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

Martins, Swallows & Swifts House Martin Common House Martin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups or in flocks. A small, compact martin with short, forked tail and pure white rump. Underparts shiny white (including throat and vent). Upperparts dark with shiny metallic glow to head and back. Juveniles overall more dull, with white tips to tertials and dusky, brownish upperparts. Flight determined and steady. Glides more than Sand Martin, with less frequent change of direction. Diet Insects, including flies, beetles and aphids. Longevity record 15 years 0 months (Sweden, 1519863) Ħawwiefa Delichon urbicum Passeriformes Hirundinidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May, September - October Occasionally seen in all other months 1/7 Click on the image to open slideshow Red-rumped Red-rumped Swallow Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups but can be seen singly. Differs from Barn Swallow in all plumages by pale throat and black under tail coverts, which are visible at greater distance than the red rump. Rufous cheeks and collar. Underparts finely streaked, giving the bird a slightly "dirty" look from a distance, with less contrast to the upperparts than in Barn Swallow. Immature birds with short streamers and buff cheeks and rump. Build more compact than Barn Swallow, with shorter bill, rounded wings and slightly shorter streamers. Flight slower and with more frequent gliding. Diet The Red-rumped Swallow feeds almost entirely on flying insects all year round. The diet includes a wide variety of species caught by aerial pursuit, sometimes up to 100 metres or more. Longevity record 5 years Reġina tal-Ħuttaf Cecropis daurica rufula Passeriformes Hirundinidae Scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in February, June, August - November Click on the image to open slideshow 23-03-19 1/16 Barn Swallow Barn Swallow Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups and larger flocks but occasionally can be seen singly. Dark blue metallic upperparts, deep red forehead and throat and light underparts. Long tail-streamers in adults and deeply forked tail. Both the metallic blue and the deep red appears black at a distance. Combination of dark throat/breast and light underparts and vent is diagnostic, and distinguishes it both from Red-rumped Swallow and the smaller martins. Juveniles are less brightly coloured with a dull red throat, and short streamers. Diet Feeds on a wide variety of flying insects, especially flies (including house flies and horse flies), beetles, wasps, wild bees, winged ants, and true bugs. Also eats some moths, damselflies, grasshoppers, and other insects, and a few spiders and snails. Only occasionally eats a few berries or seeds. Longevity record 11 years 1 month (Found dead in the UK, LK 620) Ħuttafa Hirundo rustica Passeriformes Hirundinidae Fairly common Usually seen in February - June, August - November Occasionally seen in December - January, all year for resident breeders Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Back to Glossary Crag Martin Eurasian Crag Martin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. Stocky martin with broad (but pointed) wings, broad tail and broad head. Mostly dusky brown with paler underparts, except almost black under wing-coverts, and fairly dark vent. Most tail-feathers with small, white "window" visible from below. Immature similar to adults, but with pale fringes to coverts. Flight less acrobatic than other martins, with frequent, long glides. Strays less away from breeding grounds than congeners. Diet The Eurasian Crag Martin feeds mainly on insects caught in its beak in flight, although it will occasionally take prey items off rocks, the ground, or a water surface. When breeding, birds often fly back and forth near to a rock face hunting for insects, feeding both inside and outside the nesting territory. Longevity record - Ħawwiefa tal-Blat Ptyonoprogne rupestris Passeriformes Hirundinidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in October Occasionally seen in September, November - April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/2 Sand Martin Sand Martin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups or larger flocks. Small martin with dark brown chest-band and white throat. Upperparts dark brown, underparts white. Underside of wings dark. Juveniles with light fringes to brown feathers, and buff throat. Flight more elegant than Barn Swallow and House Martin. Often changes direction but keeps altitude. More fluttering flight than House Martin, with less gliding. The sand martin is sociable in its nesting habits; from a dozen to many hundred pairs will nest close together, according to available space. Diet The food consists of small insects, mostly gnats and other flies whose early stages are aquatic. Longevity record 10 years 1 month (Found dead through a car accident in Sweden, AR 45926) Ħawwiefa tax-Xtut Riparia riparia Passeriformes Hirundinidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - June Occasionally seen in all the other months Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Alpine swift Alpine Swift Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups or individually. Only swift in the region with white underparts divided by breast-band. Upperparts brown. Distinctly bigger than Swift, with robust build and powerful flight. Tail short with rather shallow fork. Wing-action slower than Swift, with each beat discernible. May give Hobby-like impression at a distance. Diet They are opportunistic feeders, and exploit swarms and hatchings wherever possible. They avoid stinging insects. Insects are collected in the back of the throat in a special food pouch and bound together with saliva into a ball called a bolus, which is periodically eaten or taken to the nest. These food balls can contain thousands of insects. Longevity record 26 years 0 month (Found sick in Switzerland, 900438) Rundunu ta' Żaqqu Bajda / Rundunu Abjad Tachymarptis melba Apodiformes Apodidae Scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in June - November Click on the image to open slideshow 26-04-20 15-09-17 26-04-20 1/5 Little swift Little Swift Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Little swifts are readily identified by their small size. Their wingspan is only 33 cm compared to 42 cm in the case of Common Swift . Their plumage is black except for a white throat and rump, the white rump patch extending onto the flanks. They have a short square tail, with all rectrices round-tipped. The flight is fluttering like that of a House Martin , and the call is a high twittering. Like other swifts they are very short-legged. The legs are used for clinging to vertical surfaces only. Diet They are opportunistic feeders, and exploit swarms and hatchings wherever possible. They avoid stinging insects. Insects are collected in the back of the throat in a special food pouch and bound together with saliva into a ball called a bolus, which is periodically eaten or taken to the nest. These food balls can contain thousands of insects. Longevity record - Rundunu Żgħir Apus affinis Apodiformes Apodidae Vagrant Back to Glossary Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in March - July, September, November, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Pallid Swift Pallid Swift Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in small groups or small flocks. Very similar to Common Swift, and often difficult to identify in the field. Seeing the birds against a darker background, as opposed to the sky, brings out some of the characters more clearly. Generally paler and more sandy brown than Common Swift. Differs further from C. Swift by: Rounder wing tip (outermost primary shorter than the next), slightly broader wings, broader and flatter head. White throat patch bigger and more prominent. The face seems paler, which brings out the dark eye-mask. Back slightly darker than upper part of wings. More contrast between outer and inner primaries. Underparts with more pronounced scaly pattern. Flight less acrobatic, with slightly slower wing-beats, more frequent gliding and much less twinkling turns. Diet They are opportunistic feeders, and exploit swarms and hatchings wherever possible. They avoid stinging insects. Insects are collected in the back of the throat in a special food pouch and bound together with saliva into a ball called a bolus, which is periodically eaten or taken to the nest. These food balls can contain thousands of insects. Longevity record - Rundunu Kannelli Apus pallidus Apodiformes Apodidae Fairly common Usually seen in May - August Occasionally seen in April, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/2 Back to Glossary Common swift Common Swift Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in small groups or larger flocks. All black swift with small white throat patch. Very difficult to separate from Pallid swift. Pallid Swift; brownish plumage tone (best seen against darker background), bigger throat-patch than swift, scale pattern on body more prominent, wing-tips slightly rounded, "saddle" darker than wings, and more contrast between darker outer primaries and inner. Diet They are opportunistic feeders, and exploit swarms and hatchings wherever possible. They avoid stinging insects. Insects are collected in the back of the throat in a special food pouch and bound together with saliva into a ball called a bolus, which is periodically eaten or taken to the nest. These food balls can contain thousands of insects. Longevity record 21 years 1 month (Found sick in Sweden, ZB 84?) Rundunu Apus apus Apodiformes Apodidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in May - September Occasionally seen in February - April, October - December Click on the image to open slideshow 07-05-19 07-05-19 07-05-19 07-05-19 1/5 *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Swans, Geese & Ducks Mute Swan Mute Swan Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Big and white waterfowl with orange bill and black knob at base of bill. Juveniles more greyish. Neck usually held more S-shaped than other swans when swimming. Long tail prominent when upending. Diet Swans eat aquatic vegetation, molluscs, small fish, frogs and worms. They will graze big grassy fields, and can survive quite successfully in a field of short-cropped grass. Longevity record 28 years (A dead bird found in the UK, Z 40808) Ċinju Cyngus olor Anseriformes Anatidae Very rare Usually seen in December - January Occasionally seen in March Click on the image to open slideshow Juv. Dirty look with juvenile brown feathers, a pinkish bill and a lighter lore. Juv. Dirty look with juvenile brown feathers, a pinkish bill and a lighter lore. Ad. All white body and dirty looking neck, orange-red bill and a black lore in adults. Juv. Dirty look with juvenile brown feathers, a pinkish bill and a lighter lore. 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 140 - 160 200 - 240 9.0 - 13.0 Back to Glossary Red-breasted goose Red-breasted Goose Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Chestnut-red breast and cheek. It has a short and thick neck and a rounded head with a very short dark beak. A very distinctive colorful pattern with a contrast of chestnut-red , white and black plumage. Diet Breeding Red-breasted Geese will usually feed on grass leaves and the shoots of cotton-grasses. In their wintering territories, they usually take winter wheat, barley, maize, and pasture grasses. Longevity record 15 years Wiżża Ħamra Branta ruficollis Anseriformes Anatidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 54 - 60 110 - 125 1.0 - 1.5 Pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Greylag Greylag Goose Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Large, pale grey goose with bulky body and thick neck. Thick pink to orange (carrot-like) bill, without any dark markings. Almost giving the impression of being "false". Uniform colour of body. Light grey forewing stands out in flight. Pink legs. Diet Grass, roots, cereal leaves and spilled grain. Longevity record 24 years 0 months (Ring read in the field in Denmark, 7775) Wiżża Griża Anser anser Anseriformes Anatidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in December Occasionally seen in October, November, January, April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/2 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 74 - 84 149 - 168 3.1 - 4.3 Some pictures taken abroad Bean goose Taiga Bean Goose Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Orange legs, black and orange bill. Differs from juvenile White-fronted Goose by less contrast between cheeks and base of bill and crown, more prominent pale edges on back feathers, and by bill colour. Has much darker back than Pink-footed Goose (and never greyish). Colour of legs and bill can be surprisingly difficult to judge in unfavourable light. 2 subspecies that may be considered separate species in near future: A.f.rossicus has shorter bill with more extensive black markings than A.f.fabalis. Diet Grass, roots, cereal leaves and spilled grain. Longevity record 25 years 7 months (Found dead in Germany, 210151) Wiżża tal-Ful Anser fabalis Anseriformes Anatidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in December - January Occasionally seen in November, February Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 68 - 88 140 - 174 3.0 - 3.6 Greater White fronted goose Greater White-fronted Goose Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Orange legs and all pink bill without markings. Adults with white bill base and black markings on belly. Juveniles lacking those characters. Body shape and head more angular than other geese. Could be confused with Lesser White-fronted Goose, but Lesser have an obvious yellow eye-ring, and much more white around bill base. Wings more narrow than other grey geese. Diet Grass, roots, cereal leaves and spilled grain. Longevity record 25 years 3 months (Shot in the Netherlands, 8008491) Wiżża tal-Maskra Bajda Anser albifrons Anseriformes Anatidae Very rare Back to Glossary Usually seen in November - January Occasionally seen in February Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 64 - 78 130 - 160 2.0 - 2.9 Common Goldeneye Common Goldeneye Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Small, stocky diving duck with short bill, big triangular head and yellow eyes (dark in juveniles). Male: dark metallic green head and white patch at base of bill. Black back and tail. Neck, breast and underparts white. Female with brown head, white collar and pale underparts. White, square wing panels and dark underwing in both sexes. Diet Feeds mainly on small fish, also crustaceans, aquatic insects, and sometimes frogs, tadpoles, or worms. Young ducklings eat mostly insects. Longevity record 16 years 11 months (Russian Federation, D18692) Brajmla tal-Għajna Bucephala clangula Anseriformes Anatidae Vagrant Back to Glossary Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in November - February Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. female Female with brown head, white collar and pale underparts. Ad. female Female with brown head, white collar and pale underparts. 1/1 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 48 62 - 77 800 - 1100 Pictures taken abroad Red-breasted Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Noticeably smaller and more slender than Goosander. Bill much thinner, especially at base. Both sexes with more shaggy crest than Goosander. Male: dark head, white collar. Only sawbill with (medium) dark chest. Female differs from Goosander by smooth transition from brown head to grey lower neck, and less contrasting white throat patch. Striking white wing-bars with crossing black stripe visible in flight. Diet Feeds mainly on small fish, also crustaceans, aquatic insects, and sometimes frogs, tadpoles, or worms. Young ducklings eat mostly insects. Longevity record 21 years 4 months (A shot bird in Sweden, W 107522) Serra Mergus serrator Anseriformes Anatidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January, March - April, September Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. female Brown head, white bars on the secondaries and greater secondary coverts, very pale brown chest and white belly. Ad. female Brown head, white bars on the secondaries and greater secondary coverts, very pale brown chest and white belly. Ad. female Brown head, white bars on the secondaries and greater secondary coverts, very pale brown chest and white belly. 1/10 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 52 - 58 69 - 82 800 - 1100 Common Shelduck Common Shelduck Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in flocks but also in smaller groups. A big sized duck which gives an overall white impression. Reddish breast-band, dark blackish green head and black flight-feathers. Tip of tail black and adults with dark belly-band. Bill red. Males with red knob at base of bill. Juveniles duller, with white chin and no breast-band. Diet Small molluscs, small crustacea, small fish and fish spawn, occasionally insects and their larvae and a small amount of plant material, mainly algae. Longevity record 24 years (Dead specimen found in the UK, GM 96505) Kuluvert tas-Salib Tadorna tadorna Anseriformes Anatidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in December - January Occasionally seen in February - April, September - November Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. male Completely black head, more contrasting rufous and black patterns on the white breast and belly feathers, thicker bill and older male adults will grow a knob on the upper part of the bill. 1/26 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 55 - 65 100 - 120 800 - 1130 Ruddy Shelduck Ruddy Shelduck Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* This shelduck has short, dark legs, dark bill, thick neck and a distinctive rufous belly. Black and white wings conspicuous in flight. Sexes quite similar. Male with ringed neck in breeding plumage, and female with more contrasting facial pattern. Immature similar to female, but with "dirty" white wing-patches. Less dependent on water than most other ducks. Diet It is omnivorous and feeds on grasses, the young shoots of plants, grain and water plants as well as both aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Longevity record ---- Kuluvert Aħmar Tadorna ferruginea Anseriformes Anatidae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in May, September - March Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. female Note white face mask more prominent than in males and it does not have the black-neck collar such in males. Ad. female Note white face mask more prominent than in males and it does not have the black-neck collar such in males. Ad. female Note white face mask more prominent than in males and it does not have the black-neck collar such in males. Ad. female Note white face mask more prominent than in males and it does not have the black-neck collar such in males. 1/4 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 58 - 70 110 - 135 900 - 1500 Pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Red-crested Pochard Red-crested Pochard Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Big and plump-bodied diving duck with long neck, rounded head and long bill. Male unmistakable with it's red head, long deep-red bill, distinct white flank-patches and black belly. The contrasting light grey cheeks of the female recalls female Common Scooter, but note round head, pale body and much longer neck and bill. Both sexes with very broad and striking white wingbar clearly visible in flight. Diet Red-crested pochards feed mainly on the roots, seeds, and vegetative parts of aquatic plants, and sometimes supplement their diet with aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, mollusks, tadpoles, or small fish. Longevity record 8 years, 5 months (Ring number read in the field in the UK, 940448) Brajmla tat-Toppu Aħmar Netta rufina Anseriformes Anatidae Vagrant Back to Glossary Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in September - November Click on the image to open slideshow Adult males Rusty-orange rounded head with a lighter whitish crown and a coral-red bill. Black centre belly, rump and stern. White flank,underwings and broad wing-bars. Adult male Rusty-orange rounded head with a lighter whitish crown and a coral-red bill. Black centre belly, rump and stern. White flank,underwings and broad wing-bars. Adult male Rusty-orange rounded head with a lighter whitish crown and a coral-red bill. Black centre belly, rump and stern. White flank,underwings and broad wing-bars. Adult males Rusty-orange rounded head with a lighter whitish crown and a coral-red bill. Black centre belly, rump and stern. White flank,underwings and broad wing-bars. 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 53 - 57 85 - 9 0 900 - 1400 Pictures taken abroad Common Pochard Common Pochard Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but occasionally in small groups. Medium sized diving duck. Male with rufous brown head and pale grey body. Female indistinctly coloured in grey and brown, with diffuse head markings. Easiest identified by fairly distinct head profile; long bill continuous with sloping forehead, ending in peaked crown (both sexes). Bulky body and short neck. Both sexes with long, pale grey wing-bars. Juveniles like female, except body warmer brown. Diet They feed by diving or dabbling, eating aquatic plants with some mollusks, aquatic insects and small fish. They often feed at night, and when diving for food may feed upside down during feeding. Longevity record 23 years (A shot specimen in the UK, GK 61258) Brajmla Aythya ferina Anseriformes Anatidae Scarce Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 42 - 49 67 - 75 770 - 970 Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January - May, July - September Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. male Male with rufous brown head, half brown half black neck and a black breast. Belly, saddle and upperwings are pale grey. Black undertail coverts and tail. Red irises. Black and centre light blue bill. 1/9 Ferruginous Duck Ferruginous Duck Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in flocks but occasionally also individually. Shape resembles both diving and dabbling ducks. Characteristic head profile with long bill, long sloping forehead and rather high rear crown (not unlike Pochard). White undertail usually visible also when on the water. Broad, white wing-bars and white underwing conspicous in flight. White undertail separated from white belly by brown band. Male with shining white eyes. Female with brown eye and less bright rufous tones to plumage. Immature similar to female, but with even less rufous. Immatures told from immature Pochard by by darker back, no facial markings and white (not grey) wing-bars. Diet They feed by diving or dabbling, eating aquatic plants with some molluscs, aquatic insects and small fish. They often feed at night, and when diving for food may feed upside down during feeding. Longevity record 9 years (New Zealend, Z 5097) Brajmla t'Għajna Bajda Aythya nyroca Anseriformes Anatidae Scarce Usually seen in March, October Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. male White iris, very dark back and contrasting chestnut head and neck. Ad. male White iris, very dark back and contrasting chestnut head and neck. Ad. male White iris, very dark back and contrasting chestnut head and neck. 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 38 - 42 60 - 67 450 - 700 Some pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Tufted Tufted Duck Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small, compact diving duck with short neck and rounded head. Males with diagnostic tuft, white flanks and black back. Females with rudimentary tuft, mostly dark brown body, with varying white feathering at base of bill. Females in winter showing much white at base of bill are easily mistaken for Scaup, but note hint of small tuft, smaller head, broad black nail of bill and no white cheek spots. Both sexes show long, white wing stripes in flight. Diet They feed by diving or dabbling, eating aquatic plants with some molluscs, aquatic insects and small fish. They often feed at night, and when diving for food may feed upside down during feeding. Longevity record 45 years 3 months (Shot in Denmark, 444967) Brajmla tat-Toppu Aythya fuligula Anseriformes Anatidae Very rare Usually seen in March, November - December Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/5 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 47 65 - 72 550 - 820 Pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Garganey Garganey Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in large flocks and also in smaller groups. Small dabbling duck. Males unmistakable with broad white supercilium and high contrast between the dark mottled breast and the lighter flanks (visible at considerable distance). Female mottled in light brown colours with typical supercilium and contrasting eye-stripe. White spot at base of bill. Throat much lighter than in Teal. Both sexes with dark and fairly long bill. Head gives a square impression due to the flat crown. Speculum in flight shows narrow white edges, lacking Teal's broad front edge. Agile flight, but lacks the twists of Teals. Diet Garganeys are omnivores. Their diet includes aquatic invertebrates (worms, insects, crustaceans, molluscs), amphibians, small fish, seeds, roots, tubers and green parts of sedges, grasses and aquatic plants. Longevity record 14 years (A shot specimen in the UK, EC 74458) Sarsella Ħamra Spatula querquedula Anseriformes Anatidae Fairly common Usually seen in February - March, August - September Occasionally seen in April, October Click on the image to open slideshow Garganeys Males have a distinctive white crescent forming from just in front of the eye and diminishes right on the nape. The breast is darker brown and pale grey scapulars. Garganeys Males have a distinctive white crescent forming from just in front of the eye and diminishes right on the nape. The breast is darker brown and pale grey scapulars. Garganeys Males have a distinctive white crescent forming from just in front of the eye and diminishes right on the nape. The breast is darker brown and pale grey scapulars. 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 37 - 41 59 - 67 300 - 400 Back to Glossary Northern Shoveler Northern Shoveler Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in flocks but can be seen individually or in small groups. Medium sized dabbling duck. Noticeably big and wide bill, giving the whole bird a front-heavy look. Male with dark green head, rusty brown flanks and belly. Vent and lower back black, flight feathers dark. Female brown with dark speckles, but with similar huge bill. Speculum green, lacking white rear edge. In flight the darker belly separates it from female mallards. Conspicuous forewing in flight; grey in females and light blue in males. Diet Northern shovelers feed by dabbling and sifting in shallow water. Seeds of sedges, bulrushes, saw grass, smartweeds, pondweeds, algae and duckweeds, as well as aquatic insects, molluscs and crustaceans, are consumed by filtering water which is taken in at the bill tip and jetted out at the base. Longevity record 20 years (Russia E47327) Palettuna Anas clypeata Anseriformes Anatidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March, October - November Occasionally seen in August - September, December - February Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. female All rufous-tinged body especially on flanks and belly. Orange greenish bill. Ad. male Black bill. Green head. Bright yellow iris. White breast and chestnut coloured belly. White vetn and black undertail coverts. Ad. male Black bill. Green head. Bright yellow iris. White breast and chestnut coloured belly. White vetn and black undertail coverts. Ad. female All rufous-tinged body especially on flanks and belly. Orange greenish bill. 1/41 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 44 - 52 73 - 82 490 - 740 Gadwall Gadwall Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but sometimes seen in small groups. Medium sized dabbling duck. Male with grey plumage, mottled breast, black rump and vent lacking white framing. Female brown and easily overlooked and confused with female Mallards. Bill with dark center and evenly broad orange sides. Plumage more greyish than female mallard, with a more slender body and steeper forehead. Diagnostic white wingbars and contrasting white belly in all plumages. Diet Aquatic vegetation such as pondweed and algae, and invertebrates, such as crustaceans and midges. Longevity record 22 years (UK Shot specimen, AT83971) Kuluvert Griż Mareca strepera Anseriformes Anatidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in November Occasionally seen in October, December - April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/16 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 46 - 56 78 - 90 850 - 1000 Wigeon Eurasian Wigeon Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but sometimes seen in small groups. Recognized in all plumages by its rounded head, steep forehead, short neck and contrasting white belly. Males with brown head and light yellow forehead, pinkish breast and grey body. Adult males with big white patch on forewing. Female mostly brown with bluish bill. Tail rather long and pointed, and wings narrow. Quite pale underwings, but not completely white like American Wigeon. Diet Aquatic surface vegetation like roots, leaves, seeds and stems. It also grazes for food on land. It sometimes waits for diving ducks to bring plants up to the surface of the water and then snatches away their food! Longevity record 35 years (A shot bird in the UK, AT71365) Silfjun Ewropew Mareca penelope Anseriformes Anatidae Scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - January Occasionally seen in February - March Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. male Males have an orange forehead from the bill up to the head, chestnut head and neck, pink rosy breast, white belly and vent, grey saddle and flanks and black undertail coverts. 1/12 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 42 - 50 75 - 87 600 - 850 Mallard Mallard Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but sometimes seen in small groups. In all plumages distinguished by blue or purple speculum boldly framed in white. Male: metallic green head, brown breast, grey body and yellow bill. Female: brownish with dark speckles. Bill with variable, uneven orange markings on sides. Differs from Gadwall and Pintail by being noticeably more heavily built. Diet Majority of diet is plant material, including seeds, stems, and roots, especially sedges, grasses, pondweeds, smartweeds, many others; also acorns and other tree seeds, various kinds of waste grain. Also eat insects, crustaceans, molluscs, tadpoles, frogs, earthworms and small fish. Longevity record 23 years (A shot bird in Sweden, TA 5685) Kuluvert Anas platyrhynchos Anseriformes Anatidae Scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in November - January Occasionally seen in February - March, September - October Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. male The male has a yellow bill, green head, white collar, dark brown neck and breast, light grey belly, flanks and upperwings and a black undertail. 1/8 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 50 - 60 79 - 87 900 - 1300 Pintail Northern Pintail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups or large flocks but sometimes seen individually. Large dabbling duck. In all plumages distinguished from other dabbling ducks by its slim neck and elegancy. Male with dark brown head, white breast and lower neck, with white wedges extending upwards on side of neck. Long, pin-like tail. Female mostly brown, wattled plumage, with longer tail than other dabbling duck females. Both sexes with bluish bill. Speculum dark green with broad white rear edge. Front edge buff in males. Edges more prominent in flight than the actual speculum. Flight pattern closer to Wigeon than Mallard. Diet Northern Pintails eat seeds from aquatic plants, worms, snails, crustaceans, aquatic insects, and grains such as rice, wheat, corn, and barley. They pick at seeds and grains while walking or scoop up aquatic insects and seeds with their bills. Longevity record 27 years (A shot bird at the Netherlands, 5009767) Silfjun Anas acuta Anseriformes Anatidae Scarce Usually seen in February - March, September - November Occasionally seen in January, August, December Click on the image to open slideshow Top and 5th below are adult males. Others are adult females. Males have a distinctive brown head, white belly, longer pointed tail, black vent area and larger in size. Top and 5th below are adult males. Others are adult females. Males have a distinctive brown head, white belly, longer pointed tail, black vent area and larger in size. 1/23 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 51 - 62 79 - 87 900 - 1100 Back to Glossary Teal Eurasian Teal Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups or large flocks but sometimes seen individually. The smallest dabbling duck. Agile, with quick and easy take-off. Male with brown and green head with yellow stripes, grey body with a white horizontal stripe, and a yellow patch by the tail. Female is mostly brown with slim bill with orange base and no cheek stripe (see Garganey). Both sexes with green speculum with broad, wedge-shaped, white front edge, and dark primaries clearly visible in flight. Easy and quick take-off from both water and land, with rapid and changing flight. Diet In the breeding season it eats mainly aquatic invertebrates, such as crustaceans, insects and their larvae, molluscs and worms. In winter, it shifts to a largely granivorous diet, feeding on seeds of aquatic plants and grasses, including sedges and grains. Longevity record 21 years (A shot bird in France, ED 1418) Sarsella Anas crecca Anseriformes Anatidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January - March, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. male Male with chestnut brown and green head with narrow yellow stripes, grey body with a white horizontal stripe, and faint yellow undertail coverts. Ad. male Male with chestnut brown and green head with narrow yellow stripes, grey body with a white horizontal stripe, and faint yellow undertail coverts. 1/18 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 34 - 38 53 - 59 270 - 330 Back to Glossary Marbled duck Marbled Duck Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in pairs or small groups. Adults have a pale sandy-brown colour, diffusely blotched off-white, with a dark eye-patch and shaggy head. The female averages smaller than the male, but otherwise the sexes are alike. Juveniles are similar but with more off-white blotches. In flight, the wings look pale without a marked pattern, and no speculum on the secondaries. Diet These birds feed mainly in shallow water by dabbling or up-ending, occasionally diving. Adults feed mostly on seeds, but also take significant quantities of invertebrates (especially aquatic insect larvae and pupae, tiny crustaceans, and highly unusual for a duck, ants ) and green plants. Their gizzard allows them to break down seeds and the lamellae in their beak allow them to filter feed on zooplanktonic organisms. Young marbled ducks feed mostly on invertebrates. Although they may take tiny seeds, they lack the large gizzard necessary to break down the larger seeds commonly consumed by adults. Longevity record - Sarsella Mnaqqxa Marmaronetta anustirostris Anseriformes Anatidae Very rare Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in April - August, December Click on the image to open slideshow 22-12-20 22-12-20 18-12-20 22-12-20 1/12 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 39 - 42 63 - 70 450 - 590 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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

Auks, Gannets & Cormorants Puffin Atlantic Puffin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* One of the recent records is of a single individual seen near the shores of Marsascala in September 2010. A small bird, white bellied, black back, orange feet and a large orange to greenish bill. Bill in juveniles almost black, and much less deep than in adults. Adults in winter plumage also show much darker bill and cheeks than in summer. At a distance head gives an all dark impression, with characteristic dark "shadow " in front of the eye. Wings rounded with dark undersides. "Thighs" dark. Flight fluttering and energic, with shifting weight and angle. Diet Small fish but occasionally crustaceans. Longevity record 45 years (A shot bird at Iceland, 56309) Purċinell tal-Baħar Fratercula arctica Charadriiformes Alcidae Very rare Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in January, March, October, December Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer Ad. summer Ad. summer 1/2 Pictures taken abroad Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 34 50 - 60 320 - 480 Back to Glossary Razorbill Razorbill Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Last record of a single individual seen in the Maltese - Gozo channel on January 2022. At a distance quite similar to Guillemot. Bill deep, rectangular and with white markings. Flanks unstreaked and armpits white. Tail longer than in Guillemot, with legs not protruding behind tail in flight. Tail often held clear of the surface when swimming. Cheeks white in winter, with broad, short and black eye stripe. Neck collar short and wide. Upperparts blacker, and underparts whiter than Guillemot. Heavy neck, head and bill, in combination with the long tail, gives it a front heavy, and different profile from Guillemot, whether perched, swimming or flying. Top of head in line with tip of uptilted bill when swimming. Diet Small fish but occasionally crustaceans. Longevity record 42 years 0 months (Controlled by a ringer in the UK, AT 73954) Mus tal-Baħar Alca Torda Charadriiformes Alcidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in January, November, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 38 - 43 60 - 69 600 - 840 Back to Glossary Northen Gannet Northern Gannet Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. White with black wing tips and yellow-buff at back of head. Juveniles brown with small pale speckles, white u-shaped rump patch and pale underparts. Fully coloured only after 5 years, and patchy, intermediate plumages often seen. Unmistakable bird at close range or with favorable light, but can be confused with shearwaters at a distance and/or in strong wind. Differs from those by long tail and much longer neck and head. Alternates between powerful, even and shallow wing-beats and glides. Flight becomes more shearwater-like in strong winds. Diet Mostly fish and squid. Longevity record 37 years (Found dead in the UK, 1010527) Sula Morus bassanus Suliformes Sulidae Scarce Usually seen in October - March Occasionally seen in April, September Click on the image to open slideshow Immature (3rd/4th-cal.-yr) Yellowish head so 3rd yr+. Secondaries are still dark so this bird is still not in its full adult plumage. the back cannot be seen so it should either be a 3rd or 4th-cal. yr. Ad. Yellowish head and white secondaries indicative of an adult. Ad. Yellowish head and white secondaries indicative of an adult. Immature (3rd/4th-cal.-yr) Yellowish head so 3rd yr+. Secondaries are still dark so this bird is still not in its full adult plumage. the back cannot be seen so it should either be a 3rd or 4th-cal. yr. 1/7 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 85 - 97 170 - 192 2.9 - 3.2 Back to Glossary Brown Booby Brown Booby Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A vagrant for our islands with the first recorded sighting along the coast of Gozo on the 13th February 2024. The pictures on this site were taken by Mr. Claudio Cini. A large seabird with a fairly long neck, heavy pointed bill, long wings, and a rather long, pointed tail. It has stout, short legs with large webbed feet. Adults are rich chocolate brown with starkly contrasting white bellies and central underwings. They have pale bills and bright yellow feet. Juveniles are dark-billed and mostly brown overall. Subadults are intermediate between juveniles and adults, with dirty white bellies and underwings. Diet Mostly fish and squid. Longevity record 28.5 years (Australia, ABBBS-1305) Sula Kannellija Sula leucogaster Suliformes Sulidae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in February Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 64 - 85 132 - 155 0.95 - 1.7 Back to Glossary Great Cormorant Great Cormorant Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups but can be seen in flocks and single individuals. A large, heavy built with a thick neck blackish bird. Head diagnostically wedge-shape, with the back of the head as the highest point. Bill never yellow (but yellow naked area at base of bill). Often dives without jumping, more common in brackish water, often flies high, and often chooses high ground or objects when perching. Diet Mostly fish and occasionally crustaceans. Longevity record 32 years (Found dead in Iceland, 623) Margun Phalacrocorax carbo Suliformes Phalacrocoracidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - March Occasionally seen in April - May Click on the image to open slideshow Juv. 1/24 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 77 - 94 121 - 149 2.2 - 3.6 *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Although birds vary in size, flight and colours, the arrangement of feathers in birds is very similar across all species. The bird’s topography and the terms used will not only help you in understanding a bird's description, but will also help you describe any particular bird sighting to others. Bird Identification Intro Click for Wiki Glossary of Bird Terms Although birds vary in size, flight and colours, the arrangement of feathers in birds is very similar across all species. As such, it is very important for a birder, bird enthusiast and ornithologist to be familiar with the bird's body parts and its group feathers, i.e. the bird topology. Such terminologies are used world-wide in several books, online sites and magazines, and are required to identify a bird by its appearance. The bird’s topography and the terms used will not only help you in understanding a bird's description, but will also help you describe any particular bird sighting to others. Head Orbital Ring: Unfeathered ring or skin around the eye. Some birds have brightly color Orbital Rings while others do not have one at all. Orbital ring can change color over time. Iris: Refers to the coloured part of the eye surrounding the pupil, which is always black. In some birds the iris colour change with age. Culmen: Refer to the ridge along the top of the upper mandible. Nostril: Equivalent to a channel of the nose of a bird. Nail: Tip of upper mandible. In ducks the size and coloration of the nail can be an important identification feature. Tomia : is the cutting edge of bill. Gonydeal Angle: Shallow angle near the tip of the lower mandible. The gonys spot is found in some adult breeding birds and is the contrastingly coloured spot that the chick pecks at when it is soliciting food. Gape: Fleshy edges at corners or the base of the beak. In most birds the gape are obvious in young individuals. Nape: Refers to the area behind the neck. Supraorbital Ridge: Is the boney protuberance above the eye socket; this ridge helps shade and protect the eye and gives raptors their fierce look. Cere: Is the bare area surrounding the nostrils and can be different colours according to species, age and sex of the bird. Chin: Is a very small area at the base of the lower mandible and can often be a good clue for the identification of certain birds. Facial disc/Facial ruff: Facial disc is the concave collection of feathers surrounding the eyes on the face of some birds; particularly owls. The concavity of the facial disc forms a circular paraboloid that collects sound waves and directs those waves towards the ears. Harriers have less prominent facial discs and are often called Facial ruffs and refer to feathers around the neck that are raised in response to noise. Essentially enlarging the facial disc and improving hearing. Crown: Refers to the top area of the head. Forehead: Area between the bill and the crown. Post Ocular Spot: Feathered or skin spot found behind the eye. Body Median Crown stripe: Area that runs along the middle of the crown generally beginning at the base of the upper mandible. Lateral crown stripes, when present, run along the median crown stripe. Eyeline: Stripe that extends from behind the eye towards the nape. Eye-ring or Orbital feathers: Refers to the very small feathers circling the eye. Mantle: Area below the nape. A distinctive group of feathers that cover the upper back and are flanked by the scapular feathers. Scapulars: Feathers that cover the base of the wing. Scapulars flank the mantle and generally cover the bend of the wing. Breast: Refers to the area surrounded by the bottom of the throat, the sides or bend of wing area, and the top of the belly. Sides: Generally the area around the bend of the wing. Flanks: Refers to the side areas below the folded wing. Rump: Refers to the area below the mantle down to the uppertail coverts. The mantle, rump, and uppertail coverts are loosely referred as back. The rump is generally under the folded wings of a perched bird. Vent: Refers to the area between belly and undertail coverts. Undertail Coverts: Feathers that overlap the bottom base of the tail. Uppertail Coverts: Feathers that cover the upper base of the tail. Supercilium: Refers to the feathers that generally run from the base of the bill, above the eye, and back to varying lengths. These feathers are also known as the eyebrow. Auriculars or Ear-patch: Refers to the feathers that cover the ear area. This area is also known as cheeks. Throat: Refers to the area below the lower mandible. Malar: Refers to the area along the sides of lower mandible, between the throat and the Auricular Feathers. The malar area is also referred to as Mustachial Streak. Belly: The area surrounded by the breast, the flanks, and the Vent. Tibial Feathering: Feathers that cover tibia; above the tarsus. Undertail Coverts: Feathers that overlap the bottom base of the tail. Uppertail Coverts: Feathers that cover the upper base of the tail. Rump: Refers to the area below the mantle down to the uppertail coverts. The mantle, rump, and uppertail coverts are loosely referred as back. The rump is generally under the folded wings of a perched bird. Lesser Coverts: Feathers near the leading edge of a wing that overlap the bases of the Median Coverts. These feathers are rarely visible in passerines, and are usually concealed by Scapular and Side Feathers when the wing is folded. Median Coverts: Feathers that overlap the bases of the Greater Coverts. The coloured tips of the Median Coverts make the upper wing-bars in some birds. Greater Coverts: Overlap the bases of the Secondaries. Coloured tips of the Greater Coverts often conform the lower wing bars in some birds. Flight feathers or Remiges: Refers to the wing feathers (Primaries, Secondaries, and tertials). Primaries: Long flight feathers growing from the hand of a wing. Primaries form the bottom of a folded wing. Most birds have ten primaries, but some sub-oscine passerines have nine. Secondaries: Long flight feathers growing from the forearm of wing. The outer Secondaries abut the Primaries. In some ducks, the Secondaries can be brightly coloured and conform the speculum. Tail or Rectrices: Refers to the feathers that conform the tail. Tail feathers occur in even numbers with the central pair on top in the folded tail, and the outer pair positioned at the bottom of the pile. Tertials: Refers to the feathers closest to the body and loosely cover the space between the body and the wing. Alula: Three feathers on the thumb. Primary Coverts: Cover the base of the Primaries. Lesser Underwing Coverts: Feathers near the leading edge of a wing that overlap the bases of the Median Underwing Coverts. Median underwing coverts: Cover the base of the Greater underwing coverts. Greater Underwing Coverts: Overlap the bases of the Secondaries. Axilars: Feathers located in the bird’s arm pit. These feathers are basically the underwing version of the tertial feathers. Primary Underwing Coverts: Cover the base of the Primaries. Tail Tail Feathers The tail feathers are called rectrices (singular: rectrix), and occur in an even number on birds. The central pair of rectrices are on top (towards the back of the bird) in the folded tail, while the outer pair will be positioned at the bottom of the pile. There are three basic tail shapes, square, forked, and rounded. Other tail shapes derive from these three types. Square Tail: Tail feathers of the same length. Fork tailed: Outer tail feathers are longer than the middle pair. Feathers increase in length from the central pair to the outer pair. Rounded Tail: Outer tail feathers are shorter than the middle pair. Feathers increase in length from the outer pair to the middle pair. Source: Begazo, A. (Ed.) (2020). Peru Aves. CORBIDI, Lima, Peru. Available at http://www.peruaves.org/ (Accessed: 2020)

''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

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

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Storks & Cranes White Stork White Stork Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually or in small groups but sometimes in large flocks. Largely unmistakable. Huge, almost all white, bird with black flight feathers, long red legs and bill. Juveniles with dark bill tip and pale legs. Easily told from Black Stork in flight by all white underparts, including wing coverts. Only flight feathers black. Often soars high in flocks like raptors. Diet Their diet varies according to season, locality and prey availability. Common food items include insects (primarily beetles, grasshoppers, locusts and crickets), earthworms, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals such as voles, moles and shrews. Less commonly, they also eat bird eggs and young birds, fish, molluscs, crustaceans and scorpions. Longevity record 39 years (Bird found dead in Switzerland, S 127) Ċikonja Bajda Ciconia ciconia Ciconiiformes Ciconiidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - April, August - September Occasionally seen in May, July, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 95 - 110 180 - 218 2.3 - 4.4 Back to Glossary Black Stork Black Stork Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually or in small groups. Similar to White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), but with dark brown, metallic neck, head, breast and back. Only belly and innermost, under wing coverts are white. Legs, eye-ring and bill deep red. Flies with neck extended like White Stork, but contrasting white belly is visible at great distance. Immature birds duller brown than adults, with grey-green bill and legs. Diet The black stork mainly eats fish , small reptiles, amphibians , mammals, birds , invertebrates (such as snails , molluscs , earthworms) and insects like water beetles and their larvae . Longevity record 18 years (A shot bird in Poland, A 995853) Ċikonja Sewda Ciconia nigra Ciconiiformes Ciconiidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - October Occasionally seen in March - June, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/14 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 90 - 105 173 - 205 2.0 - 4.0 Common Crane Common Crane Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually or in groups and also in large flocks. A very large, long and slender bird. Bigger than Grey Heron. Plumage grey, with contrasting black throat and flight-feathers. White sides of neck. Tertials forms fluffed, ostrich-like rear end. Red crown visible at close range. Easily told from herons in flight by the straight neck. Juveniles with rufous head, lacking the marked pattern of adults. Diet It largely eats plant matter, including roots, rhizomes, tubers, stems, leaves, fruits and seeds. They also commonly eat, when available, pond-weeds, heath berries, peas, potatoes, olives, acorns and pods of peanuts. Notably amongst the berries consumed, the cranberry, is possibly named after the species. Longevity record 24 years 3 months (Markers in the field in Sweden, 9237782) Grawwa Grus grus Gruiformes Gruidae Scarce Usually seen in October - December, March - April Occasionally seen in January - February Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 96 - 119 180 - 222 4.1 - 6.0 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Pigeons & Doves Rock Dove Click on the image to open slideshow Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually or in small groups. Clearly smaller than Wood Pigeon. Plumage highly variable, and some morphs quite similar to Stock Dove. Differs from latter in complete dark wingbars on secondary coverts (not only inner coverts). Back light grey, contrasting with darker grey neck and head. Often with white patch at lower back, but not always. Underside of wings very pale, and dark trailing edge of tail fairly narrow. Lacks Wood Pigeon's white wing-patches. Feral Pigeon is the same species as Rock Dove. The existence of a population of pure wild Rock Doves without any mixed genes from feral populations anywhere in the world is debateable. There are many traits that can determine a bird as feral (like asymmetrical pigmentation), but birds with "classic" wild Rock Dove plumage also exists in the feral populations. Diet Mainly seeds including corn, oats, cherry, and barley. In cities, feral pigeons also eat popcorn, cake, peanuts, bread, and currants. Longevity record 8 years 1 month (Fiound dead in the UK, EK 12066ands, 167353) Tudun tal-Ġebel Columbia livia Columbiformes Columbidae Fairly common Usually seen in All months / resident birds Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 30 - 35 62 - 68 230 - 370 Back to Glossary Stock Dove Stock Dove Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually. Clearly smaller than Wood Pigeon, and lacks white wing-patches. Most susceptible to confusion with Feral Pigeon. Differs from latter in incomplete dark wing-bars, covering only inner secondary coverts. Colour of back same grey tone as neck and head. Never with white patch at lower back. Underside of wings grey, with clearly defined dark frame. Black trailing edge of tail fairly broad. Dark eyes not as in Wood Pigeon or Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon. Diet Stock Doves eat seed, leaves, buds, berries and grain Longevity record 12 years 7 months (Killed in Switzerland, 930722) Tudun tas-Siġar Columbia oenas Columbiformes Columbidae Very rare Usually seen in October Occasionally seen in March, May, September, November - December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 32 60 - 66 250 - 300 Pictures taken abroad Back to Glossary Wood pigeon Common Woodpigeon Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups of a few individuals. A large, grey pigeon with white patches on side of neck (adults) and conspicuous white wing-bands. Broad, dark terminal tail-band, and dark grey primaries. Underside of wings with little contrast between coverts and primaries/secondaries. Juveniles lacks white neck patches. Diet Mainly seeds and leaves. Occasionally vegetables. Longevity record 17 years 8 months (A ringed bird in the UK, FV 67324) Tudun Columba palumbus Columbiformes Columbidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - April, September - November Occasionally seen in January - February, May, June - July Click on the image to open slideshow 1/4 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 38 - 43 68 - 77 400 - 600 Turtle Dove European Turtle Dove Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually or in small groups but sometimes in large flocks. A small pigeon with barred neck-patch. Coverts and scapulars are dark with orangy-brown edges, giving the back a distinct scaly pattern. Neck and chest pink-grey, and belly white. In flight, the dark tail with contrasting, broad white band, is conspicuous in all plumages. Underside of wings grey, as opposed to Collared Dove. Upperside tri-coloured in black, grey and orangy-brown. Juveniles are drab, pale buff, and lacks the neck-patch. Diet Their diet is usually seeds, grains, berries, and fruits. Occasionally, they also eat worms, insects, spiders , snails, and fungi. They are opportunistic, and eat just about any type of food they can find. Longevity record 13 years 2 months (A shot bird in the Netherlands, 167353) Gamiema Streptopelia turtur Columbiformes Columbidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in April - May, August - October Occasionally seen in March, June - July, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 25 - 27 49 - 55 107 - 140 Eurasian Collared Dove Eurasian Collared Dove Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually for migrating individuals. Seen in small numbers for resident individuals. A small, long-winged and pale buff-grey pigeon, with characteristic black half-collar stretching from the hind-neck to the sides. Most likely to be confused with the African Collared Dove, but the primaries are darker making a contrast with the other wing feathers and have a grey undertail. Diet Mainly seeds but occasionally feeds on insects. Longevity record 17 years (A bird found dead in the UK, ED 04205) Gamiema tal-Kullar Streptopelia decaocto Columbiformes Columbidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in April - May, September Occasionally seen in June, August, October, all other months for resident birds Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 31 - 34 48 - 56 125 - 195 African Collared Dove African Collared Dove Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A feral species that has been introduced in some localities and is breeding regularly in the wild such as in Pembroke, Mqabba, Buskett and Attard. A small, long-winged and pale buff-grey pigeon, with characteristic black half-collar stretching from the hind-neck to the sides. Most likely to be confused with the Eurasian Collared Dove, but the primaries are lighter making it paler with no contrast with the other wing feathers. The undertail is paler whereas in the Eurasian Collared Dove this is grey. Diet Mainly seeds and other plants, including cultivated grains. They will also eat berries, insects and snails. Longevity record 10 years Ħamiema tal-Barr Streptopelia roseogrisea Columbiformes Columbidae Introduced Back to Glossary Usually seen in all months for resident birds Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 26 - 27 45 - 50 130 - 166 Palm dove Laughing Dove Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Formerly known as the 'Palm Dove'. The laughing dove is a long-tailed slim pigeon. It is pinkish brown on the underside with a lilac tinged head and neck. The head and underparts are pinkish, shading to buff on the lower abdomen . A chequered rufous and grey patch is found on the sides of the neck and are made up of split feathers. The upper parts are brownish with a bluish-grey band along the wing. The sexes are indistinguishable in the field. Young birds lack the chequered neck markings. The legs are red. Diet Laughing doves eat the fallen seeds, mainly of grasses, other vegetable matter and small ground insects such as termites and beetles. They are fairly terrestrial, foraging on the ground in grasslands and cultivation. Longevity record 10 years Gamiema tal-Ilwien Spilopelia senegalensis Columbiformes Columbidae Rare Usually seen in September - October Occasionally seen in April - May, July Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 23 - 26 40 - 45 125 - 196 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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