. Differs from the more similar Short-eared Owl by darker (orange) eyes, longer ear-tufts and heavily streaked lower belly. In flight, note paler wing-tips (only finely barred, not tipped black). Diet Their principal prey are rodents and small hares. Long-eared owls also occasionally eat small birds, small snakes, and insects. Longevity record 17 years 11 months (A shot bird in Finland, H-7998) Qattus / Kukkun / Kokka tal-Qrun Asio otus Strigiformes Strigidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - November Occasionally seen in February - June, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/4 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 35 - 37 84 - 95 210 - 370 Short-eared Owl Short-eared Owl Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually and in small groups. A medium sized owl, which can give a very pale impression in flight. Quite similar to a Long-eared Owl with folded tufts, but differs in bright yellow eyes, darker wing-tips and heavily streaked breast in contrast to pale belly. Diet Several owls may hunt over the same open area. Its food consists mainly of rodents, especially voles, but it will eat other small mammals such as mice, ground squirrels, shrews, rats, bats, muskrats and moles. Longevity record 20 years 9 months (Found dead in Germany, 3066160) Kokka tax-Xagħri Asio flammeus Strigiformes Strigidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - April, September - November Occasionally seen in August, December - February Click on the image to open slideshow 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 34 - 43 90 - 105 206 - 475 Hoopoe Eurasian Hoopoe Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Always unmistakable. Distinct, foldable, fan-like crest. Rounded, rectangular wings and long curved bill. Buff body, black wings and tail with conspicuous white barring. Catches the eye when flying by in undulating, butterfly-like motion. Diet The diet of the Eurasian hoopoe is mostly composed of insects, although small reptiles, frogs and plant matter such as seeds and berries are sometimes taken as well. It is a solitary forager which typically feeds on the ground Longevity record 5-10 years Daqquqa tat-Toppu Upupa epops Bucerotiformes Upupidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - April, August - September Occasionally seen in February, May - June, October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/27 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 25 - 29 44 - 48 70 - 85 Wryneck Eurasian Wryneck Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. The Wryneck is the only type of Woodpecker that migrates regularly over Malta. Its plumage is a mix of rusty, creamy brown and grey, resembling a nightjar. A rather unmistakable bird, despite the lack of striking plumage features. Behaviour both passerine- and woodpecker-like, but with less woodpecker-like tree clinging. Often feeds on the ground. May give a reptile-like impression. Diet The diet of the Eurasian wryneck consists chiefly of ants but beetles and their larvae, moths, spiders and woodlice are also eaten. Longevity record 6 years 10 months, (Czech Republic, Z 735064) Bulebbiet / Sultan is-Summien Jynx torquilla Piciformes Picidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - April, September - November Occasionally seen in February, May, August Click on the image to open slideshow 16-04-2017 1/15 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 18 25 - 27 32 - 43 Back to Glossary Blue-cheeked Bee Eater Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in small groups or together with European Bee-eaters. Although the sighting occurrence is classified as very rare, these birds are being sighted nearly every year as of 2017. A predominantly green bee-eater having. Its face has blue sides with a black eye stripe, and a yellow and brown throat; the beak is black. Sexes are mostly alike but the tail-streamers of the female are shorter. Blue-cheeked bee-eaters may nest solitarily or in loose colonies of up to ten birds. They may also nest in colonies with European bee-eaters . The nests are located in sandy banks, embankments, low cliffs or on the shore of the Caspian Sea. They make a relatively long tunnel of 1 to 3 m in length in which the four to eight (usually six or seven), spherical white eggs are laid. Both the male and the female take care of the eggs, although the female alone incubates them at night. Diet Blue-cheeked Bee-Eaters are insectivorous, eating mainly flying insects. They can eat dangerous insects such as bees, wasps and hornets which are rendered harmless before being eaten: the tail (and sting) of the insects is rubbed against the perch to express the venom and often the sting itself. Longevity record - Qerd in-Naħal Aħdar Merops persicus Coraciiformes Meropidae Very rare Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in March - May, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/8 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 32 35 - 39 38 - 56 Back to Glossary European Bee-eater European Bee-eater Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups or large flocks but rarely individually. Unmistakable if seen well. Stunning, bright yellow throat and turquoise underparts. Upperside of wings multicoloured with noticeable light buff shoulders. In flight the underwing shows a black trailing edge, which on the secondaries becomes broader closer to the body. Often flies high and then reveals itself only by its flight call. Diet European Bee-Eaters are insectivorous, eating mainly flying insects. They can eat dangerous insects such as bees, wasps and hornets which are rendered harmless before being eaten: the tail (and sting) of the insects is rubbed against the perch to express the venom and often the sting itself. Longevity record 5 years 11 months (Germany, NA 15042) Qerd in-Naħal Merops apiaster Coraciiformes Meropidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - June, August - September Occasionally seen in March, July, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/31 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 25 - 29 36 - 40 44 - 78 Back to Glossary Roller European Roller Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Unmistakable if seen well. Corvoid-like at a distance. Tail is however quite a bit shorter, and wings slightly longer. Flight-feathers dark, contrasting with turquois coverts, both below and above. Underparts especially striking in flight, being pale blue (sometimes seemingly white) all over, except dark flight-feathers and base of tail. Bill heavy. Immature duller than adults with faint streaked breast and slightly rufous coverts. Wing-beats deep and regular. Flies mostly in a straight line. Migrating birds move in characteristic procession-like formations. Diet European rollers are carnivores. Their diet includes large insects, small reptiles, rodents, and even frogs. The nestlings mostly eat grasshoppers and bush crickets. Longevity record 9 years 2 months (A shot bird in Poland, E 30905) Farruġ Coracias garrulus Coraciiformes Coraciidae Scarce Usually seen in April - May, September Occasionally seen in June - August, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/19 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 29 - 32 52 - 58 125 - 160 Back to Glossary Kingfisher Common Kingfisher Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Unmistakable bird in most situations. Azure blue above, and orangy brown below. Very short tail, and large head with long and heavy bill. Often overlooked despite it's bright colours, due to small size and obscuring habitat. Often one only catches a glimpse of the light blue back, when it flies away close to the water surface in a whirring, darting motion. Diet Kingfishers eat mainly fish but they also take aquatic insects, freshwater shrimps and tadpoles to top up their diet. Longevity record 21 years 0 months (Belgium, N 18630) Għasfur ta' San Marti Alcedo atthis Coraciiformes Alcedinidae Common Usually seen in August - September Occasionally seen in October - March, June - July Click on the image to open slideshow 18-08-18 1/16 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 20 24 - 26 16 - 23 Back to Glossary Golden Oriole Eurasian Golden Oriole Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in small groups and in small flocks. Adult male unmistakable if seen well. Body and head bright yellow, lores, wings and tail black. Females and young males less distinct, with lime-green back, pale, streaked underparts and black wings and tail. Bill quite strong with reddish colour in adults, and grey in young birds. Despite the bright plumage the bird is difficult to see due to skulking behaviour in foliage. Usually spotted when moving from tree to tree in undulating flight. Then resembles a large thrush or woodpecker, quickly darting upwards into the next tree-top. Diet Orioles feed on fruits, nectar and insects. They are capable of dispersing the seeds of many berry-bearing plants including the invasive Lantana camara. An oriole has been recorded preying on southern flying lizards. Longevity record 10 years 11 months (UK, RA 59406) Tajra Safra Oriolus oriolus Passeriformes Oriolidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May, August - September Occasionally seen in June - July, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/25 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 22 - 25 44 - 47 68 - 84 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Osprey Osprey Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Long, slender wings, dark brown upperparts and white underparts. Quite short tail. Distinct black carpal patches, finely barred flight-feathers and tail, and conspicuous broad dark eye-stripe. Soars with angled/bowed wings. Glides with wings bent at carpal joint. Diet It entirely feeds on fish but can occasionally prey on rodents , rabbits , hares , other birds , and small reptiles . Longevity record 26 years (A bird found dead in Finland, M-17858) Arpa Pandion haliaetus Accipitriformes Pandionidae Scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in April, August - October Occasionally seen in March, May-June, November - January Click on the image to open slideshow 1/26 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 50 - 55 150 - 170 1.3 - 2.1 *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Thrushes White's Thrush White's Thrush Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A very rare bird that is seen individually. Although the sightings are rare it has been recorded from one up to four records in 2018, 2019 and 2020. This thrush is similar to a Mistle Thrush but it has a black scaling on a paler white or yellowish background. The most striking identification feature in flight is the black band on the white underwings. The male has a song which is a loud, far-carrying mechanical whistle, with 5–10 second pauses between each one second long phrase twee...tuuu....tuuu....tuuu. It breeds in the Himalayas and Siberia but is recorded in Europe each year. Diet This thrush mainly feeds on invertebrates, fruit and berries. Animal prey include earthworms, insects and other arthropods, slugs and snails. Longevity record - Malvizzun Dehbi Zoothera aurea Passeriformes Turdidae Vagrant Back to Glossary Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 27 - 31 100 - 140 Ring Ouzel Ring Ouzel 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 ring ouzel is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, earthworms, small rodents, reptiles and berries. Longevity record 9 years 1 month (Found dead in Spain, 3015231) Malvizz tas-Sidra Bajda / Malvizzun tal-Ħannieqa Turdus torquatus Passeriformes Turdidae Very scarce Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January, March - April, September Click on the image to open slideshow 07-11-18 07-11-18 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 24 - 27 85 - 120 Back to Glossary Blackbird Common Blackbird Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen singly. Male shiny black with bright yellow bill and yellow eye-ring. Female dark brown above. Throat and chest in slightly paler tones with diffuse dark spots. Juveniles similar to females, but with fine buff streaking all over. More long-tailed than Redwing and Song Thrush. Flight action with alternating bursts of wing-beats and with little undulation (see Fieldfare). Diet The Common Blackbird eats insects, earthworms, snails, spiders and a range of seeds and fruit. It mainly forages on the ground, probing and scratching at leaf litter, lawns and soil. Longevity record 21 years 10 month (Germany, 7561680) Malvizz Iswed / Malvizzun Iswed Turdus merula Passeriformes Turdidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January - May, July, September Click on the image to open slideshow Common Blackbird (leucistic) Common Blackbird (leucistic) Male Common Blackbird (leucistic) 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 23 - 29 80 - 135 Eyebrowed Thrush Eyebrowed Thrush Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A very rare bird that is seen individually. Upperparts are olive-brown, with contrasting gray on the head and upper breast. The face is prominently marked with a white supercilium, white eye crescents, and a bold black eye line. The bill is yellow at the base with a dark culmen and tip. The sides and flanks are pale orange, and the belly and undertail coverts are white. The legs are pale yellowish to pinkish. Female: Similar to male, but lighter and browner overall, with more extensive white on the malar and throat areas. It breeds in the Siberia, Mongolia and Japan. Diet Insects, snails and berries. Longevity record 5 years Malvizz tan-Nord Turdus obscurus Passeriformes Turdidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 20 - 23 61 - 88 Back to Glossary Fieldfare Fieldfare Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen singly or in pairs but can be seen occasionally in small groups. A large and long-tailed thrush. Slate grey lower back, rump and head. Brown upper back and yellow buff breast with dark spots. The all dark tail contrasts with the grey rump. Tail colour combined with white underwing distinguishes it from all other thrushes when flying. Flight undulated in long waves, with alternating glides and bursts of wing-beats. Diet Its diet consists of snails and slugs, earthworms, spiders and insects such as beetles and their larvae, flies and grasshoppers. Later in the winter windfall apples are eaten, swedes attacked in the field and grain and seeds eaten. When these are exhausted, or in particularly harsh weather, the birds may move to marshes or even the foreshore where molluscs are to be found. Longevity record 18 years 1 month (Shot in Finland, A-44583) Malvizzun tal-Qtajja' Turdus pilaris Passeriformes Turdidae Scarce Usually seen in November - February Occasionally seen in October, March Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Weight (g): 22 - 27 82 - 138 Back to Glossary Song Thrush Song Thrush Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen singly or in small groups. A medium sized thrush with evenly brown to olive-brown upperparts. Underparts boldly covered with arrow-shaped spots. Chest with buff tones. Faint face patterns and buff underwing coverts distinguishes it from all other thrushes in the region. Lacks the white cheek-spot of Mistle Thrush, and the colour of the back of the head is not paler than the back. Sexes alike. Juveniles with buff-spotted upperparts. Quite short-tailed and compact, with rounded wings. Jerky, and not very undulated, flight pattern. Diet The Song Thrush's diet is largely earthworms and snails, with the latter broken open by the bird smashing the shell against a hard object such a stone. Other food incudes insects and spiders, plus fruit and berries in the colder months. Longevity record 17 years 8 months (Found dead in the UK, CP 71448) Malvizz Turdus philomelos Passeriformes Turdidae Fairly common Usually seen in March, October - December Occasionally seen in January, April, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/14 Length (cm): Weight (g): 20 - 22 53 - 79 Back to Glossary Redwing Redwing Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen singly or in small groups. Small thrush with rufous flanks, strong white supercilium and whitish moustache stripe. Upperparts evenly brown, underparts white with dark spots on chest and sides. Underwing coverts rufous. Fairly compact build, with slightly more pointed wings and shorter tail than Song Thrush. Juveniles less brightly coloured, with buff spots on upperparts. Behaviour less secretive than Song Thrush. Diet The diet is varied and includes snails, earthworms, slugs and insects, then progressively more berries and fallen fruit in the winter months. Hawthorn, holly and rowan berries are the native species which are eaten, but in gardens, parks and shopping centre car parks etc. Longevity record 17 years 4 months (Shot in Finland, P-337619) Żerżur / Malvizz Aħmar Turdus iliacus Passeriformes Turdidae Scarce Usually seen in December - February Occasionally seen in March, October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/4 Length (cm): Weight (g): 19 - 23 49 - 79 Back to Glossary Mistle thrush Mistle Thrush Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen singly or in pairs. A large, and often shy, thrush. Most similar to Song Thrush. Other than size, it is distinguished by a long tail with white corners, white under wing-coverts and a pale, vertical cheek patch. Underparts are boldly covered in round (not arrow-shaped) spots that forms a dark patch on each side of upper chest. Rump slightly paler than the olive back. Noticeably bulkier than Fieldfare, with a heavier bill. Posture upright when foraging on ground, and head seems paler than the back. Flight non-undulating, but with alternating bursts of wing-beats and glides with folded wings. Often flies high. Diet Mistle thrushes feed mainly on invertebrates, fruit and berries. Animal prey include earthworms, insects and other arthropods, slugs and snails. Snails are sometimes smashed on a stone "anvil", a technique also used by the song thrush. Longevity record 21 years 3 months (Shot in Switxerland, 768038) Malvizzun Prim Turdus viscivorus Passeriformes Turdidae Very scarce Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January - April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/7 Length (cm): Weight (g): 26 - 29 100 - 126 Back to Glossary Rock Thrush Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen singly or in small groups. Up to five individuals had been seen. Compact built bird attached to rocky habitat. Differs in all plumages from Blue Rock-thrush, by short, rufous tail and shorter bill. Primary projection very long, and wing-tips almost reaches end of tail in perching birds. Male in breeding plumage unmistakable with blue-grey head, orange-buff underparts and white patch on back (variable). Male resembles female and immature birds when not in breeding plumage, but can sometimes be sexed by partly grey head and hints of white on back. General characteristics of non-breeding plumage are greyish brown and speckled upperparts, and orange-buff, vermiculated underparts. Then told from female Blue Rock-thrush by aforementioned different build, bill and tail, and also by paler throat-sides/breast and warmer rufous flanks. Posture usually upright with giss resembling more a wheatear than a thrush. Diet It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, berries and small reptiles. Longevity record - Ġanbublu Monticola saxatilis Passeriformes Muscicapidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in August - October Click on the image to open slideshow 31-03-20 12-04-17 31-03-20 1/18 Length (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 20 43 - 63 Back to Glossary Blue rock thrush Blue Rock Thrush Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* The Blue Rock Thrush is the national bird of Malta and the emblem of 'Birds of Malta'. It is usually seen singly or in small groups. A slim, medium large thrush attached to rocky terrain, mountains or concrete buildings. Differs from Common Rock Thrush, in all plumages by long bill, and long, dark tail (not rufous). Bill and tail gives the bird an elongated appearance and profile. The tail reaches far behind the primaries when perched. Male unmistakable if seen well, but note that the bluish tones appears dark grey in unfavorable light. First winter males are barred underneath but gradually turns bluer and more evenly coloured. Immatures and females look alike with grey-brown upperparts and barred underparts, and are generally darker in throat and breast than the Common Rock Thrush. Diet It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, berries, seed and small reptiles. Longevity record - Merill Monticola solitarius Passeriformes Muscicapidae Common Usually seen in All year round. Residential bird. Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow CF7607 1/18 Length (cm): Weight (g): 21 - 23 57 - 64 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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

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Wrens, Tits & Accentors Eurasian Wren Eurasian Wren Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A rare bird that is more heard than seen. It is very difficult to see this bird as it is usually hidden in dense vegetation. Unmistakable. Very small, mouselike bird with short rounded wings, short neck and upright tail. Upperparts chestnut brown and finely barred. Underparts light buff. Forages in thick undergrowth and low bushes, crevices and holes for insects. Easily overlooked, but betrays its presence by its big voice. One of the smallest bird in northern Europe. Diet Eurasian Wren feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates, such as insects and spiders, but also small vertebrates such as fishes, tadpoles and young frogs. It also consumes berries and seeds. Longevity record 6 years 10 months (Italy/Sweden, 1817973) Bumistur Troglodytes troglodytes Passeriformes Troglodytidae Rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in October - April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 9 - 10.5 8 - 11.5 Great Tit Great Tit Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Combination of striking black and white head and yellow underparts makes it rather unmistakable. Back greenish, tail and wings bluish. Outer tail feathers white. Sexes alike except for wider black belly-stripe in males. Biggest tit. Diet Its main preference is insects, and, when feeding young, caterpillars are a key food. It will also eat spiders and small earthworms, then will switch to seeds, nuts, berries and buds as and when needed, and available. Longevity record 15 years 5 months (Found dead in Germany, 9222933) Fjorentin Parus major Passeriformes Paridae Vagrant Back to Glossary Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in October - March Click on the image to open slideshow 07-01-16 1/3 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15 15 - 23 Pendulin Tit Eurasian Penduline Tit Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. A small, tit-like passerine with brown back, grey head and diagnostic black mask. Plumage comparable to Red-backed Shrike, but build and behaviour very different. Male with broader mask than female. Juveniles with pale, uniform plumage, lacking mask altogether. Tit-like behaviour, but less inquisitive. Diet Insects form the larger part of the diet of the penduline tits, and they are active foragers. Their long conical bill is used to probe into cracks and prise open holes in order to obtain prey. Nectar, seeds and fruits may also be taken seasonally. Longevity record 7 years 3 months (Hungary, M 392964) Pendulin Remiz pendulinus Passeriformes Remizidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - January Occasionally seen in February - March Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 10 - 11.5 9 - 12 Alpine Accentor Alpine Accentor Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. A big accentor with rufous flanks, finely mottled throat, and blackish wing coverts with white tips. Latter often the most obvious character in poor light, and is visible both in flight, and when on ground. Bill black with yellow base. Build stocky and recalls larks or pipits. Tail dark with narrow, white tip. Flight powerful, undulating and thrush-like. Jumps and runs on the ground, with a more upright stance than Dunnock. Sociable, and small flocks can be seen even in breeding season. Diet Mostly insects and seeds. Longevity record 7 years 8 months (Slovenia, K 69) Żiemel tal-Alpi Prunella collaris Passeriformes Prunellidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in December - January Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 17.5 36 - 45 Dunnock Dunnock Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups or roam within the same area. Sparrow-sized, brown and streaked passerine with slate-grey head and chest. Bill thin and warbler-like, head rounded. Narrow, pale wing-bars. Often forages on ground in a crouched manner, creeping or hopping with legs almost hidden. Flicks wings and tail when restless. Secretive behaviour, except when visiting feeders and when singing from tree tops. Diet Dunnocks feed on both small insects and small seeds, plus spiders and small worms. Longevity record 20 years 10 months (Found dead in Denmark, 9A 59942) Żiemel Prunella modularis Passeriformes Prunellidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - March Occasionally seen in September, April Click on the image to open slideshow 19-11-17 1/7 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14.5 15 - 24 *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Buzzards Honey Buzzard European Honey Buzzard Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A raptor commonly seen in September with flocks that can tally hundreds of individuals usually migrating from early in the afternoon. The juveniles vary in their plumage with most having brownish bodies, some with white streaks and a few are mostly white with vertical brown streaks. All juveniles have a yellow base at the bill and grey/brown eyes. Adults have yellow eyes with distinctive white chests and a grey head on males whilst brownish on females. Diet It mostly feeds on insects such as bees, wasps, grasshoppers and loves eating honey. Longevity record 29 years (Found dead in Germany, C 52627) Kuċċarda Pernis apivorus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in April - May, September Occasionally seen in March, June, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/49 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 51 - 60 119 - 145 515 - 1050 Crested Honey Buzzard Crested Honey Buzzard Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* The first and only record for Malta was on the 24th September 2024 over Buskett woodlands. An adult female of the orientalis ssp. Crested honey buzzards are residents to the Eastern Palearctic and migrate for breeding to Siberia and Japan during the summer. They then spend the winter in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. They differentiate from the European honey buzzard mainly by the lack of carpal patches, by the sixth primary feather, by a lookind=g shorter and broader tail and by broader wings. Thus, they look heavier in flight and bulkier resembling almost an eagle-like appearance. Although very similar in wingspan to a Honey buzzard, it looks larger in flight. Males are easier to identify as along with the features mentioned, they have a black tail with a white bar halfway and have a darker iris. The iris in females is yellow. Juveniles tend to have narrower wings similar to the European counterparts and the main different factors are the 6th primary feather and the flight action. Both species show considerable individual plumage variation, which seriously complicates the matter. The crest, giving orientalis its English name, is actually hardly developed or even absent in the subspecies orientalis, and therefore cannot be considered a reliable field mark (Forsman 1994, Shirihai 1994, Laine 1996, Beaman & Madge 1998, Forsman 1999, Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001). Diet It mostly feeds on insects such as bees, wasps, grasshoppers and loves eating honey. Longevity record --- Kuċċarda Orjentali Pernis ptilorhynchus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 55 - 60 120 - 150 600 - 1150 Back to Glossary Common Buzzard Common Buzzard Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A medium sized raptor with a variation in plumage. There are usually three different plumages in Common Buzzards which can be divided as light, intermediate and dark and again these can on juveniles, sub-adults (sometimes there are two cycles) and adults. The most popular individuals seen locally have a white patch just under the neck. Common Buzzards have a small rounded head with a rather short neck and short tail. There are usually three different plumages in Common Buzzards which can be divided as light, intermediate and dark and again Diet Common Buzzards mostly feed on small prey and carrion. They can even feed on earthworms and other large insects when other prey is in short supply. Longevity record 28 years (found dead in Denmark, 313963) Kuċċarda Prima Buteo buteo Accipitriformes Accipitridae Very scarce Usually seen in September - October Occasionally seen in February - May, November - December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/13 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 48 - 59 110 - 138 650 - 1200 Back to Glossary Steppe Buzzard Steppe Buzzard Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* The Steppe Buzzard is a sub-species of the Common Buzzard which is very difficult to identify in juveniles. Adults can be identified more easily from the uniformly fox-red rufous (as in image) or by the rather darker black individuals as these do not correspond to the Common Buzzard nominate. Still, however the similar plumages of the Long-legged Buzzard should be eliminated first, in order for the individual to be a certain Steppe Buzzard. Steppe Buzzards have more white remiges than Common Buzzards, and have a finer distinct barring. Primaries 4-5 are unbarred, while the upperparts of adult birds are a pale greyish/brown shade. The underbody is more finely barred than the Common Buzzard. The Steppe Buzzard is slightly smaller than Common Buzzard, averaging 45-50 cm in length. It is also longer-winged and longer-tailed. The tail is also paler than the nominate form and often quite rufous. The upperwings have pale primary patches, and the primary flight feathers are also paler when viewed from below. Adults have a black trailing edge to the wings. There are two color morphs; the rufous form and a dark grey form. Both morphs often have plain underparts, lacking the breast band frequently seen in the nominate Common Buzzard. Diet Common Buzzards mostly feed on small prey and carrion. They can even feed on earthworms and other large insects when other prey is in short supply. Longevity record 12 years (average lifespan) Kuċċarda Prima Ħamranija Buteo buteo vulpinus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Very rare Usually seen in May Occasionally seen in September - October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 48 100 - 125 550 - 900 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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''.