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.
The ‘Black-eared Wheatear’ is split into two separate species by the ‘IOC World Bird List’ based on recent genetic research. The first modern record of the Eastern Black-eared Wheatear has arrived just in time. Le Traquet oreillard est composé de deux taxons, qui sont considérés jusqu’à présent comme des sous-espèces : un taxon nominal occidental …
Black-eared Wheatear split and new ‘melanoleuca’ record for Morocco Read More »
A new study confirmed that the ‘Subalpine Warbler’ complex is indeed composed of three different species (Moltoni’s Warbler, Western and Eastern Subalpine Warblers). The ‘IOC World Bird List’ accepted the split as proposed by the study. (Note: the main research about the “taxonomy of the Subalpine Warbler species complex” between mid-1990s and 2013 is well …
Split of Western and Eastern Subalpine Warblers confirmed Read More »
Two satellite-tagged Cinereous Vultures (Aegypius monachus) from France and Spain have been tracked to Africa. One has reached as far south as the Niger-Nigeria border, while the other is touring northern Africa after having first spent the winter in the Sahel area. These are the first individuals GPS-tracked in their breeding areas in Europe to …
European Cinereous Vultures wandering across Africa Read More »
Until recently, the Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina) used to be a rarity in Morocco. In fact, the species was only removed from the list of species that need to be submitted to the Moroccan Rare Birds at the end of 2017. At the end of February, Marc Illa and his colleagues arrived in Morocco in …
Abundant passage of Isabelline Wheatear in eastern Morocco Read More »
After repeated attacks, the Lanner Falcons had successfully driven off the Atlas Long-legged Buzzards from their occupied nest. The usurpers went on to occupy the nest and lay their own eggs. The Atlas Long-legged Buzzard and Lanner Falcon are widely distributed throughout Morocco. Both species nest on cliffs and on trees. In the desert areas …
Lanner Falcon usurping Buzzard’s nest after attacks (video) Read More »
Some recent Moroccan rarities include a Laughing Gull, Olive-backed Pipits and Sudan Golden Sparrow in February and Kelp Gulls in the previous month. Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) A Laughing Gull was photographed on 14 February at Essaouira fishing port by Andrzej Kośmicki and Helena Trzeciak. There are 6 previous known records of this American species …
Recent Moroccan rarities: Laughing Gull, Olive-backed Pipits,… Read More »
How Northern Bald Ibis managed to survive in Morocco? In other words, which are the most important factors that determine the survival of the Northern Bald Ibis colonies in Morocco? A recent study gave us some good answers. Historically widespread, now reduced to a small restricted area Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) had once a …
Northern Bald Ibis in Morocco since 1900: Analysis of ecological requirements Read More »
A Siberian Chiffchaff was photographed at Dayet Dar Bouazza, just south-west of Casablanca, on 8 December 2019 (Benoît Maire). If accepted, this would be the third record for Morocco of this rare Asian vagrant. Only two records have been accepted so far by the Moroccan Rare Birds Committee (MRBC): the first was captured at Oued …
Siberian Chiffchaff at Dar Bouazza: 3rd Moroccan record Read More »
Customs officials managed to foil the illegal export of 26 live falcons last week at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport. The Moroccan Customs Administration said in a statement that the falcons were transported without permission by a foreign national. It added that the raptors were hidden inside wooden crates arranged for this purpose. The 26 …
26 live falcons seized at Casablanca Airport, Morocco Read More »
Two Nearctic waders reported at Dayet Dar Bouazza, near Casablanca, during the last few days. Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) Benoît Maire and his colleagues found this bird on 29 September 2019. The bird stayed at the site at least until 5 October (photo below). This would be the 17th record for Morocco if accepted by …