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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 *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''.

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Warblers & Allies Cetti's Cetti's Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. It is heard more than seen as it is a very shy bird and loves to hide in dense vegetation. Small, warm buff warbler with skulking behaviour, but conspicuous song. Similar in size to Reed Warbler, but with short, rounded wings and rounded tail. Build fairly compact, but bill thin and slender. Supercilium thin and dull. Cheeks and underparts greyish white, lacking the purer white belly of confusion species. Pale eye-ring. Under tail-coverts usually brown with pale fringes. Often flicks tail or holds it raised. Usually hides among undergrowth, and shows itself only when moving from one shrub to another. Diet Insects and larvae. Longevity record 7 years 6 months (UK, KV 98586) Bagħal tal-Għollieq Cettia cetti Passeriformes Cettiidae Common Usually seen in All year round for resident breeding birds. Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14 9 - 17 Back to Glossary Zitting cisticola Zitting Cisticola Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs. However a number of individuals can be seen in the same area. Formerly known as the 'Fan-tailed Warbler'. Small, short winged warbler. Tail fan-shaped with black and white tips. Heavily streaked back, buff underparts and pale throat and vent. Pale area around eye. Flight diagnostic, with whirring wings and short, slightly spread, fan-like tail. Song flight even more distinct, with long undulations synchronised with voice. Diet It forages among grasses and gleans preys from bases of clumps of grasses. It occasionally hawks flying insects. It forages by walking and hopping on the ground. Its diet includes insects and small invertebrates such as grasshoppers, mantids, dragonflies, moths, caterpillars and insect larvae, mayflies and flies, spiders and snails. Some grass seeds are taken too. Longevity record - Bagħal tal-Imrewħa / Zippu Cisticola juncidis Passeriformes Cisticolidae Common Usually seen in All year round for resident breeding birds. Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 22-04-20 1/7 Length (cm): Weight (g): 10 - 11 8 - 12 Back to Glossary Savi's Warbler Savi's Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Reedbed-living, dull coloured warbler with fan-shaped tail. Under tail coverts lacking pale fringes or markings. Vague and short supercilium. Differs from other locustella by unstreaked chest, back and under tail coverts. From Reed Warbler and Marsh Warbler by very long and buff under tail coverts, smaller head and pinkish legs. Diet They feed on insects such as flies, beetles, moths, grubs and damselflies. Longevity record 9 years 9 months (Hungary, P 45251) Bagħal Aħmar Locustella luscinioides Passeriformes Locustellidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in April, October Occasionally seen in February - March, June, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15 14 - 17 Yellow-browed Warbler Yellow-browed Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small and secretive warbler, usually discovered by the contact call. Broad, yellow/whitish wing-bars framed in black, and dark tertials with pale fringes gives the species a contrasting plumage. Long and strong yellow supercilium (lacking the orange base of Pallas' Leaf Warbler). No central crown-stripe. Slightly smaller than a Chiffchaff, with smaller bill and shorter tail. Rump same colour as back (as opposed to Pallas'), and overall greener and more strikingly coloured than Hume's Leaf Warbler (but beware individual variation). Diet They feed on insects such as flies, beetles, moths, grubs and damselflies. Longevity record - Vjolin tal-Faxx Phylloscopus inornatus Passeriformes Phylloscopidae Very scarce Usually seen in April, October - November Occasionally seen in February - March, May, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 9 - 10.5 5 - 8 Back to Glossary Eastern's Bonelli Warbler Eastern Bonelli's Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. The adult has a plain grey-green back, green-toned rump and wings and whitish underparts. The bill is small and pointed and the legs brown. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers. The Eastern Bonelli's warbler lacks the browner tinge to the upperparts that Western Bonelli's warbler has; it sometimes has a greenish tinge instead. The song is a fast monotone trill, only slightly different from Western Bonelli's, and also some similarity to Wood Warbler . The call of the Eastern Bonelli's warbler is a hard chup, and completely different from the disyllabic hu-it of Western Bonelli's The genus name Phylloscopus is from Ancient Greek phullon, "leaf", and skopos, "seeker" (from skopeo, "to watch"). The specific orientalis is Latin for "eastern". Diet Like most warblers, the Eastern Bonelli's is insectivorous. Longevity record - Vjolin Bajdani tal-Lvant Phylloscopus orientalis Passeriformes Phylloscopidae Scarce Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 9 - 10.5 7 - 9 Back to Glossary Western Bonelli's Warbler Western Bonelli's Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. The adult has a plain grey-green back, green-toned rump and wings and whitish underparts. The bill is small and pointed and the legs brown. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers. The Western Bonelli's warbler has a browner tinge to the upperparts than Eastern Bonelli's warbler; the latter sometimes has a greenish tinge instead. The song is a fast monotone trill, only slightly different from Eastern Bonelli's, and also some similarity to Wood Warbler . The call of the Western Bonelli's warbler is a disyllabic hu-it, differing from that of Eastern which is a completely different hard chup. Diet Like most warblers, the Western Bonelli's is insectivorous. Longevity record - Vjolin Bajdani tal-Punent Phylloscopus bonelli Passeriformes Phylloscopidae Scarce Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in August - October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 9 - 10.5 7 - 9 Back to Glossary Wood warbler Wood Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple numbers can be within the same area. Most distinct species of the genus. Most similar to Willow Warbler, but with much more contrasting plumage. Upperparts pure green. Throat and upper chest yellow, contrasting with pure white underparts. Distinct and strong yellow supercilium and black eye-stripe. Long primary projection, with primaries reaching middle of relatively short tail. Tertials with pale green fringes. Legs pale yellowish brown. Posture often horizontal with drooping wings. Diet Wood Warblers' diet seems to be quite diverse. Caterpillars (17–81%) appear to be a predominant prey, but also spiders (5–21%) and various winged insects. Longevity record 10 years 3 months (Germany, AL 5318) Vjolin Ħadrani / Tal-Maltemp Phylloscopus sibilatrix Passeriformes Phylloscopidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May Occasionally seen in March, June, August - November Click on the image to open slideshow DSC_0799 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11 - 12.5 8 - 12 Back to Glossary Common Chiffchaff Common Chifchaff Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple numbers can be within the same area. Olive green upperparts, yellowish chest with gradual transition to off-white belly. Very similar to Willow Warbler, and most field characters are subtle and often hard to see. Distinguished by (usually) black, or dark-brown legs, only faint dark framing to ear-coverts, less marked supercilium. Shorter primary projection (1/2 to 2/3'rds the lenght of tertials), with regularly spaced tips (visible when wing folded). Wings more fan-shaped and less pointed than in Willow Warbler. Juveniles much less yellow below than in W.Warbler. Generally leaves a duller and greyer impression than W. Warbler, but plumage very variable. Frequently flicks tail, even sideways. Generally also more active when moving among the foliage. Diet The chiffchaff feeds on insects and invertebrates. Flies, gnats, midges and caterpillars form a large part of its diet. Seeds and berries may be taken in winter. Longevity record 8 years (Hungary, T 109177) Vjolin tax-Xitwa Phylloscopus collybita Passeriformes Phylloscopidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - April Occasionally seen in June - July Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Length (cm): Weight (g): 10 - 12 6 - 9 Back to Glossary Siberian Chiffchaf Siberian Chifchaff Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. It has been split as a different species from the Common Chiffchaff very recently and it is difficult to identify with precision. The key features for the Siberian Chiffchaff are, (1) absence of olive in the crown and mantle (2) presence of a grey-brown or pale brown hue in the upperparts (3) absence of yellow away from the underwing (4) presence of warm buff in the supercilium and tobacco ear-coverts (5) supercilium standing out more than the white eye ring (6) presence of whitish buff/ lack of yellow hints at the breast-sides/flanks (7) very black-looking bill and legs (8) a thin, piping monosyllabic Dunnock-like call (9) a song markedly different from Common Chiffchaff’s Diet The chiffchaff feeds on insects and invertebrates. Flies, gnats, midges and caterpillars form a large part of its diet. Seeds and berries may be taken in winter. Longevity record 8 years (Hungary, T 109177) Vjolin tas-Siberja Phylloscopus tristis Passeriformes Phylloscopidae Very rare Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in October - July Click on the image to open slideshow siberian chif siberian chif 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11 - 12 6 - 11 Back to Glossary Willow warbler Willow Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple numbers can be within the same area. Olive green upperparts, yellowish chest with gradual transition to off-white belly. Very similar to Chiff-chaff, and most field characters are subtle and often hard to see. Distinguished by (usually) pale, yellow-brown legs, dark framing to ear-coverts, stronger supercilium. Long primary projection (often 3/4ths the length of tertials) with irregularly spaced tips (visible when wing folded). Wings slightly more pointed than in Chiff-chaff, and not so fan-shaped. Juveniles often with whole underparts yellow. Frequently flicks tail, but not sideways (unlike Chiff-chaff). Generally also more calm when moving among the foliage. Diet Willow warblers are active during the day, feeding on a variety of small insects and spiders, as well as fruits and berries in the autumn. Longevity record 10 years 10 months (UK, 9J 1321) Vjolin Pastard Phylloscopus trochilus Passeriformes Phylloscopidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - October Occasionally seen in June, November Click on the image to open slideshow 20-04-20 20-04-20 1/3 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11 - 12.5 7 - 12 Back to Glossary Blackcap Eurasian Blackcap Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in pairs. Large and robust warbler with plain plumage, except for the characteristic cap (black in males, rufous in females and juveniles). Upperparts greyish brown and underparts pale grey. Vent white. No white in tail, as opposed to all other black-capped Sylvias in the region. Easily confused with Garden Warbler if the cap is not seen. Diet Blackcaps will pick insects, caterpillars and spiders from among the shrubs. In winter they will eat fruit such as berries. Longevity record 13 years 10 months (Czech Republic, T 274613) Kapinera Sylvia atricapilla Passeriformes Sylviidae Fairly common Usually seen in September - March Occasionally seen in April - May, July Click on the image to open slideshow 06-04-17 1/15 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15 15 - 24 Back to Glossary Garden Warbler Garden Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. An almost featureless, large warbler with greyish brown upperparts and buff underparts. Lack of distinct characters is a character! Most distinct character is probably the faint, slate grey half-collar. Vent has no markings, eye is dark and bill is relatively short. Body quite plump, and facial expression gentle and mild. Usually stays hidden in foliage. Lacks nervous behaviour of other Sylvia, and does not normally flick its tail and wings. Diet The garden warbler feeds mainly on insects in the breeding season, although other small invertebrates such as spiders are also eaten. It picks its prey off leaves and twigs, sometimes hovering to do so. It is also found in fig and loquat trees picking on fruit. Longevity record 14 years 2 months (Shot in Germany, 393985) Bekkafik Sylvia borin Passeriformes Sylviidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - June, August - October Occasionally seen in November - December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14.5 15 - 27 Back to Glossary Ruppell's Warbler Rüppell's Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in pairs. Adult male easily recognized by black throat and strong white moustache stripes. Female often also with black spotted throat which, together with the moustache stripe and pale chest/belly, makes it easy to distinguish from other Sylvia. Females and immatures with pure white throat may be confused with female Sardinian Warbler, but show darker front half of head, paler and purer coloured belly and flanks (lacking brownish tinge) and white fringes to greater coverts and tertials (less obvious in worn plumage). For all plumages look for curved culmen, pointed bill and longer and squarer tail than Sardinian Warbler. Build more similar to Whitethroat than Sardinian Warbler, and also less agile than smaller Sylvia. Diet Like most "warblers", it is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit Longevity record - Bufula tal-Pavalor Sylvia ruppeli Passeriformes Sylviidae Very rare Usually seen in March - April Occasionally seen in May, September - October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12.5 - 13.5 9 - 15 Back to Glossary Sardinian Warbler Sardinian Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in pairs and in smaller groups. Slender warbler with long tail, short wings and pointed bill. Restless and alert with frequently raised crown feathers and dark eye framed in red. Male with black head, white throat, greyish upperparts and off-white underparts. Female less striking, with grey head grey-brown upperparts, distinct buff flanks and paler belly. Both sexes with white sides and corners to tail. Rarely sits exposed, and usually betrays itself by it's frequently used scolding call. Often just glimpsed when it dives into a bush, spreading it's tail and showing the white markings. Diet Like most "warblers", it is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit Longevity record 8 years 4 months (Spain, 146809) Bufula Sewda Sylvia melanocephala Passeriformes Sylviidae Common Usually seen in All months of the year. Resident bird. Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/13 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14 10 - 15 Back to Glossary Eastern Subalpine Warbler Eastern Subalpine Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in pairs and in smaller groups. Medium small Sylvia with short tail, slender body and steep forehead. Bill slim,fairly short and pointed. Male with rufous breast and conspicuous, broad, white moustache stripes. Upperparts lead grey. Female with slightly more brownish upperparts and buff white below. Immature birds has greyish brown upperparts, and are prone to confusion with Spectacled Warbler due to broad, brown fringes of tertials. The colour is however less rufous, and the dark centre ends in a rounded, not pointed tip. Pale legs in all sexes and ages, but some variation. Eye-ring colour variable, but generally red in male and very pale in female and immature (rules out other Sylvia except Tristram and Sardinian). Colour of upperparts more uniform than in confusion species in both male and female. May cock tail, but does not keep it raised like Dartford Warbler. Diet Like most "warblers", it is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record - Bufula Passajra Sylvia cantillan Passeriformes Sylviidae Common Usually seen in March - May, July - October Occasionally seen in February, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13 9 - 13 Back to Glossary Common Whitethroat Common Whitethroat Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Fairly large warbler with long tail, giving the whole bird an elongated look. Tertials, secondaries and coverts with rufous fringes in contrast to greyish brown back. Underparts pale with buff flanks. Outer tail feathers white. Steep forehead and white throat. Males with slate grey head. Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record 9 years (Sweden, 2KK72878) Bekkafik Aħmar Sylvia communis Passeriformes Sylviidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in August - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/14 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 15 13 - 21 Lesser Whitethroat Lesser Whitethroat Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Similar to Common Whitethroat but, with greyish fringes on secondaries and shorter tail and wings. Forehead less steep than in Common Whitethroat. Upperparts evenly dark brown with no contrast between shoulders and back. Head grey with slightly darker ear-coverts. Throat and belly white. Legs dark. Tail dark with white edges. Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record 7 years 11 months (UK,N 439903) Bekkafik Irmiedi Sylvia curruca Passeriformes Sylviidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - October Occasionally seen in March - May Click on the image to open slideshow 12-09-20 12-09-20 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11.5 - 13.5 11 - 16 Spectacled Warbler Spectacled Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small and short-winged Sylvia with large head and high crown. In all plumages; evenly warm rufous wing-panel (lacking dark centered greater coverts of Whitethroat), very short primary projection, dark tail, thin pointed bill, narrow dark centres to tertials, pure white chin and (incomplete) white eye-ring. Adult male with lead-grey head, dark/black lore and often grey lower throat. Female and immature differs from Whitethroat by short primary projection, smaller size, slender build and thinner bill. Told from immature Subalpine Warbler by warmer rufous wings with only narrow dark centres to tertials. Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record - Bufula Ħamra Sylvia conspicillata Passeriformes Sylviidae Scarce Usually seen in All months. Resident bird. Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/12 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13 8 - 11 Back to Glossary Datford Warbler Dartford Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small and slender Sylvia about the size of Lesser Whitethroat. The short wings, steep forehead and striking long tail alone is often enough for positive id. Upperparts dark slate grey, and underparts of male vinous red with finely white spotted throat. Female less brightly coloured with more brownish tones and less red underparts. Immature duller still, with brownish underparts rather than red. Yellow base of lower mandible in all ages and sex. Lacks the white moustache-stripe of Subalpine Warbler. Tail frequently held raised. Skulking behaviour. Prefers scrubs and is usually only glimpsed when moving low from bush to bush, or when singing from more exposed perch. Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record - Bufula tax-Xagħri Sylvia undata Passeriformes Sylviidae Rare Usually seen in October - March Occasionally seen in April, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14 9 - 12 Back to Glossary Goldcrest Goldcrest Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple birds can be seen roaming the same area. This not just the smallest bird visiting the Maltese islands but also the smallest bird of the Western Palaearctic . Crown stripe yellow in female, orange in male. Since bird is often viewed from below, the crown stripe is often not visible. The dark eye with the large, pale grey eye-ring is a better character. Pale wingbars and pale tips of tertials. No supercilium. Behaviour essentially tit-like. Restlessly moving among branches in treetops, with frequent hovering to get at insects. Diet Mostly insects and spiders. Longevity record 5 years 5 months (Found dead in Denmark, 8A 46230) Bufula tal-Qamar Regulus regulus Passeriformes Regulidae Scarce Usually seen in November - March Occasionally seen in April, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Length (cm): Weight (g): 8.5 - 9.5 4.5 - 7 Back to Glossary Firecrest Firecrest Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but multiple birds can be seen roaming the same area. This not the second smallest bird visiting the Maltese islands but also one of the smallest birds in the Western Palaearctic . Distinct head markings, with black eye-stripe contrasting with broad, white supercilium. Top of head yellow (female), or orange (male), framed by black crown stripes. Characteristic orange shoulder patch, lacking in all confusion species. Immature is distinguished by present supercilium, other head markings absent. Diet Mostly insects and spiders. Longevity record 5 years Bufula tax-Xemx / Bufula tat-Toppu Aħmar Regulus ignicapilla Passeriformes Regulidae Scarce Usually seen in October - March Occasionally seen in April, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Length (cm): Weight (g): 9 - 10 5 - 7 Back to Glossary Western Olivaceous Western Olivaceous Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. It is a medium-sized warbler looking more like a very pale Reed Warbler . The adults have a plain pale brown back and whitish underparts. The bill is strong and pointed and the legs grey. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are more buff on the belly. It has a characteristic downward tail flick. Western Olivaceous Warbler breeds in Iberia and North Africa . It is migratory , wintering in sub-Saharan Africa . It is larger and has a browner tinge to the upperparts than the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler. It also has a larger bill. The song is a fast nasal babbling. Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record - Bekkafik Griż tal-Punent Iduna opaca Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in May Occasionally seen in March - April, June - September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 10 - 15 Eastern Olivaceous Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. It is a medium-sized warbler resembling a very pale Reed Warbler. The adult has a plain pale brown back and whitish underparts. The bill is strong and pointed and the legs grey. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are more buff on the belly. It has a characteristic downward tail flick. Western Olivaceous Warbler differs from this species in being larger and having a browner tinge to the upperparts; it also has a larger bill. Eastern Olivaceous Warbler sometimes has a greenish tinge to its upperparts. The song is a fast nasal babbling. Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record - Bekkafik Griż Iduna pallida Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Rare Usually seen in May Occasionally seen in April, July, September - October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 10 - 15 Back to Glossary Icterine Warbler Icterine Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but occasionally multiple numbers are recorded in the same area. Green upperparts and yellow underparts. Sides of bill yellowish, legs slate grey. Short yellow supercilium which connects to yellow lore. Long wings and relatively short tail. The flat crown and long bill gives it a different head profile from Sylvia warblers. Often raises crown feathers. Very similar to Melodious Warbler, but differs from this in pale wing-panel and longer wings. Folded wings reaches tip of under tail coverts, and primary projection is as long as tertials. Juveniles paler than adults, with whitish supercilium. The pale wing-panel extends to fringes of greater coverts in addition to secondaries. Alert and agile bird. Usually hidden in foliage, also when singing Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take soft fruit. Longevity record 10 years 10 months (Shot in Germany, 9G 77549) Bekkafik Isfar Hippolais icterina Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - June Occasionally seen in August - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/2 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 11 - 15 Back to Glossary Great Reed Warbler Great Reed Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Large and bulky warbler with long tail, heavy, thrush-like bill and relatively strong facial markings. Supercilium broad and strong and continues behind eye. Lores dark. Primary projection same length as tertials. Flanks warm beige. Crest often raised. Flight heavy and jerky, and birds are also much more detectable by moving reeds when foraging about in vegetation than congeners. Diet It is insectivorous, but will also take invertebrates, like small tadpoles, and also soft fruit. Longevity record 10 years 1 month (Hungary, A 94706) Bagħal Prim / Bagħal tal-Qasab Kbir Acrocephalus arundinaceus Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Scarce Usually seen in April - May, September - October Occasionally seen in March, June, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 20 29 - 36 Back to Glossary Marsh Warbler Marsh Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Plain and characterless plumage, but conspicuous song. Larger than Sedge Warbler, with larger wings, broader tail and tail-base. Very similar to Reed Warbler, and very hard to distinguish by plumage alone. The Marsh Warbler can be distinguished from the Reed Warbler only by biometric examination. Rump of Marsh warbler shows less contrast to back, and flanks have a yellowish tinge. Bill slightly shorter and less pointed. Differs from Blyth's Reed Warbler by longer primary projection, yellowish lower mandible and paler legs. Juveniles especially hard to identify because of even fainter plumage field marks. Less common in reed beds than Reed Warblers, and more attached to bushes with lush undergrowth. Diet The Marsh Warbler is mostly insectivorous, also taking some spiders and small numbers of snails. Longevity record 8 years 11 months (Sweden, AX 18398) Bagħal tal-Għadajjar Acrocephalus palustris Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Very rare Usually seen in August - October Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 15 11 - 15 Back to Glossary Eurasian Reed Warbler Eurasian Reed Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Plain and characterless warbler with secretive behaviour. Larger than Sedge Warbler, with larger wings, broader tail and tail-base. Very similar to Marsh Warbler, and very hard to distinguish by plumage alone. Rump of Reed warbler warm rufous brown, warm buff flanks (yellowish tinge in Marsh Warbler), and slightly longer and more pointed bill. Differs from Blyth's Reed Warbler by longer primary projection, yellowish lower mandible and paler legs. Juveniles especially hard to identify, because of even fainter plumage field marks. Attached to reed beds. Diet The Eurasian Reed W arbler is mostly insectivorous, also taking some spiders and small numbers of snails. Longevity record 16 years 11 months (Belgium, 5544265) Bagħal tal-Qasab Acrocephalus scirpaceus Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Fairly common Usually seen in August - October Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Length (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 20 10 - 15 Back to Glossary Sedge Warbler Sedge Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small and compact, brown warbler with strong supercilium and streaked back. Crown dark with faint streaking, contrasting with broad supercilium. Rump unstreaked and warmer brown than back and tail. Juveniles with faintly streaked chest. Long primary projection. Body shorter and more compact than Reed Warbler. Easiest. Often sings from exposed branch or reed, is inquisitive and not very shy. Diet They are mainly insectivorous, feeding on aphids, dragonflies and damselflies, grasshoppers, lacewings, moths, beetles and flies. Longevity record 11 years 10 months (Denmark) Bagħal tas-Simar Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May, September - October Occasionally seen in March, June, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11.5 - 13 11 - 15 Back to Glossary Moustached Warbler Moustached Warbler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but more individuals can be seen in the same area. Small and restless species easily confused with Sedge Warbler, but showing both plumage and structural differences. Plumage differs from Sedge Warbler in; broad, white supercilium ending without narrowing, dark crown (usually appears black), pure white throat, grey ear-coverts, dark legs and warm-rufous flanks, rump and neck. Facial markings recalling firecrest. Very short primary projection and longer, more evenly rounded tail recalling Wren when raised. Bill thinner than Sedge Warbler. Skulky behaviour, forages low in vegetation, on ground or near water surface. Some variation in both size and plumage between western and eastern subspecies. Diet They are mainly insectivorous, feeding on aphids, dragonflies and damselflies, grasshoppers, lacewings, moths, beetles and flies. Longevity record 11 years 3 months (Hungary, Y 13562) Bagħal Qastni Acrocephalus melanopogon Passeriformes Acrocephalidae Scarce Usually seen in November - December Occasionally seen in October, January - March Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 10 - 14 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Plovers, Lapwings & Dottorel Grey Plover Grey Plover Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Summer plumage unmistakable, with black underparts framed in white, with white and grey-speckled upperparts. Diagnostic in all plumages are the black armpits, which are clearly visible in flying birds. Also shows white wing-bars and very pale tail, with some barring. Winter-plumaged and juvenile birds speckled in grey with white underparts. Can be mistaken for Golden Plover. Especially the juveniles, which may have faint golden tone to plumage. Note instead heavier bill with swollen tip and bulkier body. Diet Small crustaceans, marine worms and molluscs, occasionally insects and earthworms, obtained by probing and gleaning. During the breeding season the diet is predominantly adult and larval insects. They feed during the day, and also at night. Longevity record 25 years 7 months (Found dead in the UK, DS 08723) Pluviera Griża Pluvialis squatarola Charadriiformes Charadriidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - May, August - November Occasionally seen in December - January Click on the image to open slideshow 1/29 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 26 - 29 56 - 63 135 - 227 Back to Glossary Eurasian Golde plover Eurasian Golden Plover Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups, flocks or sometimes individually. Unmistakable in breeding plumage with golden, speckled upperparts and white-bordered black throat and belly. Male generally blacker than female, but due to regional differences, some females may be darker than males from other areas. Juveniles and birds in winter plumage, lacks the black underparts, and could be mistaken for Grey Plover. Differs from that species in more golden coloured back, less heavy bill and neck and by being slightly smaller. In flight easily told apart from Grey Plover and Pacific Golden Plover by white axillaries. Diet Golden plover mainly eat insects and their larvae, worms and spiders, and a small amount of grass seeds and berries. Longevity record 13 years 9 months (Found dead in Iceland, 624564) Pluviera Pluvialis apricaria Charadriiformes Charadriidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - March Occasionally seen in April - May, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/21 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 25 - 28 53 - 59 160 - 220 Back to Glossary Pacific Golden Plover Pacific Golden Plover Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. The Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) is very similar in colour as the Eurasian Golden Plover, but is smaller, slimmer and relatively longer-legged than, and has grey rather than white axillary feathers (only properly visible in flight). Diet On breeding grounds, feeds mostly on insects, including beetles, flies, and others, also some berries. In migration in open fields, eats wide variety of insects, including grasshoppers, caterpillars. On shores, also feeds on small crustaceans and mollusks. During migration seasons, may eat many berries. Longevity record 21 years 3 months (Euring) Pluviera Żgħira Pluvialis fulva Charadriiformes Charadriidae Vagrant Back to Glossary Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in September - January Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 21 - 25 53 - 59 100 - 230 Dotterel Eurasian Dotterel Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Clearly smaller than Golden plover. Easily identified by broad white supercilium, white breast band and rusty brown underparts. Female more richly coloured than male. Winter plumage and juveniles pale, with scaled back and light underparts. Short, broad, rounded tail and slightly rounded wings visible in flight. Reversed sexual roles. Diet Insects and other small invertebrates such as snails and worms and shellfish. These are obtained by a run-and-pause technique, rather than the steady probing used by other waders. Longevity record 11 years 9 months (Found dead in the UK, XR 45242) Birwina Charadrius morinellus Charadriiformes Charadriidae Scarce Usually seen in August - November Occasionally seen in December - January, March - April Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer The dark crown, broader white contrasting supercilium and rufous edges on scapulars indicate an adult in summer plumage. Adult summer Grey unstreaked throat, broad white stripe on chest, orange rufous breast and flanks, black belly and white rump in summer adults. Adult summer Grey unstreaked throat, broad white stripe on chest, orange rufous breast and flanks, black belly and white rump in summer adults. Adult summer The dark crown, broader white contrasting supercilium and rufous edges on scapulars indicate an adult in summer plumage. 1/10 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 20 - 24 57 - 64 110 - 155 Back to Glossary Common Ringed Plover Common Ringed Plover Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Marked black breast-band and mask. Olive-brown upperparts and white underparts. Easily confused with Little Ringed Plover (especially juveniles). Diagnostic characters in adults are; striking white wing-bars (only faint in Little Ringed Plover), orange base of bill and legs, and no yellow eye-ring. Juveniles also show characteristic wing-bars, white supercilium extends behind the eye, lower part of "mask" is rounded and bill is stouter. Tertials do not cover tips of primaries. Diet Small invertebrates, insects, spiders, slugs and snails. Longevity record 20 years 10 months (Ring read in the field in the UK, BV 85945) Monakella Prima Charadrius hiaticula Charadriiformes Charadriidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May, August - September Occasionally seen in March, June - July, October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 28-08-20 1/10 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 20 35 - 41 49 - 64 Back to Glossary Little Ringed Plover Little Ringed Plover Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Differs from Ringed Plover by bright yellow eyering (adults),only faint wing-bars, long tertials (covering the primaries) and slimmer more elongated body shape. Apart from the diagnostic eyering, adults show white band across crown, brown-grey legs (not orange) and dark bill. Juveniles also show only faint wing-bars, supercilium is faint, especially behind the eye, lower part of "mask" is pointed and bill is slimmer. Diet Insects, crustaceans and worms. Longevity record 13 years (Finland, KT-453) Monakella Charadrius dubius Charadriiformes Charadriidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May, September - October Occasionally seen in January, all other months for resident birds Click on the image to open slideshow 19-03-20 17-03-18 1/9 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 18 32 - 35 33 - 44 Lapwing Northern Lapwing Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in small groups but also in flocks. Unmistakable. Dark green (appears black at a distance) above and white below. Wings also dark above and white below, with diagnostic rounded and broad tips. Squarish head profile with striking crest. Winter and juvenile plumage with scaled back, and less contrasting breast band. Diet Northern lapwing feeds on invertebrates such as earth worms and insects. It also consumes beetles (larvae and adults), ants, flies, moths, crickets, and also spiders and snails. They usually feed in cultivated areas and both during day and night Longevity record 24 years 6 months (Denmark) Venewwa Vanellus vanellus Charadriiformes Charadriidae Scarce Usually seen in November - February Occasionally seen in March, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/14 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 31 67 - 72 170 - 230 Back to Glossary Caspian Plover Caspian Plover Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. This plover is slightly larger than ringed plover. Summer males have grey-brown backs and a white face and belly. The breast is chestnut, bordered black below. Other plumages have a grey-brown breast band, although the summer female may show a hint of chestnut. The call is a sharp chip. Diet It feeds in a similar way to other plovers picking beetles, termites, ants, grasshoppers, small snails and other small prey mainly from the ground. It sometimes eats the seeds of grasses. Longevity record - Birwina tal-Asja Charadrius asiaticus Charadriiformes Charadriidae Vagrant Back to Glossary Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in March - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 19 - 21 55 - 61 60 - 91 Kentish Plover Kentish Plover Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs. Long-legged and compact plover with short rear-end and thin, black bill. Breast-band (or rather breast patches) usually incomplete and broken, and narrow. Leaves an overall pale impression compared to congeners. The white forehead in adults reaches all the way to the bill. Breeding male with rufous neck patch, distinct black facial markings and black breast-band. Female more diffusely coloured in brown, with slightly darker breast-band. Immature even duller. Tal shorter than Ringed Plover with substantially more white on edges. Legs darker than congeners (blackish when breeding), but may be greenish in immature birds. Can be identified by profile alone with some experience, by combination of long legs, short and compact body and flat forehead. Lifts legs well clear of ground when running, giving it's rapid gait a bicycling feel. Diet Their main source of food consists of miniature aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates such as insects and their larvae (e.g. beetles, grasshoppers or flies), molluscs, crustaceans, spiders and marine worms. They are obligate visual foragers and often feed at the shoreline of lakes, lagoons or ponds in invertebrate-rich moist-soil areas. Longevity record 19 years (Read in the field in Sweden, 3247244) Monakella Saqajha Suwed Charadrius alexandrinus Charadriiformes Charadriidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in July - December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/10 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 18 40 - 45 32 - 56 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Finches Brambling Brambling Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Can also be in groups with Common Chaffinches. White rump and orange buff chest in all plumages. Breeding males with shiny black head and back. Females and winter plumage appears very speckled/mottled, especially in flight. Tail slightly shorter than Chaffinch, more deeply forked and almost black. Flight undulated and bouncing. Diet The main food is insects, caterpillars, seeds, berries and nuts. Longevity record 14 years 9 months (Sweden, 2197911) Sponsun Selvaġġ Fringilla montifringilla Passeriformes Fringillidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January Click on the image to open slideshow 27-10-17 27-10-17 1/6 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 16 19 - 28 Common Chaffinch Common Chaffinch Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Distinguished in all plumages by double wing-bars and white outer tail feathers. Male easily recognized by slate grey crown and nape, and pinkish face and underparts. Female with greyish green upperparts and whitish underparts. A long-tailed finch with peaked head. Appears more elegant in flight than other finches. Tripping gait when on ground. Diet Seeds, fruit, buds and shoots, insects, spiders, earthworms and snails eggs. Longevity record 16 years 4 months (Italy, L 442566) Sponsun Fringilla coelebs Passeriformes Fringillidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January - May, September Click on the image to open slideshow 11-4-19 11-4-19 1/13 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 16 16 - 30 Hawfinch Hawfinch Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups but can be seen in larger flocks. Very deep and heavy, conical bill. Large head and bull-neck, gives the bird a front-heavy appearance, especially in flight. The short tail adds to the impression. Wings with broad, white bars and tail with white terminal band. Bill grey in breeding plumage, and yellowish in winter. Largely unmistakable, but easily overlooked when hiding high in foliage. Often flies high, even for short distances. Flight heavily undulated. Diet Hard seeds from trees, together with fruit seeds which they can easily break with their tough beak. It can even break through the seeds of plums, cherries and even olive seeds. In winter, they commonly eat berries, pine seeds, sprouts and the occasional caterpillar. Longevity record 12 years 7 months (Found dead in Germany, 7241335) Għasfur taż-Żebbuġ Coccothraustes coccothraustes Passeriformes Fringillidae Fairly common Usually seen in March, October - November Occasionally seen in December - February, April Click on the image to open slideshow 18-10-17 18-10-17 1/23 Length (cm): Weight (g): 16.5 - 18 50 - 55 Back to Glossary Common Rosefinch Common Rosefinch Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Adult male easily recognized by its red head, chest and rump. Females and juvenile males may be mistaken for House Sparrow or Corn Bunting, but are slimmer with shorter and deeper bill. Juvenile plumage olive-brown with dark streaking and buff double wing-bars. Posture often erect, but with short neck, making the bird seem long-tailed. Heavily undulated flight. Diet Feeds heavily on seeds but can also feed on fledglings insects, fresh buds, nectar, and small fruits. Longevity record 8 years 11 months (Ring number read in the field in Finland, P-81988) Bumunqar Carpodacus erythrinus Passeriformes Fringillidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in March, June, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15 21 - 26 Trumpeter Finch Trumpeter Finch Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Resident bird in Tunisia and West Africa. and occurs in semi-desert areas. The Trumpeter Finch is a small, long-winged bird. It has a large head and short, very thick bill. The summer male has a red bill, grey head and neck, and pale brown upper parts. The breast, rump and tail are pink, the last having dark terminal feathers. Winter males, females and young birds are a very washed-out version of the breeding male. The song of this bird is a buzzing nasal trill, like a tin trumpet. Diet They are mainly vegetarian and their diet consists of small seeds, shoots and buds of grasses and low ground-loving plants. They will eat some insects as well, mainly grasshoppers . Longevity record - Trumbettier Bucanetes githagineus Passeriformes Fringillidae Rare Usually seen in Any month Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11.5 - 13 20 - 23 Back to Glossary Greenfinch European Greenfinch Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups, larger flocks but can also be seen individually. Plumage green, grey and yellow. Note bright, yellow base of primaries and sides of tail in all ages and plumages. Deep and heavy conical bill. Tail forked and quite short. Plump build. Female more grey than male, with back diffusely streaked in brown and underparts greyish. Juveniles similar to females, with even more drab colours and heavier streaking (also on underparts). Strongly undulated flight. Often appears somewhat clumsy when trying to perch on feeders etc. Diet Their primary food is seeds. In the breeding season insects, including beetles, are eaten and fed to the young birds. Buds and shoots are also eaten. Longevity record 13 years 7 months (Czech Republic, Z 1852) Verdun Chloris chloris Passeriformes Fringillidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in December - April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 16 25 - 35 Common Linnet Common Linnet Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups, larger flocks but can also be seen individually. In all plumages: Brown, unstreaked (or faintly streaked) back, grey bill, only faint wing-bars (or none), distinct white base to primaries and streaked throat. Both sexes with pale eye-ring and pale cheek patch. Breeding male distinct with slate grey head, cinnamon back, red chest and red forehead. Females and juveniles easily confused with Twite or Redpoll (both vagrants to the Maltese Islands) but note back and face pattern. Diet Their primary food is seeds. In the breeding season insects, including beetles, are eaten and fed to the young birds. Buds and shoots are also eaten. Longevity record 9 years 5 months (Found dead in France, 1192972) Ġojjin Linaria cannabina Passeriformes Fringillidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow 1/11 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12.5 - 14 15 - 21 Red Crossbill Red Crossbill Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in groups but can be seen in larger flocks. In October 2018, a flock of more than 60 birds had been seen passing from the West of Malta. As mentioned in the name, the upper and lower mandibles are crossed. The tip of the lower mandible protrudes from behind the upper (tips of mandibles visibly crossing). The chest is less deep, and birds are not so front heavy. Dark wings and tail. Males with rufous red head and body, females green. Juveniles greyish green with streaking. They have an erect posture especially when foraging on ground. Diet Red Crossbills eat seeds of spruce, pine, hemlock or larch. To obtain these seeds, they first grasp the cone with one foot (normally, the foot that is on the side opposite to which the lower mandible crosses). Longevity record 14 years 3 months (Czech Republic, RX 2233) Kruċjat Loxia curvirostra Passeriformes Fringillidae Very rare Usually seen in June - November Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 17 35 - 53 Back to Glossary Goldfinch European Goldfinch Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually and occasionally in small groups. Plumage stunningly colourful. Adults easily recognized by red face boldly framed in black and white. In all plumages; black wings with broad yellow panels, forked tail with white patches, and flashing white rump. Bill fairly long and pointed. Juveniles lack the red, black and white head, and are best identified by the contrasting wing-panel and white rump/tail patches. Light and bouncing flight, with bursts of wing-beats and variable acceleration. Diet Their diet in the wild is small seeds such as thistles and teasels, but insects are also taken when feeding young. Longevity record 14 years 1 month (Found dead in the Czech Republic, T 104726) Gardell Carduelis carduelis Passeriformes Fringillidae Very scarce Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow 1/7 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 15 - 19.5 Back to Glossary Serin European Serin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small parties. Small and compact, green and yellow bird. Smaller than Linnet and Siskin, with heavily streaked flanks, and stubby, deep and grey bill. Rump yellow in adults, but immature birds lack yellow tones in plumage altogether. Wing-bars narrow and much less marked than in Siskin, forehead in males bright yellow. Fairly long-winged with deeply forked tail. Flight light and bouncing. Song-flight of male characteristic, with butterfly-like gliding and slow-motion wing-beats. Diet Their diet in the wild is small seeds but insects are also taken when feeding young. Longevity record 13 years 4 months (Found dead in the Czech Republic, N 13903) Apparell Serinus serinus Passeriformes Fringillidae Scarce Usually seen in October - January Occasionally seen in February - June Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11 - 12 10 - 13 Back to Glossary Siskin Eurasian Siskin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in small parties and occasionally in larger flocks. In 2019 there was a record passage of Eurasian Siskins. Small green and yellow finch with contrasting dark wings and tail. Underparts whitish with grey streaking. Secondaries, inner primaries and outer tail feathers with yellow base. Relatively long and pointed bill as opposed to Serin. Male distinct with black crown and bib, bright yellow chest, throat and hind-cheeks. Female less contrasty, with more prominent streaking. Juveniles paler and duller than adults, with even heavier streaking than females. Diet Their diet in the wild is small seeds but insects are also taken when feeding young. Longevity record 13 years 6 months (Russia, S 730968) Ekru Spinus spinus Passeriformes Fringillidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - January Occasionally seen in September, February - March Click on the image to open slideshow 25-11-17 15-10-17 25-11-17 1/5 Length (cm): Weight (g): 11 - 12.5 10 - 15 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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