Birds of Malta and Europe 
in pictures 

The Birds of Malta

Most of Malta's birdlife is migratory. The Maltese islands lie along the central Mediterranean flyway, and around 400 species have been recorded. Over 170 species are classified as regular and occur annually as migrants or winter visitors.  

 

Breeding species

Only a few  species breed regularly . The resident breeding birds are the Blue Rock Thrush, Sardinian Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spanish Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Collared Dove and Yellow-legged Gull. Moorhen can be seen throughout the year and a few pairs breed in Ghadira and Simar reserves, and in a few other wetlands. Short-toed Larks arrive in early spring, nest and then migrate back south in autumn.  Other migrant annual breeders include few pairs of Spotted Flycatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Swallow,  Common Swift,  Pallid Swift, and Reed Warbler.  A good population of Yelkouan and Scopoli's Shearwater breed in cliffs. These birds do not stay all year round and only come to land at the nesting season.  The Storm Petrel breeds  in good numbers on Filfla islet, and also in few other sites in Malta and Gozo. These seabirds are all threatened especially by  human disturbance and excessive lighting in coastal areas. One to a few pairs of Peregrine and Common Kestrel  manage to breed, but are threatened  especially by poaching.  In 2022 only 1 pair of Peregrine was confirmed breeding in the whole Maltese islands. A few pairs of Black-winged Stilts have bred at Ghadira and Simar in recent years.  The Corn Bunting was once a widespread and common breeding bird but has vanished from almost all areas in the breeding season and is in danger of being extinct as a breeding bird (if not so already!). A few pairs of finches, particularly Common Chaffinch and European Serin breed from time to time in wooded areas mostly at Buskett. Other Occasional breeding species include Little Grebe, Coot, Turtle Dove and Little Bittern. Feral populations of Little Egret and Cattle Egret occur and these two species can be seen all year round.

​

The Migratory and Wintering birds

During the migrating seasons of spring and autumn one can come across several species of birds. Among the most familiar in spring are Barn Swallow, House and Sand Martin, patrolling the valleys and water reservoirs, feeding on flying insects, and gather in flocks to roost for the night. A few Red-rumped Swallows also occur, especially in spring, sometimes mixing with the other hirundines. Others are Turtle Dove, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Common Redstart, Garden, Wood and Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Spotted, and Pied Flycatcher, Northern Wheatear and Whinchat. Nightingales sing from thick vegetation cover. Subalpine Warbler is among the earliest spring migrants, moving from shrub to shrub in search of food. Collared Flycatchers also occur, the male’s white collar distinguishing it from the commoner Pied Flycatcher. Marshy areas and valley bottoms hold Reed, Great Reed and Sedge Warbler. Areas of open rocky ground usually hold a few Tawny Pipits. Hoopoe, European Bee-eater and Golden Oriole are among the most colourful of migratory birds that can be seen. A Hoopoe often undetected when on ground may surprise a birdwatcher as it flies a short distance away, showing its black and white wings. Whenever a flock of European Bee-eater is passing by, or staying in a area, the birds announce their presence by their continuous calls. Golden Orioles feast on fruits of Loquat and Mulberry, often singing from among the foliage. Woodchat Shrikes perch on wires or shrubs, hunting larger insects such as bumblebees. Flocks of Common Swift pass overhead often screaming, or fly low over water in search of flying insects. Mixed with them can be Pallid and Alpine Swift.

 

Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, Greenshank, Green, Wood and Common Sandpiper are among the regular species that can be observed at Ghadira nature reserve and Salina saltpans. Flocks of Little Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron and Night Heron can be seen flying overhead, sometimes mixed, mostly at coastal sites, with the birds frequently calling. Squacco Heron is recorded every year, as is Little Bittern.

 

Marsh Harrier is regular in spring from as early as March or earlier, in singles or in flocks, together with a lesser number of Montagu`s and Pallid Harrier. When they are not disturbed harriers quarter the fields in search of prey, and in the evening Marsh Harrier gathers in small parties in search of a roosting site. Common Kestrel frequently hovers in search of insects, small mammals and lizards and swoop down at great speed to the ground on sighting prey. Lesser Kestrel appears in less numbers, the birds moving in small flocks hunting insects in the air. Some Red-footed Falcons always show up in late spring. In 1987 an exceptional fall of Red-footed Falcons occurred in late May, and hundreds of birds were recorded, the birds moving in flocks. A few European Honey-buzzard also appear, mostly in late April and May. An exceptional fall of these birds occurred on the 8th May 2002 where over 1000 birds were seen on this single day!

 

In the autumn migration, usually from September to October, the composition of birds is mostly made up of migrants similar to those seen in spring, some in less and others in greater numbers. Birds of prey, especially Marsh Harrier and European Honey-buzzard, migrate steadily over Buskett and high ridges. At Buskett these raptors often roost in the trees. Marsh Harriers roost in the woodland or in the valley nearby. 

​

By November the migration of trans-saharan migrants is over and at this time the Maltese countryside is host to winter birds. The Robin is a familiar wintering bird and is found throughout the countryside and in many gardens. Around ivy thickets filled with berries, Robin together with Blackcap and Song Thrush are among the species to indulge in the feast. Common Chiffchaff is also common and occurs especially in wet places, flying in the air to catch insects. Meadow Pipits forage in fields and in other open spaces, as do Common Starling. The Common Starling also spends time singing and preening on trees during the day and then fly in flocks to their roosting places in the evening, too often in trees in busy town squares. Grey Wagtails associate themselves with areas with water, and White Wagtails, after foraging for food in the day roost in the Ficus trees at Valletta. On cliffs and old buildings or open spaces usually with rocky components the Black Redstart can be found. It is also recorded from sub-urban areas, and frequently heard singing. Common Stonechats perch on shrubs or rocks, frequently uttering their call. Hedge Accentor likes to skulk in vegetation, too often only heard calling from cover or flying over, but also forage in the open. From October onwards the Song Thrush is among the usual birds of winter in wooded areas like Buskett. Most often it is noticed when it flies away from cover, uttering its “sikk” call. Firecrests and Goldcrests are also seen in conifers and in other trees searching the leaves for insects on which they feed. Along the coast, with some patience, one can observe a number of species, including Northern Gannet, grebes, Great Cormorant, and species of ducks, terns and gulls. However a telescope is recommended for birdwatching from the coast. In winter a visit to the breakwater in Valletta harbour, particularly during windy days, may provide Black-headed, Mediterranean, Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed Gull.

​

The autumn migration of several European birds start quite early and Oystercatcher, other waders, Kingfisher and Subalpine Warbler make an appearance as early as July, followed by other autumn migrants such as herons and egrets, and birds of prey.

​

For a list of the birds of Malta click here (in progress)