Malta is a small island nation located in the Mediterranean Sea and is home to many species of birds. With its mild climate and varied terrain, Malta is a paradise for birdwatchers.
The island houses more than 350 species of birds, including some of the most rare and beautiful species in the world. From the colorful Mediterranean Gull to the majestic Golden Eagle, Malta offers a unique opportunity to observe a diverse range of species in their natural habitat.
With its rich history and stunning landscapes, Malta is an ideal destination for bird enthusiasts.
1. Calcariidae
The Calcariidae family is a small group of passerine birds which includes longspurs and snow buntings. These migratory birds are found in North America, Eurasia, and some parts of Africa.
They have adapted to living in various habitats such as grasslands, prairies, tundra regions, mountains and beaches across their range.
The smallest member of this family weighs only 20 grams (0.71 oz) – the chestnut-collared longspur while the largest bird can reach up to60 g (2 oz).
Other species include Lapland Longspur , Smith’s Longspur , McCown’s Longspur , Snow Bunting among others that feed on insects or seeds depending on seasonality.
Despite being difficult to spot due to their camouflage coloration they do provide important benefits for our ecosystems by controlling pest populations through predation or dispersing seeds upon feeding.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Emberizoidea |
| Family | Calcariidae Ridgway, 1901 |
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2. Regulidae
The Regulidae family of birds, also known as kinglets or crests, are small passerine birds found in temperate and subtropical regions.
They have long bills and short wings that enable them to forage among foliage with speed and agility.
Kinglets typically feed on small insects such as aphids, spiders, moths and caterpillars which they catch by darting out from their perches amongst the vegetation.
The males often display an impressive crest of feathers during courtship displays; this is why these little birds were once called “crests” in some parts of Europe.
There are three species: Gold Crest (Regulus regulus), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) and Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla).
All three species share a similar diet but can be distinguished by size differences between sexes; females tend to be slightly larger than males.
3. Waxwing Birds
The Regulidae family of birds, also known as kinglets or crests, are small passerine birds found in temperate and subtropical regions.
They have long bills and short wings that enable them to forage among foliage with speed and agility.
Kinglets typically feed on small insects such as aphids, spiders, moths and caterpillars which they catch by darting out from their perches amongst the vegetation.
The males often display an impressive crest of feathers during courtship displays; this is why these little birds were once called “crests” in some parts of Europe.
There are three species: Gold Crest (Regulus regulus), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) and Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla).
All three species share a similar diet but can be distinguished by size differences between sexes; females tend to be slightly larger than males.
4. Divers
The Regulidae family of birds, also known as kinglets or crests, are small passerine birds found in temperate and subtropical regions.
They have long bills and short wings that enable them to forage among foliage with speed and agility.
Kinglets typically feed on small insects such as aphids, spiders, moths and caterpillars which they catch by darting out from their perches amongst the vegetation.
The males often display an impressive crest of feathers during courtship displays; this is why these little birds were once called “crests” in some parts of Europe.
There are three species: Gold Crest (Regulus regulus), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) and Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla).
All three species share a similar diet but can be distinguished by size differences between sexes; females tend to be slightly larger than males.
5. New World Sparrow
New World sparrows are passerine birds belonging to the family Passerellidae. They have conical bills, brown or grey plumage and many species have distinctive head patterns.
Though they share their name with Old World sparrows, they belong to a different family and are more closely related to buntings from the Old World.
These birds mainly feed on seeds but some of them also eat insects and fruits for nutrition.
New world sparrows inhabit open woodlands in North America as well as Central America, South America and even parts of Asia like Siberia.
They build cup-shaped nests using grasses, twigs and other materials found near by their habitats.
A few popular species include Dark eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), White throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)and Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina).Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Emberizoidea |
| Family | Passerellidae Cabanis, 1851 |
6. Stone-Curlew
Stone-curlews, also known as dikkops or thick-knees, are a family of birds that have adapted to live in tropical and temperate regions throughout the world.
They can be found in Africa, Asia and Australia with two or more species per region. Despite being classified as waders, most prefer dry arid habitats over moist wetlands.
Stone-curlews typically have long legs which help them navigate through their preferred terrain efficiently; some species even stand at an impressive height when standing on those long legs.
Additionally they feature cryptic plumage which helps them blend into their surroundings while hunting for prey such as insects and small mammals like rodents.
These unique bird’s calls are easily recognizable; it has been said that hearing one is similar to listening to someone whistling ‘Keee Weee’.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Chionidi |
| Family | Burhinidae Mathews, 1912 |
7. Penduline Tits
Penduline tits are small passerines with a length ranging from 7.5 to 11 cm, resembling true tits (Paridae). They have delicate bills with needle-like points and their wings appear short and rounded.
These birds build elaborate bag nests that hang from trees over water, giving them the name of “penduline” – meaning hanging. As for diet, they mainly feed on insects and spiders but may also consume some seeds too.
Depending on the species, penduline tits can be found in sub-Saharan Africa or across Eurasia into China and Central Asia as well as parts of North America such as California’s Sierra Nevada range halfway up Mexico’s western coast.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Infraorder | Passerida |
| Family | Remizidae Olphe-Galliard, 1891 |
8. Rollers
Rollers are birds that belong to the Coraciidae family. They are known for their aerial acrobatics which they display during courtship or territorial flights, earning them their name.
Rollers share similarities with crows in terms of size and shape, but they have a more vibrant appearance like kingfishers and bee-eaters — blues and pinkish or cinnamon browns being the most common colors.
These birds also have an interesting feature: two inner front toes connected together while the outer ones remain separated from each other.
Their impressive flying skills make rollers one of nature’s beauties, captivating us all with its colorful feathers and graceful moves.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Coraciidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
9. Vireonidae
Vireonidae birds are a family of passerine birds found in the New World, Southeast Asia and other tropical regions.
They have dull plumage with greenish coloration and typically measure between small to medium sizes.
These migratory birds were so named by Latin referring to the female golden oriole or even European greenfinch.
Vireo species can be seen perching on branches while they feed mainly on insects such as caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers and cicadas among others; some also eat fruits which provide them with essential nutrients for their diet.
As well as being known for their musical chirpings during mating season these colourful little creatures make wonderful additions to any garden.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Orioloidea |
| Family | Vireonidae Swainson, 1837 |
10. Stilts And Avocets
Stilts and avocets are two distinct groups of birds belonging to the family Recurvirostridae. They range in length from 30-46 cm (12-18 inches) and weigh between 140 – 435 g (4.9 – 15.3 ounces).
Males usually have slightly larger bodies than females, with long thin legs, necks and bills.
Avocet bills curve upwards uniquely while stilt beaks remain straight most times.
These wading birds live mainly near shorelines or wetlands where they feed on aquatic invertebrates like brine shrimp, insects etc., occasionally supplementing their diet with seeds or small fish too.
Stilts also inhabit open fields in search of food sources such as earthworms or grasshoppers during the non-breeding season.
Both groups migrate over large distances for warmer weathers when it gets cold outside.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Charadrii |
| Family | Recurvirostridae Bonaparte, 1854 |
11. Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds, consisting of four genera and 17 species. They are distinguished from other charadrii by their long bills which have a slight downward curve.
Glareolidae live around open grasslands and deserts, where they hunt for insects using the bill to probe into soil or vegetation.
Most species are found in Africa but two pratincoles inhabit parts of Europe and Asia as well.
Coursers tend to be larger than pratincoles with longer legs allowing them to run quickly across sandy dunes while feeding on small animals like lizards or spiders.
Pratincoles feed mainly on flying insects, snatching them out of midair with great agility during flight.
All glareolids share unique features such as large eyes that help it spot prey at night easily making this group one interesting bird family.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Lari |
| Family | Glareolidae CL Brehm, 1831 |
12. Cisticolidae
Cisticolidae is a family of warblers found mainly in warmer regions of the Old World. There are about 160 species all together, mostly seen across Africa but also in other parts like tropical Asia and Australasia.
One notable example from this family is the zitt bird which makes its home across these areas.
These small passerine birds have drab colors on their bodies with darker wings and tails for camouflage when they fly or perch among foliage.
They can be distinguished by their loud chirps that echo through forests and grasslands as well as distinctive songs used to attract mates during mating seasons.
Despite being quite common, Cisticolidae remain elusive due to their excellent ability to hide away within vegetation making them difficult to observe closely in nature.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Sylvioidea |
| Family | Cisticolidae Sundevall, 1872 |
13. Acrocephalidae
The Acrocephalidae, commonly known as reed warblers, marsh- and tree-warblers or acrocephalid warblers are a family of passerine birds belonging to the superfamily Sylvioidea.
These birds typically have an olivaceous brown top with yellowish to beige underside. They can mostly be spotted in open woodlands, reed beds or tall grasses.
This family comprises about 130 species spread across Eurasia and Africa which includes some vagrant species too.
Most of these bird families feed on insects like spiders, beetles etc., while others also consume small fruits such as berries.
They make nests close to ground level by weaving twigs together using their saliva for binding them making it waterproof enough so that eggs stay safe from rainwater during breeding season.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Sylvioidea |
| Family | Acrocephalidae Salvin, 1882 |
14. Phylloscopidae
The Regulidae family of birds, also known as kinglets or crests, are small passerine birds found in temperate and subtropical regions.
They have long bills and short wings that enable them to forage among foliage with speed and agility.
Kinglets typically feed on small insects such as aphids, spiders, moths and caterpillars which they catch by darting out from their perches amongst the vegetation.
The males often display an impressive crest of feathers during courtship displays; this is why these little birds were once called “crests” in some parts of Europe.
There are three species: Gold Crest (Regulus regulus), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) and Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla).
All three species share a similar diet but can be distinguished by size differences between sexes; females tend to be slightly larger than males.
15. Locustellidae
Locustellidae is a family of small insectivorous songbirds, commonly known as warblers. They are found mainly in Eurasia, Africa and the Australian region.
These birds typically have plain coloring on their wings and tail but with brightly colored patches on their face or neck.
Their diet consists mostly of insects and other invertebrates which they capture while foraging among grasses or bushes.
Locustellidae species also possess a distinctive vocalization that can be heard at dawn or dusk; it has been described as an intermittent trill lasting several seconds to minutes in length without any pauses between notes.
As active little birds, they make excellent additions to gardens providing hours of delight with their singing abilities.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Sylvioidea |
| Family | Locustellidae Bonaparte, 1854 |
16. Olivaceous Warbler
The Eastern Olivaceous Warbler is a small passerine bird, native to the Old World. It has dull plumage tones and breeds primarily in southeastern Europe, the Middle East and western Asia.
During winter it travels further south into northern Africa for warmer climates.
This warbler was previously grouped together with other Old World warblers as part of a larger family before being recognized as its own species.
The olivaceous warbler’s diet consists mainly of insects but also includes some fruit during migration months when food sources are more scarce.
These birds make use of their strong legs for hopping among foliage looking for prey or nesting materials such as feathers and twigs which they weave into cup shaped nests near ground level that can be found in shrubs or trees close to water bodies like rivers, lakes or marshes where there is plenty of insect life available throughout summertime breeding season.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Acrocephalidae |
| Genus | Iduna |
| Species | I. pallida |
17. Streaked Scrub Warbler
The Streaked Scrub Warbler is a small passerine bird, found in northern Africa and southwestern Asia.
It frequents scrubby areas, ravines and gorges near deserts, remaining mainly resident but with possible local movements outside the breeding season.
This species has grayish-brown upperparts streaked with black lines or bars forming an intricate pattern across its back; whitish underparts are also marked by dark streaks on the breast.
Its diet consists of insects which it catches from low vegetation while making short flights over them to capture prey as well as gleaned items from branches or foliage surface foraged on foot.
The Streak Scrub Warbler is quite vocal throughout the year giving various trills and whistles that sound like “seet”.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Scotocercidae Fregin, Haase, Olsson, & Alström, 2012 |
| Genus | Scotocerca Sundevall, 1872 |
| Species | S. inquieta |
18. Cinclidae
The Regulidae family of birds, also known as kinglets or crests, are small passerine birds found in temperate and subtropical regions.
They have long bills and short wings that enable them to forage among foliage with speed and agility.
Kinglets typically feed on small insects such as aphids, spiders, moths and caterpillars which they catch by darting out from their perches amongst the vegetation.
The males often display an impressive crest of feathers during courtship displays; this is why these little birds were once called “crests” in some parts of Europe.
There are three species: Gold Crest (Regulus regulus), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) and Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla).
All three species share a similar diet but can be distinguished by size differences between sexes; females tend to be slightly larger than males.
19. White Stork
The White Stork is a majestic bird found in Europe, with white plumage and black wings. It has long slender legs and beaks that are usually bright red in color.
The average adult stands around 100 – 115 cm tall from beak to tail tip, while its wing span can reach up to 155-215 cm wide. There are two subspecies of the White Stork which differ slightly by size.
They feed on small animals such as frogs, fish or insects and nest near human dwellings due to the abundance of food available there; they also build nests atop chimneys or roofs when given the chance.
These birds have been revered for centuries as symbols of fertility because their return each spring often coincides with an increase in births among humans living nearby – something superstitious people take great note of.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Ciconiiformes |
| Family | Ciconiidae |
| Genus | Ciconia |
| Species | C. ciconia |
20. Blue Rock Thrush
The Blue Rock Thrush is a species of chat that was once placed in the Turdidae family. It resides across many different regions, including southern Europe, northwest Africa, Central Asia and northern China to Malaysia.
This bird has even been adopted as Malta’s national bird; it is called “Merill” there.
The Blue Rock Thrush lives within rocky areas where they can find shelter from predators and build their nests on cliffs or steep slopes with rocks.
They are very agile birds with long wings enabling them to swoop in for prey quickly while also allowing them to fly away rapidly if need be.
Their diet consists mainly of insects but will occasionally eat small fruits and berries when available too.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Monticola |
| Species | M. solitarius |
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21. Egyptian Vulture
The Egyptian Vulture is a small Old World vulture known for its distinctive wedge-shaped tail and contrasting underwing pattern.
It has been found from the Iberian Peninsula through North Africa to India, making it one of the most widespread birds in that area.
This species eats mostly carrion but will also feed on eggs and small prey if they can find them. Its diet consists mainly of lizards, insects and other invertebrates as well as fruit like figs, grapes or mulberries when available.
The Egyptian Vulture plays an important role in ecosystems by helping to clean up carcasses which could otherwise spread disease or attract predators such as jackals into human settlements.
They are considered vulnerable due to threats including habitat destruction, electrocution from power lines and accidental poisoning – all factors contributing towards their decline in numbers across their rangeScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Neophron Savigny, 1809 |
| Species | N. percnopterus |
22. Lesser Spotted Eagle
The Lesser Spotted Eagle is a large Eastern European bird of prey that belongs to the Accipitridae family. It has an overall slender body shape, with males averaging around 3kg in weight and females weighing up to 4kg.
Its wingspan can reach up to 180 cm, making it one of the largest birds of prey in Europe. It has a distinctive dark brown upper plumage, pale beige under parts and yellow legs which have black ‘tiger’ stripes running along them.
The head is covered with white feathers while its eyes are yellowish-brown or orangey-red coloured depending on age.
They feed mainly on small mammals such as voles but also takes other smaller animals like reptiles or amphibians if available nearby.
In recent years their population numbers have declined due to habitat loss caused by human activities thus conservation measures for this species must be taken into account so as not only preserve these majestic creatures but also protect our environment at the same timeScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Clanga |
| Species | C. pomarina |
23. Scopoli’s Shearwater
Scopoli’s shearwater is a seabird in the petrel family Procellariidae which breeds on rocky islands and steep coasts in the Mediterranean.
It has brownish grey feathers above, with darker wings and mostly white below.
Its bill is pale yellow with a dark patch near its tip, making it easily distinguishable from other birds of its kind.
The sexes are similarly coloured and were previously thought to be identical species until further inspection revealed otherwise.
During breeding season it stays close to shore but during migratory periods can often be seen searching for food far out at sea where they use their long slender bodies to glide over waves effortlessly as if flying through air.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Calonectris |
| Species | C. diomedea |
Also Featured In: Birds of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura Island Birds You Need to See
24. Spectacled Warbler
The Spectacled Warbler is a unique species of songbird found across northwest Africa, southwest Europe and the eastern Mediterranean.
It is named for its distinctive black spectacles around the eyes that give it an especially distinct appearance.
The bird has mainly brown-grey plumage with yellowish underparts, making them easy to identify in their natural habitats which include open woodlands and scrubby areas near rivers and coasts.
They typically feed on insects such as flies or caterpillars but will also consume fruit during times when food sources are scarce.
As they tend to be non-migratory birds they remain in their chosen habitat all year round providing much needed insect control services throughout different seasons.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sylviidae |
| Genus | Curruca |
| Species | C. conspicillata |
25. Western Marsh Harrier
The Western marsh harrier is a large bird of prey that is found throughout temperate and subtropical regions in western Eurasia and Africa.
It has greyish brown plumage with white patches on the underside, yellow eyes, long legs and wingspan reaching up to 1 meter.
This species mainly feeds on small mammals such as rodents and voles which it catches by swooping down from above while flying over marshes or wetlands.
Nesting usually occurs in tall trees near water bodies where they build their nests made out of sticks lined with grasses or feathers.
The female lays 3-5 eggs during breeding season which hatch after an incubation period of 31 days.
They are known for making loud calls when defending its territory against other birds like buzzards and eaglesScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Circus |
| Species | C. aeruginosus |
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26. Yelkouan Shearwater
The Yelkouan Shearwater is a medium-sized seabird in the Procellariidae family. It was first described in 1827 by Italian naturalist Giuseppe Acerbi from specimens found near The Bosphorus, Turkey.
This species has also been known as Levantine or Mediterranean shearwater and for some time it was considered to be part of Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus).
They have brownish grey upperparts with white underparts and black legs.
Their wings measure about 35 cm long which helps them during their migrations across the Mediterranean Sea each year between April and October when they leave breeding grounds on islands off south Europe to spend winter months at sea off Africa’s coastlines.
These birds feed mainly on small fish, planktonic crustaceans or squid taken while swimming underwater close to surface but sometimes can take food items directly from water’s surface like most other shearwaters do.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Puffinus |
| Species | P. yelkouan |
