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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''.

Terns & Shearwaters Little Tern Little Tern Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. White forehead with white wedge above eye in all plumages. Legs, and most of bill yellow in adult breeding plumage. Very small and longwinged tern. Back paler grey and belly whiter. First primaries form a dark front edge to wing. In winter the bill darkens, legs turn a dirty yellow and the white forehead expands. Juvenile resembles adult winter, but has yellowish bill base and scale patterned back. Flight fluttering with rapid wing-beats, which together with size, is usually sufficient to determine the species. Diet Fish, crustacean and invertebrates. Longevity record 23 years, 11 months (Germany, 80303320) Ċirlewwa Żgħira Sternula albifrons Charadriiformes Laridae Very rare Usually seen in April - June, September Occasionally seen in July - August, November Click on the image to open slideshow Juvenile 1st winter The image is not so clear but the nape looks white, the bill is dark and the upperwings are also dark and unclean which may indicate some immature feathers. So probably it is a 1st winter bird. 1/15 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 22 - 28 45 - 55 47 - 63 Some pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Gull-billed Tern Gull-billed Tern Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups or large flocks but sometimes seen individually. Easily confused with Sandwich Tern but choice of habitat usually different. Adults differs by noticeably shorter and deeper bill, lacking yellow tip. Wings are broader, tail is shorter and only slightly forked. Lacks crest. Primaries with dark trailing edge, especially underside. Rump pale grey, and there is no contrast between grey back and white tail as in Sandwich Tern. Loses the black cap in winter, but keeps a black mask (less black on head than Sandwich T). Immature birds also gives a paler impression. The back is almost uniform in colour, and the wings also have only diffuse markings. The dark trailing edge to the primaries is present though, together with dark eye mask. Rest of head is pale. Flight slightly front-heavy with shallow wing-beats. Catches insects in the air and from the ground in flight. Rarely plunge-dives. Prefers fresh water, and is often seen near wetlands, rivers and flooded fields, but also in salt water during migration. Diet Unlike most terns, the Gull-billed Tern has a broad diet and does not depend on fish. Instead it commonly feeds on insects, small crabs, and other prey snatched from the ground, air, or even bushes. It is also known to eat small chicks of other tern species. Longevity record 15 years (Denmark) Ċirlewwa Munqarha Oħxon Gelochelidon nilotica Charadriiformes Laridae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - October Occasionally seen in February, November Click on the image to open slideshow Adult moulting to summer plumage Note dark trailing edge on the primaries and the stronger bill synonym with the Gull-billed tern. Forehead, crown and nape all black indicating an adult bird in a summer plumage. Adult moulting to summer plumage Note dark trailing edge on the primaries and the stronger bill synonym with the Gull-billed tern. Forehead, crown and nape all black indicating an adult bird in a summer plumage. Adult moulting to summer plumage Note dark trailing edge on the primaries and the stronger bill synonym with the Gull-billed tern. Forehead, crown and nape all black indicating an adult bird in a summer plumage. 1/24 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 33 - 43 85 - 103 130 - 320 Caspian Tern Caspian Tern Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Very large tern, with deep, dagger-like, blood-red bill with dark tip. Large, black cap reaching well below the eyes. Grey upperparts and white underparts. Rather short tail. Outer primaries distinctly darker than the rest of upperwing, and outer underwing almost black. Unmistakable from the size alone, and leaves a gull-like impression, lacking the elegance of smaller terns. Immatures with paler bill and white forehead (as in adult winter), and markedly speckled back. Hovers and dives. Often rests on the surface, feeding like a gull. Diet Caspian terns eat mainly fish, with some crayfish and insects occasionally. They forage by flying above shallow water, usually along a shoreline. As most terns do, they fly with their heads down, peering into the water, when they see prey, they may hover for a moment before making a sharp dive Longevity record 30 years (Ring seen in the field in Sweden, U 22698) Ċirlewwa Prima Hydroprogne caspia Charadriiformes Laridae Very scarce Usually seen in March - June, August - November Occasionally seen in January, July, December Click on the image to open slideshow 2nd summer to adult winter Note very few dirty secondaries as in 2nd birds. Head is not completely black as it is moulting to its winter plumage. Tail is all white so this bird is a 2nd year bird moulting to a winter plumage. 1st winter Note dirty secondaries, median, upper coverts and tail all indicating a 1st winter bird. Crown and nape are nearly all black so it is probably moulting its 1st summer plumage. 2nd summer to adult winter Note very few dirty secondaries as in 2nd birds. Head is not completely black as it is moulting to its winter plumage. Tail is all white so this bird is a 2nd year bird moulting to a winter plumage. 2nd summer to adult winter Note very few dirty secondaries as in 2nd birds. Head is not completely black as it is moulting to its winter plumage. Tail is all white so this bird is a 2nd year bird moulting to a winter plumage. 1/7 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 48 - 56 127 - 140 574 - 782 Back to Glossary Whiskered Tern Whiskered Tern Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Largest marsh tern. Liable to confusion with Sterna terns due to black cap, in addition to other marsh terns. All marsh terns (Chlidonias) differs from Sterna by lack of tail streamers, short tail with shallow fork, shorter wings and stiffer flight. Marsh terns don't plunge-dive for food but picks from surface (though Whiskered Tern may belly-plunge), mostly in fresh water. Adult Whiskered Tern easily told from other marsh terns by distinct black cap contrasting to white cheeks and throat. Underwing pale with diffuse dark trailing edge. Bill dark blood red. Adult winter: Very pale with no distinct markings except for ill-defined black mask stretching from eye to eye across nape. Forehead white and with crown white speckles. Bill black. Immature: Yellowish brown saddle with coarse dark pattern, though these are moulted in early autumn. Usually lacks dark carpal bar and cap ill-defined. Whiskered Tern generally stockier built than other marsh terns. Both immatures and adult winter show grey rump (different from Common, Arctic and White-Winged), and bill is dagger-shaped (most apparent in males). Diet Small fish, amphibians, insects and crustaceans. Longevity record - Ċirlewwa tal-Mustaċċi Chlidonias hybrida Charadriiformes Laridae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in April - September Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer Dark grey body, yet darker belly, dark red bill and legs, black forehead, crown and nape as in summer adults. White face and vent. Ad. summer Dark grey body, yet darker belly, dark red bill and legs, black forehead, crown and nape as in summer adults. White face and vent. Adult summer Dark grey body, yet darker belly, dark red bill and legs, black forehead, crown and nape as in summer adults. White face and vent. Ad. summer Dark grey body, yet darker belly, dark red bill and legs, black forehead, crown and nape as in summer adults. White face and vent. 1/5 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 23 - 29 64 - 70 83 - 92 White -winged Tern White-winged Tern Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in a very small group. Breeding adult easily identified by white tail/rump combined with jet black under wing coverts and silvery upper wing. Immature with brownish back contrasting with pale, silvery upper wings and pale rump. Broad white collar, and lacks dark breast patch of immature Black Tern. Adult winter most liable to confusion with other terns, but upperparts much paler than Black Tern. Contrasting dark outer primaries and secondaries to rest of wing. Often retains some black under coverts even in winter which is diagnostic if seen. Slightly more compact than Black Tern and often recalls Little gull in shape. Bill noticeably shorter and thinner than in Whiskered Tern. Diet Mostly feed on insects and small fish, as well as frogs and other aquatic critters. They usually fly slowly over water to pick prey off the surface of water or in flight, or they make take it from vegetation. Longevity record 21 years Ċirlewwa tal-Ġewnaħ Abjad Chlidonias leucopterus Charadriiformes Laridae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in April - June, August - September Occasionally seen in October Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer (01-05-2017) Black head, neck, breast and belly. Dark grey saddle. Black eyes and beak. Silver white upperwings under underwing primaries and secondaries. Black underwing coverts. All white tail, rump, undertail coverts and vent. Adult summer (01-05-2017) Black head, neck, breast and belly. Dark grey saddle. Black eyes and beak. Silver white upperwings under underwing primaries and secondaries. Black underwing coverts. All white tail, rump, undertail coverts and vent. Adult summer (01-05-2017) Black head, neck, breast and belly. Dark grey saddle. Black eyes and beak. Silver white upperwings under underwing primaries and secondaries. Black underwing coverts. All white tail, rump, undertail coverts and vent. Adult summer (01-05-2017) Black head, neck, breast and belly. Dark grey saddle. Black eyes and beak. Silver white upperwings under underwing primaries and secondaries. Black underwing coverts. All white tail, rump, undertail coverts and vent. 1/9 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 20 - 23 58 - 67 42 - 79 Black Tern Black Tern Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. Unmistakable in breeding plumage, but otherwise easily confused with other marsh terns. Breeding plumage with black head and belly, but pale underwing and grey rump. When in immature and winter plumage it differs from marsh terns by slimmer body and wings (compared to White-winged tern), and relatively long, thin bill. Both immature and adult winter show dark front edge of wing, and characteristic dark shoulder patch at wing base. Back is dark in immature birds. Grey rump in all plumages. Flight usually different from Sterna-terns, with erratic dives for no apparent reason, and "aimless" change of direction. Note that when foraging over saltwater, flight becomes more Sterna-like. Diet Mostly feed on insects and small fish, as well as frogs, tadpoles, spiders, earthworms, crustaceans and leeches. In migration and winter at sea, eats mostly small fish, also some crustaceans and insects. They usually fly slowly over water to pick prey off the surface of water or in flight, or they make take it from vegetation. Longevity record 21 years (Found dead in Denmark, 8045639) Ċirlewwa Sewda Chlidonias niger Charadriiformes Laridae Fairly common Usually seen in August - September Occasionally seen in July, October Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer moulting to winter Grey saddle as in adults. Dark legs as in a summer plumage but forehead and nape are already moulting to white. So an adult summer bird moulting to a winter plumage. 1/13 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 23 - 28 57 - 65 60 - 86 Back to Glossary Common Tern Common Tern Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. Differs from Arctic Tern in longer head, and more orangy red, rather than deep red, bill. Tip of bill usually black. Legs longer, but tail streamers shorter than Arctic Tern. Underparts of primaries with diffusely bordered dark trailing edge (sharply bordered in Arctic Tern). Upper side of primaries with dark wedge (less apparent in winter). Secondaries opaque. Crest more apparent than in Arctic Tern and underside whiter. Juveniles with buff back. Diet Like most terns, this species feeds by plunge-diving for fish, either in the sea or in freshwater, but molluscs , crustaceans and other invertebrate prey may form a significant part of the diet in some areas. Longevity record 33 years, 0 months (Read in the field in Ireland and the Great Britain, CK39045) Ċirlewwa tal-Baħar Sterna hirundo Charadriiformes Laridae Very rare Usually seen in June - September Occasionally seen in March - May, October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/10 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 32 - 39 72 - 83 86 - 127 Some pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Lesser Cresed Tern Lesser Crested Tern Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A vagrant bird with a very few records. The latest record seen on the 24th Aug 20 by Patrick Spiteri at Għadira s-Safra. This is a medium-large tern, very similar in size and general appearance to its very close relative, the Sandwich tern. The summer adult has a black cap, black legs and a long sharp orange bill. The upperwings, rump and central tail feathers are grey and the underparts white. The primary flight feathers darken during the summer. In winter, the forehead becomes white. The grey rump is a useful flight identification feature distinguishing it from the related species. Juvenile lesser crested terns resemble same-age Sandwich terns, but with a yellow-orange bill, and paler overall, with only faint dark crescents on the mantle feathers. Diet Mostly feed on insects and small fish, as well as frogs, tadpoles, spiders, earthworms, crustaceans and leeches. In migration and winter at sea, eats mostly small fish, also some crustaceans and insects. They usually fly slowly over water to pick prey off the surface of water or in flight, or they make take it from vegetation. Longevity record 31 years Ċirlewwa tal-Libja Thalasseus bengalensis Charadriiformes Laridae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in January, July - September Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer moulting to winter Clean upperwings and grey rump and uppertail as in adults. Forehead is moulting to white indicating a summer adult moulting to a winter plumage. Ad. summer moulting to winter Clean upperwings and grey rump and uppertail as in adults. Forehead is moulting to white indicating a summer adult moulting to a winter plumage. Ad. summer moulting to winter winter Clean upperwings and grey rump and uppertail as in adults. Forehead is moulting to white indicating a summer adult moulting to a winter plumage. Ad. summer moulting to winter Clean upperwings and grey rump and uppertail as in adults. Forehead is moulting to white indicating a summer adult moulting to a winter plumage. 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 35 - 43 88 - 105 185 - 242 Back to Glossary Sandwich Tern Sandwich Tern Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small number groups. Large tern with black bill, with yellow tip (adults). Bill all black in juveniles. Long black cap and shaggy crest. Generally leaves a much whiter impression than other terns in the region (except Roseate Tern). Adult summer: Yellow bill-tip. Tail pure white, and upperparts pale grey. Outer primaries darker than rest of wing, and contrast increases in worn plumage. Broad white trailing edge to inner wing. Underside of primaries with faint narrow dark trailing edge. Forehead white in adult winter and first winter plumage. Juveniles: scaly upperparts and dark bill. Less evenly coloured than juvenile Gull-billed Tern. First winter birds similar to juveniles, but back purer grey and bill shorter. Can be mistaken for Gull-billed Tern, but note different profile. Flight powerful with evenly narrow wings and a front-heavy appearance, due to the long head and bill. Often dives from high above the surface and stays under water longer than Common and Arctic T. Diet Mostly fish. Feeds mainly on smaller fish, such as sand lance and mullet; also eats shrimp, squid, marine worms, and many insects. Longevity record 31 years (Trapped in the UK, DS 61571) Ċirlewwa tax-Xitwa Thalasseus sandvicensus Charadriiformes Laridae Common Usually seen in September - April Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. winter Clean grey upperwings indicative of adults. White forehead as in winter plumage. Ad. winter All white body and underwings as in adults. White forehead as in winter. Ad. winter Clean grey upperwings indicative of adults. White forehead as in winter plumage. 1/11 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 36 - 46 86 - 105 130 - 285 Back to Glossary Mediterrenean Storm Petrel Mediterrenean Storm Petrel Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. A small, square-tailed bird which is entirely black except for a broad, white rump and a white band on the under wings, and it has a fluttering, bat-like flight. The Mediterranean population is a subspecies on its own having its strongholds at Filfla Island (Malta), Sicily , and the Balearic Islands . The storm petrel cannot survive on islands where land mammals such as rats and cats have been introduced, and it suffers natural predation from gulls , skuas , owls , and falcons . Diet It feeds on small fish, squid, and zooplankton , while pattering on the sea's surface, and can find oily edible items by smell. Longevity record 32 years (Re-captured bird on Filfla) Kanġu ta' Filfla Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis Procellariiformes Hydrobatidae Common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - August Occasionally seen in all other months, resident species Click on the image to open slideshow 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 18 32 - 39 22 - 43 Scopoli's Shearwater Scopoli's Shearwater Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in groups. This species is closely related to Cory’s Shearwater (Calonectris borealis), with which it was considered conspecific for many years. A large shearwater with pale upperparts and heavy, yellowish bill. Large grey head. The grey neck forms a diagnostic, contrasting line from wing base to base of bill (most other shearwaters have white neck-sides). Armpits usually pure white. Underside of wings white, framed by black flight feathers. Flight action calm and distinct. Long glides alternates with 3-4 slow wingbeats. Wingtips always bent downwards, and wings slightly angled back. Often soars. Field identification between the Scopoli's and Cory's is usually impossible, and requires ideal conditions. In diomedea the white in the coverts extends in a white wedge into the hand, through the base of the primaries, i.e. the primary feathers (p6 – p9) on Cory’s are solidly dark or have variable (but always small) amounts of white on the primaries (from the primary coverts to the wingtip), but no white is visible on p10 at all (from the primary coverts to the wingtip), while Scopoli’s, however, shows distinct and long white tongues/inner webs on the primaries, including p10, eventually leading into dark wingtips and giving the impression of a much whiter underwing. Diet Primarily fish, but also takes squid and crustaceans, and zooplankton. It takes some offal around the fishing boats during the breeding season. Longevity record 24 years Ċiefa Calonectris diomedea Procellariiformes Procellariidae Common Usually seen in May - October Occasionally seen in all other months, resident species Click on the image to open slideshow 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 44 - 49 117 - 135 544 - 738 Back to Glossary Cory's Shearwater Cory's Shearwater Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* This species is closely related to Scopoli’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea), with which it was considered conspecific for many years. A large shearwater with pale upperparts and heavy, yellowish bill. Large grey head. The grey neck forms a diagnostic, contrasting line from wing base to base of bill (most other shearwaters have white neck-sides). Armpits usually pure white. Underside of wings white, framed by black flight feathers. Flight action calm and distinct. Long glides alternates with 3-4 slow wingbeats. Wingtips always bent downwards, and wings slightly angled back. Often soars. Field identification between the Scopoli's and Cory's is usually impossible, and requires ideal conditions. In diomedea the white in the coverts extends in a white wedge into the hand, through the base of the primaries, i.e. the primary feathers (p6 – p9) on Cory’s are solidly dark or have variable (but always small) amounts of white on the primaries (from the primary coverts to the wingtip), but no white is visible on p10 at all (from the primary coverts to the wingtip), while Scopoli’s, however, shows distinct and long white tongues/inner webs on the primaries, including p10, eventually leading into dark wingtips and giving the impression of a much whiter underwing. Diet Primarily fish, but also takes squid and crustaceans, and zooplankton. It takes some offal around the fishing boats during the breeding season. Longevity record 24 years (Found dead in Portugal, L 000366) Ċiefa Kbira Calonectris borealis Procellariiformes Procellariidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 48 - 56 113 - 126 605 - 1060 Back to Glossary Yelkouan Shearwater Yelkouan Shearwater Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in groups. Yelkouan shearwaters breed on islands and coastal cliffs in the eastern and central Mediterranean . Most winter in that sea, but small numbers enter the Atlantic in late summer. This species nests in burrows which are only visited at night to avoid predation by large gulls . It has the typically "shearing" flight of the genus, dipping from side to side on stiff wings with few wingbeats, the wingtips almost touching the water. This bird looks like a flying cross, with its wing held at right angles to the body, and it changes from very dark brown to white as the dark upperparts and paler undersides are alternately exposed as it travels low over the sea. Diet Primarily fish, but also takes squid and crustaceans. It takes some offal around the fishing boats. Longevity record 24 years Garnija tal-Mediterran Puffinus yelkouan Procellariiformes Procellariidae Common Back to Glossary Usually seen in November - August Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow Yelkouan Shearwater Note thinner darker bill, smaller size, dark undertail coverts and a lateral dark bar under the wing as opposed to Cory's and Scopoli's. 1/11 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 33 - 37 c.79 349 - 416 *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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

Eagles & Vultures Short toed Short-toed Snake Eagle Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* The Short-toed Eagle is one of the largest raptors that visit our islands. Although it is a very scarce visitor, sizeable flocks have been recorded since the early 90's. This eagle will take four years in order to moult to its adult plumage. Adults will have heavily barred flight feathers. Whitish underparts and dark hood and chest. Underparts variably barred with 2-3 tail-bands, but leaves an overall pale impression. Primaries have six distinctive fingers. Pale individuals may show pale throat and chest. Soars on flat or marginally raised wings, with hand stretched slightly forward. Tail slender with straight cut end and sharp corners. Diet Its prey is mostly reptiles, mainly snakes , but also some lizards . Occasionally, they prey on small mammals up to the size of a rabbit, and rarely birds and large insects. Longevity record 15 years Ajkla Bajda Circaetus gallicus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Very scarce Usually seen in September - November Occasionally seen in April - June, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 62 - 69 162 - 178 1.2 - 2.3 Back to Glossary Lesser Spotted Lesser Spotted Eagle Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* The Lesser Spotted Eagle is one of the largest raptors that visit our islands. It is a rare visitor which is usually seen individually. It has evenly broad wings and relatively short tail. Its flight-feathers are darker than the pale brown coverts, both on upper and underwing. Head and body distinctly paler than flight feathers. Conspicuous pale patch at base of inner primaries on upperwing. U-shaped white patch at base of tail. Immature birds with white tipped greater and median coverts, forming two narrow wing-bands. Primaries showing 6 protruded "fingers", with a 7th shorter finger. Sours and glides with wings held horizontally, but with characteristic drooping hand. Diet Mainly mammals (90%) and a little of fish and birds (10%) Longevity record 20-25 years Ajkla tat-Tikki Clanga pomarina Accipitriformes Accipitridae Rare Usually seen in September - November Occasionally seen in March - April Click on the image to open slideshow 2935-240920 2956-240920 2935-240920 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 55 - 65 143 - 168 1.0 - 2.2 Back to Glossary Booted Booted Eagle Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* The Booted Eagle is a very small eagle which is usually smaller than a normally sized Honey Buzzard. It has a long tailed, slender build and have white ''indicator'' patches at base of wings. Occurs in pale and dark morph. Six ''6'' distinct ''fingers'' i.e. 6 feathers protruding from the primaries that are typical with eagles. Diet It hunts small mammals, reptiles and birds. Longevity record 12 years Ajkla tal-Kalzetti Hieraaetus pennatus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - October Occasionally seen in November - May Click on the image to open slideshow 20160834 1/34 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 42 - 51 110 - 135 630 - 1145 Egyptian Egyptian Vulture Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A small vulture with a characteristic flight profile and distinct plumage with a white body, white coverts and black flight feathers (in adults). Long, wedge-shaped tail, but not longer than wings are broad. Wings square and broad, full hand. Small head with thin bill and a yellow face in adults. Immature birds are dark brown with paler coverts. Despite the less distinct plumage, the silhouette is similar to adults. Noticeably more active wing flapping and quicker wing-beats than in the large vultures. Diet Egyptian vultures are carnivorous, feeding mostly on carrion, but they are also known to eat insects, small reptiles and mammals, crustaceans, snails, bird eggs, nestlings, and the dung of larger animals. Longevity record 17 years (Found dead, electrocuted in Spain, G 09545) Avultun Abjad Neophron percnopterus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Rare Usually seen in September - October, March - April Occasionally seen in May - June, August Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 59 - 70 156 - 170 1.8 - 2.4 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

As of end 2020, there are 469 bird species recorded in the Maltese Islands. These are split in 'Sighting occurrences' and identified as per hereunder.  In this page we have included a table of all the recorded bird species, their occurrence and the months in ​ Social media have thus became sources Statistics & Records Bird observation has grown in popularity among both the hunting community and the general public over the last few decades. This increase coincided with technological advances that made high-quality photographic equipment more affordable. As a result, social media platforms have become a valuable source for collecting statistical data on bird sightings. These platforms frequently record new species, document taxonomic splits, and share genuine sightings—often confirmed by multiple hunters while in the field. The official checklist for the Maltese Islands currently documents 433 bird species (excluding hypothetical records) as of 2025. These species are categorized according to their 'Sighting occurrences' table , as detailed below. In this page we have included a table of all the recorded bird species, their occurrence and the months in which it is best to encounter (denoted by 'o ') and those other months that a species can be seen occasionally or have been recorded in the past (denoted by 'x '). Vagrant species are documented by their known record count and the most recent observation year. It is important to note that the actual incidence of vagrancy is presumed to exceed the official records. However, these recorded figures remain a valuable metric for quantifying and comparing the observation frequency across various vagrant species. No. of recorded species as of 2025 433 Sighting Occurrence Common Fairly common Scarce Very scarce Rare Very rare Vagrant Hypothetical Introduced Extinct No. of species 20 79 48 47 29 42 165 33 2 1 Click for 'Yearly Sightings 2020+' 'o' - Mostly seen in those months 'x' - Can be seen/was recorded, in those months Search LIST OF RECORDS (Jan 2026)

Flycatchers Rufous tailed scrub robin Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Adult male and female Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin look alike and measure about 15 cm long with relatively long legs and a large rounded tail. The upper parts are a rich brownish chestnut, with the rump and uppertail coverts rather more rufous. There is a distinct curved, creamy-white broad streak from the nostrils to behind the eye and a dark brown line through the eye. The under-eye area is whitish and the ear coverts pale brown. The eye and the beak are both brown but the lower mandible of the beak has a greyish base. The underparts are buffish white, with the chin, central belly and undertail coverts paler than the other parts. The feathers of the wing are dark brown, fringed on the leading edge with buff and on the trailing edge with pale chestnut-brown and with the secondaries tipped with white. The central pair of feathers on the tail are bright rufous-chestnut with narrow black tips and the rest a similar colour with white tips and adjacent broad black bands. The legs and feet are pale brown. Juveniles are similar in appearance but generally a paler sandy-brown colour. Diet It feeds mainly on the ground on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers and the larvae of butterflies and moths, and on earthworms, turning over the leaf litter to find its prey. Longevity record 7 years Rożinjol tax-Xagħri Cercotrichas galactotes Passeriformes Muscicapidae Rare Usually seen in April - May Occasionally seen in October - December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 17 20 - 27 Back to Glossary European Robin European Robin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen fighting for territory. Rufous red face, throat and chest, framed in slate grey in adults of both sexes. Olive brown to grey upperparts and dull white underparts. Head rather large, and body rather stocky when plumage puffed, despite thin bill and slender legs. Juveniles lack the red front and are heavily spotted in buff on a dark brown body with barred chest. Adults pretty unmistakable when seen well. Flight usually low and darting, with quick changes of directions before disappearing in thick bushes. Posture usually erect with frequent flicking of tail and wings. Diet European robins are insectivorous and eat a wide range of insects, including spiders. Worms are also part of their diet, and in autumn and winter, these birds will eat more fruit and berries when insects are difficult to find. Longevity record 19 years 4 months (Found dead in the Chech Republic, Z 364896) Pitirross Erithacus rubecula Passeriformes Muscicapidae Common Usually seen in September - March Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow 1/15 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12.5 - 14 13 - 21 Back to Glossary Comon Nightingale Common Nightingale Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Anonymous, indistinct plumage and secretive behaviour makes it an easily overlooked bird (except when singing). Tail rufous brown, upperparts warm brown. Underparts buff and white. Throat without streaking. Tail more rufous, and contrasts less with the warm brown back, than in Thrush Nightingale. Overall a more smooth and clean appearance. Behaviour with jumping gait, erect posture, raised tail and drooping wings. Diet Nightingales feed mainly on insects, mainly through foraging on the ground, and in particular are partial to ants and beetles. Longevity record 10 years 11 months (Spain, 2498771) Rożinjol Luscinia megarhynchos Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - October Occasionally seen in June, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/10 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 16.5 18 - 27 Back to Glossary Bluethroat Bluethroat Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Male unmistakable. Blue throat with rufous red or white center (both sub-species occur in Malta), white supercilium and rufous base of outer tail feathers. Female lacking, or having just a partially blue throat. Female and juveniles could be confused with Redstart because of the rufous tail, but note its dark, bold trailing edge and center. An elegant and fairly long-legged chat that often flicks its wings and cocks its tail. The Bluethroat with a white chest spot is usually seen only in Spring, whereas the Red-spotted Bluethroat can be seen in both Autumn and Spring. Diet Primarily invertebrates, mainly insects, with some seeds and fruit. Longevity record 11 years 5 months (Spain, N 0074112) Rożinjol Ikħal Luscinia svecica Passeriformes Muscicapidae Rare Usually seen in March - April, October - November Occasionally seen in January, February, May, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1st winter plumage Svecica (N. Europe) sub-species due to the rusty patch just being seen on the top part of the blue throat. Eventually once the birds moults into its full plumage, the rusty spot will be in the middle of its blueish throat. 1st winter plumage Svecica (N. Europe) sub-species due to the rusty patch just being seen on the top part of the blue throat. Eventually once the birds moults into its full plumage, the rusty spot will be in the middle of its blueish throat. 1st winter plumage Svecica (N. Europe) sub-species due to the rusty patch just being seen on the top part of the blue throat. Eventually once the birds moults into its full plumage, the rusty spot will be in the middle of its blueish throat. 1/15 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14 15 - 21 Back to Glossary Western Black Redstart Western Black Redstart Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or multiple individuals fighting over territory or within the same area. Male: Charcoal to black plumage, with rufous red tail, pale belly and pale wing-panel (south-eastern subspecies with rufous belly and no wing-panel). Female: Grey brown overall, except rufous tail. Lacks the orange tinge to breast and belly of female Common Redstart. Juveniles resembles the adult female, and lacks the buff speckles of congeners. May jump around on the ground like Common Redstart, but are more prone to run. Also shows a more erect posture. Diet Black Redstart feeds mainly on invertebrates such as grasshoppers, bugs, lepidopteran insects, flies, ants, bees, wasps, beetles, spiders, small molluscs and earth worms. It also feeds on berries, fruits and seeds. Longevity record 10 years 2 months (Killed in the Netherlands, S 128312) Kudirross Iswed / Fjammu Iswed / Ta' Denbu Aħmar Phoenicurus ochruros gibraltariensis Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - March Occasionally seen in April Click on the image to open slideshow 29-10-17 1/11 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14.5 12 - 20 Back to Glossary Redstart Common Redstart Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or multiple individuals fighting over territory or within the same area. Rufous tail with dark brown center in all plumages. Most noticeable in flight when tail is spread. Male unmistakable with black face and throat, white band across forehead, orange-red breast and grey back. Female relatively featureless, except for the characteristic rufous tail. Other characters are brown-grey upperparts, pale eye-ring, and orange tinge to breast. Erect posture with frequent tail flicking. Diet The Common Redstart feeds mainly on invertebrates such as grasshoppers, bugs, lepidopteran insects, flies, ants, bees, wasps, beetles, spiders, small molluscs and earth worms. It also feeds on berries, fruits and seeds. Longevity record 10 years 3 months (Killed in Denmark, 9H 40474) Kudirross / Fjammu / Ta' Denbu Aħmar Phoenicurus phoenicurus Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - November Occasionally seen in June, December Click on the image to open slideshow 06-04-19 22-04-20 02-05-20 06-04-19 1/14 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14.5 12 - 18 Back to Glossary Moussier's Redstart Moussier's Redstart Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. It is an endemic resident breeder in the Atlas Mountains of northwest Africa . Its habitat is open woodland in rocky areas from sea level up to 3000 m altitude in the mountains. The male has a black head with a broad white stripe running above each eye and down the side of the neck. The upperparts are black other than a white wing patch, and the rich chestnut tail, from which it and other redstarts get their names ('start' is an old word for 'tail'). The underparts are a rich orange-red. The female has a pale brown head and upperparts, and the underparts are a paler orange than the male, although generally redder than the underparts of the similar but larger female Common Redstart Diet This Redstart feeds mainly on invertebrates such as grasshoppers, bugs, lepidopteran insects, flies, ants, bees, wasps, beetles, spiders, small molluscs and earth worms. It also feeds on berries, fruits and seeds. Longevity record - Kudirross Aħmar Phoenicurus moussieri Passeriformes Muscicapidae Rare Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in February - April, October - December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/16 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13 12 - 15 Back to Glossary Whinchat Whinchat Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple birds can be seen in the same area. An erect posture and large head. Distinct white or buff supercilium in all plumages. Base of primaries shiny white in adults, especially adult male. Coarsely spotted buff rump. Base of tail with white triangular patches. Juveniles with white speckles on upperparts and whitish throat. Lacks the white base of primaries, but supercilium bold. Diet Whinchats are insectivorous, feeding largely (about 80–90%) on insects, but also consume a wide range of other invertebrates including spiders, small snails and worms. They also eat small amounts of fruit such as blackberries, primarily in autumn. Longevity record 6 years 11 months (Czech Republic, T 389922) Buċaqq tas-Silla / Buċaqċaq Saxicola rubetra Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - October Occasionally seen in February, November - December Click on the image to open slideshow 20-04-18 26-04-19 20-04-18 1/12 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 14 14 - 18 Back to Glossary European Stonechat European Stonechat Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple birds can be seen in the same area. Quite similar to Whinchat all plumages lack the strong pale supercilium. Male easily identified by its mainly black and white plumage, black throat and white half-collar. Other plumages seem much more evenly coloured than the Whinchat's, with its more pronounced streaking. Adult females also with diffuse black throat, but this becomes paler as the plumage is worn. All plumages show white patch at base of wing in flight. Rump usually streaked, but sometimes has a white center, or can even be completely white. Juveniles like female, but with streaked underparts. Always restlessly on the move with frequent dipping of tail. Diet Almost entirely invertebrates, mainly small or medium-sized insects and their larvae; occasionally small vertebrates, seeds and fruit. Longevity record 8 years 10 months (Germany, 9X 36806) Buċaqq tax-Xitwa / Buċaqċaq Saxicola rubicola Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in September - April Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 30-10-20 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11.5 - 13 13 - 17 Back to Glossary Northern Wheatear Northern Wheatear Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple birds can be seen in the same area. Epitome of wheatears. Male with grey back, white supercilium, black mask and dark wings. Females have less contrast, are more brownish than grey, the supercilium is fainter and the black mask is missing. Rump white and tail white with black "T" in all plumages. The black in the middle tail-feathers is always at least as long as the width of the black terminal tail-band. Pale individuals can be mistaken for Isabelline Wheatear, but note that the supercilium is buff between eye and base of bill. Diet It feeds on adults and larvae of numerous insects' species, large insects, spiders, small snails and earthworms. In autumn, it feeds on berries from several plant species. The Northern Wheatear has similar diet on the wintering grounds where it is often attracted by burnt areas with ants and termites. Longevity record 10 years 1 months (Sweden, 1EE42448) Kuda Oenanthe oenanthe Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - November Occasionally seen in February, June Click on the image to open slideshow 15-04-17 24-04-20 15-04-17 15-04-17 1/12 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 16.5 19 - 29 Back to Glossary Isabelline Wheatear Isabelline Wheatear Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Male and female isabelline wheatear are similar in appearance. The upper-parts are a pale sandy brown with an isabelline tinge (isabelline is a pale grey-yellow, fawn, cream-brown or parchment colour). The lower back is isabelline and the rump and upper tail-coverts are white. The tail feathers are brownish-black with a narrow edge and tip of buff and a large white base. In the outer tail feathers this occupies more than half the length of the feather but in the central feathers it is about one third. There is an over-eye streak of creamy white and the ear-coverts are pale brown. The chin is pale cream and the throat pale buff. The breast is sandy or isabelline buff and the belly creamy white. The under tail-coverts are pale buff and the under wing-coverts and axilliaries white with dark bases. The wing feathers are brownish-black, tipped and edged with creamy buff. The beak, legs and feet are black and the irises are brown. Diet Its diet includes ants, grasshoppers, moths, flies, mites, spiders and insect larvae, and it sometimes eats seeds as well. Isabelline Wheatears are solitary birds in their winter quarters and may associate with other Oenanthe species during migration. Longevity record - Kuda Iżabellina Oenanthe isabellina Passeriformes Muscicapidae Scarce Usually seen in March - April Occasionally seen in May, October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 30-03-18 30-03-18 30-03-18 1/9 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 16.5 25 - 35 Back to Glossary Desert Wheatear Desert Wheatear Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. The head and nape of the adult male Desert Wheatear are a pale sandy-grey colour with the feathers tipped grey. The mantle, scapulars and back are a similar but rather richer colour. The rump and upper tail-coverts are pale buff. The basal third of the tail feathers are white and the rest black with a pale buff tip. A curved stripe over the eye is pale buff and extends backwards. The feathers of the chin, throat, lores and ear-coverts are black tipped with white. The breast and flanks are sandy-buff and the belly and under tail-coverts are creamy-white tinged with buff. The axillaries and under wing-coverts are black tipped with white. The primaries have black outer webs, tipped and edged with white and inner webs pale brown edged with white. The secondaries are similar but have broader white edges to both webs. The female has similar plumage but the rump and upper tail-coverts are more sandy brown, the lores, chin and throat pale buff and the dark parts of the tail brownish-black. Diet Its diet includes ants, grasshoppers, moths, flies, mites, spiders and insect larvae, and it sometimes eats seeds as well. Longevity record - Kuda tad-Deżert Oenanthe deserti Passeriformes Muscicapidae Vagrant Usually seen in March, October - November Occasionally seen in April, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14.5 - 15.5 21 - 27 Back to Glossary Western Black-eared Wheatear Western Black-eared Wheatear Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. The breeding male has the forehead and crown white or nearly white, the mantle buff, and the wings blacker than those of the Northern Wheatear . The underparts are white tinged with buff. The back, upper tail coverts and most of the tail are white. A black mask extends from the ear coverts to the bill. The throat can be either black (black-throated) or white (pale-throated). In autumn and winter the head and mantle are distinctly buff, as are the underparts (including the throat in pale-throated individuals), but the buff varies in intensity. Except for the central pair, the tail feathers are much whiter than in the Northern Wheatear, the white on the inner web often extending to the tip. The female is a browner bird, but has the characteristic white lower back, and her seasonal changes are less marked. The male Western Black-eared Wheatear can be distinguished from the male Eastern Black-eared Wheatear by its more buff-tinged upperparts, giving it a less distinctly black-and-white appearance than the latter species, as well as having the black of the mask stopping at the base of the bill rather than extending slightly above. Also the black mask of the Eastern type goes above the eye whilst that of the Western does not or is very slightly surpassed. Black-throated individuals of this species have less black on the throat and face than on the eastern birds, and the black generally terminates less abruptly. Females of this species differ from their eastern counterparts in being warmer brown overall. Diet Its diet includes ants, grasshoppers, moths, flies, mites, spiders and insect larvae, and it sometimes eats seeds as well. Longevity record 10 years Kuda Dumnikana tal-Punent Oenanthe hispanica Passeriformes Muscicapidae Very rare Usually seen in April Occasionally seen in March, May Click on the image to open slideshow 01-05-19 01-05-19 01-05-19 01-05-19 1/5 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15.5 15 - 22 Back to Glossary Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple individuals can be seen within the same area. The breeding male has the forehead, crown, and mantle white or nearly white with a buff tinge, and the wings blacker than those of the Northern Wheatear . The underparts are white tinged with buff. The back, upper tail coverts and most of the tail are white. A black mask extends from the ear coverts to the bill. The throat can be either black or white. The female is a more gray-brown bird, but has the characteristic white lower back, and her seasonal changes are less marked. The male Eastern Black-eared Wheatear can be distinguished from the male Western Black-eared Wheatear by its whiter, less buff-tinted upperparts than the latter species, giving it a more distinctly black-and-white appearance, as well as by having the black of the mask reaching just above the base of the bill. Black-throated individuals of this species have a greater amount of black on the throat and face than on the western birds, and the black generally terminates more abruptly or in a straighter line. Females of this species differ from their western counterparts in being overall colder-colored and duller. It is found breeding in the eastern Mediterranean , Southeast Europe to the Caspian Sea and Iran and migrates to winter quarters in the Sudan . Diet Its diet includes ants, grasshoppers, moths, flies, mites, spiders and insect larvae, and it sometimes eats seeds as well. Longevity record 10 years Kuda Dumnikana Oenanthe melanoleuca Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in June, August - October Click on the image to open slideshow 31-03-20 1/32 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15.5 15 - 22 Back to Glossary White-crowned Wheatear White-crowned Wheatear Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Large and powerful for a wheatear with glossy black plumage; found in rocky deserts. Only adults have a white cap. Sexes similar. In all plumages lacks a black terminal tail band; its mostly white tail separates it from other similar black wheatears. Inhabits rocky slopes and steep desert wadis. The male sings a clear series of whistles and trills; often given during a display flight. Diet Its diet includes ants, grasshoppers, moths, flies, mites, spiders and insect larvae, and it sometimes eats seeds as well. Longevity record n/a Kuda Rasha Bajda Oenanthe leucopyga Passeriformes Muscicapidae Vagrant Back to Glossary Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in March - April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/11 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15.5 23 - 32 Red-breasted flycatcher Red-breasted Flycatcher Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. A small and elegant flycatcher with deep chest, slender vent and fairly long tail. Head rounded and bill thin. Best field mark is the dark tail with white edges at the base (Wheatear-like) shown in all plumages. Often flirts tail, showing the diagnostic markings. Male recognized by Robin-like throat-patch and slate grey head. The red is restricted to the upper throat, and does not extend to the cheeks like in Robin. Very acrobatic flight when hunting. More pronounced flicking of tail than in other flycatchers, with tail sometimes even pointing forward over back, before being let down slowly. Diet The Red-breasted Flycatcher feeds primarily on insects of several species, and also takes worms, snails and woodlice Longevity record 10 years Żanżarell ta' Sidru Aħmar Ficedula parva Passeriformes Muscicapidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in October Occasionally seen in April - May, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11 - 12 10 - 12 Spotted flycatcher Spotted Flycatcher Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but are seen in good quantities within the same area. Seen in pairs in Spring and Summer and some reside and breed. Easily overlooked bird with greyish brown upperparts and pale underparts. Crown and chest speckled. Bill and legs black. Slim white fringes to flight feathers and greater coverts. Body, wings and bill longer than in Pied Flycatcher, leaving a more elongated impression. Erect posture. Behaviour similar to congeners, with rapid darts and frequent hovering when hunting insects. Flicks tail and wings while perched. Diet The Spotted Flycatcher feeds primarily on flying insects of several species, and also spiders, snails and earthworms, and some small fruits and berries. It hunts by performing sallies from perch, at 1-2 metres above the ground. It catches the prey while flying, and returns to the perch to eat the insect. Longevity record 11 years (Killed by a cat in Finland, J-978561) Żanżarell tat-Tikki Muscicapa striata Passeriformes Muscicapidae Common Usually seen in March - May, August - November Occasionally seen in all other months for resident birds Click on the image to open slideshow 16-06-18 16-06-18 1/10 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15 13 - 19 Back to Glossary Semi-collared Flycatcher Semi-collared Flycatcher Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. The breeding male is mainly black above and white below, with a white half-collar, extending further back than in pied, large white wing patch, extensively white tail sides and a large white forehead patch. It has a pale grey rump. The bill is black and has the broad but pointed shape typical of aerial insectivores. It mainly takes insects in flight, rarely hunting caterpillars amongst the tree foliage like Pied Flycatcher. Non-breeding male, females and juvenile semi-collared flycatchers have the black replaced by a pale brown, and may be very difficult to distinguish from other Ficedula flycatchers, particularly the Collared Flycatcher. A distinction is that Semi-collared may show a white second wing bar, but many individuals are not separable in the field. Diet t mainly takes insects in flight, rarely hunting caterpillars amongst the tree foliage like pied flycatcher Longevity record 9 years Żanżarell tal-Lvant Ficedula semitorquata Passeriformes Muscicapidae Very rare Usually seen in March - April Occasionally seen in May, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 10 - 17 Back to Glossary Collared flycatcher Collared Flycatcher Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but are seen in multiple numbers within the same area. The breeding male is mainly black above and white below, with a white collar, large white wing patch, black tail (although some males have white tail sides) and a large white forehead patch. It has a pale rump. The bill is black and has the broad but pointed shape typical of aerial insectivores. Non-breeding males, females and juveniles have the black replaced by a pale brown, and may be very difficult to distinguish from other Ficedula flycatchers, particularly the European Pied Flycatcher and the Semi-collared Flycatcher , with which this species hybridizes to a limited extent. Diet As well as taking insects in flight, this species hunts caterpillars amongst the foliage, and will take berries. Longevity record 9 years 10 months (Hungary, T 06103) Żanżarell tal-Kullar / Għasfur tal-Gamiem Ficedula albicollis Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May Occasionally seen in March, June, August - October Click on the image to open slideshow 18/04/20 1/13 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 10 - 17 Back to Glossary Pied flycatcher European Pied Flycatcher Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but are seen in multiple numbers within the same area. Male with shiny black upperparts and pure white underparts. Female grey-brown with pale underparts. Both sexes with broad white edges to tertials and greater coverts, forming a broad white patch (largest in males). Fairly compact body compared to Spotted Flycatcher, with shorter tail and bill. Easily confused with Collared and Semi-collared Flycatcher where these occur. Both sexes differs from Semi-collared in no white edges to end of tail and less white at base. Distinguished from Collared in white patch beneath alula being narrow and not reaching edge of wing (both sexes), white base of tail (black in Collared males) and no collar (males). Diet As well as taking insects in flight, this species hunts caterpillars amongst the oak foliage, and will take berries Longevity record 10 years 11 months (A shot bird in Finland, J-574662) Żanżarell Iswed / Għasfur tal-Gamiem Ficedula hypoleuca Passeriformes Muscicapidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May Occasionally seen in March, June, August - November Click on the image to open slideshow 25-04-18 25-04-18 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 10 - 17 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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We are a group of bird enthusiasts that have teamed up to collect, photograph and showcase the different species of birds that had visited and that visit the Maltese archipelago.  This web page classifies birds in categories and gives some more details of any specific species. Who are we? Birds of Malta We are a team of Maltese bird enthusiasts, primarily from the local hunting community, who have joined forces to document the rich avian life of the islands. Our mission is to capture, categorize, record and share stunning photographs of all bird species that visit the Maltese archipelago. On this page, you will find birds grouped into categories, with additional details provided for each species. Most photos are the work of our local collaborators, taken right here in Malta. Photos taken abroad are distinctly credited and noted.

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

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

Hawks & Falcons Levant Sparrowhawk Levant Sparrowhawk Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* The Levant Sparrowhawk is a small raptor with short broad wings and a longish tail, both adaptations to manoeuvring through trees. The adult male is blue-grey above and pale below, with underparts and leg feathers finely barred in rufous and white. His head is blue-grey as well, with a white throat bisected by a dark central stripe (sometimes quite faint). As with all raptors, the female is larger than the male. The female is similar, though her plumage is generally a darker brownish-grey. Both sexes have orangish-yellow legs and a yellow cere . The Levant Sparrowhawk has dark eyes as opposed by the yellow irises of Eurasian Sparrowhawks. Diet It hunts small birds, insects, rodents, and lizards in woodland or semi-desert areas, relying on surprise as it flies from a perch to catch its prey unaware. Longevity record 15 years 6 months Sparvier tal-Lvant Accipiter brevipes Accipitriformes Accipitridae Very rare Usually seen in October Occasionally seen in May, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 31 - 36 69 - 75 140 - 290 Back to Glossary Sparrowhawk Eurasian Sparrowhawk Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A small raptor with long tail and short, rounded wings. Upperparts grey in male, and brownish in female and juvenile. Underparts barred in buff in male, and brown barring in female and juveniles. Supercilium may be prominent in females. Male regularly kill birds weighing up to 40 g and sometimes up to 120 g or more; females can tackle prey up to 500 g or more. The weight of food consumed by adult birds daily is estimated to be 40–50 g for males and 50–70 g for females. During one year, a pair of Eurasian sparrowhawks could take 2,200 house sparrows , 600 common blackbirds or 110 wood pigeons . Diet Males tend to take tits , finches , sparrows and buntings ; females often take thrushes and starlings . More than 120 bird species have been recorded as prey and individual Eurasian sparrowhawks may specialise in certain prey. The birds taken are usually adults or fledglings, though chicks in the nest and carrion are sometimes eaten. Small mammals, including bats and mice are sometimes caught but insects are eaten only very rarely. Longevity record 20 years (Found dead in Denmark, 588073) Sparvier Accipiter nisus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Scarce Usually seen in September - November Occasionally seen in March - May, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/20 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 27 - 38 67 - 77 110 - 345 Back to Glossary Lesser Kestrel Lesser Kestrel Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups and occasionaly in large flocks but can also be seen individually. Easily confused with Kestrel, especially in female and immature plumage. Adult male with clean, grey cheeks, no moustache-stripe and no streaking on crown. Upper wing, greater coverts are grey, contrasting with brick red forewing and back without dark spots. Belly sparsely spotted. Underside of wings paler with less barring than Kestrel, and with more pronounced dark wing tips and trailing edge. This is also more or less visible in females and young birds. Female and young birds has a less stern look than Kestrel, due to more faint facial markings. Mask do not extend behind the eye. Tail slighty shorter than Kestrel, usually with central feathers slightly elongated (rare in Kestrel). Talons pale white, not black as in Kestrel. Flight light and fast, with shallow wing-beats. Hovers less than Kestrel, but soars on up-winds. Identification of female/immature birds requires a combination of plumage, structural and behavioural (flight action) characters. Diet Mainly insects but feeds also on small birds, reptiles and rodents. Longevity record 10 years (Captured by bird ringer in Spain, 4019231) Spanjulett Sekond Falco naumanni Falconiformes Falconidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, September - October Occasionally seen in February, June - August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/13 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 29 - 33 57 - 72 90 - 210 Back to Glossary Kestrel Common Kestrel Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but occasionally in small groups. Medium sized falcon with long tail and long wings. Upperparts brick-red, underparts pale buff with dark speckles. Male; light grey head and tail. Female; brick-red head and tail. Both sexes with broad, black terminal tail-band visible on both sides. Evident, but diffuse moustache-stripe. Hovers more frequently than other raptors. Tail and wings gives a more rounded impression when soaring. Very similar to Lesser Kestrel. Diet Mainly insects but feeds also on small birds, reptiles and rodents. They are able to see near ultraviolet light, allowing the birds to detect the urine trails around rodent burrows as they shine in an ultraviolet colour in the sunlight, catching mouse-sized mammals. Longevity record 20 years (Found sick in Germany, GN 4735) Spanjulett / Seqer Aħmar Falco tinnunculus Falconiformes Falconidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - November Occasionally seen in all the other months Click on the image to open slideshow 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 32 - 38 67 - 83 165 - 290 Back to Glossary Red Footed Falcon Red-footed Falcon Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but occasionally in small groups. A small falcon recalling both Kestrel and Hobby at a distance, but most likely to be confused with latter. Adult male unmistakable with ashy grey plumage and rufous red "trousers". Colour of trousers not always obvious, but silvery upperwing often visible in flashes at distance. Adult female also distinct with almost unstreaked buff underparts and under wing-coverts, buff neck and crown, dark mask and white cheeks. Immature most likely to be confused with Hobby but differs in barred upper side of tail, pale forehead, white (half) collar, contrasting dark trailing edge to wing and more striking fringes to coverts. Underparts also less heavy streaked. Flight profile similar to Hobby but tail slightly longer and more rounded. Hunts insects in flight, but in contrast to Hobby, hovers frequently and with deeper wingbeats than Kestrel. Diet Diet consisting of a variety of insects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and small birds. Longevity record 13 years (France, GT 9477) Żumbrell Falco vespertinus Falconiformes Falconidae Scarce Usually seen in April - May Occasionally seen in June - October Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. female Colourful orange underbody with black eye mask and a short black moustache. Upperwings are greyish with darker barring. Ad. female Colourful orange underbody with black eye mask and a short black moustache. Upperwings are greyish with darker barring. 2nd cycle male Bluish grey head and underbody with rusty red thighs and vent. In 2nd cycle males the underwings are still not fully dark and can have a mix of juvenile, transitional and adult plumage feathers. Ad. female Colourful orange underbody with black eye mask and a short black moustache. Upperwings are greyish with darker barring. 1/38 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 31 65 - 78 110 - 200 Back to Glossary Sooty Falcon Sooty Falcon Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* It is a vagrant sighting. The one in the pictures was taken by Patrick Spiteri on the 13th September 2022 over Buskett. A small elegant bird of prey, 32–37 cm long with a 78–90 cm wingspan. It is shaped like a large Hobby or a small Eleonora's Falcon, with its long pointed wings, long tail and slim body. The adults are blue-grey, and lack the black underwing coverts of the Eleonora’s Falcon. The young bird is like a large juvenile Hobby, or small juvenile Eleanora’s Falcon. Its dark trailing edge to the wings and tail distinguish it from the former species, and it lacks the underwing contrast caused by the dark coverts of the larger falcon. In adults, it distinct itself from the Red-footed male falcon by having yellowish legs and yellow orbital rings instead of more orange legs and orbital rings in Red-footed's. The Sooty falcon also does not have the red orange vent seen on male Red-footed and Amur falcons. Diet Diet consisting of a variety of insects, bats, reptiles, mammals and small birds. Longevity record --- Żumbrell Għarbi Falco concolor Falconiformes Falconidae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in April, September -November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 32 - 37 78 - 90 220 - 350 Back to Glossary Eleonora's Falcon Eleonora's Falcon Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. This falcon is shaped like a Eurasian Hobby or a juvenile Red-footed falcon, with its long pointed wings, long tail and slim body. There are two colour morphs : The adult dark morph is all sooty brown, with black underwing coverts . The light morph is more like a juvenile Eurasian hobby, but has buff underparts, and also shows the contrast between the black underwing coverts and paler base to the flight feathers. Young birds are also like a large juvenile hobby, but the pale underparts contrast with darker wingtips and wing coverts. Eleonora's falcons have greenish legs and a consistent pale patch on the face, which is indented and thus can be seen divided in a Eurasian Hobby. Diet Large insects, birds and bats. Longevity record 11 years (Shot bird in Germany, 5265733) Bies Tar-Reġina Falco eleonorae Falconiformes Falconidae Scarce Usually seen in August - October Occasionally seen in February, April - July, November - December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 43 86 - 102 330 - 450 Back to Glossary Merlin Merlin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. This falcon is the smallest falcon visiting our islands. It is a very agile falcon which can be seen flying swiftly through tree branches. The male has slate grey upperparts, and pinkish buff with speckled underparts. The female is dark brown above and heavily speckled below. Tail of female with dark broad bands, tail of male with broad black terminal band. Diffuse facial markings. Short wings. Acrobatic flight with sharp twist and turns when chasing prey. Alternating glides and bursts of wing-beats gives undulating flight. Diet Usually feeds on small birds but also large insects, rodents, reptiles and bats. Longevity record 12 years (Found dead in the UK, EB 28714) Seqer ta' Denbu Falco columbarius Falconiformes Falconidae Very scarce Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in December - May, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/7 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 34 61 - 67 160 - 210 Back to Glossary Eurasian Hobby Eurasian Hobby Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. The Eurasian Hobby is a small and elegant falcon, with white throat and rufous thighs (adults). Long, narrow wings and medium long tail. Dark grey above and heavily streaked below. Head dark, with marked facial pattern resembling Peregrine. Tail often looks slightly wedge-shaped. Impressive speed of flight, with acrobatic skills when hunting. Will glide, but seldom hovers. Perched birds shows wing-tips reaching end of tail. Diet Feeds normally on swifts, martins, swallows, bats but also on insects. Longevity record 14 years (Found dead in Germany, 5103443) Seqer tal-Ħannieqa Falco subbuteo Falconiformes Falconidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in April, September - October Occasionally seen in May - June, August Click on the image to open slideshow 1/16 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 35 75 - 85 176 - 285 Saker Saker Falcon Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. A large, powerful, falcon with a pale head, a thin mustache, and dark "trousers"; tail extends beyond wingtips at rest. In flight the wings are broad, with dark underwing coverts. Found in open grasslands with rocky areas and cliffs or in gallery forests. Often nests in heronries. Diet Birds comprise 44% of the diet, mammals 47%, reptiles 8% and insects 1%. Our results suggest that this falcon is an opportunistic hunter and feeds on a wide range of animals throughout its habitat. Longevity record 15 years (Hungary, 517363) Bies Rasu Bajda Falco cherrug Falconiformes Falconidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in April, October - November Occasionally seen in August, Decemebr - January Click on the image to open slideshow © Darren Caruana 1/8 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 48 - 55 110 - 125 700 - 1300 Peregrine Falcon Peregrine Falcon Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in pairs or in small groups during breeding. The nominates 'peregrinus', 'calidus' and 'brookei' occur in Malta. The latter being the one that breeds in Malta. A large and athletic falcon. Adults slate-grey above. Underparts white with black barring. Head almost black. Juveniles with brown tone to plumage, coarse longitudinal streaking below and paler head. Differs from the smaller falcons by less pointed wings, heavier hips and short tail. Highly contrasting and broad moustache-stripe. Underside of wings evenly barred, without contrasting coverts. Diet Feral Pigeons (Columba livia) comprise one third of the diet by frequency and just over half of the diet when measured by mass. The remainder of the diet comprises a wealth of other species including wading birds, other doves and pigeons, ducks, gulls and terns, and rails. Longevity record 17 years (Killed by a vehicle in Sweden, 9002638) Bies Falco peregrinus Falconiformes Falconidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - May, September - November Occasionally seen in January, June, August, December, all other months for resident birds Click on the image to open slideshow 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 37 - 45 90 - 105 580 - 1100 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Flamingoes, Spoonbills, Ibises, Grebes, O'Catchers, Avocets & Stilts Flamingo Greater Flamingo Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in large flocks, in small groups and also individually. Unmistakable, a great sized bird, with pink plumage and a pink bill with black tip and yellow eyes in adults. They also have long, lean, curved necks and black-tipped bills with a distinctive downward bend. Their bent bills allow them to feed on small organisms—plankton, tiny fish, fly larvae, and the like. Immature birds first brown with white belly. Later dirty white with coverts tipped black. Diet Flamingos eat larva, small insects, blue-green and red algae, molluscs, crustaceans and small fish, according to Sea World. Their tendency to eat both vegetation and meat makes them omnivores. Longevity record 27 years (Ring read in the field in France, FA 5233) Fjamingu Phoenicopterus roseus Phoenicopteriformes Phoenicopteridae Scarce Usually seen in August - November Occasionally seen in all the other months Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. Pink body and bill with black tip. Rosy-red upperwings with black primaries and secondaries. Yellow iris. Juvenile to immature Note all brown plumage in juveniles. Bill is grey with less contrasting tip. Dark iris. 1/31 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 125 - 145 140 - 170 1.8 - 3.6 Back to Glossary Great white pelican Great White Pelican Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* The Great White pelican that lives in the shallow swamps in Africa is one of the largest flying birds in the world. It has the abilities of multiple birds, such as long flights and swimming. Its unique characteristic is the “gular pouch” inside its beak. Its legs are short and strong with fully webbed toes that allow it to propel itself in water and to take off from the surface of the water. They are powerful fliers and often travel in flocks in a V-formation to reduce drag for the group. Diet Great White pelicans are carnivores (piscivores), they eat fish and also small invertebrates. Longevity record 51 years Pellikan Pelecanus onocrotalus Pelecaniformes Pelicanidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in September - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/2 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 140 - 175 245 - 295 6.9 - 11.5 Pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Eurasian Spoonbill Eurasian Spoonbill Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Occasionally in flocks. Largely unmistakable, but might be mistaken for an egret when at a distance. Differs from these in bill-shape and in neck held straight (not retracted) in flight. Plumage white with yellowish half collar and neck tuft in breeding season. Bill and legs dark. Immature birds with black tips to primaries and pinkish bill. Characteristic feeding behavior with sweeping bill-motions from side to side. Wing-beats slower than Glossy Ibis, and flocks generally fly in single file. Diet Water bugs adults and larvae, dragonflies, caddisflies, locusts, flies and other insect species. It also takes crustaceans, molluscs, worms, leeches, frogs, tadpoles and small fish, and occasionally some algae. Longevity record 25-30 years Paletta Platalea leucorodia Pelecaniformes Threskiornithidae Very scarce Usually seen in February - May, September - October Occasionally seen in June - August, November - January Click on the image to open slideshow 1/29 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 80 - 93 120 - 135 1.2 - 1.7 Back to Glossary Bald Ibis Northern Bald Ibis Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen singly on the 15th October 2017. From the ring details it was known that it was part of a reintroduction program in Fagnana, Udine in the North of Italy. A largely unmistakable, even at a distance when bald head is not apparent. Note short legs and short, thick neck without bulbous head. In flight note that the legs are not protruding behind tail, and that the wings usually show 3-4 "fingers". Frequent soaring flight, as opposed to Glossy Ibis. This ibis is listed as 'Endangered' under IUCN's list and several programs are being implemented for its reintroduction. Diet Northern bald ibis eat a wide variety of foods, especially grasshoppers, locusts, mole-crickets, crickets, beetles and small reptiles. They will also eat most other invertebrates and small vertebrates they can find, including scorpions, snails, worms, frogs and fish. Longevity record 24-32 years Velleran Qargħi / Velleran Eremita Geronticus eremita Pelecaniformes Threskiornithidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in One single record on 15th Oct 2017 Click on the image to open slideshow Adult Red bill. Elongated nape feathers. Yellow to orange iris. 1/7 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 70 - 80 120 - 135 1.0 - 1.3 Back to Glossary Picture taken abroad Glossy Ibis Glossy Ibis Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Occasionally in larger groups >10 individuals. Resembles a big, black Curlew, but can only be confused with Bald Ibis. Differs from this by longer, slender neck, rounded and feathered head, long legs (trailing in flight) and heavier bill. Bare parts greyish, not red. Adults with glossy green wings. Immatures and birds in winter plumage with white-speckled head and neck. Head and legs droops slightly below horizontal plane in flight, leaving a "hunched" impression. Wing beats faster than herons of same size. May glide longer distances, but does not soar like Bald Ibis. Flight formation loose, diagonal or in single file with undulating movements. Diet Insects, small fish and aquatic invertebrates, including molluscs and crabs. It uses its long bill to probe through mud and shallow water to find prey. Longevity record 9 years (Shot in Hungary, 27530) Velleran / Veneral Plegadis falcinellus Pelecaniformes Threskiornithidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - April Occasionally seen in May-June, August - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/15 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 55 - 65 88 - 105 530 - 768 Back to Glossary Little Grebe Little Grebe Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs. Small, dark grebe with bright yellow gape, short neck and bill. Winter plumage paler than summer, with chestnut flanks, neck and cheeks, giving less contrast between upper- and underparts. Fluffy, pale stern. No crest or tufts/tippets and no white markings on wings. Diet Insects, small fish, molluscs, crustaceans and amphibians. Longevity record 17 years (Switzerland, 929838) Blonġun Żgħir Tachybaptus ruficollis Podicipediformes Podicipedidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - February Occasionally seen in March, July - August, all other months for resident individuals at Simar Click on the image to open slideshow Juvenile Bright yellow bill, gape still not formed, broader white in chin and white side feathers indicating a juvenile. Adult summer Distinctive yellow gape, chestnut cheeks and foreneck in spring adults. Black bill with paler yellowish end tip. Juvenile Bright yellow bill, gape still not formed, broader white in chin and white side feathers indicating a juvenile. Juvenile Bright yellow bill, gape still not formed, broader white in chin and white side feathers indicating a juvenile. 1/15 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 23 - 29 40 - 45 140 - 193 Great Crested Grebe Great Crested Grebe Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but occasionally in groups. Unmistakable in summer plumage with black crest, and black and chestnut tippets. Paler coloured (pinkish) bill than other grebes (also in winter). Gives a slender and more elegant impression. Swims with body low and a stretched slender neck, or with head rested on back. Winter; very pale. Pale, pinkish bill. White area above lores. Front of neck white. Shows white lesser- and median coverts in flight together with white wing-bar. Diet The great crested grebe feeds mainly on fish, but also small crustaceans, insects small frogs and newts. Longevity record 19 years (Shot in Russia, C 111277) Blonġun Prim Podiceps cristatus Podicipediformes Podicipedidae Scarce Usually seen in October - March Occasionally seen in April, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer Long head plumes, chestnut face feathers and a darker back and sides in summer plumage. Adult summer Long head plumes, chestnut face feathers and a darker back and sides in summer plumage. Adult summer Long head plumes, chestnut face feathers and a darker back and sides in summer plumage. Adult summer Long head plumes, chestnut face feathers and a darker back and sides in summer plumage. 1/12 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 46 - 51 59 - 73 0.8 - 2.0 Back to Glossary Black-necked Grebe Black-necked Grebe Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Small and dark grebe, with squarish head and thin, uptilted bill. Adult breeding plumage distinct, with unique combination of black head and neck, and a spray of golden, fan-like feathers from eye to nape. Head profile distinct, with its steep forehead. In winter plumage highest point is above the eye. Much more contrasting plumage than Little Grebe. Avoids to take wing if possible. Diet This grebe eats mostly insects, of both adult and larval stages, as well as crustaceans, molluscs, tadpoles, and small frogs and fish. When moulting at lakes with high salinity, although, this bird feeds mostly on brine shrimp. Longevity record 13 years (Shot in the Czech Republic, D 43196) Blonġun Sekond Podiceps nigricollis Podicipediformes Podicipedidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January - April, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow Adult moulting to summer plumage Adult moulting to summer plumage Adult summer Bright red iris, black head, neck and back. Peak on head. Chestnut side feathers. Yellow ear-tufts. Adult moulting to summer plumage 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 34 56 - 60 250 - 350 Back to Glossary Oystercatcher Eurasian Oystercatcher Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups but can be seen individually. Unmistakable shorebird. Large wader with black and white plumage, striking orange-red, straight bill and red orbital ring. Legs pinkish in adults and grey in juveniles. Broad white wing-bars. Stocky build, with fairly short legs and broad chest. Flight pattern straight and level. Winter plumage with white half-collar on chin. Juveniles with browner tone to upperparts than adults, and black tip of bill. Diet In muddy coasts, worms are the most important part of the diet, whereas rocky shore oystercatchers prey upon limpets, mussels, gastropods, and chitons. Longevity record 43 years (Killed by a bird of prey in Germany, 5022926) Gallina tal-Baħar Haematopus ostralegus Charadriiformes Haematopodidae Very scarce Usually seen in August Occasionally seen in March - July, September - December Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer Red bill showing an adult. Lack of white collar indicating a summer plumage. 1st summer birds have a dark tip on the end of the bill. Interesting to note that all photos taken are all of adult birds. 1/27 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 39 - 44 72 - 83 380 - 520 Back to Glossary Pied Avocet Pied Avocet Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups but can be seen individually and in large flocks. An elegant, long-legged, black and white wader with a long, upcurved bill. Plumage mainly white, with black wing-tips, coverts, crown and hind-neck. Pretty unmistakable. Confusion with Juvenile Shelduck possible at very long range. Flight pattern even and mostly without glides. Females have a shorter but more sharply curved bills than males. Diet Pied Avocets mostly feed on crustaceans and insects. They typically forage in shallow brackish water or on mud flats, often moving their bills from side to side in water as they search for food. Pied Avocets breed near shallow lakes with brackish water and exposed bare mud. Longevity record 27 years (Ring read in the field in the Netherlands, 3047434) Xifa Recurvirostra avosetta Recurvirostridae Charadriiformes Very scarce Usually seen in March - April, August - September Occasionally seen in May, July, October - December Click on the image to open slideshow Adult female Shorter and more sharply curved bill indicative of a female. 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 42 - 46 67 - 77 225 - 400 Back to Glossary Black-Winged Stilt Black-winged Stilt Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups but can be seen individually and in large flocks. Unmistakable due to the extremely long, red legs. High contrast plumage with pointed, black wings (both upper and under-side) and white underparts. Tail white, with white wedge extending up back. Back of adult male sooty black, while brownish black in female and immature. Head all white or with black markings independent of sex (males more often have black markings than females though). Immature with faint, pale fringes to coverts, and white trailing edge to secondaries visible in flight. Diet Black-winged Stilts feed mainly on aquatic insects, but will also take molluscs and crustaceans. They rarely swim for food, preferring instead to wade in shallow water, and seize prey on or near the surface. Occasionally, birds plunge their heads below the surface to catch sub-aquatic prey. Longevity record 10 years (Ring read in the field in Spain, 4037768) Fra Servjent / Passarvjent Himantopus himantopus Recurvirostridae Charadriiformes Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, July - August Occasionally seen in February, June, September - October Click on the image to open slideshow Adults Males - dark black backs Females - brown tinged backs Black on head patterns varies between males and females but males tend to have more black on the head. Adults Males - dark black backs Females - brown tinged backs Black on head patterns varies between males and females but males tend to have more black on the head. 1/38 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 33 - 36 71 - 83 150 - 210 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.