Leucism in birds is a partial or total lack of pigments (melanin) in the feathers resulting in these becoming white. It’s genetically inherited and can vary from only some white feathers (partial leucism) to totally white individuals (total leucism). The eye colour is always normal in leucistic animals (unlike in albinos). However, “not every white […]
Leucistic birds found in Northwest Africa Read More »
Historically, five vulture species had existed in Northwest Africa (the Maghreb), namely: Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Cinereous Vulture and Lappet-faced Vulture. Of these, only the first three species still breeding in the region, while the last two species are already extirpated (although the Cinereous Vulture is a regular wintering and migrant in Morocco).
Vultures of Northwest Africa: a complete list Read More »
A serval (Leptailurus serval) was observed in the Middle Atlas in April 2014 by an amateur hiker named Salim Meghni. This is reportedly the first photo (see below) of this felid in the wild in Morocco. In the IUCN Red List of the species, Jdeidi et al. (2010) wrote: “North of the Sahara, there are
Serval photographed in the Middle Atlas, Morocco Read More »
A team of ornithologists of GREPOM/BirdLife Morocco shouldered by the local team of the Hight Commission for Water, Forestry and Desertification Control (HCEFLCD) and supported by the PIM Initiative (Mediterranean Small Islands Initiative) visited the archipelago of Essaouira (Mogador) in late July to monitor the reproduction of the local population of the Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae). During
Study of Eleonora’s Falcons breeding at Essaouira, Morocco Read More »
Le site-web Avito.ma permet aux braconniers d’annoncer et de vendre des oiseaux sauvages en utilisant leur plateforme. Parce que tous les rapaces et autres oiseaux sont protégés par la loi marocaine, ce commerce illégal des oiseaux sauvages est une infraction criminelle. Le site Avito.ma (et tout autre site-web similaire) sont autant responsable que les braconniers/annonceurs:
Commerce illégal des oiseaux sauvages sur Internet Read More »
Long-tailed Duck at Oualidia: it’s the first record for Morocco and continental Africa. A female Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) was photographed at the lagoons just northeast of Oualidia on 5 and 6 June 2014 (photo above). The bird was found by Bart Brieffies during a ‘Birdfinders’ trip that included eight birders from four European nations.
First Long-tailed Duck for Morocco and Africa Read More »
A mega Western Palearctic rarity! Yesterday, we reported the observation of 3 Rüppell’s Vultures at a carcass near Tétouan, northern Morocco. Today, we went back to the site and to our great pleasure we found a White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) with the other birds that roosted locally the previous night. At our arrival at the
First White-backed Vulture for Morocco and North Africa Read More »
It seems like these Rüppell’s Vultures are following our footsteps. This time, we didn’t even go to see them. They literally crossed our path! Early morning today, we went to Smir wetland for our usual birding and also to survey the local heronry to see the progression of the breeding season of the Eurasian Spoonbill
Rüppell’s Vultures at Tétouan, northern Morocco Read More »
After the observation of 3 Rüppell’s Vultures (Gyps rueppellii) at Jbel Bouhachem in the afternoon of 10 May. Next day (11 May) we went to Jbel Moussa on the Strait of Gibraltar to observe bird migration with the hope of seeing the Rüppell’s again (we literally wanted to intercept them at the Strait, because we
7 Rüppell’s Vultures in northern Morocco in 2 days Read More »
Three different Rüppell’s Vultures observed at Jbel Bouhachem, northern Morocco. This is a real unexpected bonus as the site is a bit inland from the Strait of Gibraltar where the vultures normally gather. Just a few days ago, we talked about watching the spectacle of bird migration at Jbel Moussa on the Strait of Gibraltar.
3 Rüppell’s Vultures at Jbel Bouhachem, northern Morocco Read More »