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

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

Sightings Occurrence Classification Our strength lies in our extensive community of local birdwatchers, hunters, and trappers, whose reporting covers the entire Maltese archipelago and its surrounding waters. Sightings are rigorously reviewed and then organized into the following categories. Though the final classification is determined by the page author, the detailed descriptions provided offer a clear and accurate picture of each species' occurrence. Hypothetical Introduced Vagrant Very rare Rare Very Scarce Scarce Fairly common Common no evidence to confirm if the bird was either a record or imported a species that was locally introduced into the wild appeared beyond the migrating/normal habitat range (<20 records) very few sightings that may be seen over a number of years >3 years very few sightings that may be seen over a number of years <3 years seen in very few sightings during the year or migration period seen in small quantities during the year or migration period seen in good quantities during the year or migration period seen in substantial quantities during the year or migration period Back to Glossary

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 Despite the diversity in avian size, flight style, and plumage, the basic structure and feather arrangement of birds are highly similar. Therefore, mastering bird topography (the specialized terms for a bird's body parts and feather groups) is fundamental for anyone seriously interested in birds. This universally accepted terminology is key to accurate identification and is used across all major field guides and publications. Familiarity with these terms will significantly improve your ability to understand a species description and enable you to clearly and accurately report specific bird sightings. 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)

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

Yearly Sightings 'x' - recorded 'number' - number of birds for vagrant/very rare sightings Last updated on 17th November 2025

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

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

As of end 2020, there are 469 bird species recorded in the Maltese Islands. These are split in 'Sighting occurrences' and identified as per hereunder.  In this page we have included a table of all the recorded bird species, their occurrence and the months in ​ Social media have thus became sources Statistics & Records Bird observation has grown in popularity among both the hunting community and the general public over the last few decades. This increase coincided with technological advances that made high-quality photographic equipment more affordable. As a result, social media platforms have become a valuable source for collecting statistical data on bird sightings. These platforms frequently record new species, document taxonomic splits, and share genuine sightings—often confirmed by multiple hunters while in the field. The official checklist for the Maltese Islands currently documents 434 bird species (excluding hypothetical records) as of 2025. These species are categorized according to their 'Sighting occurrences' table , as detailed below. In this page we have included a table of all the recorded bird species, their occurrence and the months in which it is best to encounter (denoted by 'o ') and those other months that a species can be seen occasionally or have been recorded in the past (denoted by 'x '). Vagrant species are documented by their known record count and the most recent observation year. It is important to note that the actual incidence of vagrancy is presumed to exceed the official records. However, these recorded figures remain a valuable metric for quantifying and comparing the observation frequency across various vagrant species. No. of recorded species as of 2025 434 Sighting Occurrence Common Fairly common Scarce Very scarce Rare Very rare Vagrant Hypothetical Introduced Extinct No. of species 20 79 48 47 29 42 166 33 2 1 Click for 'Yearly Sightings 2020+' 'o' - Mostly seen in those months 'x' - Can be seen/was recorded, in those months Search LIST OF RECORDS (Nov 2025)

''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

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

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