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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''.

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''.

Whimbrels, Curlews, Sandpipers & Snipes Whimbrel Eurasian Whimbrel Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups but can be seen in larger flocks. Notably smaller than Curlew. Bill is shorter and curves more closer to the tip. Markings on head much more prominent than in Curlew, with double dark lateral crown-stripes (light stripe on top of crown) and dark eye-stripe. Note that young Curlews have noticeably shorter bill than adults! Gives an overall darker impression than Curlew, especially underwing and flanks. Diet The whimbrel uses its long, curved bill to probe deep in the sand and mud for food. It wades in shallow water in search of crabs, fish, worms and molluscs. It also eats insects, seeds, berries, and leaves. Longevity record 16 years (A shot bird in the UK, EH 49697) Gurlin Żgħir Numenius phaeopus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Scarce Usually seen in March - April, July - September Occasionally seen in November - December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/12 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 37 - 45 78 - 88 305 - 425 Back to Glossary Curlew Eurasian Curlew Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Biggest wader in area. Differs from Whimbrel in longer bill with a more even curve, only diffuse head markings without crown stripes or marked eye-stripe. Note that young Curlews have much shorter bill than adults. Base of bill pinkish. Plumage gives a paler impression than Whimbrel, with paler underwings and flanks. Diet Feeds by probing soft mud for small invertebrates, but will also pick small crabs and earthworms off the surface. Longevity record 31 years (Ring read in the field in the UK, FS 40887) Gurlin Numenius arquata Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - April, October - November Occasionally seen in August - September Eurasian Curlews (19-03-19) Note a very long bill which is just around three times the length of the Whimbrel's head in juveniles and males. An adult female will have its bill four times its head length as a rule of thumb. Eurasian Curlew Note a very long bill which is just around three times the length of the Whimbrel's head in juveniles and males. An adult female will have its bill four times its head length as a rule of thumb. Eurasian Curlew Note the very long bill which is just around three times the length of the Whimbrel's head in juveniles and males. An adult female will have its bill four times its head length as a rule of thumb. Also note the the eye-stripe does not go beyond the eye and the crown is striped and not dark as in the Whimbrel. Eurasian Curlews (19-03-19) Note a very long bill which is just around three times the length of the Whimbrel's head in juveniles and males. An adult female will have its bill four times its head length as a rule of thumb. 1/4 Click on the image to open slideshow Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 48 - 57 89 - 106 415 - 980 Back to Glossary Bar-tailed Godwit Bar-tailed Godwit Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Most likely to be confused with Black-tailed Godwit, but easily recognized in flight by plain dark wings, white wedge on back and barred tail. More difficult to identify when not flying. Generally more compact, heavier built and less upright than Black-tailed, and with clearly upcurved bill and shorter legs. Belly always unmarked. Base of bill dark in summer and pinkish in winter and in juveniles. Back with arrow-shaped streaking. Adult winter also streaked, and the pale supercilium reaches behind the eye. Diet The bar-tailed godwit eats insects in the summer. Occasionally, it eats seeds and berries. In the winter and during migration, it wades in the water, probing in the mud with its long, thin bill for molluscs, crustaceans, snails, worms, and other aquatic invertebrates. Longevity record 33 years (UK, DS 66532) Girwiel Denbu bl-Istrixxi Limosa lapponica Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Rare Usually seen in September - October Occasionally seen in March - July Click on the image to open slideshow 1/12 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 33 - 41 62 - 72 190 - 400 Back to Glossary Black-tailed Godwit Black-tailed Godwit Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Most likely to be confused with Bar-tailed Godwit, but easily recognized in flight by its contrasting black and white wings and tail. More difficult to identify when not flying. Generally much leggier, more elegant and upright than Bar-tailed, and with straighter bill. Tibia especially long. Summer plumage with barred/spotted belly (never in Bar-tailed), and orange base of bill. Juveniles with scaled back, not arrow-shaped streaking. Adult winter with mainly uniformly grey plumage, and short supercilium not reaching behind the eye. Diet The bar-tailed godwit eats insects in the summer. Occasionally, it eats seeds and berries. In the winter and during migration, it wades in the water, probing in the mud with its long, thin bill for mollusks, crustaceans, snails, worms, and other aquatic invertebrates. Longevity record 23 years (Ring read in the field in the UK, EF 90838) Girwiel Denbu bl-Istrixxi Limosa limosa Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very scarce Usually seen in February - April Occasionally seen in January, July - November 1/21 Click on the image to open slideshow Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 37 - 42 63 - 74 160 - 440 Back to Glossary Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Adults unmistakable. White head with bold black markings and orangely brown back. Even more striking in flight, with white wedge on back, large white patches at base of wings, white wing-bars and black and white tail. Juvenile and winter plumage birds with similar white patches, but with darker head and greyish, dark brown back. Underside always pure white. Leaves a robust and compact impression, with heavy bill and square head. Diet Ruddy Turnstones feed primarily on adult and larval flies and midges during the breeding season. They uncover their prey by flipping over rocks, pebbles, shells, or seaweed with their stout, slightly upturned bills. They also eat spiders, beetles, bees, and wasps. Longevity record 21 years (UK, XS 56243) Monakella Imperjali Arenaria interpres Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very scarce Usually seen in April - May, August - September Occasionally seen in June - July, October - December Adult summe White crown but few darker streaks, white nape and collar, rufous back feathers and contrasting black breast indicate an adult in its breeding/summer plumage. But the white on the face and some feathers on the back and upperwings are turning black indicating that this bird is moulting in its winter plumage. In winter all the rufous feathers and the white feathers on its head will turn to darker brown. 1/23 Click on the image to open slideshow Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 21 - 24 43 - 49 90 - 130 Back to Glossary Red Knot Red Knot Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs. Large, stocky Calidris. Easily identified when direct size-comparison with congeners possible. Elongated body shape and short legs. Bill robust, short and straight. Summer plumage: Upperparts speckled in brown and grey, underparts warm rufous brown, like Curlew Sandpiper. Legs dark. Winter- and juvenile plumage: Pale grey upperparts (scaly pattern in juveniles), and white belly. Legs greenish in both juveniles and winter-plumaged adults. Note pale grey rump and uniformly grey tail in flight. Wing-bars less prominent than in Sanderling. Diet Crab eggs, molluscs, insects, vegetation and seeds. During their migration and in the winter, the bird feeds on small invertebrates that live in mud, such as small molluscs, marine worms and crustaceans. Longevity record 26 years , 8 months (Read in the field in the UK, CE 25745) Girwiela Saqajha Qosra Calidris canutus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very rare Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in May, August - September 1/13 Click on the image to open slideshow Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 23 - 26 47 - 53 98 - 122 Back to Glossary Ruff Ruff Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. A relatively large wader with long orange or greenish (juveniles) legs. Scaly back and medium long, slightly curved and heavy bill. Male in breeding plumage unmistakable with ruff in various colours and patterns. Characteristic upright posture and body shape with long neck, small head and humped back. Conspicuous white oval patches at upper base of tail. Notable difference in size between sexes (male largest). Often seen feeding in meadows and fields when away from breeding ground. Diet Mostly eats insects, especially flies, beetles, caddisflies. Also eats small molluscs, crustaceans, spiders, worms, small fish and frogs. Longevity record 13 years , 11 months (Accident trapped in a fishnet in Finland,AT-8167) Girwiela Calidris pugnax Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - June, August - October Occasionally seen in July, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/13 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 25 - 34 46 - 60 85 - 242 Back to Glossary Broad-billed sandpiper Broad-billed Sandpiper Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A vagrant species which was always seen individually. Can be mistaken for a Dunlin but differs in characteristic double supercilium, unmarked belly and shorter legs. Bill is thicker, almost swollen at base, and more distinctly bent at tip. Overall impression much more contrasty than Dunlin. Winter plumage with dark centres of tertials, and finely striped crown. Juveniles with white V-shaped markings on back, similar to Little Stint. Wing bars and tail markings resembles Dunlin in flight. Moves relatively slow when feeding. Distinct contact call. A trilling "drrroiiit" with a peculiar timbre, ending with a rapid rise of pitch. Song often preceded by the contact call, which then fuses into a continuous vibrating trill. Diet Mostly eats insects, especially flies, beetles, caddisflies. Also eats small molluscs, crustaceans and worms. Longevity record >6 years , 10 months (Controlled by ringer in Sweden, 3386241) Begazzina ta' Munqarha Calidris falcinellus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Vagrant Usually seen in August Occasionally seen in January, March, May, June Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 17 37 - 39 40 - 59 Back to Glossary Curlew Sandpiper Curlew Sandpiper Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Summer plumage: Warm, rufous brown below like Knot, but much smaller. Bill curved and much longer, and appearance more long-legged. Winter and juvenile plumage grey above and pale below. Differs from Dunlin in slightly longer legs and bill, more pronounced supercilium, no black patches on belly (some rufous summer feathers may show when moulting) and more upright stance. Juveniles with buff-pinkish tone to breast, and scaly upperparts. Always distinct in all plumages when flying, due to bright white and crescent-shaped rump-patch. Diet Feeds on crustaceans (amphipods and shrimps), molluscs, marine worms and insects (mainly flies and beetles). Insects are the main part of the diet during the breeding season. Longevity record 19 years 8 months (A shot bird in Finland, PT-30356) Begazzina Ħamra Calidris ferruginea Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Scarce Usually seen in April - May Occasionally seen in July - October Click on the image to open slideshow Adult moulting to a summer plumage (11-05-19) Neck, breast and belly turning into purple brown as in the summer/breeding plumage. 1/15 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 19 - 22 38 - 41 43 - 67 Back to Glossary Temminck's Stint Temminck's Stint Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. A small wader with yellowish legs and short, almost straight, dark bill with pale base. Noticeably smaller than Dunlin, and with shorter and straighter bill. Similar in size to Little Stint, but legs light yellowish, tail longer with white edges and markings on back quite plain. Clear divide between markings of breast and white underparts. Juveniles with prominent scale-pattern on back. Upperparts of adults in winter plumage more evenly grey, lacking the star shaped spots of summer. Prefers fresh or brackish waters, even on migration. Diet They mostly eat insects and other small invertebrates. Longevity record 14 years 11 months (Read in the field in Finland, X-509990) Tertuxa Griża Calidris temminckii Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very scarce Usually seen in May - September Occasionally seen in April, October Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer Rufous brown edges on some feathers on the back indicate an adult in summer plumage. 1/11 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 15 34 - 37 20 - 31 Back to Glossary Sanderling Sanderling Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in very small groups. An energetic, stocky and robust wader. Black legs and bill. Black wing-bend (not always visible), and broad white wing-bars framed in black. Summer plumage with rufous head and back. Winter and juvenile plumaged birds gives a much whiter impression than all congeners, with light grey upperparts and pure white underside. Juveniles with star-shaped, black markings on back. Lacks hind toe. Diet Feeds on a wide variety of small creatures on beach, including sand crabs, amphipods, isopods, insects, marine worms, small molluscs; also may eat some carrion. Wintering birds on southern coasts may eat corn chips and other junk food left by people. Longevity record 18 years 7 months (UK, BB 52147) Pispisella Bajda Calidris alba Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very scarce Usually seen in May Occasionally seen in April, August - October Click on the image to open slideshow Adult in summer plumage moulting to winter (20-08-19) Note the few rufous feathers on the head and neck are moulting away and fresh grey feathers on the saddle and upperwings are emerging. Since this photo was taken in August it means that the bird is moulting to its winter plumage. Winter birds will have a pale grey crown and saddle. 1/14 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 18 - 21 35 - 39 50 - 60 Back to Glossary Dunlin Dunlin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in very small groups. Only small wader in the region with a dark or spotted belly. Bill quite long with slightly curved tip. Legs dark. Summer plumage with unmistakable large black patch on belly, and variable warm, rufous brown back. Juveniles and moulting adults usually shows at least some diagnostic dark spots on belly in contrast to white flanks. White V-shaped markings on back, but not as striking as in juvenile Little Stint. Only adults in winter plumage shows completely white underparts (and uniformly grey back). Diet The Dunlin eats insects and larvae, marine worms, small crustaceans, snails and small fish. Sometimes it is called the "sewing machine" because of the way it bobs its head up and down and pokes into the ground when it probes for food. Longevity record 28 years 10 months (Denmark, 807017) Begazzina tat-Tizz Calidris alpina Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, July - October Occasionally seen in June Click on the image to open slideshow Adult winter In winter plumage the saddle, crown and upperwings are grey. The breast will be full white and no black streaks are present on the head and chest. 1/13 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 21 32 - 36 35 - 62 Back to Glossary Purple Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A vagrant species which was always seen individually. Robust, compact and dark wader, with relatively long and slightly curved bill. Mostly seen at the coast where it prefers rocky surfaces as opposed to most other waders. In winter plumage the base of bill and legs are yellow, and the upperparts grey with dark markings. Breeds in high Arctic and mountains. Summer plumage darker than winter, with brown fringes/spots on back, and darker bill and legs. Similar wing and rump pattern to Dunlin, but appears overall darker. Tail extends beyond wing tips of resting birds. Flight patterns at wintering grounds straight and low. Contact call a hoarse and hard "weet". Sometimes in chattering series. Song quite varied with series of short, nasal, vibrating sounds, interspersed with drawn out, slower calls. Diet These birds forage on rocky coasts, picking up food by sight. They mainly eat arthropods and molluscs, mainly littorinids and mussels , also some plant material. One of the main staples are seaweed flies of the Coelopa genera. Longevity record 20 years 9 months (Controlled by ringer in Sweden, 4235212) Begazzina tan-Nord Calidris maritima Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in May - June, November - December Click on the image to open slideshow Winter plumage Winter plumage 1/1 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 20 - 22 42 - 46 52 - 80 Pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Little Stint Little Stint Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in very small groups. A small compact wader with dark legs and short, almost straight dark bill. Noticeably smaller than Dunlin, and with shorter, and straighter bill. Similar in size to Temminck's Stint, but legs dark, tail shorter (and grey) and markings on back less plain. Juveniles with prominent white V on back, and split white supercilium. Upperparts of adults rufous brown in summer, and light grey in winter. Diet Mainly insects but also crustaceans and molluscs. Longevity record 14 years 8 months (Found dead in the Czech Republic, RX 17327) Tertuxa Calidris minuta Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - November Occasionally seen in December Click on the image to open slideshow Juvenile Pale hind neck, white stripes on back, white chin and breast with no black streakes and pale broad edges on upperwing feathers typical in juveniles. Adult summer moulting to winter (23-08-20) Buff on chest with black streaks indicative in adults. Head and back not so much rufous meaning that it is moulting to a winter plumage. Juvenile Pale hind neck, white stripes on back, white chin and breast with no black streakes and pale broad edges on upperwing feathers typical in juveniles. 1/10 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 15.5 27 - 30 20 - 30 Back to Glossary Terek Sandpiper Terek Sandpiper Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Slightly larger than the common sandpiper in length, its long upcurved bill – somewhat reminiscent of an avocet 's, but not as strongly curved – makes it very distinctive. As the scientific specific name implies, this wader has a grey back, face and breast in all plumages ; a white supercilium may appear more or less distinct. The belly is whitish and the feet yellow; the bill has a yellowish base, with the rest being black Diet Terek Sandpipers feed busily, walking briskly pecking at the surface or probing in shallow water, on soft wet intertidal mudflats. They eat crustaceans and insects, adding seeds, molluscs and spiders in their breeding grounds. Longevity record 16 years (Finland, AT-73914) Bgazzina tax-Xifa Xenus cinereus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in May - June, August Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 22 - 25 57 - 59 60 - 78 Back to Glossary Common Sandpiper Common Sandpiper Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually and in small groups. A small, active and quick wader. Most easily identified in the field by it's behaviour and sound. Most distinct plumage feature is the white wedge in front of the wings at the sides of the breast. Body is elongated and legs fairly short and greenish. Constantly bobs body and head. In flight the dark rump and white wing-bars are obvious. Often flickers its wings when flying low above water, especially just before landing. In flight, common sandpipers have a stiff-winged style and typically stay close to the water or ground. Sex cannot be distinguished from the plumage but only from the body size. Birds with a wing shorter than 111 mm are males and those with a wing longer than 117 mm are females. Anything in between can either be a male or a female. In order to have a 95% probably right guess of a bird's sex, one has also to take into consideration the tarsus and toe together with the wing measurements. Diet Sandpipers are ground feeders that dine on crustaceans, insects, worms, and other coastal creatures. They retrieve them by meticulously pecking and probing with their short bills. Longevity record 14 years 6 months (Found dead in Sweden, 3189307) Begazzina tar-Rokka / Pispisella Actitis hypoleucos Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Common Usually seen in March - May, July - October Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow Juvenile Note pale feather tips and chest side buff without black streaks in juveniles. Juvenile Note the pale feather tips on the upperwings forming a yellowish stripe. Also side of chest buff is without black streaks in juveniles. 1/13 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 18 - 20.5 32 - 35 41 - 56 Back to Glossary Green Sandpiper Green Sandpiper Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually and in small groups but occasionally in larger flocks A dark, often secretive, wader. Quite similar to Wood Sandpiper, but differs in dark underwings, only small white spots on back, defined border between speckled chest and white belly, broad dark markings on tail and a supercilium that does not reach behind eye. Leaves an overall much darker impression than Wood Sandpiper. Particularly in flight. Diet Nymphs, bugs and larva of caddis-flies and true-flies. Longevity record 11 years 6 months (UK, CR 63312) Swejda Tringa ochropus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Scarce Usually seen in February - May, July - October Occasionally seen in January, June Click on the image to open slideshow 1/10 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 20 - 24 39 - 44 75 - 85 Back to Glossary Spotted Redshank Spotted Redshank Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Unmistakable in breeding plumage, with all dark/blackish body unique among Tringas. Most birds seen in Europe will probably be in winter- or juvenile plumage, and can then be mistaken for Redshanks. Spotted Redshanks are slimmer, longer legged and more elegant than Redshanks. The supercilium is much more prominent, the bill is slimmer and longer. Most diagnostic is the lack of white wing-bars, and the white cigar-shaped patch on the back. The barring in juveniles reaches from the belly and all the way back to the vent. Often feeds in deeper water than Redshanks, even by swimming and upending. Diet Insect larvae, shrimps, small fish and worms. Longevity record 8 years 7 months (Shot bird in Finland, B-70005) Ċuvett Tringa erythropus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Rare Usually seen in April - May, July - September Occasionally seen in March, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 29 - 33 59 - 66 125 - 160 Back to Glossary Common Greenshank Common Greenshank Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Large Tringa with upcurved bill. The mainly white and pale grey plumage (and head) gives it a pale appearance. Upper parts speckled in black in summer plumage. Upper side of wings rather dark, back lighter grey with conspicuous long white wedge. Tail white, with diffuse grey barring. Back of juveniles with v-shaped scales/fringes. Legs greenish to grey-green. Wing beats quite deep and sometimes with "slow motion" like quality. Diet Greenshanks eat insects, worms, molluscs, small fish and crustaceans, feeding both by day and night. They feed by picking from the surface, probing, sweeping and lunging at the edges of mudflats or shallows. They may walk along the shoreline and even chase small fish in the shallow water. Longevity record 24 years 5 months (Netherlands, 2040963) Ċewċewwa Tringa nebularia Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Scarce Usually seen in March , August - October Occasionally seen in April - June, November Click on the image to open slideshow Adult winter Grey/green legs and back pattern is more uniform in winter adults. 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 30 - 34 55 - 62 155 - 210 Back to Glossary Common Redshank Common Redshank Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Adults differ from most other waders by bright red legs. Large white rectangular patches on secondaries conspicuous in flight in all plumages. Spotted redshanks in winter- or juvenile plumage lacks white wing bars, are more elegant with a more slender bill, and shows a stronger dark eye-stripe and white supercilium. Juvenile Redshanks are unevenly, and sparsely spotted below from the legs to the vent, as opposed to the barring of juvenile Spotted Redshanks. Leg colour in juveniles often dull yellowish. Flanks evenly spotted. Winter plumage with brownish upperparts. Diet The Common Redshank feeds mainly on insects, spiders and worms. Outside the breeding season, the bird feeds on molluscs and crustaceans, but also on small fish and tadpoles. Its feeding behaviour depends on the season. Longevity record 26 years 11 months (Found dead in Denmark, 721125) Pluverott / Pluvirott Tringa totanus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very scarce Usually seen in June - August Occasionally seen in November - December Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer (11-05-19) Heavy black streaks on neck, breast and belly in adults. In juveniles these streaks will form parallel stripes. Adults also have an orange base on the bill. The back and upperwings are non-uniform (dirty) having black broad streaks on grey feathers. Adult summer (11-05-19) Heavy black streaks on neck, breast and belly in adults. In juveniles these streaks will form parallel stripes. Adults also have an orange base on the bill. The back and upperwings are non-uniform (dirty) having black broad streaks on grey feathers. 1/9 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 24 - 27 47 - 53 92 - 127 Back to Glossary Wood Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small flocks. An energetic, small tringa wader. Most similar to Green Sandpiper. Differs by light underwings, larger white spots on back, diffuse border between speckled chest and white belly, narrower dark markings on tail and a supercilium that reaches behind eye. Plumage leaves an overall much paler impression than Green Sandpiper, particularly in flight. Diet Wood Sandpipers feed mainly on aquatic insects and their larvae and molluscs in moist or dry mud. They high-step daintily through shallow water, probing in mud or picking at the surface. They also swim well and may feed by sweeping their bill from side to side under water. Longevity record 11 years 8 months (Shot in Sweden, 4035425) Pespus tal-Baħar Tringa glareola Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, July - October Occasionally seen in June, November - December Click on the image to open slideshow Adult Prominent white spots on back and heavily streaked crown, neck and breast in adults. Flanks are also barred in adults. 1/16 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 18.5 - 21 35 - 39 50 - 70 Back to Glossary Marsh Sandpiper Marsh Sandpiper Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. Small, but tall and elegant Tringa. Body the size of Wood Sandpiper, but stands as tall as Greenshank. Tibia especially long. The needle-like, straight bill adds to the elegance. Pale face, especially at base of bill. Back grey in adults, with star-shaped speckles in summer and narrow, pale fringes in winter. Immatures with broader fringes and overall darker upperparts. In flight the long legs trails far behind the tail, and the narrow white wedge on the back is conspicuous. Wings are dark with no bars, and shows as the darkest part of the bird also when on ground (especially in adults). Surprisingly quick and easy take-off. Posture generally erect and tall, particularly when nervous. Diet Marsh Sandpipers eat aquatic insects, larvae, molluscs and crustaceans. They feed by wading briskly in shallow water, pecking from the surface or sometimes sweeping the bill from side to side. They may wade deeper and feel for prey. Longevity record 7 years 1 months (A shot bird in France, GA 84137) Ċewċewwa Żgħira Tringa stagnatilis Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in June - September Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer (19-03-20) The black streaks on the upperwings are moulted during the summer plumage of adult birds. Summer birds will also have dark streaks on the crown, chin, neck and flanks. 1/10 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 22 - 25 55 - 59 43 - 120 Back to Glossary Woodcock Eurasian Woodcock Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in groups of two or even three birds. Large and stocky wader, which is flushed from undergrowth in very close proximity. More often seen in display flight than on ground. Crown crossed with diagnostic broad bars, unlike any snipe. Base of tail warm, rufous brown. Wings rounded and broad. Flies with bill pointed downwards in an angle. Usually lands quickly after being flushed with characteristic abrupt and sudden drop into undergrowth Diet Eurasian woodcock forage in soft soil in thickets, usually well hidden from sight. They mainly eat earthworms, but also insects and their larvae, freshwater molluscs and some plant seeds. Longevity record 15 years 8 months (A shot bird in the UK, R 4516) Gallina Scolopax rusticola Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in September, January - April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 33 - 38 55 - 65 225 - 370 Back to Glossary Great Snipe Great Snipe Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in groups of two. Underparts almost completely barred. Prominent white edges to primary and secondary coverts. Shorter bill than Common Snipe, with stockier body, but slightly longer wings and legs. Less obvious trailing white edge to secondaries in flight. Corners of tail white (obvious when landing). Usually flies only a short distance and in a straight line after being flushed. Bill held in straighter angle than Snipe in flight. Diet A specially adapted bill enables this bird to efficiently grasp and consume small creatures, such as worms, insects, crustaceans, molluscs, and small amphibians without stopping to remove its bill from the mud. It also eats berries, seeds, and plant fibers. Longevity record 5 years 11 months (Sweden, 5127024) Bekkaċċ ta' Mejju / Bukkaċċ Kbir Gallinago media Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Rare Usually seen in May Occasionally seen in April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 26 - 30 43 - 50 140 - 260 Back to Glossary Common Snipe Common Snipe Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. By far the most common snipe in most areas. Bill longer than congeners. Belly white, in contrast to barred flanks. Upperparts of wings with white trailing edge, underparts with white wingbars. Longitudinal crown stripe. Diagnostic escape flight when flushed, with zig-zag change of direction, characteristic call and long period of circling the area before landing (or leaving altogether). Diet A specially adapted bill enables this bird to efficiently grasp and consume small creatures, such as worms, insects, crustaceans, molluscs, and small amphibians without stopping to remove its bill from the mud. It also eats berries, seeds, and plant fibers. Longevity record 16 years 3 months (A shot bird in Sweden, 4104395) Bekkaċċ / Bukkaċċ tan-Nofs Gallinago gallinago Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May, September - December Occasionally seen in January - March Click on the image to open slideshow 28-04-2017 1/11 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 23 - 28 39 - 45 78 - 105 Back to Glossary Jack Snipe Jack Snipe Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Notably smaller, darker and with shorter bill than Common Snipe. Two prominent yellowish back-stripes. Dark wedge-shaped tail, and slightly rounded wings. Lacks median crown-stripe. Flanks spotted, not barred. Usually flushed only at close range. Takes off silently, then quickly lands nearby. Whole body bounces rhythmically when feeding. Diet They mainly eat insects and earthworms, also plant material. Longevity record 12 years 4 months (A shot bird in Germany, 7170838) Ċinkonja / Bukkaċċ miż-Żagħar Lymnocryptes minimus Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Scarce Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January - April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 18 - 20 33 - 36 50 - 85 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Shrikes & Larks Red backed Shrike Red-backed Shrike Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Male with brown back, pinkish white underparts and a bluish grey head with a black eye mask. Female more dull with barred underparts. Juvenile like female, but upperparts also barred. Tail brown with white edges in all plumages. Females and juveniles easily confused with the Brown Shrike & Woodchat Shrike. Differs from those in white sides of tail, barred rump, mantle and scapulars, scaly underparts and dark or yellowish base of bill (not pink). Diet The Red-backed Shrike forages in habitats where large insects, small reptiles and rodents are abundant. Its diet includes mainly insects, and various other invertebrates. Small mammals (voles), birds and reptiles are taken too. Longevity record 10 years 1 month (Found dead in Hungary, 156914) Kaċċamendula Ħamra Lanius collurio Passeriformes Laniidae Very scarce Usually seen in August - October Occasionally seen in April - May, July, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 18 24 - 27 25 - 35 Back to Glossary Lesser Grey Shrike Lesser Grey Shrike Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. In all plumages told from Great Grey Shrike by very long primary projection, stout bill, large rectangular wing patch and extended white at base of tail. Tertials without white edge. Adult birds with black forehead (more extended in male and often speckled grey in female), and a pink wash to underparts (especially male). Immatures lack the black forehead and wing coverts have pale fringes. Diet The Lesser Grey Shrike hunts from a strategic post, wire or branch and primarily feeds on insects which it catches in the air or on the ground. The diet includes beetles, moths and butterflies, large flies, grasshoppers, crickets and millipedes. Some fruits such as cherries and figs are eaten to a limited extent. Longevity record 6 years (Slovakia, Z 740717) Kaċċamendula Griża Lanius minor Passeriformes Laniidae Rare Usually seen in August - September Occasionally seen in February - June, October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 18 - 20 32 - 34 41 - 50 Back to Glossary Great Grey Shrike Great Grey Shrike Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Light grey upperparts, black wings and tail with white patches, white underparts and throat. Broad, black eyestripe not reaching above highest point of bill. Bill long and medium heavy (not as heavy as in Lesser Grey Shrike). White patch at base of primaries varies according to subspecies. Black part of tail most narrow at base. Juveniles less pure in colour, with faintly barred underparts and buff fringes to greater coverts. Diet Eats mostly insects when available, especially beetles, grasshoppers, flies, and caterpillars, also spiders, snails, earthworms, and other invertebrates. Food is often stored in a 'larder' by impaling it on a thorn! Especially in fall and winter, eats a wide variety of berries, fruits, and seeds. Longevity record 8 years 2 months (Finland, A-409668) Kaċċamendula Griża Kbira Lanius excubitor Passeriformes Laniidae Rare Usually seen in August - September Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 24 - 25 30 - 35 48 - 81 Back to Glossary Woodchat Shrike Woodchat Shrike Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple individuals can be seen simultaneously. Adults easily recognized by rufous cap, black back, white scapular patches and white rump. Appears more compact and bigger headed than Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrike. White spot at base of bill larger in female than in male. Immatures told from Red-backed Shrike by whitish scapulars, greyer upperparts, diffuse patch at base of primaries, pale rump and dark brown tail. Subspecies L. s. badius lacks primary patch. More skulking than many shrikes. Likes high viewpoints. The most common type in Malta is the senator nominate, however the badius nominate occurs as well. Diet Eats mostly insects when available, especially beetles, grasshoppers, flies, and caterpillars, also spiders, snails, earthworms, and other invertebrates. Longevity record 5 years 8 months (Found dead by a train hit in Germany, 7367101) Kaċċamendula Lanius senator Passeriformes Laniidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - October Occasionally seen in February, June Click on the image to open slideshow 1/30 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 18 26 - 28 30 - 40 Back to Glossary Calandra Lark Calandra Lark Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Large, fairly characteristic lark. Wings blackish underneath with conspicuous white trailing edge, obvious in flight. Outer tail-feathers white. Perched birds easiest identified by large black breast patch (though variable in size and shape), and very deep bill. Broad, buff supercilium and eye-ring. Leaves a robust and compact impression, with its broad wings, short tail and heavy bill. Stance usually upright when perched. Flight undulating, but less hesitant than Skylark. Diet Its diet is seasonal, feeding mostly on insects in the summers and seeds and grass shoots in the winter. Longevity record 5 - 10 years Kalandra Melanocorypha calandra Passeriformes Alaudidae Rare Usually seen in March - April, September - December Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 18 - 19 34 - 42 44 - 73 Pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Short toed Lark (Bilbla) Greater Short-toed Lark Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs. It is an annual local breeder. Small, compact lark with finch-like bill. 30% smaller than Skylark. Primaries almost completely covered by tertiaries, as opposed to Lesser Short-toed Lark. Upperparts typical lark-like, while underparts are almost unstreaked. Most individuals shows small, black shoulder patch. Bill deep, but pointed. Base colour variable, but western birds usually warmer brown than eastern. Lacks crest. Crown is rather flat (often rufous) and head squarish. Tail black with buff centre and pure white outer feathers. Flight moderately undulating. Diet Its diet is seasonal, feeding mostly on insects in the summers and seeds and grass shoots in the winter. Longevity record 5 - 10 years Bilbla Calandrella brachydactyla Passeriformes Alaudidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - September Occasionally seen in October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/14 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14 25 - 30 20 - 26 Back to Glossary Mediterrenean Short-toed Lark (Bilbla Sekonda) Mediterranean Short-toed Lark Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small lark with short, blunt bill and markedly streaked breast. The long primary projection is not covered by the tertials, as in (Greater) Short-toed Lark. Upperparts browner, and the dark shoulder patch og GSL is missing. Supercilium reaches all the way to bill-base. Wing-markings diffuse. Flight and behaviour similar to GSL. Sometimes performs song flight in characteristic "slow motion". Diet Its diet is seasonal, feeding mostly on insects in the summers and seeds and grass shoots in the winter. Longevity record 5 - 10 years Bilbla Sekonda Alaudala rufescens Passeriformes Alaudidae Very rare Usually seen in March - September Occasionally seen in October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/2 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14 24 - 32 20 - 30 Pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Woodlark Woodlark Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Can gather together with Skylarks. Bill finer than Skylark. Strong white supercilium reaching the neck. Distinctly streaked nape. Wings rounded, and with white edged primary coverts, but no white trailing edge as opposed to Skylark. Tail short and square with white trailing edge. Differs from skylark in posture and behaviour, and appears more erect when perched. Undecisive, bat-like flight. Diet As with many of the birds in the lark family, the Woodlark is primarily vegetarian as an adult but during the breeding season will also eat medium-sized insects. The diet is mainly composed of seeds and such insects as beetles, flies and moths. Longevity record 5 years 0 months (UK, VC 1823-) Ċuqlajta Lullula arborea Passeriformes Alaudidae Scarce Usually seen in October -November Occasionally seen in March - April, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 15 27 - 30 25 - 35 Back to Glossary Skylark Eurasian Skylark Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups or in larger flocks. Short foldable crest. Pale eye-ring and supercilium. Long primary projection (primaries extend well beyond tertials), white trailing edge to wing and white outer tail feathers. Tail much longer than in Wood Lark. Skylarks nest on the ground, in vegetation which is 20–50 cm high. This vegetation must be open enough to give the birds easy access to the ground. Diet Adults feed on leaves and seeds of crops and weeds. Their strong association with weedy stubbles in winter shows the importance of seeds and weed leaves. Longevity record 10 years 0 months (Found dead in the Check Republic, M 107989) Alwetta Alauda arvensis Passeriformes Alaudidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in September, December - May Click on the image to open slideshow 1/12 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 18 - 19 30 - 36 26 - 50 Back to Glossary Crested Lark Crested Lark Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Only recorded in 1974. Gives a bulkier impression than Skylark, with longer bill, heavier head and body, and broader tail. In flight broad wings and short tail prominent. Lacks white edges on wings. Orange buff underwings. Crest on rear crown spiky and uneven. Outer tail feathers rufous, not white. Occasional song-flight. Slower wing-beats than skylark. Very similar to Thekla Lark, and identification can be very difficult in areas where both species occur. The much used streaked-breast character is not always relevant because of regional variations. Then habitat, behaviour and voice becomes important to identification, and a combination of structural and plumage character should be used. Bill appears curved (because of straight lower mandible), crest spikier than Thekla, belly deeper, back less heavily streaked , tail coverts less rusty-brown, upper breast usually with less defined streaking. Eye-stripe buffish, rather than white behind eye. Less prone to perch on top of scrubs or bushes than Thekla, and prefers lower altitude . Diet Largely vegetarian birds, the crested lark primarily feeds on grains and seeds, such as oats, wheat and barley, but will also eat insects, particularly beetles, with food either being scavenged from the ground or dug up. Longevity record 11 years 7 months (Found dead in Germany, H 685798) Ċuqlajta tat-Toppu Galerida cristata Passeriformes Alaudidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in October/November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/4 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 18 29 - 38 37 - 55 Pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary

Gulls & Skuas Kittiwake Black-legged Kittiwake Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Takes two/three years to reach maturity. A small and agile gull with all black wing-tips, black legs (adults) and yellow bill. Area close to wing-tips much paler than rest of wings, and often visible at surprisingly long range (more so than the black tips). Adult winter with grey neck and black half-collar. Juveniles with black zig-zag pattern to wings, resembling pattern seen in Little Gull, Ross's Gull and Sabine's Gull. Differs from those in; no dark bar on secondaries, underparts of wing white, back grey, black on primaries reaches wing-tip. Flight action different from larger gulls; fast, stiff wing-beats and elegant manoeuvring even in strong winds. Diet The black-legged kittiwake eats marine invertebrates, plankton, and fish. It feeds in flocks and catches food at the surface of the water. It also dives just below the surface of the water to catch its prey, in fact, it is the only gull that dives and swims underwater! Longevity record 28 years (Found dead in the UK, EC 26662) Gawwija tal-Ingilterra Rissa tridactyla Charadriiformes Laridae Rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in January - February Occasionally seen in March, October - December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/28 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 38 - 40 93 - 120 305 - 525 Slender-billed Gull Slender-billed Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but occasionally in small groups. Takes two/three years to reach maturity. This scarce gull breeds in colonies, nesting on the ground and laying up to three eggs. Like most gulls, it is gregarious in winter, both when feeding or in evening roosts. It is not a pelagic species, and is rarely seen at sea far from coasts. The head and dark red bill have an elongated tapering appearance, and this bird also appears long-necked. The legs are dark red, and the iris is yellow. In summer, the breast has a pink coloration. This bird takes two years to reach maturity. First year birds have a black terminal tail band, and dark areas in the wings. Diet Mainly feeds on fish. Occasionally feeds on marine invertebrates and catches insects in flight. Longevity record 16 years (Russia, E 271491) Gawwija Munqhara Irqiq Chroicocephalus genei Charadriiformes Laridae Scarce Usually seen in March, October Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer The dark bill indicates an adult in summer plumage. 1st winter Light orange bill and legs characteristics of 1st winter gull. Ad. 3rd winter Note a more pink tinge on breast, belly, tail and primaries and a small ear spot in the ear coverts. Bill and legs are redder. This is considered as a complete winter moult. In summer the beak and legs will be darker. Adult summer The dark bill indicates an adult in summer plumage. 1/14 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 44 100 - 112 223 - 375 Back to Glossary Bonaparte's Gull Bonaparte's Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A small gull that is a North American resident and breeder. A vagrant to see in Europe. The Bonaparte's gull takes two years to reach maturity. It is slightly larger than the Little Gull and resembles also a similar flight although it has a jizz more likely of a Black-headed gull but with narrower wings. At all ages, it has whitish translucent primaries with a black trailing edge, a slender body, pale pinkish legs a nd a shortly slender dark bill. Diet Mainly feeds on fish. Occasionally feeds on marine invertebrates and catches insects in flight. Longevity record 18 years Gawwija ta' Bonaparti Chroicocephalus philadelphia Charadriiformes Laridae Vagrant Usu ally seen in --- Occasionally seen in November, January Click on the image to open slideshow 1st year gull Whitish head with broad dark ear spot. Pale pinkish legs. Dark markings on back indicate a 1st year bird. 1st year gull Whitish head with broad dark ear spot. Pale pinkish legs. White outer primaries with black trailing edge. Dark markings on back indicate a 1st year bird. 1st year gull Whitish head with broad dark ear spot. Pale pinkish legs. White outer primaries with black trailing edge. Dark markings on back indicate a 1st year bird. 1st year gull Whitish head with broad dark ear spot. Pale pinkish legs. Dark markings on back indicate a 1st year bird. 1/19 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 30 75 -90 170 - 235 Back to Glossary Black-headed Gull Black-headed Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in flocks, small groups or individually. Takes two years to reach maturity. Chocolate-brown hood in adult plumage (seemingly black at a distance), but head only with dark markings in winter and juvenile plumages. Underparts of inner primaries dark grey. First few primaries white with black tip, both on upper side of wing and under. Last character conspicuous in all plumages, but slightly less obvious in juveniles due to larger dark area of wing-tip. . Diet This gull is omnivorous. It eats mostly animal material, including wide variety of insects, also earthworms, marine worms, molluscs, crustaceans, small fish, carrion. During summer may eat many seeds and small fruits. Longevity record 32 years (Ring read in the field in the Netherlands, 3275396) Gawwija Rasha Kannella Chroicocephalus ridibundus Charadriiformes Laridae Common Usually seen in November - February Occasionally seen in March - April, September - October Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. winter transitioning to Summer plumage Clean grey upperwings, black head. The white eye rings are still not complete and the bill and legs are yet to get darker for a Summer plumage. Ad. winter transitioning to Summer plumage Clean grey upperwings, black head. The white eye rings are still not complete and the bill and legs are yet to get darker for a Summer plumage. Ad. winter moulting to summer Ad. winter transitioning to Summer plumage Clean grey upperwings, black head. The white eye rings are still not complete and the bill and legs are yet to get darker for a Summer plumage. 1/42 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 34 - 39 100 - 110 161 - 400 Back to Glossary Little Gull Little Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but may be seen in very small groups. Takes three years to reach maturity. Very small gull with rounded wings and almost tern-like appearance. Underwing black, with broad white trailing edge. Lacks Black-headed Gull's conspicuous white outer primaries. Adult summer plumage with black (not chocolate) hood, that reaches far down on hind-neck. Winter plumage without hood, but with dark cheek-patch and dark cap. Juveniles differs from juvenile Kittiwake in slender body, dark cap, dark patch at trailing base of underwing, faint dark wing-bar and shorter wings. Can, with experience, be identified by fluttering, butterfly-like flight at long distance. Diet Mostly insects. During summer and migration feeds mostly on insects. Also eats brine shrimp and other crustaceans, small molluscs, spiders, marine worms, and some small fish. Longevity record 20 years (Ring read in the field in Finland, AT-35319) Gawwija Żgħira Hydrocoloeus minutus Charadriiformes Laridae Very scarce Usually seen in December - February Occasionally seen in March - April, September - November Click on the image to open slideshow 2nd. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. Ad. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. 1st winter Greyish back indicative of a juvenile in its first winter. Wings still show dark feathers on the outer wings and at the end of the tail which shall turn into grey and white in a 2nd winter bird. 2nd. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. 1/27 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 25 - 27 75 - 80 66 - 133 Back to Glossary Franklin's Gull Franklin's Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* There is only one record of an adult gull transitioning to its summer plumage which was seen at Għadira Nature Reserve and later on at Salini Nature Reserve on the 9th May 2024. Click link for Facebook post by Mario V. Gauci. A true long-distance migrant, Franklin's breeds at freshwater marshes on the prairies of North America and winters along the Pacific coast of South America from Peru to southern Chile. It was previously much more abundant, with a decline of up to 90% noted between 1950 and 2000. Its world population now stands at around 350,000 pairs. This epic annual migration cycle seems to make it more susceptible to spectacular vagrancy, and it has been recorded in locations as diverse as Australasia, inland Africa and central and eastern Asia. Franklin's is superficially similar to Laughing Gull at all ages, particularly at rest. However, it is a smaller bird, falling between Bonaparte's and Black-headed Gulls in size, and its upperparts average slightly paler (Kodak Scale 6-9). Unusually, it also undertakes two complete moults each year – once after breeding and another on reaching its wintering grounds. At all ages, structure can be a good clue as to the identification: it tends to look 'cuter' than Laughing, with a smaller, rounder head, daintier bill and bigger eye. The white eyelids are even more pronounced than in its larger cousin. Adults are largely similar in appearance to adult Laughing, with the greatest differences seen in flight – Franklin's has a broader-looking wing-tip that is accentuated by a striking primary pattern. The primaries are essentially white tipped, albeit with a variable amount of black subterminal markings from p6-10. This is easily discernible both at rest and in flight, with the wing-tip looking distinctly whitish. As in Laughing, breeding-plumaged Franklin's show a glossy black hood, although the bill tends to be noticeably redder and so contrasts more. It may also retain the hood well into autumn. Winter birds show an extensive 'half-hood'. Second-winter Franklin's shows much more black in the wing-tip and thus can be trickier to separate from Laughing. Diet Mostly insects. During summer and migration feeds mostly on insects. Also eats brine shrimp and other crustaceans, small molluscs, spiders, marine worms, and some small fish. Longevity record --- Gawwija tal-Kanada Leucophaeus pipixcan Charadriiformes Laridae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in --- Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 32 - 38 85 - 92 230 - 300 Back to Glossary Mediterrenean Gull Mediterrenean Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in flocks but can be seen individually or in small groups. Takes three years to reach maturity. Small, but bulky gull. Black hood with white crescents above and below eye, blood-red bill and legs in breeding plumage. The rest of the body seems all white at a distance. Wingtips pure white in adult birds. Chest deeper than in Black-headed gull, and wings fairly broad and rounded. In winter the black hood is largely lost, but dark streaking around, and at the back of the eye remains. Second year birds are similar to adult winter, but varying degrees of black markings remains on wing-tips. Diet An opportunistic omnivore, eating fish, worms, scraps, insects, offal and carrion. Longevity record 22 years (Ring read in the field in Greece, E 000958) Gawwija Rasha Sewda Larus melanocephalus Charadriiformes Laridae Common Usually seen in September - March Occasionally seen in April, August Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer Note white body and very pale grey back with no dark tips on the primaries indicating an adult gull. Velvety black hood with distintive white crescents above and below the eye and coral red bill and legs. The second gull is at a more advanced stage - head nearly completely black and legs are coral red. The first gull although adult still lacks a black head and feet are darker. Ad. summer Note white body and very pale grey back with no dark tips on the primaries indicating an adult gull. Velvety black hood with distintive white crescents above and below the eye and coral red bill and legs. The second gull is at a more advanced stage - head nearly completely black and legs are coral red. The first gull although adult still lacks a black head and feet are darker. Ad. summer Note white body and very pale grey back with no dark tips on the primaries indicating an adult gull. Velvety black hood with distintive white crescents above and below the eye and coral red bill and legs. The second gull is at a more advanced stage - head nearly completely black and legs are coral red. The first gull although adult still lacks a black head and feet are darker. Ad. summer Note white body and very pale grey back with no dark tips on the primaries indicating an adult gull. Velvety black hood with distintive white crescents above and below the eye and coral red bill and legs. The second gull is at a more advanced stage - head nearly completely black and legs are coral red. The first gull although adult still lacks a black head and feet are darker. 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 36 - 40 92 - 100 217 - 348 Back to Glossary Audouin's Gull Audouin's Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but sometimes seen in very small groups. Takes four years to reach maturity. A large gull found only in the Mediterranean and the western coast of Saharan Africa. It was considered one of the rarest gulls in the 1960's being said that the population was a mere 1,000 pairs. Today it had increased to an established 10,000 pairs. Slightly smaller and more elegant than the Yellow-legged Gull with a slender bill, more elongated, sloping forehead, and longer, narrower wings. It can be distinguished from the Yellow-legged gull by its blood-red bill with black and yellow tip (sometimes hard to appreciate), very dark iris, dark grey or greenish legs (often visible in flight), much paler grey upper-wing with only a tiny white patch at the wing-tip and small white tips to the wing feathers (appears like a ‘string of pearls'). Juveniles have a paler face, a smooth unstreaked chest, unstreaked greyish neck feathers, a 'U' shaped rump patch on the tail and a strongly patterned underwing. Diet Mostly fish and cephalopods (squids, octopii, etc.), but small mammals, arthropods, birds and plant material are also taken. Longevity record 25 years (Spain, 6005620) Gawwija tal-Gżejjer Larus audouinii Charadriiformes Laridae Scarce Usually seen in August Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow Adults (Jan 21) Note coral red bills, white head and body, pale grey upperparts and white patches on black primaries indicative of a full adult moult. Third summer gulls are similar but lack the white patches on the primaries. Adults (Jan 21) Note coral red bills, white head and body, pale grey upperparts and white patches on black primaries indicative of a full adult moult. Third summer gulls are similar but lack the white patches on the primaries. Adult Note coral red bill, white head and body, pale grey upperparts and white patches on black primaries indicative of a full adult moult. Third summer gulls are similar but lack the white patches on the primaries. Adults (Jan 21) Note coral red bills, white head and body, pale grey upperparts and white patches on black primaries indicative of a full adult moult. Third summer gulls are similar but lack the white patches on the primaries. 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 48 - 52 115 - 140 460 - 625 Back to Glossary Pallas Gull Pallas's Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A vagrant bird that is seen individually. A very large gull, listed as the third largest species of gull in the world, after the Great black-backed gull and the Glaucous gull . It measures 55–72 cm in length with a 142 to 170 cm wingspan. Summer adults are unmistakable since no other gull of this size has a black hood. The adults have grey wings and back, with conspicuous white "mirrors" at the wing tips. The legs are yellow and the bill is orangey-yellow with a red tip. Diet These birds are predatory, taking fish, crustaceans, insects and even small mammals. Longevity record 29 years 2 months (Found dead in FInland, DT-13489) Gawwija Imperjali Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus Charadriiformes Laridae Vagrant Usually seen in ---- Occasionally seen in January, March, October, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/16 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 57 - 61 149 - 170 900 - 2000 Back to Glossary Mew Gull Common Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Takes three years to reach maturity. A gull in smaller size, having a lighter bill and light flight. Head profile rounded, and the small bill lacks the red spot of the larger gulls. Told apart from Kittiwake by greenish legs and large white spot on wing tips. Diet Mostly fish, worms, insects, fish, carrion and rubbish. Longevity record 33 years, 8 months (Ring read in the field in Denmark, 5003247) Gawwija Sekonda Larus canus Charadriiformes Laridae Rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in December - January Occasionally seen in February, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1st winter Head and body white with brown markings. Also scaly tail. Pale bill with black tip. Heavy brown upperwing and grey saddle. 1st winter Head and body white with brown markings. Also scaly tail. Pale bill with black tip. Heavy brown upperwing and grey saddle. 1st winter Head and body white with brown markings. Also scaly tail. Pale bill with black tip. Heavy brown upperwing and grey saddle. 1st winter Head and body white with brown markings. Also scaly tail. Pale bill with black tip. Heavy brown upperwing and grey saddle. 1/29 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 45 100 - 130 290 - 548 Lesser Black-backed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Takes four years to reach maturity. Yellow legs, black to dark grey back (regional variations) and black primaries with only small white spots. Winter plumage with streaked head and neck. Underside of flight feathers smoky grey. Juveniles very variable, but with completely dark inner primaries and broad terminal band to tail. There are basically four sub species in the European region, being --> L.f. graellsi which has a slate grey back --> L.f. intermedius which has a much darker back than 'graellsi' --> L.f. fuscus aka 'BALTIC GULL' which has a black back --> L.f. heuglini aka 'HEUGLIN'S GULL' which is similar to 'graellsi' but larger in proportion Klaus Malling Olsen, author of ''Gulls of the World: A Photographic Guide'', describes the L.f. fuscus i.e. the 'Baltic Gull' and the L.f. heuglini i.e. the 'Heuglin's Gull' separately from the 'graellsi' and ' intermediate' ssp. Diet Feed on fish, but can also feed on invertebrates such as crustaceans, molluscs and terrestrial prey. Longevity record 34 years, 10 months (A shot bird in the UK, GM 21509) Gawwija Daharha Iswed Larus fuscus Charadriiformes Laridae Fairly common Usually seen in September - March Occasionally seen in April, July - August Click on the image to open slideshow Lesser Black-backed Gull (L.f.graellsii) Lesser Black-backed Gull (L.f.graellsii) Adult summer. Clean white head and yellow bill with red gonys spot. Lesser Black-backed Gull (L.f.graellsii) 1/24 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 49 - 57 118 - 150 452 - 1100 Back to Glossary Herring gull European Herring Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Large gull with deep chest, light grey back and heavy yellow bill with red spot (adult). Pinkish legs and black tipped primaries with white windows. Winter plumage with streaked head and neck. Develops grey mantle in 2.nd winter. Young birds may be difficult to distinguish from juvenile Greater- or Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and the species shows notable variation in both plumage and size. Juveniles generally shows darker head and less contrasting markings than Greater Black-back, and pale inner primaries (window), as opposed to the all black hand of young Lesser Black-backs. Diet Herring Gulls feeds primarily on fish and crustaceans, and destroys the clutches of terns, petrels and ducks. It also frequents rubbish dumps. It also consumes invertebrates, small mammals, molluscs, lizards and large insects. Longevity record 34 years 9 months (Accidentally trapped in fishnet in Norway, 5020154) Gawwija Prima Saqajha Roża Larus argentatus Charadriiformes Laridae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in November -Jan uary Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer Note the pinkish legs. Yellow-legged Gulls are very similar but have yellow legs. Ad. summer Note the pinkish legs. Yellow-legged Gulls are very similar but have yellow legs. Ad. summer Note the pinkish legs. Yellow-legged Gulls are very similar but have yellow legs. 1/2 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 55 - 67 125 - 155 717 - 1495 Back to Glossary Yellow-legged Gull Yellow-legged Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in groups and in flocks. Takes four years to reach maturity. Silvery upperparts, bright yellow legs and more black and less white in wing-tips. Orbital ring red, not orange. Big, red gonys spot, often extending to upper mandible. Marked gonys angle. Primary feather P5 (counted from innermost feather in gulls) usually with broad, black band. In winter plumage head is less streaked and often completely white. Immatures first winter: Pale belly and head. Dark underwings with blotchy markings. Only vague pale window of inner primaries, and well defined, wedge-shaped tail-band. Dark base of bill. Diet Yellow-legged Gull feeds primarily on fish and crustaceans, and destroys the clutches of terns, petrels and ducks. It also frequents rubbish dumps. It also consumes invertebrates, small mammals, molluscs, lizards and large insects. Longevity record 20 years (Ring read in the field in Portugal, 16678) Gawwija Prima Larus michahellis Charadriiformes Laridae Common Usually seen in November - February Occasionally seen in all other months for residents Click on the image to open slideshow Juvenile/1st winter Contrasting white and brown plumage. Dark eye mask on whitish head. Bill is black and have a pronounced gonydeal angle. 1st winter moulting to 1st summer A strongly worn plumage. Bill is getting lighter. 2nd summer The combination of brown and grey patterned coverts and the extensive black mark on the bill indicates a 2nd year gull. Some brown feathers near the eye and a bright white head, breast and belly indicating the gull is moulting to a summer plumage. Juvenile/1st winter Contrasting white and brown plumage. Dark eye mask on whitish head. Bill is black and have a pronounced gonydeal angle. 1/14 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 52 - 58 120 - 140 550 - 1600 Back to Glossary Caspian Gull Caspian Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Takes four years to reach maturity. The Caspian Gull has a long, slender bill with lacking pronounced gonys angle, accentuated by the sloping forehead. One has to note that most individuals with a narrower bill will probably be females. Males may have a somehow stronger bill but still slightly drooping and a less pronounce gonys- angle than in Yellow-legged Gulls. The legs, wings, and neck are longer than those of the Yellow-legged Gull . The eye is small and often dark (in circa 75% of adult individual). However 1st and 2nd year gulls have a black iris, possibly brownish in 3rd years (in 25% probability) and a mid-yellow iris in adults (25% probability), and the legs vary from pale pink to a pale yellowish colour. The back and wings are a slightly paler than the Yellow-legged Gull. The outermost primary feather has a large white tip and a white tongue running up the inner web. First-winter birds have a pale head with dark streaking on the back of the neck. The underparts are pale and the back is greyish. The greater and median wing coverts have whitish tips forming two pale lines across the wing. Diet They are scavengers and predators with a very varied diet. During the breeding season, they often eat rodents such as ground squirrels , flying some distance into the steppes to find them. Longevity record - Gawwija tal-Kaspju Larus cachinnans Charadriiformes Laridae Very scarce Usually seen in November - February Occasionally seen in September, March - April Click on the image to open slideshow 1st winter (26-12-20) Small clean rectangular shaped white head with a very narrow darker eye mask. Black eye and pale grey saddle. Bill is narrower and gonydeal is less protruding. Slender look. The greater coverts have dark bases with a greyish tip that form a light wing-bar pattern. Mottled pattern in the greater coverts. 1st winter Small clean rectangular shaped white head with a very narrow darker eye mask. Black eye and pale grey saddle. Bill is narrower and gonydeal is less protruding. Slender look. The greater coverts have dark bases with a greyish tip that form a light wing-bar pattern. Mottled pattern in the greater coverts. 1st winter Small clean rectangular shaped white head and breast with a very narrow darker eye mask. Black eye and pale grey saddle. Bill is narrower and gonydeal is less protruding. Slender look. Worn coverts with watered and out-washed pattern. 1st winter (26-12-20) Small clean rectangular shaped white head with a very narrow darker eye mask. Black eye and pale grey saddle. Bill is narrower and gonydeal is less protruding. Slender look. The greater coverts have dark bases with a greyish tip that form a light wing-bar pattern. Mottled pattern in the greater coverts. 1/5 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 56 - 58 137 - 145 680 - 1590 Back to Glossary Long-tailed Jaeger Long-tailed Jaeger Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually and off the coast in open waters. Formerly known as the 'Long-tailed Skua'. Breeding plumaged adults with streamers unmistakable (streamers comprising two thirds of total tail length). Adult plumage shows less variation than in other skuas. No hint of breast band, and transition between pale belly and darker vent very diffuse. No white patches at base of primaries of underwing in adults. Juveniles easily confused with juvenile Arctic Skua, but are more slender. Wings narrower and primaries and tail longer. Juvenile Arctic Skua shows white patches at base of primaries on both sides of wings, juvenile Long-tailed only on underwing, and on first few primaries of upper. Barred rump and tail coverts in juveniles. Flight elegant and buoyant. Diet Small mammals and when at sea, small fish, offal and carrion. Longevity record 17 years 11 months (Sweden,6164551) Skua Denbha Twil Stercorarius longicaudus Charadriiformes Stercorariidae Very rare Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in September - January, March Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 51 - 62 94 - 104 230 - 350 Back to Glossary Parasitic Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually and off the coast in open waters. Formerly known as the 'Arctic Skua'. Dark, pale and intermediate morphs. Elongated middle tail feathers (projection comprising about half the total tail length), but not as long as in adult Long-tailed skua. White patches at base of primaries, both on upper and underside of wings. Dark morph chocolate brown with darker hood. Pale morph with white throat and belly and incomplete breast band. Relatively marked transition from pale belly to dark vent (as opposed to Long-tailed). Size close to Common Gull. Flight powerful, elegant and falcon-like. Juveniles with short but pointed middle tail-feathers. Confusion with other juvenile skuas very likely. Differs from Long-tailed in prominent white base of most primaries on upper side of wing (not just the first few feathers). Lacks the double white patch of Pomarine Skua's underwing, and shows less contrast between back and rump. Wings broader than Long-tailed but narrower than Pomarine. Approximately equal to distance from wing rear edge to tail-tip (projections excluded). Diet This bird will feed on rodents, insects, eggs, chicks and small birds in the breeding season, but the majority of its diet (especially in winter and on migration) is made up of food that it acquires by robbing other birds (primarily gulls and terns) of their catches in an act called kleptoparasitism . Longevity record 31 years 1 months (Found dead in Finland, ST-24110) Skua tal-Artiku Stercorarius parasiticus Charadriiformes Stercorariidae Very scarce Usually seen in September, November - February Occasionally seen in April, July, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 41 - 54 110 - 125 330 - 610 Back to Glossary Pomarine Jaeger Pomarine Jaeger Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually and off the coast in open waters. Identification of this jaeger is complicated by its similarities to Parasitic Jaeger and the existence of three morphs . Pomarine Jaegers are much bulkier, broader-winged and less falcon -like than the Parasitic Jaeger, but show the same wide range of plumage variation. The flight is more measured than that of the smaller species. Light-morph adult Pomarine Jaegers have a brown back, mainly white underparts and dark primary wing feathers with a white "flash". The head and neck are yellowish-white with a black cap. Dark morph adults are dark brown, and intermediate morph birds are dark with somewhat paler underparts, head and neck. All morphs have the white wing flash, which appears as a diagnostic double flash on the underwing. In breeding adults of all morphs, the two central tail feathers are much longer than the others, spoon-shaped, and twisted from the horizontal. Juveniles are even more problematic to identify, and are difficult to separate from parasitic jaegers at a distance on plumage alone. Diet During breeding, Pomarine Jaegers specialize on eating brown lemmings, with smaller numbers of other rodents like tundra voles and collared lemmings. They catch shorebirds, ducks, and ptarmigan infrequently during summer, but the constant threat of predation seems to lower shorebird nest success when jaegers are around. During the nonbreeding season the diet is much more varied, including lemmings, birds, eggs, carrion, insects, fish, squid, and crabs. At sea, they harry kittiwakes, shearwaters, petrels, puffins, terns, boobies, gulls, and other seabirds to steal their catches. Longevity record 30 years Skua ta' Denbha Stercorarius pomarinus Charadriiformes Stercorariidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - April, October - December Occasionally seen in February, May, July - September Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer plumage Long tail spoon shaped as in Summer. White collar and belly. Ad. summer plumage Long tail spoon shaped as in Summer. White collar and belly. Ad. summer plumage Long tail spoon shaped as in Summer. White collar and belly. Ad. summer plumage Long tail spoon shaped as in Summer. White collar and belly. 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 46 - 51 125 - 138 550 - 850 Back to Glossary Great Skua Great Skua Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually and off the coast in open waters. Large and heavy skua with broad wings and short tail. The white patches at base of primaries are more striking than in the other skuas, and are visible both on upper and underside of wings. Size comparable to Yellow Legged Gull, but build more compact. Seemingly black at a distance, but white wing-patches usually visible. Confusion with juvenile Pomarine Skua possible, but body is heavier (not just the chest), wings rounder, bill longer, neck thicker and tail shorter. Diet They eat mainly fish, birds, eggs, carrion, offal, rodents, rabbits, and occasionally berries. Longevity record 35 years 11 months (Iceland, 215553) Skua Kbira Stercorarius skua Charadriiformes Stercorariidae Very scarce Usually seen in February - March, October - December Occasionally seen in January, April Click on the image to open slideshow Immature/Adult Colour is pale, barrel shaped body and pale underwing secondaries to primaries bar. Immature/Adult Colour is pale, barrel shaped body and pale underwing secondaries to primaries bar. 1/9 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 53 - 61 127 - 146 1.1 - 1.7 Back to Glossary Little Gull Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but may be seen in very small groups. Takes three years to reach maturity. Very small gull with rounded wings and almost tern-like appearance. Underwing black, with broad white trailing edge. Lacks Black-headed Gull's conspicuous white outer primaries. Adult summer plumage with black (not chocolate) hood, that reaches far down on hind-neck. Winter plumage without hood, but with dark cheek-patch and dark cap. Juveniles differs from juvenile Kittiwake in slender body, dark cap, dark patch at trailing base of underwing, faint dark wing-bar and shorter wings. Can, with experience, be identified by fluttering, butterfly-like flight at long distance. Diet Mostly insects. During summer and migration feeds mostly on insects. Also eats brine shrimp and other crustaceans, small molluscs, spiders, marine worms, and some small fish. Longevity record 20 years (Ring read in the field in Finland, AT-35319) Gawwija Żgħira Hydrocoloeus minutus Charadriiformes Laridae Very scarce Usually seen in December - February Occasionally seen in March - April, September - November Click on the image to open slideshow 2nd. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. Ad. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. 1st winter Greyish back indicative of a juvenile in its first winter. Wings still show dark feathers on the outer wings and at the end of the tail which shall turn into grey and white in a 2nd winter bird. 2nd. winter Similar to the 1st winter but tail is completely white, upperwings are grey and have a two-toned underwing with pale axillaries and coverts against dark primaries. 1/27 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 25 - 27 75 - 80 66 - 133 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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 We are continuously updating this site and welcome all ideas and participation. While we aim to feature photos taken exclusively in Malta, some species are exceptionally rare or difficult to capture. If you possess high-quality photos of these missing or rare species, or any good shots you'd like to share, please send them to us via WeTransfer at the following email address*. E-mail: birdsofmalta @gmail.com Submit Thanks for submitting! *The photographer consents to 'Birds of Malta' displaying their submitted images on this website. Please note that the author reserves the final right to publish any photographs or content received. Photos should be taken personally and be of an acceptable quality. Photos can be sent as '.jpg' or '.png'. Find us on Facebook

Yearly Sightings 'x' - recorded 'number' - number of birds for vagrant/very rare sightings Last updated on 20th February 2026

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''.

Kites Black kite page Black Kite Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A raptor seen singly or in few individuals but sometimes can be seen in flocks. One of the largest flocks ever recorded over Malta was seen on the 7th September 2016 with 58 birds that have roosted over Buskett (see flock in slide show). Diet It mostly feeds on small live prey like bats, rodents and birds but it can also hunt fish , scavenge household refuse and carrion. They have also been seen carrying nests of weavers for obtaining eggs or chicks. Longevity record 23 years (A bird found dead on wires in Switzerland, 829312) Astun Iswed Milvus migrans Accipitriformes Accipitridae Scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - April, August - October Occasionally seen in February, May Click on the image to open slideshow 1/20 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 54 - 60 130 - 150 630 - 950 Red kite page Red Kite Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A raptor usually seen in single individuals. Red Kites are rufous with black streaks on the chest, have a yellow bill, a pale head and a distinctive deep forked tail. Diet It mostly feeds on small live prey like such as rodents and rabbits. They can also take down small birds, reptiles and amphibians while can also feed on earthworms. Red kites are also scavengers and can be seen on carrion. They have also been seen carrying nests of weavers for obtaining eggs or chicks. Longevity record 25 years (A killed specimen in Germany, D 26437) Astun Aħmar Milvus milvus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - October Occasionally seen in April - May, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/14 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 60 - 65 155 - 180 750 - 1300 Black shouldered kite Black-winged Kite Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A vagrant raptor usually seen individually. Small, stout, unmistakable raptor with pale grey plumage. Strikingly broad wings and short tail. Large, round, owl-like head with black "mascara" and short neck. Underside of wing-tips, and upper median and lesser coverts black. Immature birds often with rusty underparts and white fringes to flight feathers and scapulars. Glides with wings raised high like a harrier. Frequent and skilfull hovering. Diet A specialist predator of the introduced house mouse. It takes other suitably-sized creatures when available, including grasshoppers , rats, small reptiles, birds, and even (very rarely) rabbits, but mice and other mouse-sized mammals account for over 90% of its diet. Longevity record 6 years Astun Abjad Elanus caeruleus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in March - May, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/2 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 31 - 35 75 - 87 230 - 235 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

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

Bitterns, Herons & Egrets Eurasian Bittern Eurasian Bittern Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. Bulky, golden-brown heron with thick neck and short legs. Largely unmistakable but skulky behaviour makes it difficult to observe, as it generally forages hidden in reed-beds. Plumage mottled above, with coarse stripes below. Primaries and most secondaries with dark barring, in contrast to paler coverts. May recall Eagle Owl in flight with broad, rounded wings and retracted neck, but wings are bowed and legs trail behind tail. Crown and moustache stripe black in adult and brown in immature birds. Betrays its presence by it's far reaching song. Diet Fish, small mammals, amphibians and invertebrates along the reed margins in shallow water. Longevity record 11 years (Found dead in the Netherlands, 302703) Kappun Botaurus stellaris Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Very scarce Usually seen in March - April, October - November Occasionally seen in May, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow Adult Dark brown moustache stripe as in adults. Adult Dark brown moustache stripe as in adults. 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 69 - 81 100 - 130 870 - 1940 Back to Glossary Little Bittern Little Bittern Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. Usually recognizable by size alone. Distinctly smaller than any congener. Pale wing-panel formed by inner coverts is striking in all plumages, especially in flight. Male with contrasting black and white/buff plumage. Female with dark, but pale fringed back and streaked throat. Immature with streaked, bittern-like plumage, and wing-panel is brown-spotted. Skulky behaviour, and most active at dusk or after dark. Mostly seen in flight when crossing open water. Flight action rapid and clipping, and landing is preceded by short glide. Diet The Little Bittern is a bird of dense marsh vegetation, in which it feeds and nests. It forages in the typical bittern manner of walking and Swtanding on marsh plants, old nests, or branches. It catches a diversity of prey, but primarily fish or insects, depending on the locality. Longevity record 7 years (Found injured in Hungary, 426796) Russett tas-Siġar / Strinġis /Ħenxul Ixobrychus minutus Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Scarce Usually seen in April - May, August - October Occasionally seen in November - January, March, June Click on the image to open slideshow Female Brown face and neck, brown streaked back and buff brown patch in wings. Female Vertical stripes along neck and breast as in females rather than streaks as in juveniles or no stripes but an orange buff in males. Male Grey face and darker black crown. Stripes on chest are paler along an orange buff as in adult males. White buff on wings. Female Brown face and neck, brown streaked back and buff brown patch in wings. 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 33 - 38 49 - 58 59 - 150 Back to Glossary Night Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups and larger flocks but can occasionally be seen individually. Small, crepuscular, stocky heron with short legs. Adults unmistakable with black cap, black back, grey wings and white underparts. Immature less distinct, and may be confused with immature Squacco Heron, Little Bittern or Bittern. Differs from all these in distinct white spots covering both wings and back. Belly and breast are more widely covered in coarse streaking, not just the sides or upper chest. Legs just barely protrudes behind tail in flight. Diet Diet quite variable; mostly fish, but also squid, crustaceans, aquatic insects, frogs, snakes, clams, mussels, rodents, carrion. Sometimes specializes on eggs and young birds and can cause problems in tern colonies. Longevity record 17 years (A shot bird in Spain, SE 19959) Kwakka Nycticorax nycticorax Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - September Occasionally seen in October - January Click on the image to open slideshow Juvenile Brown body with pale spots on back and upperwings. Chest paler with darker brown streaks. Orange iris. No plumes. Adult Black crown, back saddle and upper mandible. Silvery grey body and wings. Red iris. White plumes. Juvenile Brown body with pale spots on back and upperwings. Chest paler with darker brown streaks. Orange iris. No plumes. 1/28 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 58 - 65 90 - 100 727 - 1014 Back to Glossary Squacco Squacco Heron Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups but can also be seen individually. In non-breeding plumage, it is dull brown with dark and light streaks. At rest, it has buff and brown upperparts and white underparts. When in flight, the white wings and tail are conspicuous. Head, nape and shoulders are streaked black. The bill is dark with yellow lower mandible. The eyes are yellow with greenish-yellow lores and narrow red eyering. Legs and feet are greenish-yellow. In breeding plumage, feathers are very long. The body is white with cinnamon back, nape and breast sides.The underparts are slightly washed cinnamon, especially on chest. We can see some black streaks on breast sides. Wings and tail are white.On the head, chin and throat are white, whereas crown, head sides and neck are cinnamon. During the breeding period, the adults develop an erectile black and white crest with long and bushy feathers. The bill is bright cobalt-blue with black tip. Lores are bright greenish-blue. Eyes are yellow. Legs and feet are brighter orange-yellow to reddish with black claws. The female is similar, but in breeding plumage, she has less conspicuous crest than male. The juvenile has paler buff ground colour and is browner on head and back with dark streaks on throat and breast. Upperwing-coverts and primary tips are spotted brownish. The crest is shorter than in adults in non-breeding plumage. Bill, legs and feet are greenish-yellow. Diet The Squacco heron feeds on fish, crustaceans, frogs and aquatic insects. Longevity record 5 years (A shot bird in Hungary, 844) Agrett Isfar Ardeola ralloides Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Scarce Usually seen in March - April, October - November Occasionally seen in May, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/28 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 49 71 - 86 230 - 370 Back to Glossary Grey Heron Grey Heron Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups or larger flocks but can also be seen individually. Very large, mostly unmistakable bird. Grey upperparts, white underparts and yellow/yellowish bill. Keeps neck retracted when flying (as opposed to crane). May be mistaken for Purple Heron, but back of neck grey, not brown. Bill heavy and dagger-shaped. Neck thicker and less angular than in Purple Heron. Unmarked cheeks. Diet Lots of fish, but also small birds such as ducklings, small mammals like voles and amphibians. After harvesting, grey herons can sometimes be seen in fields, looking for rodents. Longevity record 37 years (Found dead in Denmark, 292796) Russett Griż Ardea cinerea Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Common Usually seen in March - April, September - October Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow Adult White crown, long plumes, white neck and a complete yellow bill. Immature Darker upper mandible, grey crown and grey hindneck indicating an immature. Adult White crown, long plumes, white neck and a complete yellow bill. 1/56 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 84 - 102 155 - 175 1.0 - 2.1 Back to Glossary Purple Heron Purple Heron Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups or larger flocks but can also be seen individually. Most similar to Grey Heron but leaves a much darker impression, has a slimmer body, neck and wings. The bill is markedly thinner and is almost level with the flat forehead. Adult birds have black longitudinal stripes along the rufous sides of the neck, and a black crown. Immature birds have more diffuse streaking, and are sandy brown instead of grey. Coverts are also brownish, and partially remains in first summer birds. In flight the dark underwings of adult birds are obvious. The folded neck creates a bigger and more angular bulge and the very long toes are often sprawled. More secretive behaviour than Grey Heron. Diet Fish, frogs, invertebrates, reptiles, small rodents and small birds. Longevity record 25 years (Found dead in Germany, B 1495) Russett Aħmar Ardea purpurea Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Fairly common Usually seen in March - April, September - October Occasionally seen in February, May, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow Adult Two black head plumes up to 15 cm long. The sides of the head and neck are distinctively chestnut to orange buff to red buff. A black stripe runs across the ear to the black plumes. The chin and foreneck are white and a throat striping is elongated with black and white spotting. Adult Two black head plumes up to 15 cm long. The sides of the head and neck are distinctively chestnut to orange buff to red buff. A black stripe runs across the ear to the black plumes. The chin and foreneck are white and a throat striping is elongated with black and white spotting. Juveniles Juveniles are browner than adults, lacking crest and breast feathers, and showing duller and narrow steaks in neck and underparts. Adult Two black head plumes up to 15 cm long. The sides of the head and neck are distinctively chestnut to orange buff to red buff. A black stripe runs across the ear to the black plumes. The chin and foreneck are white and a throat striping is elongated with black and white spotting. 1/19 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 70 - 90 120 - 138 500 - 1361 Back to Glossary Western Great Egret Great Egret Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups but can also be seen individually. Formerly known as the Great White Egret. A slender and elegant bird, about the same size as Grey Heron. Bill dark in breeding birds, otherwise yellow. Legs and feet dark, but tibia often with red tinge in breeding season. Long, S-shaped neck with sharp angle/bend. Erect posture, and less skulking, horizontal hunting behaviour than Little Egret. Almost twice the size of Little Egret, and wing-beats are considerably slower. Wings give the impression of being attached more upfront than in Little Egret. Feets protrude well beyond tail in flight. Diet Fish are a dietary staple, but great egrets use similar techniques to eat amphibians, reptiles, mice, and other small animals. Longevity record 13 years, 9 months (Found dead electrocuted in Hungary, 516353) Russett Abjad Ardea alba Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Very scarce Usually seen in March - April, October Occasionally seen in all other months except June Click on the image to open slideshow 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 85 - 102 143 - 169 700 - 1530 Back to Glossary Western Cattle Egret Western Cattle Egret Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can also be seen in small groups. Small, stocky, white heron with short bill and neck. Heavy jowl. Plumage all white, except in breeding birds which show varying amount of buff on back, crown and chest. Bill usually yellow, but turns orange-red in breeding birds, and is dark in immatures. Legs pale greyish green, but darker in young birds. May be confused with both Little Egret and Squacco Heron in flight. Differs from Little Egret in leg color and shorter, thicker neck and bill. Told from Squacco Heron by unstreaked body/head, and smaller bill. Generally leaves a less elegant impression than other small herons. Diet Mostly insects. When associating with grazing animals in fields, diet is mostly large insects, especially grasshoppers, crickets, flies; also frogs, spiders, moths. Elsewhere may feed on crayfish, earthworms, snakes, nestling birds, eggs, sometimes fish. May scavenge for edible refuse in dumps. Longevity record 18 years (A shot bird in Spain, E 10374) Agrett tal-Bhejjem Bubulcus ibis Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Scarce Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in April- May, all other months for resident birds Click on the image to open slideshow Adult Yellow bill. The breast plumes, crest and back mantle plumes will also get yellow during breeding. Juveniles are completely white with dark legs and bill. Adult Note yellow bill and yellow buff breast moulting to a breeding plumage. The breast plumes, crest and back mantle plumes will also get yellow during breeding. Juveniles are completely white with dark legs and bill. Adult Yellow bill. The breast plumes, crest and back mantle plumes will also get yellow during breeding. Juveniles are completely white with dark legs and bill. Adult Yellow bill. The breast plumes, crest and back mantle plumes will also get yellow during breeding. Juveniles are completely white with dark legs and bill. 1/23 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 45 - 52 82 - 95 270 - 512 Back to Glossary Little Egret Little Egret Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups or flocks but can also be seen individually. D iffers from other white herons by dark legs with contrasting yellow feet and toes. Bill always dark, and lores grey or reddish (breeding birds). Slender and elegant build, as opposed to Western Cattle Egret. Only roughly half the size of Western Great Egret. In flight, note much quicker wing-beats of Little Egret and that the wings of Great White seems to be positioned more at the front of the body. Skulking, foraging behaviour with less erect posture than Great White, also when moving about. Legs less protruding beyond tail in flight than in Western Great Egret. Diet Little egrets hunt alone within loose flocks. They will use a variety of hunting techniques including stirring up the mud with their feet to disturb small aquatic insects. These birds will also eat crustaceans, small fish, amphibians, molluscs and worms. They will even take small birds. Longevity record 22 years (A shot bird in France, CD 2346) Agrett Abjad Egretta garzetta Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Common Usually seen in March - May, August - October Occasionally seen in June, November - December, all other months for resident birds Click on the image to open slideshow Adult in breeding plumage Note crown plumes, breast plumes and lax back plumes which form during the breeding cycle. During the height of the courtship the lores may turn bluish. Adults in breeding plumage Note crown plumes, breast plumes and lax back plumes which form during the breeding cycle. During the height of the courtship the lores may turn bluish. 1/21 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 55 - 65 88 - 106 350 - 550 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University'' & ''Collins Bird Guide 2nd edition''.