Birds of Morocco

Index of articles about “Moroccan birds”: ornithological studies and reports, rare birds sightings, general birding news,…etc. In short, everything about birds and birding in Morocco is filed under this category.

Ibis chauve au Maroc: Zoom sur la dernière population sauvage

/ Birds of Morocco
Colonie de l’Ibis chauve (Geronticus eremita) au Maroc

L’ibis chauve (Geronticus eremita) est une espèce d’oiseau en danger critique d’extinction, du fait de ses faibles effectifs et de son aire de répartition réduite. Aujourd’hui, la dernière population sauvage reproductrice au monde occupe la bande littorale atlantique du sud-ouest marocain, au niveau du Parc National Souss-Massa (PNSM) et des falaises de Tamri. Depuis 1991, […]

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Rüppell’s Vulture wing-tagged at Jbel Moussa, Morocco

/ Birds of Morocco
Rüppell's Vulture (Gyps rueppelli) wing-tagged and released at Jbel Moussa, northern Morocco (Sept 2016).

Marquage d’un Vautour de Rüppell dans le cadre du programme de marquage des vautours par des marques alaires au Maroc (voir au-dessous de la vidéo). Over five thousands Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) migrate through northern Morocco twice a year, and an increasing number of Rüppell’s Vultures (Gyps rueppelli) are also migrating through the region (a paradox,

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قناصة يقتلون النسر الأسمر المحمي في شمال المغرب

/ Birds of Morocco, Conservation News
نسر أسمر قتله صيادون في شمال المغرب، نوفمبر 2016

Hunters shot dead a Griffon Vulture in northern Morocco and its consequences (See below the photo). مرة أخرى النسر الأسمر يقع ضحية صياد جاهل أو مغرور. لمذا قتل؟ هل يؤكل كما يؤكل الحجل مثلاً، أم أنه طائر ضار قد أضر بالفلاحة وما إلى ذلك؟ لا ثم لا. هذا الطائر و جميع انواع النسور الاخرى تتغذى

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First record of Baird’s Sandpiper for Morocco

/ Birds of Morocco
Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii), Zemamra, Morocco, 28 Oct 2016 (Benoît Maire)

Yet another productive birding trip to Zemamra – located some km inland from Oualidia – this autumn. A Baird’s Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) was photographed at this site by Benoît Maire on 28 October 2016. Three weeks earlier, an American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) was photographed there by the same observer. The Baird’s Sandpiper observation would

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Birding at Oualidia region, Atlantic coast of Morocco

/ Birds of Morocco
Great Egret (Grande aigrette - Casmerodius albus), Sidi Moussa, Atlantic Morocco, 19 Oct 2016 (Ruth Garcia Gorria)

Birding at Oualidia region is always interesting and rewarding. Below we cite some rare birds observed at Sidi Moussa-Oualidia wetland complex and adjacent areas. Of course, no need to repeat that the “star bird” of the region is the Andalusian Buttonquail (Turnix sylvaticus). – A Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera) at Oualidia saltpans, plus an American

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Cinnamon Teal and American Golden Plover, Oualidia region, Morocco

/ Birds of Morocco
Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera - Sarcelle cannelle), Oualidia, Morocco, 8 Oct 2016 (Benoît Maire)

A birding visit by GOMAC member Benoît Maire and 7 other birders to Oualidia region two days ago proved productive. The birding party managed to see a total of 70 different species including some rare birds: An American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) was seen and photographed at Zemamra some 27 Km inland from Oualidia (coordinates:

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Black-bellied Sandgrouse and Laughing Dove breed in autumn in North Africa

/ Bird Behaviour, Birds of Morocco
Eggs of Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis), near Oued Massa, southern Morocco

Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis): A clutch of two eggs of the Black-bellied Sandgrouse was photographed two days ago near Oued Massa in southern Morocco by Mohamed Bargache (see photo). Available data up to early 2000s as summarized by Thévenot et al. (2003) are as follows: “egg-lying in Morocco is usually from end April to June,

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Eleonora’s Falcon at Essaouira has a record breeding season

/ Birds of Morocco
Faucon d'Eléonore (Falco eleonorae) adulte phase claire couvant.

A record breeding season for the Eleonora’s Falcon at Essaouira islands, one of the largest colonies in the world. A recent census of the breeding population of the Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) at Essaouira archipelago carried out by members of GREPOM led by Prof Abdeljebbar Qninba has shown once more the healthy status of this

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Raptor mortality by electrocution in power lines in Morocco (report)

/ Birds of Morocco, Conservation News
Three-year old Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) found electrocuted in the Guelmim area on 5 March 2016 by Houssien Kharraz.

In October 2015, three Spanish Imperial Eagles were found electrocuted in the Guelmim region, southern Morocco. It was thanks to a satellite-tracked eagle that these birds were found by Ali Irizi and two agents from the Moroccan Forestry Administration. This bird was one of six Spanish Imperial Eagles fitted with satellite transmitters in 2015 (and all have

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Identification de la mortalité des rapaces par électrocution au Maroc (rapport)

/ Birds of Morocco, Conservation News
Recent carcasses of Bonelli's (Aquila fasciata) and Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), both juveniles, on Line B2, Guelmim, January 2016 (Catarina Machado)

Read ‘Raptor mortality by electrocution in power lines in Morocco‘ for the summary in English. En octobre 2015, trois Aigles ibériques électrocutés ont été retrouvés dans la région de Guelmim, au sud-ouest du Maroc. C’était grâce à un aigle muni d’un émetteur satellitaire que ces oiseaux ont été repérés par Ali Irizi et deux agents

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