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

Plovers, Lapwings & Dottorel Grey Plover Grey Plover Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Summer plumage unmistakable, with black underparts framed in white, with white and grey-speckled upperparts. Diagnostic in all plumages are the black armpits, which are clearly visible in flying birds. Also shows white wing-bars and very pale tail, with some barring. Winter-plumaged and juvenile birds speckled in grey with white underparts. Can be mistaken for Golden Plover. Especially the juveniles, which may have faint golden tone to plumage. Note instead heavier bill with swollen tip and bulkier body. Diet Small crustaceans, marine worms and molluscs, occasionally insects and earthworms, obtained by probing and gleaning. During the breeding season the diet is predominantly adult and larval insects. They feed during the day, and also at night. Longevity record 25 years 7 months (Found dead in the UK, DS 08723) Pluviera Griża Pluvialis squatarola Charadriiformes Charadriidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - May, August - November Occasionally seen in December - January Click on the image to open slideshow 1/24 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 26 - 29 56 - 63 135 - 227 Back to Glossary Eurasian Golde plover Eurasian Golden Plover Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups, flocks or sometimes individually. Unmistakable in breeding plumage with golden, speckled upperparts and white-bordered black throat and belly. Male generally blacker than female, but due to regional differences, some females may be darker than males from other areas. Juveniles and birds in winter plumage, lacks the black underparts, and could be mistaken for Grey Plover. Differs from that species in more golden coloured back, less heavy bill and neck and by being slightly smaller. In flight easily told apart from Grey Plover and Pacific Golden Plover by white axillaries. Diet Golden plover mainly eat insects and their larvae, worms and spiders, and a small amount of grass seeds and berries. Longevity record 13 years 9 months (Found dead in Iceland, 624564) Pluviera Pluvialis apricaria Charadriiformes Charadriidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - March Occasionally seen in April - May, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow Adults Streaked throat and breast, white belly in winter adults. Mostly adults Black buffs and 'golden' trims on back and upperwings. Streaked throat and breast, white belly in winter adults. Juveniles will have a streaked dirty belly. Juveniles Adult winter Black buffs and 'golden' trims on back and upperwings. Streaked throat and breast, white belly in winter adults. Adults Streaked throat and breast, white belly in winter adults. 1/12 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 25 - 28 53 - 59 160 - 220 Back to Glossary Pacific Golden Plover Pacific Golden Plover Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. The Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) is very similar in colour as the Eurasian Golden Plover, but is smaller, slimmer and relatively longer-legged than, and has grey rather than white axillary feathers (only properly visible in flight). Diet On breeding grounds, feeds mostly on insects, including beetles, flies, and others, also some berries. In migration in open fields, eats wide variety of insects, including grasshoppers, caterpillars. On shores, also feeds on small crustaceans and mollusks. During migration seasons, may eat many berries. Longevity record 21 years 3 months (Euring) Pluviera Żgħira Pluvialis fulva Charadriiformes Charadriidae Vagrant Back to Glossary Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in September - January Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 21 - 25 53 - 59 100 - 230 Dotterel Eurasian Dotterel Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Clearly smaller than Golden plover. Easily identified by broad white supercilium, white breast band and rusty brown underparts. Female more richly coloured than male. Winter plumage and juveniles pale, with scaled back and light underparts. Short, broad, rounded tail and slightly rounded wings visible in flight. Reversed sexual roles. Diet Insects and other small invertebrates such as snails and worms and shellfish. These are obtained by a run-and-pause technique, rather than the steady probing used by other waders. Longevity record 11 years 9 months (Found dead in the UK, XR 45242) Birwina Charadrius morinellus Charadriiformes Charadriidae Scarce Usually seen in August - November Occasionally seen in December - January, March - April Click on the image to open slideshow Adult summer The dark crown, broader white contrasting supercilium and rufous edges on scapulars indicate an adult in summer plumage. Adult summer Grey unstreaked throat, broad white stripe on chest, orange rufous breast and flanks, black belly and white rump in summer adults. Adult summer Grey unstreaked throat, broad white stripe on chest, orange rufous breast and flanks, black belly and white rump in summer adults. Adult summer The dark crown, broader white contrasting supercilium and rufous edges on scapulars indicate an adult in summer plumage. 1/10 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 20 - 24 57 - 64 110 - 155 Back to Glossary Common Ringed Plover Common Ringed Plover Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Marked black breast-band and mask. Olive-brown upperparts and white underparts. Easily confused with Little Ringed Plover (especially juveniles). Diagnostic characters in adults are; striking white wing-bars (only faint in Little Ringed Plover), orange base of bill and legs, and no yellow eye-ring. Juveniles also show characteristic wing-bars, white supercilium extends behind the eye, lower part of "mask" is rounded and bill is stouter. Tertials do not cover tips of primaries. Diet Small invertebrates, insects, spiders, slugs and snails. Longevity record 20 years 10 months (Ring read in the field in the UK, BV 85945) Monakella Prima Charadrius hiaticula Charadriiformes Charadriidae Fairly common Usually seen in April - May, August - September Occasionally seen in March, June - July, October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 28-08-20 1/10 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 20 35 - 41 49 - 64 Back to Glossary Little Ringed Plover Little Ringed Plover Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in small groups. Differs from Ringed Plover by bright yellow eyering (adults),only faint wing-bars, long tertials (covering the primaries) and slimmer more elongated body shape. Apart from the diagnostic eyering, adults show white band across crown, brown-grey legs (not orange) and dark bill. Juveniles also show only faint wing-bars, supercilium is faint, especially behind the eye, lower part of "mask" is pointed and bill is slimmer. Diet Insects, crustaceans and worms. Longevity record 13 years (Finland, KT-453) Monakella Charadrius dubius Charadriiformes Charadriidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in March - May, September - October Occasionally seen in January, all other months for resident birds Click on the image to open slideshow 19-03-20 17-03-18 1/9 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 18 32 - 35 33 - 44 Lapwing Northern Lapwing Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually, in small groups but also in flocks. Unmistakable. Dark green (appears black at a distance) above and white below. Wings also dark above and white below, with diagnostic rounded and broad tips. Squarish head profile with striking crest. Winter and juvenile plumage with scaled back, and less contrasting breast band. Diet Northern lapwing feeds on invertebrates such as earth worms and insects. It also consumes beetles (larvae and adults), ants, flies, moths, crickets, and also spiders and snails. They usually feed in cultivated areas and both during day and night Longevity record 24 years 6 months (Denmark) Venewwa Vanellus vanellus Charadriiformes Charadriidae Scarce Usually seen in November - February Occasionally seen in March, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/12 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 31 67 - 72 170 - 230 Back to Glossary Caspian Plover Caspian Plover Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. This plover is slightly larger than ringed plover. Summer males have grey-brown backs and a white face and belly. The breast is chestnut, bordered black below. Other plumages have a grey-brown breast band, although the summer female may show a hint of chestnut. The call is a sharp chip. Diet It feeds in a similar way to other plovers picking beetles, termites, ants, grasshoppers, small snails and other small prey mainly from the ground. It sometimes eats the seeds of grasses. Longevity record - Birwina tal-Asja Charadrius asiaticus Charadriiformes Charadriidae Vagrant Back to Glossary Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in March - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 19 - 21 55 - 61 60 - 91 Kentish Plover Kentish Plover Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually or in pairs. Long-legged and compact plover with short rear-end and thin, black bill. Breast-band (or rather breast patches) usually incomplete and broken, and narrow. Leaves an overall pale impression compared to congeners. The white forehead in adults reaches all the way to the bill. Breeding male with rufous neck patch, distinct black facial markings and black breast-band. Female more diffusely coloured in brown, with slightly darker breast-band. Immature even duller. Tal shorter than Ringed Plover with substantially more white on edges. Legs darker than congeners (blackish when breeding), but may be greenish in immature birds. Can be identified by profile alone with some experience, by combination of long legs, short and compact body and flat forehead. Lifts legs well clear of ground when running, giving it's rapid gait a bicycling feel. Diet Their main source of food consists of miniature aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates such as insects and their larvae (e.g. beetles, grasshoppers or flies), molluscs, crustaceans, spiders and marine worms. They are obligate visual foragers and often feed at the shoreline of lakes, lagoons or ponds in invertebrate-rich moist-soil areas. Longevity record 19 years (Read in the field in Sweden, 3247244) Monakella Saqajha Suwed Charadrius alexandrinus Charadriiformes Charadriidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in July - December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/10 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 18 40 - 45 32 - 56 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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Wagtails Yellow wagtail Western Yellow Wagtail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually, in groups or in larger flocks. Head is mainly greenish with a yellow face, throat, breast and belly. Also a yellow supercilium in males. Females are paler with a greyish head paler supercilium and paler throats. Tail quite short compared to other wagtails, and the whole bird in profile is like a pipit. Hybrids are not uncommon. Differs from Grey Wagtail in dark legs, only pale yellow vent and narrow wing-bars. Juvenile White Wagtails and Yellow Wagtails can be confused, but White Wagtail is greyer, with big grey breast patch (Yellow Wagtail may show narrow breast band). Closest congener is Citrine Wagtail, which lacks dark lore, has broad wing-bars and grey back. Diet Insects and spiders, particularly flying insects in sparse vegetation and open ground. Longevity record 8 years 10 months (Found dead in Sweden, 2407355) Isfar Motacilla flava Passeriformes Motacillidae Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - November Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow ssp. Motacilla flava 1/32 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 16 15 - 23 Back to Glossary Eastern yellow wagtil Eastern Yellow Wagtail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A vagrant seen twice in December, at (i) Salini salt pans in 2019 and (ii) M'Xlokk in 2022. It is very similar to a Blue-headed Wagtail (M.flava) i.e. a blueish/grey head with but it has a slightly paler grey forehead to nape, and mostly pale grey ear-coverts (sometimes blackish), blackish-grey lores and conspicuous white eyebrow. Crown and nape are bluish-grey. Call is very distinctive and different from its Western Yellow Wagtails species. Diet Insects and spiders, particularly flying insects in sparse vegetation and open ground. Longevity record - Isfar tal-Lvant Motacilla tschutschensis Passeriformes Motacillidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in December Click on the image to open slideshow 14-03-20 14-03-20 1/12 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 16 15 - 23 Back to Glossary Citrine Wagtail Citrine Wagtail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually. Adult male easily recognized with all yellow head with dark edges and grey back. Prominent white wing-bars and all dark bill, lacking the pale base of Yellow Wagtail. Females and adult winter lacks the dark lore-stripe of Yellow Wagtail, and the flanks are grey. The same applies to the juveniles. These also give a very grey impression, almost resembling a Pied Wagtail without the dark breast-pattern. Juvenile Yellow Wagtails have a less grey and more olive tone to their backs. The dark facial markings/ear coverts of females/winter/juveniles birds are usually framed by the continuation of the strong supercilium. Some Yellow Wagtails are very similar to Citrine, and call and tail length should be considered as well (tail longer in Citrine). Diet Insects and spiders, particularly flying insects in sparse vegetation and open ground. Longevity record - Zakak Rasu Safra Motacilla citreola Passeriformes Motacillidae Rare Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in August, September, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15.5 - 17 15 - 24 Back to Glossary Grey Wagtail Grey Wagtail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually. Elegant and very long-tailed wagtail. Vent always bright yellow in all plumages. Legs pinkish flesh-coloured, not black as in Yellow Wagtails species. Wings with single white bar, visible both from below and above. Male with black throat in summer. Constantly wags tail, often in a more horizontal posture than congeners. Flight more attenuated and more bounding than in other wagtails. Attached to water and streams. Diet Insects and spiders, particularly flying insects in sparse vegetation, open ground and especially near water ponds and streams. Longevity record 8 years 0 months (Germany, BO 87112) Zakak tad-Dell Motacilla cinerea Passeriformes Motacillidae Scarce Usually seen in March - April, September - October Occasionally seen in February, May, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Length (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 20 17 - 23 Back to Glossary White Wagtail White Wagtail Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually, in small groups or larger flocks. Grey and white wagtail with prominent black markings on head and breast. Different from the Pied Wagtail found within the British Isles which is now considered as a full species M. yarreli, that has a black back, whilst it is grey in the White Wagtail. Only faint black markings on head in juveniles and in winter plumage, but always shows big dark breast patch. Unmistakable in breeding plumage. Pale individuals of Yellow Wagtail and Citrine Wagtail, differs in lacking large breast patch, and in contact call. Diet Insects and spiders, particularly flying insects in sparse vegetation, open ground and especially near water ponds and streams. Longevity record 13 years 8 months (Czech Republic, N 212046) Zakak Abjad Motacilla alba Passeriformes Motacillidae Fairly common Usually seen in October - February Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow Leucistic White Wagtail 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 16.5 - 19 18 - 23 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Sightings Occurrence Classification Birds of Malta has a vast number of contributors comprising of local birdwatchers, hunters and trappers which are spread all over the Maltese archipelago and even out at sea in Maltese waters. Sightings are assessed and these have been classified in the following 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 Back to Glossary

Eagles & Vultures Short toed Short-toed Snake Eagle Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* The Short-toed Eagle is one of the largest raptors that visit our islands. Although it is a very scarce visitor, sizeable flocks have been recorded since the early 90's. This eagle will take four years in order to moult to its adult plumage. Adults will have heavily barred flight feathers. Whitish underparts and dark hood and chest. Underparts variably barred with 2-3 tail-bands, but leaves an overall pale impression. Primaries have six distinctive fingers. Pale individuals may show pale throat and chest. Soars on flat or marginally raised wings, with hand stretched slightly forward. Tail slender with straight cut end and sharp corners. Diet Its prey is mostly reptiles, mainly snakes , but also some lizards . Occasionally, they prey on small mammals up to the size of a rabbit, and rarely birds and large insects. Longevity record 15 years Ajkla Bajda Circaetus gallicus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Very scarce Usually seen in September - November Occasionally seen in April - June, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/9 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 62 - 69 162 - 178 1.2 - 2.3 Back to Glossary Lesser Spotted Lesser Spotted Eagle Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* The Lesser Spotted Eagle is one of the largest raptors that visit our islands. It is a rare visitor which is usually seen individually. It has evenly broad wings and relatively short tail. Its flight-feathers are darker than the pale brown coverts, both on upper and underwing. Head and body distinctly paler than flight feathers. Conspicuous pale patch at base of inner primaries on upperwing. U-shaped white patch at base of tail. Immature birds with white tipped greater and median coverts, forming two narrow wing-bands. Primaries showing 6 protruded "fingers", with a 7th shorter finger. Sours and glides with wings held horizontally, but with characteristic drooping hand. Diet Mainly mammals (90%) and a little of fish and birds (10%) Longevity record 20-25 years Ajkla tat-Tikki Clanga pomarina Accipitriformes Accipitridae Rare Usually seen in September - November Occasionally seen in March - April Click on the image to open slideshow 2935-240920 2956-240920 2935-240920 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 55 - 65 143 - 168 1.0 - 2.2 Back to Glossary Booted Booted Eagle Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* The Booted Eagle is a very small eagle which is usually smaller than a normally sized Honey Buzzard. It has a long tailed, slender build and have white ''indicator'' patches at base of wings. Occurs in pale and dark morph. Six ''6'' distinct ''fingers'' i.e. 6 feathers protruding from the primaries that are typical with eagles. Diet It hunts small mammals, reptiles and birds. Longevity record 12 years Ajkla tal-Kalzetti Hieraaetus pennatus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - October Occasionally seen in November - May Click on the image to open slideshow 20160834 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 42 - 51 110 - 135 630 - 1145 Egyptian Egyptian Vulture Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A small vulture with a characteristic flight profile and distinct plumage with a white body, white coverts and black flight feathers (in adults). Long, wedge-shaped tail, but not longer than wings are broad. Wings square and broad, full hand. Small head with thin bill and a yellow face in adults. Immature birds are dark brown with paler coverts. Despite the less distinct plumage, the silhouette is similar to adults. Noticeably more active wing flapping and quicker wing-beats than in the large vultures. Diet Egyptian vultures are carnivorous, feeding mostly on carrion, but they are also known to eat insects, small reptiles and mammals, crustaceans, snails, bird eggs, nestlings, and the dung of larger animals. Longevity record 17 years (Found dead, electrocuted in Spain, G 09545) Avultun Abjad Neophron percnopterus Accipitriformes Accipitridae Rare Usually seen in September - October, March - April Occasionally seen in May - June, August Click on the image to open slideshow 1/3 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 59 - 70 156 - 170 1.8 - 2.4 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Sparrows & Buntings Spanis Sparrow Spanish Sparrow Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* The most widespread bird of the Maltese Islands. The Spanish Sparrow is a rather large sparrow, slightly larger and heavier than Tree Sparrows, and also has a slightly longer and stouter bill. The male is similar to the Tree Sparrow in plumage, but differs in that its underparts are heavily streaked with black, has a chestnut crown and has white cheeks. Diet Like other sparrows, it feeds principally on the seeds of grains and other grasses, also eating leaves, fruits, and other plant materials. Young birds are fed mostly on insects, and adults also feed on insects and other animals during and before the breeding season. Longevity record 7 years 9 months (Spain, 2718667) Għammiel tal-Bejt / Għasfur tal-Bejt Passer hispaniolensis Passeriformes Passeridae Common Usually seen in All months Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow 1/10 Length (cm): Weight (g): 14 - 16 24 - 33 Back to Glossary Tree Sparrow Eurasian Tree Sparrow Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups, larger flocks but can be seen individually. Differs from Spanish Sparrow by cheek patch, and lack of black breast markings. Brown and streaked rump. The black bib does not expand towards the chest. Head profile rounder and neater than Spanish Sparrow, with slightly smaller bill. Identification by profile alone is possible with practice. Sexes and ages alike. Diet Like other sparrows, it feeds principally on the seeds of grains and other grasses, also eating leaves, fruits, and other plant materials. Young birds are fed mostly on insects, and adults also feed on insects and other animals during and before the breeding season. Longevity record 13 years 1 month (Found dead in France, 417586) Ġaħġaħ Passer montanus Passeriformes Passeridae Fairly common Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in March - May, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/8 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12.5 - 14 22 - 24 Back to Glossary Snow Bunting Snow Bunting Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Easily recognized bunting with highly contrasting plumage. Tail with black center, boldly framed by white edges and white rump in all plumages. Males with white wings with black hand. Adult females with most inner parts of wings white, juveniles with white wing-bars only. A flock usually has a few adult males which gives away the species with their flashing white wings. Summer plumage of male white with black back, bill and legs. Female less pure white, with buffish head and cheeks. Juveniles mostly grey. Though most of adults white on wing is missing, the tail-pattern is diagnostic in flight also in young birds. In winter plumage the black parts of the plumage turn more brown and buff in both sexes. Diet Snow Buntings eat grass and flowering-plant seeds as well as insects and spiders. They pick seeds and insects from the ground or leap up from the ground to grab a seed or other prey. Longevity record 10 years 2 month (Found dead in Iceland, 946781) Durrajsa Bajda Plectrophenax nivalis Passeriformes Calcariidae Very rare Usually seen in November - December Occasionally seen in June Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 19 29 - 42 Back to Glossary Corn Bunting Corn Bunting Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. A featureless, bulky bunting. Larger than Yellowhammer, but with a shorter tail. Combination of size, build, flight-pattern and sound important for identification. Recalls the bigger larks in build. Takes off with a loose and surging flight, often with legs dangling underneath. Undulations particularly strong just before landing. Wings dark, and tail without white feathers or markings. "Tooth" in upper mandible visible at close range when singing. Bill and legs yellowish pink. Often shows an indistinct, dark breast patch. Diet Its natural food consists mainly of seeds but also includes insects such as crickets, especially when feeding young. Longevity record 10 years 7 months (Czech Republic, Z 289597) Durrajsa Emberiza calandra Passeriformes Emberizidae Scarce Usually seen in March, October Occasionally seen in February, April, September, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/7 Length (cm): Weight (g): 16 - 19 35 - 56 Back to Glossary Ortolan Bunting Ortolan Bunting Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Medium sized bunting, resembling a compact Yellowhammer in shape. Head green with yellow markings and underparts orange-brown. Distinct and characteristic, yellow eye-ring and earth-brown (not rufous) rump in all plumages. Female like male, but duller coloured, with streaked head and chest. Diet Its natural food consists mainly of seeds but also includes insects such as crickets, especially when feeding young. Longevity record 6 years 10 months (Hit by vehicle in Switzerland, E 966705) Ortolan Emberiza hotulana Passeriformes Emberizidae Rare Usually seen in April Occasionally seen in March, May, August - October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 16.5 21 - 27 Back to Glossary Cirl Bunting Cirl Bunting Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Slightly more compact than Yellowhammer, with shorter wings and heavier bill. In all plumages note; olive to grey rump, greyish lesser coverts and finely streaked flanks. Male unmistakable with black throat and eye-stripe. Female and immature lacks black throat, but have more contrasting eye- and moustache-stripe than Yellowhammer. Diet Its natural food consists mainly of seeds but also includes insects such as crickets, especially when feeding young. Longevity record - Ortolan Iswed Emberiza cirlus Passeriformes Emberizidae Very rare Usually seen in November - December Occasionally seen in August - September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15 - 16.5 22 - 31 Back to Glossary Yellowhammer Yellowhammer Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Large and long-tailed bunting with rufous rump. Mainly yellow and brown plumage. Head bright yellow with dark markings in breeding male. Female darker, with streaked head, yellow throat and supercilium. Back greyish and streaked. Rufous rump distinguishes it from Ortolan and Cirl Bunting. Underparts pale yellow, with relatively coarse streaking. Diet The diet of the Yellowhammer is rather varied, and consists of seeds, grain, some small fruits such as blackberries, insects and spiders. Longevity record 13 years 3 months (Found dead in the UK, JC 97236) Durrajsa Safra Emberiza citrinella Passeriformes Emberizidae Very rare Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January, August - September Click on the image to open slideshow A15A9586 A15A9586 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 15.5 - 17 24 - 37 Back to Glossary Common Reed Bunting Common Reed Bunting Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Breeding male easily recognized by all black head, prominent white moustache stripe and white collar. Rufous greater coverts in young birds. Females and juveniles otherwise plain and rather characterless, and are easily confused with other rare buntings. Reed bunting however, lacks the pale eye-ring and plain cheeks of Little Bunting, and the rufous rump of Rustic Bunting. Diet Its diet consists of seeds, grain, small fruits, insects and spiders. Longevity record 12 years 3 months (Switzerland, A 220452) Durrajsa tal-Qasab Emberiza schoeniclus Passeriformes Emberizidae Very scarce Usually seen in November - December Occasionally seen in January - May, July Click on the image to open slideshow 18-12-20 1/4 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13.5 - 15.5 15 - 24 Back to Glossary Little Bunting Little Bunting Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. Small bunting with warm rufous cheeks framed in black. Often with a pale spot hind-cheek, towards the neck. Pale eyering, pale wing-bar, rufous median and black lateral crown-stripe . Bill grey with straight culmen. Easily confused with female Reed Bunting. In addition to mentioned criteria, also note pinkish legs and much paler lores. Sexes more or less alike, but birds with rufous throat and contrasting crown-stripes are usually males. Diet Its diet consists of seeds, grain, small fruits, insects and spiders. Longevity record - Durrajsa Qerqnija Emberiza pusilla Passeriformes Emberizidae Very scarce Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in December, April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 12 - 13.5 12 - 13 Back to Glossary Rustic bunting Rustic Bunting Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually. All plumages differs from Reed Bunting, and most other buntings by; white belly, pale cheek-patch, flanks coarsely spotted in rufous red, rufous rump with no streaking, pale pinkish legs and lower mandible. Summer plumage male easily recognized by boldly rufous breast and contrasting black and white head pattern. Young male resembles females, and may breed before adult plumage is fully developed. Posture often erect when moving around on the ground. Crown feathers often erect. Flight pattern light and fluttering, and more even than in Reed Bunting. Diet Its diet consists of seeds, grain, small fruits, insects and spiders. Longevity record - Durrajsa Qastnija Emberiza rustica Passeriformes Emberizidae Very rare Usually seen in October - November Occasionally seen in February, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 13 - 14.5 16.5 - 23 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Storks & Cranes White Stork White Stork Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually or in small groups but sometimes in large flocks. Largely unmistakable. Huge, almost all white, bird with black flight feathers, long red legs and bill. Juveniles with dark bill tip and pale legs. Easily told from Black Stork in flight by all white underparts, including wing coverts. Only flight feathers black. Often soars high in flocks like raptors. Diet Their diet varies according to season, locality and prey availability. Common food items include insects (primarily beetles, grasshoppers, locusts and crickets), earthworms, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals such as voles, moles and shrews. Less commonly, they also eat bird eggs and young birds, fish, molluscs, crustaceans and scorpions. Longevity record 39 years (Bird found dead in Switzerland, S 127) Ċikonja Bajda Ciconia ciconia Ciconiiformes Ciconiidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - April, August - September Occasionally seen in May, July, October Click on the image to open slideshow 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 95 - 110 180 - 218 2.3 - 4.4 Back to Glossary Black Stork Black Stork Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually or in small groups. Similar to White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), but with dark brown, metallic neck, head, breast and back. Only belly and innermost, under wing coverts are white. Legs, eye-ring and bill deep red. Flies with neck extended like White Stork, but contrasting white belly is visible at great distance. Immature birds duller brown than adults, with grey-green bill and legs. Diet The black stork mainly eats fish , small reptiles, amphibians , mammals, birds , invertebrates (such as snails , molluscs , earthworms) and insects like water beetles and their larvae . Longevity record 18 years (A shot bird in Poland, A 995853) Ċikonja Sewda Ciconia nigra Ciconiiformes Ciconiidae Very scarce Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - October Occasionally seen in March - June, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/12 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 90 - 105 173 - 205 2.0 - 4.0 Common Crane Common Crane Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Seen individually or in groups and also in large flocks. A very large, long and slender bird. Bigger than Grey Heron. Plumage grey, with contrasting black throat and flight-feathers. White sides of neck. Tertials forms fluffed, ostrich-like rear end. Red crown visible at close range. Easily told from herons in flight by the straight neck. Juveniles with rufous head, lacking the marked pattern of adults. Diet It largely eats plant matter, including roots, rhizomes, tubers, stems, leaves, fruits and seeds. They also commonly eat, when available, pond-weeds, heath berries, peas, potatoes, olives, acorns and pods of peanuts. Notably amongst the berries consumed, the cranberry, is possibly named after the species. Longevity record 24 years 3 months (Markers in the field in Sweden, 9237782) Grawwa Grus grus Gruiformes Gruidae Scarce Usually seen in October - December, March - April Occasionally seen in January - February Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 96 - 119 180 - 222 4.1 - 6.0 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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

Thrushes White's Thrush White's Thrush Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A very rare bird that is seen individually. Although the sightings are rare it has been recorded from one up to four records in 2018, 2019 and 2020. This thrush is similar to a Mistle Thrush but it has a black scaling on a paler white or yellowish background. The most striking identification feature in flight is the black band on the white underwings. The male has a song which is a loud, far-carrying mechanical whistle, with 5–10 second pauses between each one second long phrase twee...tuuu....tuuu....tuuu. It breeds in the Himalayas and Siberia but is recorded in Europe each year. Diet This thrush mainly feeds on invertebrates, fruit and berries. Animal prey include earthworms, insects and other arthropods, slugs and snails. Longevity record - Malvizzun Dehbi Zoothera aurea Passeriformes Turdidae Vagrant Back to Glossary Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 27 - 31 100 - 140 Ring Ouzel Ring Ouzel Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups but can be seen singly. Differs from Barn Swallow in all plumages by pale throat and black under tail coverts, which are visible at greater distance than the red rump. Rufous cheeks and collar. Underparts finely streaked, giving the bird a slightly "dirty" look from a distance, with less contrast to the upperparts than in Barn Swallow. Immature birds with short streamers and buff cheeks and rump. Build more compact than Barn Swallow, with shorter bill, rounded wings and slightly shorter streamers. Flight slower and with more frequent gliding. Diet The ring ouzel is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, earthworms, small rodents, reptiles and berries. Longevity record 9 years 1 month (Found dead in Spain, 3015231) Malvizz tas-Sidra Bajda / Malvizzun tal-Ħannieqa Turdus torquatus Passeriformes Turdidae Very scarce Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January, March - April, September Click on the image to open slideshow 07-11-18 07-11-18 1/1 Length (cm): Weight (g): 24 - 27 85 - 120 Back to Glossary Blackbird Common Blackbird Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen singly. Male shiny black with bright yellow bill and yellow eye-ring. Female dark brown above. Throat and chest in slightly paler tones with diffuse dark spots. Juveniles similar to females, but with fine buff streaking all over. More long-tailed than Redwing and Song Thrush. Flight action with alternating bursts of wing-beats and with little undulation (see Fieldfare). Diet The Common Blackbird eats insects, earthworms, snails, spiders and a range of seeds and fruit. It mainly forages on the ground, probing and scratching at leaf litter, lawns and soil. Longevity record 21 years 10 month (Germany, 7561680) Malvizz Iswed / Malvizzun Iswed Turdus merula Passeriformes Turdidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January - May, July, September Click on the image to open slideshow 08-12-17 08-12-17 1/5 Length (cm): Weight (g): 23 - 29 80 - 135 Eyebrowed Thrush Eyebrowed Thrush Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A very rare bird that is seen individually. Upperparts are olive-brown, with contrasting gray on the head and upper breast. The face is prominently marked with a white supercilium, white eye crescents, and a bold black eye line. The bill is yellow at the base with a dark culmen and tip. The sides and flanks are pale orange, and the belly and undertail coverts are white. The legs are pale yellowish to pinkish. Female: Similar to male, but lighter and browner overall, with more extensive white on the malar and throat areas. It breeds in the Siberia, Mongolia and Japan. Diet Insects, snails and berries. Longevity record 5 years Malvizz tan-Nord Turdus obscurus Passeriformes Turdidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/0 Length (cm): Weight (g): 20 - 23 61 - 88 Back to Glossary Fieldfare Fieldfare Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen singly or in pairs but can be seen occasionally in small groups. A large and long-tailed thrush. Slate grey lower back, rump and head. Brown upper back and yellow buff breast with dark spots. The all dark tail contrasts with the grey rump. Tail colour combined with white underwing distinguishes it from all other thrushes when flying. Flight undulated in long waves, with alternating glides and bursts of wing-beats. Diet Its diet consists of snails and slugs, earthworms, spiders and insects such as beetles and their larvae, flies and grasshoppers. Later in the winter windfall apples are eaten, swedes attacked in the field and grain and seeds eaten. When these are exhausted, or in particularly harsh weather, the birds may move to marshes or even the foreshore where molluscs are to be found. Longevity record 18 years 1 month (Shot in Finland, A-44583) Malvizzun tal-Qtajja' Turdus pilaris Passeriformes Turdidae Scarce Usually seen in November - February Occasionally seen in October, March Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Weight (g): 22 - 27 82 - 138 Back to Glossary Song Thrush Song Thrush Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen singly or in small groups. A medium sized thrush with evenly brown to olive-brown upperparts. Underparts boldly covered with arrow-shaped spots. Chest with buff tones. Faint face patterns and buff underwing coverts distinguishes it from all other thrushes in the region. Lacks the white cheek-spot of Mistle Thrush, and the colour of the back of the head is not paler than the back. Sexes alike. Juveniles with buff-spotted upperparts. Quite short-tailed and compact, with rounded wings. Jerky, and not very undulated, flight pattern. Diet The Song Thrush's diet is largely earthworms and snails, with the latter broken open by the bird smashing the shell against a hard object such a stone. Other food incudes insects and spiders, plus fruit and berries in the colder months. Longevity record 17 years 8 months (Found dead in the UK, CP 71448) Malvizz Turdus philomelos Passeriformes Turdidae Fairly common Usually seen in March, October - December Occasionally seen in January, April, September Click on the image to open slideshow 1/13 Length (cm): Weight (g): 20 - 22 53 - 79 Back to Glossary Redwing Redwing Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen singly or in small groups. Small thrush with rufous flanks, strong white supercilium and whitish moustache stripe. Upperparts evenly brown, underparts white with dark spots on chest and sides. Underwing coverts rufous. Fairly compact build, with slightly more pointed wings and shorter tail than Song Thrush. Juveniles less brightly coloured, with buff spots on upperparts. Behaviour less secretive than Song Thrush. Diet The diet is varied and includes snails, earthworms, slugs and insects, then progressively more berries and fallen fruit in the winter months. Hawthorn, holly and rowan berries are the native species which are eaten, but in gardens, parks and shopping centre car parks etc. Longevity record 17 years 4 months (Shot in Finland, P-337619) Żerżur / Malvizz Aħmar Turdus iliacus Passeriformes Turdidae Scarce Usually seen in December - February Occasionally seen in March, October - November Click on the image to open slideshow 1/4 Length (cm): Weight (g): 19 - 23 49 - 79 Back to Glossary Mistle thrush Mistle Thrush Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen singly or in pairs. A large, and often shy, thrush. Most similar to Song Thrush. Other than size, it is distinguished by a long tail with white corners, white under wing-coverts and a pale, vertical cheek patch. Underparts are boldly covered in round (not arrow-shaped) spots that forms a dark patch on each side of upper chest. Rump slightly paler than the olive back. Noticeably bulkier than Fieldfare, with a heavier bill. Posture upright when foraging on ground, and head seems paler than the back. Flight non-undulating, but with alternating bursts of wing-beats and glides with folded wings. Often flies high. Diet Mistle thrushes feed mainly on invertebrates, fruit and berries. Animal prey include earthworms, insects and other arthropods, slugs and snails. Snails are sometimes smashed on a stone "anvil", a technique also used by the song thrush. Longevity record 21 years 3 months (Shot in Switxerland, 768038) Malvizzun Prim Turdus viscivorus Passeriformes Turdidae Very scarce Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in January - April Click on the image to open slideshow 1/7 Length (cm): Weight (g): 26 - 29 100 - 126 Back to Glossary Rock Thrush Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen singly or in small groups. Up to five individuals had been seen. Compact built bird attached to rocky habitat. Differs in all plumages from Blue Rock-thrush, by short, rufous tail and shorter bill. Primary projection very long, and wing-tips almost reaches end of tail in perching birds. Male in breeding plumage unmistakable with blue-grey head, orange-buff underparts and white patch on back (variable). Male resembles female and immature birds when not in breeding plumage, but can sometimes be sexed by partly grey head and hints of white on back. General characteristics of non-breeding plumage are greyish brown and speckled upperparts, and orange-buff, vermiculated underparts. Then told from female Blue Rock-thrush by aforementioned different build, bill and tail, and also by paler throat-sides/breast and warmer rufous flanks. Posture usually upright with giss resembling more a wheatear than a thrush. Diet It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, berries and small reptiles. Longevity record - Ġanbublu Monticola saxatilis Passeriformes Muscicapidae Very scarce Usually seen in March - May Occasionally seen in August - October Click on the image to open slideshow 31-03-20 12-04-17 31-03-20 1/18 Length (cm): Weight (g): 17 - 20 43 - 63 Back to Glossary Blue rock thrush Blue Rock Thrush Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* The Blue Rock Thrush is the national bird of Malta and the emblem of 'Birds of Malta'. It is usually seen singly or in small groups. A slim, medium large thrush attached to rocky terrain, mountains or concrete buildings. Differs from Common Rock Thrush, in all plumages by long bill, and long, dark tail (not rufous). Bill and tail gives the bird an elongated appearance and profile. The tail reaches far behind the primaries when perched. Male unmistakable if seen well, but note that the bluish tones appears dark grey in unfavorable light. First winter males are barred underneath but gradually turns bluer and more evenly coloured. Immatures and females look alike with grey-brown upperparts and barred underparts, and are generally darker in throat and breast than the Common Rock Thrush. Diet It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, berries, seed and small reptiles. Longevity record - Merill Monticola solitarius Passeriformes Muscicapidae Common Usually seen in All year round. Residential bird. Occasionally seen in - Click on the image to open slideshow CF7607 1/18 Length (cm): Weight (g): 21 - 23 57 - 64 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

Bitterns, Herons & Egrets Eurasian Bittern Eurasian Bittern Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. Bulky, golden-brown heron with thick neck and short legs. Largely unmistakable but skulky behaviour makes it difficult to observe, as it generally forages hidden in reed-beds. Plumage mottled above, with coarse stripes below. Primaries and most secondaries with dark barring, in contrast to paler coverts. May recall Eagle Owl in flight with broad, rounded wings and retracted neck, but wings are bowed and legs trail behind tail. Crown and moustache stripe black in adult and brown in immature birds. Betrays its presence by it's far reaching song. Diet Fish, small mammals, amphibians and invertebrates along the reed margins in shallow water. Longevity record 11 years (Found dead in the Netherlands, 302703) Kappun Botaurus stellaris Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Very scarce Usually seen in March - April, October - November Occasionally seen in May, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow Adult Dark brown moustache stripe as in adults. Adult Dark brown moustache stripe as in adults. 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 69 - 81 100 - 130 870 - 1940 Back to Glossary Little Bittern Little Bittern Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. Usually recognizable by size alone. Distinctly smaller than any congener. Pale wing-panel formed by inner coverts is striking in all plumages, especially in flight. Male with contrasting black and white/buff plumage. Female with dark, but pale fringed back and streaked throat. Immature with streaked, bittern-like plumage, and wing-panel is brown-spotted. Skulky behaviour, and most active at dusk or after dark. Mostly seen in flight when crossing open water. Flight action rapid and clipping, and landing is preceded by short glide. Diet The Little Bittern is a bird of dense marsh vegetation, in which it feeds and nests. It forages in the typical bittern manner of walking and Swtanding on marsh plants, old nests, or branches. It catches a diversity of prey, but primarily fish or insects, depending on the locality. Longevity record 7 years (Found injured in Hungary, 426796) Russett tas-Siġar / Strinġis /Ħenxul Ixobrychus minutus Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Scarce Usually seen in April - May, August - October Occasionally seen in November - January, March, June Click on the image to open slideshow Female Brown face and neck, brown streaked back and buff brown patch in wings. Female Vertical stripes along neck and breast as in females rather than streaks as in juveniles or no stripes but an orange buff in males. Male Grey face and darker black crown. Stripes on chest are paler along an orange buff as in adult males. White buff on wings. Female Brown face and neck, brown streaked back and buff brown patch in wings. 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 33 - 38 49 - 58 59 - 150 Back to Glossary Night Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups and larger flocks but can occasionally be seen individually. Small, crepuscular, stocky heron with short legs. Adults unmistakable with black cap, black back, grey wings and white underparts. Immature less distinct, and may be confused with immature Squacco Heron, Little Bittern or Bittern. Differs from all these in distinct white spots covering both wings and back. Belly and breast are more widely covered in coarse streaking, not just the sides or upper chest. Legs just barely protrudes behind tail in flight. Diet Diet quite variable; mostly fish, but also squid, crustaceans, aquatic insects, frogs, snakes, clams, mussels, rodents, carrion. Sometimes specializes on eggs and young birds and can cause problems in tern colonies. Longevity record 17 years (A shot bird in Spain, SE 19959) Kwakka Nycticorax nycticorax Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Fairly common Usually seen in March - May, August - September Occasionally seen in October - January Click on the image to open slideshow Juvenile Brown body with pale spots on back and upperwings. Chest paler with darker brown streaks. Orange iris. No plumes. Adult Black crown, back saddle and upper mandible. Silvery grey body and wings. Red iris. White plumes. Juvenile Brown body with pale spots on back and upperwings. Chest paler with darker brown streaks. Orange iris. No plumes. 1/27 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 58 - 65 90 - 100 727 - 1014 Back to Glossary Squacco Squacco Heron Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups but can also be seen individually. In non-breeding plumage, it is dull brown with dark and light streaks. At rest, it has buff and brown upperparts and white underparts. When in flight, the white wings and tail are conspicuous. Head, nape and shoulders are streaked black. The bill is dark with yellow lower mandible. The eyes are yellow with greenish-yellow lores and narrow red eyering. Legs and feet are greenish-yellow. In breeding plumage, feathers are very long. The body is white with cinnamon back, nape and breast sides.The underparts are slightly washed cinnamon, especially on chest. We can see some black streaks on breast sides. Wings and tail are white.On the head, chin and throat are white, whereas crown, head sides and neck are cinnamon. During the breeding period, the adults develop an erectile black and white crest with long and bushy feathers. The bill is bright cobalt-blue with black tip. Lores are bright greenish-blue. Eyes are yellow. Legs and feet are brighter orange-yellow to reddish with black claws. The female is similar, but in breeding plumage, she has less conspicuous crest than male. The juvenile has paler buff ground colour and is browner on head and back with dark streaks on throat and breast. Upperwing-coverts and primary tips are spotted brownish. The crest is shorter than in adults in non-breeding plumage. Bill, legs and feet are greenish-yellow. Diet The Squacco heron feeds on fish, crustaceans, frogs and aquatic insects. Longevity record 5 years (A shot bird in Hungary, 844) Agrett Isfar Ardeola ralloides Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Scarce Usually seen in March - April, October - November Occasionally seen in May, September, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/28 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 40 - 49 71 - 86 230 - 370 Back to Glossary Grey Heron Grey Heron Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups or larger flocks but can also be seen individually. Very large, mostly unmistakable bird. Grey upperparts, white underparts and yellow/yellowish bill. Keeps neck retracted when flying (as opposed to crane). May be mistaken for Purple Heron, but back of neck grey, not brown. Bill heavy and dagger-shaped. Neck thicker and less angular than in Purple Heron. Unmarked cheeks. Diet Lots of fish, but also small birds such as ducklings, small mammals like voles and amphibians. After harvesting, grey herons can sometimes be seen in fields, looking for rodents. Longevity record 37 years (Found dead in Denmark, 292796) Russett Griż Ardea cinerea Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Common Usually seen in March - April, September - October Occasionally seen in all other months Click on the image to open slideshow Adult White crown, long plumes, white neck and a complete yellow bill. Immature Darker upper mandible, grey crown and grey hindneck indicating an immature. Adult White crown, long plumes, white neck and a complete yellow bill. 1/56 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 84 - 102 155 - 175 1.0 - 2.1 Back to Glossary Purple Heron Purple Heron Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups or larger flocks but can also be seen individually. Most similar to Grey Heron but leaves a much darker impression, has a slimmer body, neck and wings. The bill is markedly thinner and is almost level with the flat forehead. Adult birds have black longitudinal stripes along the rufous sides of the neck, and a black crown. Immature birds have more diffuse streaking, and are sandy brown instead of grey. Coverts are also brownish, and partially remains in first summer birds. In flight the dark underwings of adult birds are obvious. The folded neck creates a bigger and more angular bulge and the very long toes are often sprawled. More secretive behaviour than Grey Heron. Diet Fish, frogs, invertebrates, reptiles, small rodents and small birds. Longevity record 25 years (Found dead in Germany, B 1495) Russett Aħmar Ardea purpurea Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Fairly common Usually seen in March - April, September - October Occasionally seen in February, May, August, November Click on the image to open slideshow Adult Two black head plumes up to 15 cm long. The sides of the head and neck are distinctively chestnut to orange buff to red buff. A black stripe runs across the ear to the black plumes. The chin and foreneck are white and a throat striping is elongated with black and white spotting. Adult Two black head plumes up to 15 cm long. The sides of the head and neck are distinctively chestnut to orange buff to red buff. A black stripe runs across the ear to the black plumes. The chin and foreneck are white and a throat striping is elongated with black and white spotting. Juveniles Juveniles are browner than adults, lacking crest and breast feathers, and showing duller and narrow steaks in neck and underparts. Adult Two black head plumes up to 15 cm long. The sides of the head and neck are distinctively chestnut to orange buff to red buff. A black stripe runs across the ear to the black plumes. The chin and foreneck are white and a throat striping is elongated with black and white spotting. 1/19 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 70 - 90 120 - 138 500 - 1361 Back to Glossary Western Great Egret Great Egret Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups but can also be seen individually. Formerly known as the Great White Egret. A slender and elegant bird, about the same size as Grey Heron. Bill dark in breeding birds, otherwise yellow. Legs and feet dark, but tibia often with red tinge in breeding season. Long, S-shaped neck with sharp angle/bend. Erect posture, and less skulking, horizontal hunting behaviour than Little Egret. Almost twice the size of Little Egret, and wing-beats are considerably slower. Wings give the impression of being attached more upfront than in Little Egret. Feets protrude well beyond tail in flight. Diet Fish are a dietary staple, but great egrets use similar techniques to eat amphibians, reptiles, mice, and other small animals. Longevity record 13 years, 9 months (Found dead electrocuted in Hungary, 516353) Russett Abjad Ardea alba Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Very scarce Usually seen in March - April, October Occasionally seen in all other months except June Click on the image to open slideshow 1/17 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 85 - 102 143 - 169 700 - 1530 Back to Glossary Western Cattle Egret Western Cattle Egret Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can also be seen in small groups. Small, stocky, white heron with short bill and neck. Heavy jowl. Plumage all white, except in breeding birds which show varying amount of buff on back, crown and chest. Bill usually yellow, but turns orange-red in breeding birds, and is dark in immatures. Legs pale greyish green, but darker in young birds. May be confused with both Little Egret and Squacco Heron in flight. Differs from Little Egret in leg color and shorter, thicker neck and bill. Told from Squacco Heron by unstreaked body/head, and smaller bill. Generally leaves a less elegant impression than other small herons. Diet Mostly insects. When associating with grazing animals in fields, diet is mostly large insects, especially grasshoppers, crickets, flies; also frogs, spiders, moths. Elsewhere may feed on crayfish, earthworms, snakes, nestling birds, eggs, sometimes fish. May scavenge for edible refuse in dumps. Longevity record 18 years (A shot bird in Spain, E 10374) Agrett tal-Bhejjem Bubulcus ibis Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Scarce Usually seen in October - December Occasionally seen in April- May, all other months for resident birds Click on the image to open slideshow Adult Yellow bill. The breast plumes, crest and back mantle plumes will also get yellow during breeding. Juveniles are completely white with dark legs and bill. Adult Note yellow bill and yellow buff breast moulting to a breeding plumage. The breast plumes, crest and back mantle plumes will also get yellow during breeding. Juveniles are completely white with dark legs and bill. Adult Yellow bill. The breast plumes, crest and back mantle plumes will also get yellow during breeding. Juveniles are completely white with dark legs and bill. Adult Yellow bill. The breast plumes, crest and back mantle plumes will also get yellow during breeding. Juveniles are completely white with dark legs and bill. 1/23 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 45 - 52 82 - 95 270 - 512 Back to Glossary Little Egret Little Egret Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in groups or flocks but can also be seen individually. D iffers from other white herons by dark legs with contrasting yellow feet and toes. Bill always dark, and lores grey or reddish (breeding birds). Slender and elegant build, as opposed to Western Cattle Egret. Only roughly half the size of Western Great Egret. In flight, note much quicker wing-beats of Little Egret and that the wings of Great White seems to be positioned more at the front of the body. Skulking, foraging behaviour with less erect posture than Great White, also when moving about. Legs less protruding beyond tail in flight than in Western Great Egret. Diet Little egrets hunt alone within loose flocks. They will use a variety of hunting techniques including stirring up the mud with their feet to disturb small aquatic insects. These birds will also eat crustaceans, small fish, amphibians, molluscs and worms. They will even take small birds. Longevity record 22 years (A shot bird in France, CD 2346) Agrett Abjad Egretta garzetta Pelecaniformes Ardeidai Common Usually seen in March - May, August - October Occasionally seen in June, November - December, all other months for resident birds Click on the image to open slideshow Adult in breeding plumage Note crown plumes, breast plumes and lax back plumes which form during the breeding cycle. During the height of the courtship the lores may turn bluish. Adults in breeding plumage Note crown plumes, breast plumes and lax back plumes which form during the breeding cycle. During the height of the courtship the lores may turn bluish. 1/21 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 55 - 65 88 - 106 350 - 550 Back to Glossary *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University'' & ''Collins Bird Guide 2nd edition''.

Auks, Gannets & Cormorants Puffin Atlantic Puffin Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* One of the recent records is of a single individual seen near the shores of Marsascala in September 2010. A small bird, white bellied, black back, orange feet and a large orange to greenish bill. Bill in juveniles almost black, and much less deep than in adults. Adults in winter plumage also show much darker bill and cheeks than in summer. At a distance head gives an all dark impression, with characteristic dark "shadow " in front of the eye. Wings rounded with dark undersides. "Thighs" dark. Flight fluttering and energic, with shifting weight and angle. Diet Small fish but occasionally crustaceans. Longevity record 45 years (A shot bird at Iceland, 56309) Purċinell tal-Baħar Fratercula arctica Charadriiformes Alcidae Very rare Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in January, March, October, December Click on the image to open slideshow Ad. summer Ad. summer Ad. summer 1/2 Pictures taken abroad Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 28 - 34 50 - 60 320 - 480 Back to Glossary Razorbill Razorbill Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Last record of a single individual seen in the Maltese - Gozo channel on January 2022. At a distance quite similar to Guillemot. Bill deep, rectangular and with white markings. Flanks unstreaked and armpits white. Tail longer than in Guillemot, with legs not protruding behind tail in flight. Tail often held clear of the surface when swimming. Cheeks white in winter, with broad, short and black eye stripe. Neck collar short and wide. Upperparts blacker, and underparts whiter than Guillemot. Heavy neck, head and bill, in combination with the long tail, gives it a front heavy, and different profile from Guillemot, whether perched, swimming or flying. Top of head in line with tip of uptilted bill when swimming. Diet Small fish but occasionally crustaceans. Longevity record 42 years 0 months (Controlled by a ringer in the UK, AT 73954) Mus tal-Baħar Alca Torda Charadriiformes Alcidae Vagrant Usually seen in - Occasionally seen in January, November, December Click on the image to open slideshow 1/1 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (g): 38 - 43 60 - 69 600 - 840 Back to Glossary Northen Gannet Northern Gannet Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups. White with black wing tips and yellow-buff at back of head. Juveniles brown with small pale speckles, white u-shaped rump patch and pale underparts. Fully coloured only after 5 years, and patchy, intermediate plumages often seen. Unmistakable bird at close range or with favorable light, but can be confused with shearwaters at a distance and/or in strong wind. Differs from those by long tail and much longer neck and head. Alternates between powerful, even and shallow wing-beats and glides. Flight becomes more shearwater-like in strong winds. Diet Mostly fish and squid. Longevity record 37 years (Found dead in the UK, 1010527) Sula Morus bassanus Suliformes Sulidae Scarce Usually seen in October - March Occasionally seen in April, September Click on the image to open slideshow Immature (3rd/4th-cal.-yr) Yellowish head so 3rd yr+. Secondaries are still dark so this bird is still not in its full adult plumage. the back cannot be seen so it should either be a 3rd or 4th-cal. yr. Ad. Yellowish head and white secondaries indicative of an adult. Ad. Yellowish head and white secondaries indicative of an adult. Immature (3rd/4th-cal.-yr) Yellowish head so 3rd yr+. Secondaries are still dark so this bird is still not in its full adult plumage. the back cannot be seen so it should either be a 3rd or 4th-cal. yr. 1/7 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 85 - 97 170 - 192 2.9 - 3.2 Back to Glossary Brown Booby Brown Booby Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* A vagrant for our islands with the first recorded sighting along the coast of Gozo on the 13th February 2024. The pictures on this site were taken by Mr. Claudio Cini. A large seabird with a fairly long neck, heavy pointed bill, long wings, and a rather long, pointed tail. It has stout, short legs with large webbed feet. Adults are rich chocolate brown with starkly contrasting white bellies and central underwings. They have pale bills and bright yellow feet. Juveniles are dark-billed and mostly brown overall. Subadults are intermediate between juveniles and adults, with dirty white bellies and underwings. Diet Mostly fish and squid. Longevity record 28.5 years (Australia, ABBBS-1305) Sula Kannellija Sula leucogaster Suliformes Sulidae Vagrant Usually seen in --- Occasionally seen in February Click on the image to open slideshow 1/6 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 64 - 85 132 - 155 0.95 - 1.7 Back to Glossary Great Cormorant Great Cormorant Maltese name/s Scientific binomen Order Family Sighting occurrence Info* Usually seen in small groups but can be seen in flocks and single individuals. A large, heavy built with a thick neck blackish bird. Head diagnostically wedge-shape, with the back of the head as the highest point. Bill never yellow (but yellow naked area at base of bill). Often dives without jumping, more common in brackish water, often flies high, and often chooses high ground or objects when perching. Diet Mostly fish and occasionally crustaceans. Longevity record 32 years (Found dead in Iceland, 623) Margun Phalacrocorax carbo Suliformes Phalacrocoracidae Fairly common Back to Glossary Usually seen in September - March Occasionally seen in April - May Click on the image to open slideshow Juv. 1/22 Length (cm): Wingspan (cm): Weight (kg): 77 - 94 121 - 149 2.2 - 3.6 *Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.