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.
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 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
Are birding optics such as telescopes banned in Morocco? Are there any new rules regarding this subject? The answer is NO. Please read until the end, share with your friends and colleagues and contribute your feedback (after your visit to the country). Morocco has been visited by several kinds of people over the years, from
Are birding optics banned from entry in Morocco? Read More »
A massacre of nearly 1500 Turtle Doves in one day by foreign tourist hunters in the Marrakech region sparked great outrage in Morocco. The total exceeded by three times the hunting quota set by the law, according to an official inquiry. A hunting party organized in the region of Marrakech has turned into a real
Turtle Dove slaughter in Morocco by foreign hunters (video) Read More »
The Cape Verde Shearwater (Calonectris edwardsii), as its name may suggests, is an endemic breeder to Cape Verde islands, and winters mainly in South Atlantic off South America (González-Solís et al. 2009). The species rarely ventures north of its breeding areas (or so we thought!). During the breading season, Cape Verde Shearwaters also frequently visit
Cape Verde Shearwater in the Canary Islands and Morocco Read More »
A Pallid Harrier satellite-tracked in Finland spent the winter in the Guelmim region, southern Morocco. The area is very rich in preys but also very dangerous for raptors because of electrocution. This is the first proven wintering record of the species in Morocco. Westward expansion of the Pallid Harrier Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) breeds in
Finnish Pallid Harrier wintered in Morocco in a rich, yet dangerous area Read More »
Three intact eggs of the North African Ostrich found near Bir Anzarane in Oued Dahab region. Trois œufs intacts d’autruche d’Afrique du Nord trouvés près de Bir Anzarane au sud du Maroc. In mid-May 2019, ‘Nature Initiative Association’ member Mohammed Fathi found three intact ostrich eggs at Taguerzimt near Bir Anzarane, Oued Dahab region. The
North African Ostrich eggs unearthed at Bir Anzarane, southern Morocco Read More »
First breeding records of Great Spotted Cuckoo north of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. The Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius) is widespread in Southern Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. The breeding of the species in North Africa is, however, far less common. The first breeding of the species in Morocco was recorded only in 1990 near
Some recent rarities: Moltoni’s Warbler, Franklin’s Gull, Lesser Flamingo and Dunn’s Lark in Morocco and a Terek Sandpiper in Tunisia. Moltoni’s Warbler (Sylvia subalpina) A bird was captured and ringed at Merzouga Ringing Station, Morocco, on 18 April 2019 (Marc Illa and his co-workers). Only four records have been accepted by the Moroccan Rare Birds
Moltoni’s Warbler in Morocco, Terek Sandpiper in Tunisia Read More »