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Singing Little Bunting at Oued Massa, Morocco

A singing Little Bunting observed at Oued Massa, southern Morocco. This is the fourth national record.

Un Bruant nain chanteur observé à Oued Massa en avril. Il s’agit de la quatrième mention de l’espèce pour le Maroc.

The Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla) was found by Sönke Tautz at Oued Massa, near the edge of the town of Massa on 15 April 2024 (Coordinates: 30°01’49″N, 9°38’36″W). (See the photo taken by Andreas Buchheim).

The species is a rarity in Morocco, where there are only three accepted records. The first was captured and ringed at Oued Massa in October 2013, the second observed was in an urban park at Tiznit in the winter (February 2016), and the third was captured and ringed at Ceuta in November 2017 (more details about the previous records in the linked blog-post).

The observation reported here is interesting, first because it’s too late in the season, and also the bird was singing.

Singing Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla) at Oued Massa, Morocco, 4 May 2024 (Andreas Buchheim).
Singing Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla) at Oued Massa, Morocco, 15 April 2024 (Andreas Buchheim).

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