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''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

Rails, Crakes & Coots Water Rail Water Rail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually. Fairly large rail with secretive behaviour. Distinguished by long red bill, brownish upperparts, slate grey underparts, and coarsely barred flanks. White and unmarked vent often visible due to frequently used posture with flirted tail. Long legs and toes visible in flight. Diet Water rails are omnivorous, although they mainly feed on animals. These include leeches, worms, gastropods, small crustaceans, spiders, and a wide range of both terrestrial and aquatic insects and their larvae. Small vertebrates such as amphibians, fish, birds and mammals may be killed or eaten as carrion. Longevity record 8 years, 11 months (A bird found dead in the UK, DA 56290) Gallozz tax-Xitwa Rallus aquaticus Gruiformes Rallidae Scarce Usually seen in October - February Occasionally seen in March - May, July - August Click on the image to open slideshow 1/21 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 23 - 26 38 - 45 75 - 190 Back to Glossary Corn Crake Corncrake Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually. The adult male has the crown of its head and all of its upperparts brown-black in colour, streaked with buff or grey. The wing coverts are a distinctive chestnut colour with some white bars. The face, neck and breast are blue-grey, apart from a pale brown streak from the base of the bill to behind the eye, the belly is white, and the flanks, and undertail are barred with chestnut and white. The strong bill is flesh-coloured, the iris is pale brown, and the legs and feet are pale grey. Compared to the male, the female has warmer-toned upperparts and a narrower duller eye streak. Outside the breeding season, the upperparts of both sexes become darker and the underparts less grey. The juvenile is like the adult in appearance, but has a yellow tone to its upperparts, and the grey of the underparts is replaced with buff-brown. The chicks have black down, as with all rails. Diet The corn crake is omnivorous, but mainly feeds on invertebrates, including earthworms, slugs and snails, spiders, beetles, dragonflies, grasshoppers and other insects. Longevity record - Gallozz Aħmar Crex crex Gruiformes Rallidae Rare Usually seen in September - October, April Occasionally seen in March, May, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 22 - 25 42 - 53 129 - 210 Back to Glossary Spotted Crake Spotted Crake Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually or in pairs. Small, secretive bird, usually only heard and not seen. Buff under tail-coverts and zigzag-patterned wings are diagnostic, and separates it from all other small rails in the region. Stocky build, with speckled underparts and short yellow bill with red spot at upper base. Spotted chest and neck. Diet Mainly insects and aquatic animals. Longevity record - Gallozz tat-Tikki Porzana porzana Gruiformes Rallidae Scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in April - May, September - November Occasionally seen in February - March, August Click on the image to open slideshow 1/15 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 19 - 22 37 - 42 57 - 147 Little Crake Little Crake Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually. The adult male has the crown of its head and all of its upperparts brown-black in colour, streaked with buff or grey. The wing coverts are a distinctive chestnut colour with some white bars. The face, neck and breast are blue-grey, apart from a pale brown streak from the base of the bill to behind the eye, the belly is white, and the flanks, and undertail are barred with chestnut and white. The strong bill is flesh-coloured, the iris is pale brown, and the legs and feet are pale grey. Compared to the male, the female has warmer-toned upperparts and a narrower duller eye streak. Outside the breeding season, the upperparts of both sexes become darker and the underparts less grey. The juvenile is like the adult in appearance, but has a yellow tone to its upperparts, and the grey of the underparts is replaced with buff-brown. The chicks have black down, as with all rails. Diet The corn crake is omnivorous, but mainly feeds on invertebrates, including earthworms, slugs and snails, spiders, beetles, dragonflies, grasshoppers and other insects. Longevity record - Gallozz Żgħir Zapornia parva Gruiformes Rallidae Very scarce Usually seen in April - May, September - October Occasionally seen in February - March, June, August Click on the image to open slideshow 1/26 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 19 34 - 39 35 - 60 Back to Glossary Baillons Crake Baillon's Crake Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually. Most likely to be confused with Little Crake. Most important field characters is the very short primary projection and lack of red base of bill. Some caution should be taken as missing or unorderly tertials can be confusing with regards to the projection, and immature Little Crake may sometimes also lack red base of bill. Flanks and belly more extensively barred than L. Crake. Upperparts richer brown with white spots. Sexes alike, but females often with paler throat. Brown cheeks occurs in both sexes. Legs dirty olive colour and bill greenish. Immature even more easily confused with L. Crake, but apart from the missing projection, note warmer brown upperparts and more heavily barred underparts, even on breast. Crown less evenly coloured than L. Crake, with blackish speckles. Baillon's crakes are very secretive in the breeding season, and are then mostly heard rather than seen. They are then noisy birds, with a rattling call like that of the edible frog, or perhaps garganey. Diet They mainly eat insects and aquatic animals. Longevity record - Gallozz tal-Faxxi Zapornia pusilla Gruiformes Rallidae Rare Usually seen in April Occasionally seen in March, May, October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 18 30 - 41 30 - 55 Back to Glossary Allen's Gallinule Allen's Gallinule Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually but can be seen in small groups. They are similar in size to the only slightly larger water rail . The Allen's gallinule has a short red bill, greenish back and purple upperparts. They have red legs with long toes, and a short tail which is white with a dark central bar underneath. Breeding males have a blue frontal shield , which is green in the female. Immature Allen's gallinules are sandy brown with a buff undertail. The downy chicks are black, as with all rails . Allen's gallinules are very secretive in the breeding season, particularly in the dense swamps they favour, and are mostly heard rather than seen. They are then rather noisy birds, with a sharp nasal pruk call. They can be easier to see on migration or when wintering. Diet Omnivorous. Eats a wide variety of plant and animal matter, including seeds, fruits, and leaves of aquatic and terrestrial plants, also insects, frogs, snails, spiders, worms, fish. At times, eats the eggs and young of other birds. Longevity record - Faġan tal-Baħar Afrikan Porphyrio alleni Gruiformes Rallidae Very rare Usually seen in December - January Occasionally seen in February - March, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 20 - 26 48 - 52 120 - 160 Back to Glossary Moorhen Common Moorhen Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually or in small groups. Adults easily recognized by red frontal shield and red base of yellow bill. Both adults and juveniles show bold white/pale lateral stripe. Appears totally black at distance, but can be told apart from Coot by more slender build. Tail usually flirted, showing diagnostic white under tail-coverts. This also shows in juveniles, which are further distinguished by darker bill and neck than Coot. Diet The Common Moorhen is omnivorous and opportunistic with a diet that consists of earthworms, crustaceans, molluscs, adult and larval insects (especially flies, mayflies, bugs, beetles, and butterflies), spiders, small fish, tadpoles, and occasionally birds eggs, algae, moss, aquatic plants, seeds, flowers, berries, and fruit. Longevity record 18 years 7 months (Found dead in Denmark, 403675) Gallozz Iswed Gallinula chloropus Gruiformes Rallidae Common Usually seen in September - December Occasionally seen in all other months for resident birds Click on the image to open slideshow 22-12-20 22-12-20 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 27 - 31 50 - 55 190 - 490 Back to Glossary Eurasian Coot Eurasian Coot Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually or in pairs. Largely unmistakable. All black, with white frontal shield and pale bill. Very stocky build. Lacks the white lateral stripe and white under tail-coverts of Moorhen. White trailing edge of wings visible in flight. Juveniles paler and more grey than adults, often with whitish front and neck. Under tail-coverts are dark, unlike juvenile Moorhen. Diet The coot is an omnivore, and will take a variety of small live prey including the eggs of other water birds, as well as algae, vegetation, seeds and fruit. It shows considerable variation in its feeding techniques, grazing on land or in the water. Longevity record 20 years 7 months (A shot bird in Denmark, 316250) Tiġieġa tal-Baħar Fulica atra Gruiformes Rallidae Scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - March Occasionally seen in April, all other months for resident birds Click on the image to open slideshow 22-12-20 22-12-20 28-04-2017 22-12-20 1/13 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 36 - 42 70 - 80 600 - 1200 Red knobbed coot Red-knobbed Coot Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* It has an almost entirely sooty black or charcoal gray plumage, which can appear slightly paler on the underparts.Its knobs are two dark red fleshy knobs at the top of its white frontal shield (the forehead area).These knobs are only prominent during the breeding season; outside of that, they can shrink and become quite difficult to see. It has a striking, ivory-white bill that contrasts sharply with its dark feathers. Unlike the Eurasian Coot, the white shield on the forehead has a more "pinched" or squared-off top. It has deep red to reddish-brown iris and b lue-gray legs with massive, lobate (scalloped) toes instead of full webbing. These acting like "paddles" for swimming and "snowshoes" for walking on soft mud or floating vegetation. Diet The coot is an omnivore, and will take a variety of small live prey including the eggs of other water birds, as well as algae, vegetation, seeds and fruit. It shows considerable variation in its feeding techniques, grazing on land or in the water. Longevity record 23 years 9 months (SAFRING, 316250) Tiġieġa tat-Toppu Fulica cristata Gruiformes Rallidae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in February, May Click on the image to open slideshow 1/8 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 38 - 45 75 - 85 580 - 1100 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Quails, T'Knees, Pratincoles, Cursors, Nightjars & Cuckoos Quail Common Quail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs during breeding. Multiple birds can be flushed simultaneously. Seldom seen, often heard. Very small, compact bird with secretive behaviour. Heavily striated brown upperparts and paler belly. Males with black throat or black throat-band. Only the male shows different pale or rufous morphs. Appears long-winged when flying, with a straight and low line of flight. Diet Quails are foraging birds that live in shrub/bush lands in the wild. Their diet consists of insects, grains, seeds and sometimes berries. Longevity record 14 years 7 months (A shot bird in Slovakia, K 261152) Summiena Coturnix coturnix Galliformes Phasianidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - April, September - October Occasionally seen in February, May, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 18 32 - 35 70 - 155 Little Bustard Little Bustard Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small bustard about the seize of female pheasant. Stocky body, small head, slender neck and fairly long legs. Male: Grey head, black neck with two white rings, finely vermiculated upperparts and white underparts. Odd short p7 in male. Female lacks black neck and all upperparts are a vermiculated sandy brown. Young and non-breeding males similar to females, but often with a hint of white breast-band and more clearly defined white underparts. Flushed birds take off in noisy, grouse-like manner with rapid wing-beats and interspersed short glides on bowed wings. Longer flight with quick wing-beats mostly below level of back. Diet Seeds, insects, rodents and reptiles. Like other bustards, the male little bustard has a flamboyant display with foot stamping and leaping in the air. Longevity record 10 years (average) Pitarra Tetrax tetrax Galliformes Phasianidae Very rare Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in March - April, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 45 83 - 91 680 - 975 Back to Glossary Tellerita Eurasian Stone-curlew Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. It is also found as the 'Eurasian Thick-knee'. Mostly nocturnal and easily overlooked at daytime when resting. Runs for cover with hunched posture if disturbed. Easily identified in flight by dark wing with white window, long tail and trailing toes. Betrays it's presence at dusk when groups of birds often starts calling and moving about. Diet Food consists of insects and other small invertebrates, and occasionally small reptiles, frogs and rodents. Longevity record 17 years 10 months (Found dead by car accident in the UK, ED 41923) Tellerita Burhinus oedicnemus Charadriiformes Burhinidae Scarce Usually seen in March - May, September - October Occasionally seen in June, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 38 - 45 76 - 88 290 - 535 Back to Glossary Cream-coloured courser Cream-coloured Courser Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs. Around 30 known records as from 2010. These birds have long legs and long wings. They have slightly downcurved bills. The body plumage is sandy in colour, fading to whitish on the lower belly. The upperwing primary feathers and the underwings are black. The crown and nape are grey, and there is a black eyestripe and white supercilium. In flight, this species resembles a pratincole with its relaxed wingbeats, pointed wings and dark underwings. Diet Cream-coloured Coursers usually feeds on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, ants and flies. It also consumes molluscs and isopods (a kind of crustacean with flat body and all similar legs). It also feeds on seeds. Longevity record - Nankina Cursorius cursor Charadriiformes Glareolidae Very rare Usually seen in March, June - July Occasionally seen in January - February, April - May, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 24 - 27 51 - 57 93 - 156 Back to Glossary Collared Pratincole Collared Pratincole Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Slightly smaller than Golden Plover with much slender appearance. Only likely to be confused with other pratincoles, but diagnostic field marks often difficult to see. Tail streamers longer than wing-tips and base of bill with more red (in breeding plumage). Sexes alike. Lacks black necklace in winter plumage. Immature birds are similar to winter-plumaged adults, but with additional scaly upperparts. Often confusing at first glance when in flight, due to tern-like, acrobatic flight not resembling other waders. Diet Insects Longevity record - Perniċotta Glareola pratincola Charadriiformes Glareolidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May, September Occasionally seen in July, October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/7 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 24 - 28 60 - 70 60 - 100 European nightjar European Nightjar Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple individuals can be seen flying simultaneously. Falcon or cuckoo-like, nocturnal bird with long tail and slender, pointed wings. Unmistakable when seen in areas where no other species of nightjars occur, or when singing. If plumage is seen clearly, note general tone (grey brown), dark front edge of arm, broader upper wing-bar and small white throat patch. Diet The Nightjar's diet is made up of invertebrates, including moths, flies and beetles. Longevity record 11 years 11 months (UK, XJ 86805) Buqrajq Caprimulgus europaeus Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May, September - October Occasionally seen in March, June, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/8 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 24 - 28 52 - 59 56 - 85 Back to Glossary Egyptian Nightjar Egyptian Nightjar Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Its plumage is much paler than the European Nightjar . The adult is sand-colours, barred and streaked with buff and brown. The under parts are sandy or whitish. It is smaller, but relatively longer-winged and longer-tailed than the more widespread species. Like other nightjars, it has a wide gape, long wings, soft downy plumage and nocturnal habits. The male has tiny white wing spots. Diet The Nightjar's diet is made up of invertebrates, including moths, flies and beetles. Longevity record 11 years Buqrajq Abjad / Buqrajq tal-Eġittu Caprimulgus aegyptius Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in March - April, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 24 - 27 53 - 58 70 - 90 Great Spotted Cuckoo Great Spotted Cuckoo Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs. This species is slightly larger than the common cuckoo in length, but looks much larger with its broad wings and long narrow tail. The adult is grey above with a slender body, long tail and strong legs. It has a grey cap, grey wings, a yellowish face and upper breast, and white underparts. Sexes are similar. The juveniles have blackish upperparts and cap, and chestnut primary wing feathers. This species has a magpie-like flight. It is a bird of warm open country with trees. Diet It feeds on insects, spiders, small reptiles and hairy caterpillars, which are distasteful to many birds. Longevity record - Sultan il-Gamiem tat-Toppu Clamator glandarius Cuculiformes Cuculidae Rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in February - April Occasionally seen in May - July, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 35 - 39 58 - 66 140 - 210 Common Cuckoo Common Cuckoo Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Slate grey upperparts with barred white underparts. Female and juvenile sometimes rufous brown. Male with defined grey breast in contrast to barred white belly, female with diffusely barred chest and throat. Yellow iris and thin bill. Wings and tail long and slender, often giving the impression of a small falcon. Often perches with a more horizontal posture than hawks or falcons, i.e. tail pointing backwards and not towards the ground, and drooping wings. In flight wings are not raise above horizontal plane, and it seldom glides like raptors. Diet It feeds on insects, spiders, small reptiles and hairy caterpillars, which are distasteful to many birds. Longevity record 12 years 11 months (Found dead in Germany, 6023421) Sultan il-Gamiem Cuculus canorus Cuculiformes Cuculidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - October Occasionally seen in June - July, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 32 - 36 54 - 60 80 - 160 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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 European 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 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 Mediterranean 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''.

Kites Black kite page Black Kite Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A raptor seen singly or in few individuals but sometimes can be seen in flocks. One of the largest flocks ever recorded over Malta was seen on the 7th September 2016 with 58 birds that have roosted over Buskett (see flock in slide show). Diet It mostly feeds on small live prey like bats, rodents and birds but it can also hunt fish , scavenge household refuse and carrion. They have also been seen carrying nests of weavers for obtaining eggs or chicks. Longevity record 23 years (A bird found dead on wires in Switzerland, 829312) Astun Iswed Milvus migrans Accipitriformes Accipitridae Scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - April, August - October Occasionally seen in February, May Click on the image to open slideshow 1/20 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 54 - 60 130 - 150 630 - 950 Red kite page Red Kite Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A raptor usually seen in single individuals. Red Kites are rufous with black streaks on the chest, have a yellow bill, a pale head and a distinctive deep forked tail. Diet It mostly feeds on small live prey like such as rodents and rabbits. They can also take down small birds, reptiles and amphibians while can also feed on earthworms. Red kites are also scavengers and can be seen on carrion. They have also been seen carrying nests of weavers for obtaining eggs or chicks. Longevity record 25 years (A killed specimen in Germany, D 26437) Astun Aħmar Milvus milvus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - October Occasionally seen in April - May, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 60 - 65 155 - 180 750 - 1300 Black shouldered kite Black-winged Kite Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A vagrant raptor usually seen individually. Small, stout, unmistakable raptor with pale grey plumage. Strikingly broad wings and short tail. Large, round, owl-like head with black "mascara" and short neck. Underside of wing-tips, and upper median and lesser coverts black. Immature birds often with rusty underparts and white fringes to flight feathers and scapulars. Glides with wings raised high like a harrier. Frequent and skilfull hovering. Diet A specialist predator of the introduced house mouse. It takes other suitably-sized creatures when available, including grasshoppers , rats, small reptiles, birds, and even (very rarely) rabbits, but mice and other mouse-sized mammals account for over 90% of its diet. Longevity record 6 years Astun Abjad Elanus caeruleus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in March - May, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/7 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 31 - 35 75 - 87 230 - 235 Pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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

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 Botaurus 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 Ardea 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''.

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