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List of birds of Malta

Blue Rock Thrush, the national bird of Malta.

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Malta. The avifauna of Malta includes a total of 384 species, of which 166 are rare or accidental and one species is extirpated. Malta has a limited range of breeding birds with only 21 regular breeders and about 17 occasional breeders. However, it lies on a major migration route and many more species pass through during spring and autumn.

This list’s taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Clements’s 6th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Accidental species are included in the total species counts for Malta.

The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories. It must be noted that not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring, native species.

(A) Accidental A species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Malta.
(Ex) Extirpated A species that no longer occurs in Malta although populations exist elsewhere.

Table of contents
Non-passerines: Loons . Grebes . Shearwaters and petrels . Storm-petrels . Pelicans . Gannets . Cormorants . Bitterns, herons and egrets . Storks . Ibises and spoonbills . Flamingos . Ducks, geese and swans . Osprey . Hawks, kites and eagles . Falcons . Pheasants and partridges . Cranes . Rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots . Bustards . Oystercatchers . Avocets and stilts . Thick-knees . Pratincoles and coursers . Plovers and lapwings . Sandpipers and allies . Gulls . Terns . Skuas and jaegers . Auks . Sandgrouse . Pigeons and doves . Cuckoos . Barn owls . Typical owls . Nightjars . Swifts . Kingfishers . Bee-eaters . Typical rollers . Hoopoes . Woodpeckers and allies .
Passerines: Larks . Swallows and martins . Wagtails and pipits . Kinglets . Waxwings . Dippers . Wrens . Accentors . Thrushes and allies . Cisticolas and allies . Old World warblers . Old World flycatchers and chats . Tits . Wallcreeper . Treecreepers . Penduline tits . Old World orioles . Shrikes . Crows, jays, ravens and magpies . Starlings . Sparrows . Vireos . Finches . Buntings and allies . Saltators, cardinals and allies .
See also References

Loons

Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae

Loons, known as Divers in Europe, are group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Europe. They are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resembles in shape when swimming, but they completely unrelated to these waterfowl. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata (A)

Grebes

Little Grebe, a very rare breeding bird.

Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are about 19 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Malta.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis

Shearwaters and petrels

Cory’s Shearwater, breeds in several colonies on sea-cliffs and islands.

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized ‘true petrels’, characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are about 77 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Malta.

Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus (A)
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus (A)
Levantine Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan
Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus (A)

Storm-petrels

European Storm-Petrel, breeds in large numbers on Filfla.

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are about 20 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Malta.

European Storm-Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus
Leach’s Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa (A)

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are about 8 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus (A)

Gannets

Northern Gannet

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are about 10 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus

Cormorants

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colourful. There are about 39 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Malta.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis (A)

Bitterns, herons and egrets

Black-crowned Night-Heron, a regular passage migrant.

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are about 63 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Malta.

Gray Heron Ardea cinerea
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Great Egret Ardea alba
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Western Reef-Heron Egretta gularis (A)
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (A)
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris

Storks

White Stork

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are about 19 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Malta.

Black Stork Ciconia nigra (A)
White Stork Ciconia ciconia

Ibises and spoonbills

Glossy Ibis

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Threskiornithidae

The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are about 33 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Malta.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (1.5 m) high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume, and are uniquely used upside-down. There are about 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

Ducks, geese and swans

Common Shelduck

Northern Shoveler

Ferruginous Duck

Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are about 159 species worldwide and 29 species which occur in Malta.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor (A)
Bean Goose Anser fabalis (A)
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons (A)
Greylag Goose Anser anser (A)
Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis (A)
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus (A)
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (A)
Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
Falcated Duck Anas falcata (A)
Gadwall Anas strepera
Baikal Teal Anas formosa (A)
Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Northern Pintail Anas acuta
Garganey Anas querquedula
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris (A)
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina (A)
Common Pochard Aythya ferina
Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula (A)
Greater Scaup Aythya marila (A)
Black Scoter Melanitta nigra (A)
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula (A)
Smew Mergellus albellus (A)
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
Common Merganser Mergus merganser (A)
White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala (A)

Osprey

Order: Falconiformes Family: Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey. The Osprey is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, kites and eagles

Western Marsh-Harrier, a common migrant.

Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. There are about 240 species worldwide and 18 species which occur in Malta.

European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus
Red Kite Milvus milvus (A)
Black Kite Milvus migrans
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (A)
Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus (A)
Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus
Western Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus
Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Eurasian Buzzard Buteo buteo
Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus (A)
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus (A)
Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos (A)
Booted Eagle Aquila pennatus

Falcons

Peregrine Falcon, formerly bred but now only a migrant.

Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are about 64 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Malta.

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni
Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
American Kestrel Falco sparverius (A)
Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus
Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae
Sooty Falcon Falco concolor (A)
Merlin Falco columbarius
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo
Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus (A)
Saker Falcon Falco cherrug
Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides (A)
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Pheasants and partridges

Common Quail

Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are about 155 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Common Quail Coturnix coturnix

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or “dances”. There are about 15 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Malta.

Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo (A)
Common Crane Grus grus

Rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots

Common Moorhen, breeds in small numbers.

Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are about 135 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Malta.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Corn Crake Crex crex
Little Crake Porzana parva
Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla
Spotted Crake Porzana porzana
Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrio alleni (A)
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica (A)
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata (A)
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra

Bustards

Order: Gruiformes Family: Otididae

Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with “fingered” wingtips, and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays. There are about 26 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Malta.

Great Bustard Otis tarda (A)
Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata (A)
Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax (A)

Oystercatchers

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are about 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Avocets and stilts

Black-winged Stilt

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are about 10 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Malta.

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are about 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Eurasian Thick-knee Burhinus oedicnemus

Pratincoles and coursers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards. There are about 17 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Malta.

Cream-colored Courser Cursorius cursor (A)
Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola (A)

Plovers and lapwings

Little Ringed Plover

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are about 66 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Malta.

Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus (A)
Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius (A)
White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus (A)
Pacific Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva (A)
European Golden-Plover Pluvialis apricaria
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
Greater Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii (A)
Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus (A)
Eurasian Dotterel Charadrius morinellus

Sandpipers and allies

Common Sandpiper

Little Stint

Ruff

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are about 89 species worldwide and 32 species which occur in Malta.

Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
Great Snipe Gallinago media
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica (A)
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris (A)
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata
Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda (A)
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus (A)
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Common Redshank Tringa totanus
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Red Knot Calidris canutus (A)
Sanderling Calidris alba
Little Stint Calidris minuta
Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii
Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos (A)
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima (A)
Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus (A)
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis (A)
Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus (A)
Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius (A)

Gulls

Yellow-legged Gull, the only breeding gull.

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are about 56 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Malta.

Mew Gull Larus canus (A)
Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii
Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus (A)
Herring Gull Larus argentatus (A)
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis
Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus (A)
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Slender-billed Gull Larus genei
Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Little Gull Larus minutus
Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla (A)

Terns

Caspian Tern

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are about 44 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Malta.

Little Tern Sternula albifrons
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia
Black Tern Chlidonias niger
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii (A)
Common Tern Sterna hirundo (A)
Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis

Skuas and jaegers

Pomarine Skua

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are about 7 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Malta.

Great Skua Stercorarius skua
Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus
Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus (A)
Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus (A)

Auks

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae

Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colours, their upright posture and some of their habits, however they are not related to the penguins bnd differ in being able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest. There are about 23 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Malta.

Dovekie Alle alle (A)
Common Murre Uria aalge (A)
Razorbill Alca torda (A)
Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica (A)

Sandgrouse

Order: Pterocliformes Family: Pteroclidae

Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes. There are about 16 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Malta.

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata (A)
Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis (A)

Pigeons and doves

Eurasian Turtle-Dove

Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Malta.

Rock Pigeon Columba livia
Stock Dove Columba oenas
Common Wood-Pigeon Columba palumbus
Eurasian Turtle-Dove Streptopelia turtur
Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis (A)

Cuckoos

Common Cuckoo

Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are about 141 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Malta.

Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius
Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

Barn owls

Barn Owl, a former breeding species

Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are about 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Barn Owl Tyto alba (A)

Typical owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are about 199 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Malta.

European Scops-Owl Otus scops
Little Owl Athene noctua (A)
Long-eared Owl Asio otus
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus

Nightjars

European Nightjar

Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are about 91 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Malta.

Red-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus ruficollis (A)
Eurasian Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus
Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius (A)

Swifts

Common Swift

Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are about 100 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Malta.

White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus (A)
Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba
Common Swift Apus apus
Pallid Swift Apus pallidus
Little Swift Apus affinis (A)
White-rumped Swift Apus caffer (A)

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are about 93 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Bee-eaters

European Bee-eaters.

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are about 26 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Malta.

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus (A)
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster

Typical rollers

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are about 12 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

European Roller Coracias garrulus

Hoopoes

Eurasian Hoopoe

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are about 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

Woodpeckers and allies

Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium sized birds with chisel like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward, and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are about 219 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Malta.

Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla
Green Woodpecker Picus viridis (A)

Larks

Greater Short-toed Lark, a summer visitor and passage migrant.

Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are about 96 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Malta.

Greater Hoopoe-Lark Alaemon alaudipes (A)
Dupont’s Lark Chersophilus duponti (A)
Bar-tailed Lark Ammomanes cincturus (A)
Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra
White-winged Lark Melanocorypha leucoptera (A)
Black Lark Melanocorypha yeltoniensis (A)
Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla
Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens (A)
Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris (A)
Temminck’s Lark Eremophila bilopha (A)
Crested Lark Galerida cristata (A)
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis
Wood Lark Lullula arborea

Swallows and martins

Barn Swallow

Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are about 83 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Malta.

Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Eurasian Crag-Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris (A)
House Martin Delichon urbicum
Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica

Wagtails and pipits

Yellow Wagtail

Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are about 66 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Malta.

Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi
Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis
Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni (A)
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta
Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Kinglets

Goldcrest

Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae

The kinglets or crests are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the titmice. There are about 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Malta.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus
Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of passerine birds characterized by soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax, and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus (A)

Dippers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae

Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus (A)

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and a thin down-turned bill. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. There are about 80 species worldwide (of which all but one are New World species) and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

Accentors

Dunnock

Order: Passeriformes Family: Prunellidae

The accentors are in the only bird family, Prunellidae, which is completely endemic to the Palearctic. They are small, fairly drab species superficially similar to sparrows. There are about 13 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Malta.

Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris
Dunnock Prunella modularis

Thrushes and allies

Song Thrush

Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are about 176 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Malta.

Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush Monticola saxatilis
Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius
Siberian Thrush Zoothera sibirica (A)
Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus
Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula
Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus (A)
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
Redwing Turdus iliacus
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus

Cisticolas and allies

Zitting Cisticola, has bred since the 1970s.

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae

The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. There are about 111 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

Old World warblers

Cettis Warbler, a resident breeder.

Sardinian Warbler, a common breeding bird.

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. There are about 291 species worldwide and 42 species which occur in Malta.

Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti
Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia (A)
Eurasian River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis (A)
Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides
Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon
Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola (A)
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola (A)
Eurasian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Blyth’s Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum (A)
Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris
Great Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida (A)
Western Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais opaca (A)
Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta (A)
Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Western Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli
Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus orientalis
Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus (A)
Radde’s Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi (A)
Lemon-rumped Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus (A)
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus (A)
Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis (A)
Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides (A)
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Garden Warbler Sylvia borin
Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria (A)
Western Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis (A)
Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia crassirostris (A)
Greater Whitethroat Sylvia communis
Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
African Desert Warbler Sylvia deserti (A)
Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata
Tristram’s Warbler Sylvia deserticola (A)
Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata
Marmora’s Warbler Sylvia sarda (A)
Rueppell’s Warbler Sylvia rueppelli
Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans
Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala

Old World flycatchers and chats

Spotted Flycatcher, a few pairs breed.

European Robin

Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There about 275 species worldwide and 23 species which occur in Malta.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca
Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis
Semicollared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata (A)
Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva
European Robin Erithacus rubecula
Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia (A)
Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope (A)
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas galactotes
Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Moussier’s Redstart Phoenicurus moussieri (A)
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola
White-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga (A)
Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura (A)
Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka (A)
Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica
Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti (A)
Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina

Tits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. There are about 59 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Malta.

Great Tit Parus major (A)
Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus (A)

Wallcreeper

Order: Passeriformes Family: Tichodromidae

The Wallcreeper is a small bird with stunning crimson, grey and black plumage, related to the nuthatch family.

Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria (A)

Penduline tits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae

The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds, related to the true tits. They are insectivores. There are about 13 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Eurasian Penduline-Tit Remiz pendulinus (A)

Old World orioles

Golden Oriole

Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae

The Old World Orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus

Shrikes

Woodchat Shrike

Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike’s beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. There are about 30 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Malta.

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio
Northern Shrike Lanius excubitor
Southern Gray Shrike Lanius meridionalis (A)
Lesser Gray Shrike Lanius minor
Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus (A)
Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator

Crows, jays, ravens and magpies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae

The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are about 119 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Malta.

Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius (A)
Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula (Ex)
Rook Corvus frugilegus (A)
Carrion Crow Corvus corone (A)
Hooded Crow Corvus cornix (A)
Common Raven Corvus corax (A)

Starlings

European Starling

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are about 114 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Malta.

Rosy Starling Pastor roseus (A)
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor (A)

Sparrows

Spanish Sparrow

Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are about 38 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Malta.

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
Rock Petronia Petronia petronia (A)
White-winged Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis (A)

Vireos

Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in colour and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. There are about 52 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus (A)

Finches

Chaffinch, rare breeding bird but commoner in winter.

Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are about 176 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Malta.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus (A)
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra (A)
European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea (A)
Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus
European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Eurasian Linnet Carduelis cannabina
European Serin Serinus serinus
Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula (A)
Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githaginea

Buntings and allies

Corn Bunting

Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are about 329 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Malta.

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella (A)
Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos (A)
Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus (A)
Rock Bunting Emberiza cia (A)
Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana
Cretzschmar’s Bunting Emberiza caesia (A)
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla (A)
Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica (A)
Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola (A)
Chestnut Bunting Emberiza rutila (A)
Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala (A)
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis (A)
Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus (A)
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis (A)

Saltators, cardinals and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of passerine birds that are robust, seed-eating birds, with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. There are about 43 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Malta.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus (A)