List of birds of Morocco
This is a list of the bird species recorded in Morocco. The avifauna of Morocco include a total of 454 species (Bergier & Thévenot 2006), of which five have been introduced by humans and 156 are rare or accidental. Five species listed are extirpated in Morocco and are not included in the species count. Fifteen species are globally threatened.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of the West Palearctic List Committee. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Morocco.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. Not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring native species.
- (A) Accidental - a species that only rarely occurs in Morocco; records of these species require formal acceptance by the Commission d’Homologation Marocaine (Moroccan Rare Birds Committee)
- (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Morocco as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
- (Ex) Extirpated - a species that no longer occurs in Morocco although populations exist elsewhere
Ostriches
Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae
The ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds. It became extinct in Morocco some time before 1990 (Snow & Perrins 1998); a re-introduction programme for the North African ostrich is in progress (National Environment Observatory of Morocco 2001).
- Ostrich, Struthio camelus (Ex A)
Swans, geese and ducks
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as swans and geese.
- Fulvous whistling duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (A)
- Mute swan, Cygnus olor (A)
- Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus (A)
- Bean goose, Anser fabalis (A)
- White-fronted goose, Anser albifrons (A)
- Greylag goose, Anser anser
- Snow goose, Anser caerulescens (A)
- Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (A)
- Brent goose, Branta bernicla (A)
- Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea
- Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
- Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis (A)
- Mandarin duck, Aix galericulata (I A)
- Eurasian wigeon, Anas penelope
- American wigeon, Anas americana (A)
- Gadwall, Anas strepera
- Common teal, Anas crecca
- Green-winged teal, Anas carolinensis (A)
- Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
- Northern pintail, Anas acuta
- Garganey, Anas querquedula
- Blue-winged teal, Anas discors (A)
- Cape shoveler, Anas smithii (A)
- Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata
- Marbled teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris
- Red-crested pochard, Netta rufina
- Common pochard, Aythya ferina
- Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris (A)
- Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca
- Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula
- Greater scaup, Aythya marila (A)
- Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis (A)
- Common scoter, Melanitta nigra
- Velvet scoter, Melanitta fusca (A)
- Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula (A)
- Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator (A)
- Goosander, Mergus merganser (A)
- Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis (I A)
- White-headed duck, Oxyura leucocephala (A)
Pheasants and partridges
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, francolins and pheasants. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
- Barbary partridge, Alectoris barbara
- Double-spurred francolin, Pternistis bicalcaratus
- Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
- Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)
Guineafowl
Order: Galliformes Family: Numididae
Guineafowl are a group of African birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage.
- Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris (Ex A)
Divers
Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae
Divers are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
- Red-throated diver, Gavia stellata (A)
- Black-throated diver, Gavia arctica (A)
- Great northern diver, Gavia immer (A)
Grebes
Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds.
- Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
- Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
- Slavonian grebe, Podiceps auritus (A)
- Black-necked grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Albatrosses
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Diomedeidae
The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds.
- Black-browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris (A)
Shearwaters and petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
- Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis (A)
- Bulwer's petrel, Bulweria bulwerii (A)
- Cory's shearwater, Calonectris borealis
- Scopoli's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea
- Cape Verde shearwater, Calonectris edwardsii (A)
- Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis (A)
- Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus (A)
- Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (A)
- Balearic shearwater, Puffinus mauretanicus
- Yelkouan shearwater, Puffinus yelkouan
- Macaronesian shearwater, Puffinus baroli (A)
- Desertas petrel, Pterodroma desertas
Storm petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
The storm petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds.
- Wilson's storm petrel, Oceanites oceanicus (A)
- White-faced storm petrel, Pelagodroma marina (A)
- European storm petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus
- Leach's storm petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa (A)
- Madeiran storm petrel, Oceanodroma castro (A)
Gannets and boobies
Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
- Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (A)
- Gannet, Morus bassanus
- Cape gannet, Morus capensis (A)
Cormorants
Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags.
- Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
- Shag, Phalacrocorax aristotelis
- Long-tailed cormorant, Microcarbo africanus (A)
Darters
Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae
Darters are water birds with a distinctive long slender neck and bill.
- Darter, Anhinga rufa (A)
Pelicans
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak.
- Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus (A)
Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets.
- Bittern, Botaurus stellaris (A)
- Little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
- Night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
- Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
- Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
- Western reef heron, Egretta gularis (A)
- Little egret, Egretta garzetta
- Great egret, Ardea alba (A)
- Grey heron, Ardea cinerea
- Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills.
- Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
- Bald ibis, Geronticus eremita
- Spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
Storks
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.
- Yellow-billed stork, Mycteria ibis (A)
- Black stork, Ciconia nigra
- White stork, Ciconia ciconia
Flamingos
Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres.
- Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
- Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor (A)
Kites, hawks and eagles
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
The Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. The lammergeier, dark chanting goshawk and tawny eagle are all close to being extirpated in Morocco.
- European honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus
- Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus
- Black kite, Milvus migrans
- Red kite, Milvus milvus
- White-tailed eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla (A)
- Lammergeier, Gypaetus barbatus
- Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus
- Hooded vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus (A)
- Griffon vulture, Gyps fulvus
- Rüppell's vulture, Gyps rueppelli (A)
- Lappet-faced vulture, Torgos tracheliotos (A)
- Black vulture, Aegypius monachus (A)
- Short-toed eagle, Circaetus gallicus
- Marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus
- Hen harrier, Circus cyaneus
- Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus (A)
- Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
- Dark chanting goshawk, Melierax metabates (A)
- Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
- Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus
- Common buzzard, Buteo buteo
- Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus
- Lesser spotted eagle, Clanga pomarina (A)
- Greater spotted eagle, Clanga clanga (A)
- Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus
- Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
- Bonelli's eagle, Aquila fasciata
- Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax (A)
- Spanish eagle, Aquila adalberti (Ex A)
Osprey
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae
The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the osprey, a medium large bird of prey with a worldwide distribution.
- Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Falcons
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.
- Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
- Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
- Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus (A)
- Merlin, Falco columbarius
- Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
- Eleonora's falcon, Falco eleonorae
- Sooty falcon, Falco concolor (A)
- Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
- Saker falcon, Falco cherrug (A)
- Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
- Barbary falcon, Falco pelegrinoides (A)
Rails, crakes, gallinules and coots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules.
- Water rail, Rallus aquaticus
- Spotted crake, Porzana porzana (A)
- Sora, Porzana carolina (A)
- Little crake, Porzana parva (A)
- Baillon's crake, Porzana pusilla (A)
- Corn crake, Crex crex (A)
- Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
- Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni (A)
- Western swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio
- Eurasian coot, Fulica atra
- Red-knobbed coot, Fulica cristata
Cranes
Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. The demoiselle crane has been extirpated since 1985.
- Common crane, Grus grus
- Demoiselle crane, Anthropoides virgo (Ex A)
Bustards
Order: Otidiformes Family: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. The Arabian bustard has been extirpated from Morocco since about 1985, and the houbara bustard is close to being extirpated.
- Little bustard, Tetrax tetrax (A)
- Houbara bustard, Chlamydotis undulata
- Arabian bustard, Ardeotis arabs (Ex A)
- Great bustard, Otis tarda
Buttonquails
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Turnicidae
The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. They are close to being extirpated in Morocco.
- Small buttonquail, Turnix sylvaticus (A)
Painted-snipe
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rostratulidae
Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured.
- Painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis
Oystercatchers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
- Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus
Avocets and stilts
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts.
- Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
- Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Thick-knees
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.
- Eurasian thick-knee, Burhinus oedicnemus
Pratincoles and coursers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.
- Cream-coloured courser, Cursorius cursor
- Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
- Black-winged pratincole, Glareola nordmanni (A)
Plovers and lapwings
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings.
- Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
- Ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
- Kittlitz's plover, Charadrius pecuarius (A)
- Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
- Dotterel, Charadrius morinellus
- American golden plover, Pluvialis dominica (A)
- Eurasian golden plover, Pluvialis apricaria
- Grey plover, Pluvialis squatarola
- Sociable lapwing, Vanellus gregarius (A)
- White-tailed lapwing, Vanellus leucurus (A)
- Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus
Sandpipers and allies
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized waders including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
- Great knot, Calidris tenuirostris (A)
- Red knot, Calidris canutus
- Sanderling, Calidris alba
- Semipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusilla (A)
- Little stint, Calidris minuta
- Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
- White-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis (A)
- Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos (A)
- Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
- Stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus (A)
- Purple sandpiper, Calidris maritima (A)
- Dunlin, Calidris alpina
- Broad-billed sandpiper, Limicola falcinellus (A)
- Buff-breasted sandpiper, Tryngites subruficollis (A)
- Ruff, Philomachus pugnax
- Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
- Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
- Great snipe, Gallinago media (A)
- Long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus (A)
- Eurasian woodcock, Scolopax rusticola
- Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
- Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica
- Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
- Slender-billed curlew, Numenius tenuirostris (Ex A)
- Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
- Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
- Common redshank, Tringa totanus
- Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
- Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
- Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes (A)
- Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
- Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
- Terek sandpiper, Tringa cinereus (A)
- Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
- Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia (A)
- Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
- Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor (A)
- Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus (A)
- Grey phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius
Skuas
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings.
- Great skua, Stercorarius skua
- Pomarine skua, Stercorarius pomarinus
- Arctic skua, Stercorarius parasiticus
- Long-tailed skua, Stercorarius longicaudus (A)
Gulls
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls and kittiwakes.
- Mediterranean gull, Ichthyaetus melanocephalus
- Audouin's gull, Ichthyaetus audouinii
- Laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla (A)
- Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan (A)
- Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus
- Sabine's gull, Xema sabini (A)
- Bonaparte's gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia (A)
- Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
- Grey-headed gull, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus (A)
- Slender-billed gull, Chroicocephalus genei
- Ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis (A)
- Common gull, Larus canus (A)
- Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
- Herring gull, Larus argentatus (A)
- Yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis
- Glaucous-winged gull, Larus glaucescens (A)
- Iceland gull, Larus glaucoides (A)
- Glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus (A)
- Great black-backed gull, Larus marinus (A)
- Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla
Terns
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae
Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head.
- Brown noddy, Anous stolidus (A)
- Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscata (A)
- Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus (A)
- Little tern, Sternula albifrons
- Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
- Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
- Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
- Black tern, Chlidonias niger
- White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
- Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
- Royal tern, Thalasseus maxima
- Lesser crested tern, Thalasseus bengalensis
- Common tern, Sterna hirundo
- Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea (A)
- Roseate tern, Sterna dougallii (A)
Skimmers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rynchopidae
Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds.
- African skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris (A)
Auks
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae
Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest.
- Common guillemot, Uria aalge (A)
- Razorbill, Alca torda
- Little auk, Alle alle (A)
- Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica
Sandgrouse
Order: Pterocliformes Family: Pteroclididae
Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies.
- Lichtenstein's sandgrouse, Pterocles lichtensteinii (A)
- Crowned sandgrouse, Pterocles coronatus
- Spotted sandgrouse, Pterocles senegallus
- Black-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles orientalis
- Pin-tailed sandgrouse, Pterocles alchata
Pigeons and doves
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
- Rock pigeon, Columba livia
- Stock pigeon, Columba oenas
- Wood pigeon, Columba palumbus
- Collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto
- European turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur
- Laughing dove, Spilopelia senegalensis
- Namaqua dove, Oena capensis (A)
Parrots
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittaculidae
Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape.
- Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri (I A)
Cuckoos
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
The cuckoos are birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs.
- Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
- Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
- Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (A)
Barn owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces.
- Barn owl, Tyto alba
Typical owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey.
- European scops owl, Otus scops
- Pharaoh eagle owl, Bubo ascalaphus
- Little owl, Athene noctua
- Tawny owl, Strix aluco
- Long-eared owl, Asio otus
- Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus (A)
- Marsh owl, Asio capensis
Nightjars
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills.
- Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
- Red-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis
- Egyptian nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius
Swifts
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying.
- Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (A)
- Alpine swift, Apus melba
- Plain swift, Apus unicolor (A)
- Common swift, Apus apus
- Pallid swift, Apus pallidus
- White-rumped swift, Apus caffer (A)
- Little swift, Apus affinis
Kingfishers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.
- Common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
Bee-eaters
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae.
- Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
- European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
Rollers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters.
- European roller, Coracias garrulus
Hoopoes
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head.
- Hoopoe, Upupa epops
Woodpeckers and allies
Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues.
- Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla
- Levaillant's woodpecker, Picus vaillantii
- Great spotted woodpecker, Dendrocopos major
Larks
Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds, mostly fairly dull in appearance.
- Black-crowned sparrow lark, Eremopterix nigriceps (A)
- Bar-tailed lark, Ammomanes cinctura
- Desert lark, Ammomanes deserti
- Hoopoe lark, Alaemon alaudipes
- Dupont's lark, Chersophilus duponti
- Thick-billed lark, Ramphocoris clotbey
- Calandra lark, Melanocorypha calandra
- Short-toed lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
- Lesser short-toed lark, Alaudala rufescens
- Crested lark, Galerida cristata
- Maghreb lark, Galerida macrorhyncha
- Thekla lark, Galerida theklae
- Wood lark, Lullula arborea
- Eurasian skylark, Alauda arvensis
- Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris
- Temminck's lark, Eremophila bilopha
Swallows and martins
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
The family Hirundinidae is a group of passerines adapted to aerial feeding.
- Brown-throated martin, Riparia paludicola
- Sand martin, Riparia riparia
- Rock martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula (A)
- Eurasian crag martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris
- Pale crag martin, Ptyonoprogne obsoleta
- Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
- Common house martin, Delichon urbicum
- Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica
Wagtails and pipits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
The Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails and pipits.
- Richard's pipit, Anthus richardi
- Tawny pipit, Anthus campestris
- Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
- Meadow pipit, Anthus pratensis
- Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus
- Water pipit, Anthus spinoletta
- Rock pipit, Anthus petrosus (A)
- Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
- Citrine wagtail, Motacilla citreola (A)
- Grey wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
- White wagtail, Motacilla alba
Bulbuls
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds.
- Common bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus
Dippers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae
Dippers are a group of perching birds which specialise in feeding in running water.
- Dipper, Cinclus cinclus
Wrens
Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae
The wrens have short wings and thin down-turned bills.
- Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes
Accentors
Order: Passeriformes Family: Prunellidae
The accentors are in the only bird family which is completely endemic to the Palearctic.
- Dunnock, Prunella modularis (A)
- Alpine accentor, Prunella collaris
Thrushes and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
- Ring ouzel, Turdus torquatus
- Blackbird, Turdus merula
- Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris (A)
- Song thrush, Turdus philomelos
- Redwing, Turdus iliacus
- Mistle thrush, Turdus viscivorus
Cisticolas and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer regions of the Old World.
- Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
Streaked scrub warbler
Order: Passeriformes Family: Scotocercidae
- Streaked scrub warbler, Scotocerca inquieta
Cettid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cettiidae
- Cetti's warbler, Cettia cetti
Grassbirds and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Locustellidae
- Pallas's grasshopper warbler, Locustella certhiola (A)
- Common grasshopper warbler, Locustella naevia
- Eurasian river warbler, Locustella fluviatilis (A)
- Savi's warbler, Locustella luscinioides
Reed warblers and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Acrocephalidae
- Moustached warbler, Acrocephalus melanopogon
- Aquatic warbler, Acrocephalus paludicola (A)
- Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
- Eurasian reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
- Marsh warbler, Acrocephalus palustris (A)
- Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
- Eastern olivaceous warbler, Iduna pallida (A)
- Western olivaceous warbler, Iduna opaca
- Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina (A)
- Melodious warbler, Hippolais polyglotta
Leaf warblers and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Phylloscopidae
- Pallas's warbler, Phylloscopus proregulus (A)
- Yellow-browed warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus (A)
- Dusky warbler, Phylloscopus fuscatus (A)
- Bonelli's warbler, Phylloscopus bonelli
- Wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix
- Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
- Iberian chiffchaff, Phylloscopus ibericus (A)
- Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
Old World warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds.
- Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
- Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
- Lesser whitethroat, Sylvia curruca (A)
- Western Orphean warbler, Sylvia hortensis
- African desert warbler, Sylvia deserti
- Common whitethroat, Sylvia communis
- Spectacled warbler, Sylvia conspicillata
- Tristram's warbler, Sylvia deserticola
- Dartford warbler, Sylvia undata
- Marmora's warbler, Sylvia sarda (A)
- Subalpine warbler, Sylvia cantillans
- Sardinian warbler, Sylvia melanocephala
Kinglets
Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae
The kinglets, also called crests, are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status.
- Goldcrest, Regulus regulus (A)
- Common firecrest, Regulus ignicapillus
Old World flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
Old World flycatchers are a group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. There 274 species worldwide, of which 5 species occur in Morocco.
- Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
- Red-breasted flycatcher, Ficedula parva (A)
- Collared flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis (A)
- Pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca
- Atlas flycatcher, Ficedula speculigera
- Rufous bush robin, Cercotrichas galactotes
- Robin, Erithacus rubecula
- Common nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
- Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
- Black redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros
- Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
- Moussier's redstart, Phoenicurus moussieri
- Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
- European stonechat, Saxicola rubicola
- Isabelline wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina (A)
- Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
- Black-eared wheatear, Oenanthe hispanica
- Desert wheatear, Oenanthe deserti
- Red-rumped wheatear, Oenanthe moesta
- Mourning wheatear, Oenanthe halophila
- White-crowned black wheatear, Oenanthe leucopyga
- Black wheatear, Oenanthe leucura
- Rufous-tailed rock thrush, Monticola saxatilis
- Blue rock thrush, Monticola solitarius
Bearded reedling
Order: Passeriformes Family: Panuridae
- Bearded reedling, Panurus biarmicus
Laughingthrushes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Leiothrichidae
- Fulvous babbler, Turdoides fulva
Long-tailed tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithalidae
Long-tailed tits are a group of small passerine birds with medium to long tails.
- Long-tailed tit, Aegithalos caudatus
Tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills.
- Crested tit, Lophophanes cristatus (A)
- Coal tit, Periparus ater
- African blue tit, Cyanistes teneriffae
- Great tit, Parus major
Nuthatches
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae
Nuthatches are small woodland birds.
- Eurasian nuthatch, Sitta europaea
Wallcreeper
Order: Passeriformes Family: Tichodromidae
The wallcreeper is a small bird, with crimson, grey and black plumage, related to the nuthatches.
- Wallcreeper, Tichodroma muraria (A)
Treecreepers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below.
- Short-toed treecreeper, Certhia brachydactyla
Penduline tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae
The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits.
- Penduline tit, Remiz pendulinus (A)
Old World orioles
Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae
The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds, not related to the New World orioles.
- Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus
Bushshrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Malaconotidae
Bushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush.
- Black-crowned tchagra, Tchagra senegala
Shrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions on thorns.
- Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio (A)
- Isabelline shrike, Lanius isabellinus (A)
- Southern grey shrike, Lanius meridionalis
- Masked shrike, Lanius nubicus (A)
- Woodchat shrike, Lanius senator
Crows, ravens, jays and magpies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs and magpies.
- Eurasian jay, Garrulus glandarius
- Eurasian magpie, Pica pica
- Yellow-billed chough, Pyrrhocorax graculus
- Red-billed chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
- Eurasian jackdaw, Corvus monedula
- House crow, Corvus splendens (A)
- Carrion crow, Corvus corone (A)
- Brown-necked raven, Corvus ruficollis
- Common raven, Corvus corax
Starlings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds.
- European starling, Sturnus vulgaris
- Spotless starling, Sturnus unicolor
Sparrows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
Sparrows are small passerine birds.
- House sparrow, Passer domesticus
- Spanish sparrow, Passer hispaniolensis
- Desert sparrow, Passer simplex
- Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus
- Rock sparrow, Petronia petronia
Waxbills
Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia.
- Red-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala (I A)
Vireos
Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae
The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds mostly restricted to the New World.
- Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus (A)
Finches
Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds.
- Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
- Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla
- European serin, Serinus serinus
- European greenfinch, Chloris chloris
- Eurasian siskin, Spinus spinus
- Citril finch, Carduelis citrinella (A)
- European goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis
- Common linnet, Linaria cannabina
- Lesser redpoll, Acanthis cabaret (A)
- Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
- African crimson-winged finch, Rhodopechys alienus
- Trumpeter finch, Bucanetes githaginea
- Common rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus (A)
- Eurasian bullfinch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula (A)
- Hawfinch, Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Snow buntings and longspurs
Order: Passeriformes Family: Calcariidae
- Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis (A)
Buntings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
The buntings are a large family of passerine birds.
- Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella (A)
- Cirl bunting, Emberiza cirlus
- Rock bunting, Emberiza cia
- House bunting, Emberiza sahari
- Ortolan bunting, Emberiza hortulana
- Reed bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus
- Black-headed bunting, Emberiza melanocephala (A)
- Corn bunting, Emberiza calandra
See also
References
- Bergier, P.,; Thévenot, M. (2006). "Liste des oiseaux du Maroc / The List of the Birds of Morocco". Go-South Bull. 3: 51-83. Go-South. Retrieved 23 July 2007.
- Snow, D. W. & Perrins, C. M. (1998). Birds of the Western Palearctic: Concise Edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-854099-X.
- The National Environment Observatory of Morocco (2001). "Report on the state of the environment in Morocco: A synthesis" (pdf). Kingdom of Morocco, Secretariat of State of Environment. Retrieved 23 July 2007.
- Lepage, D. "Checklist of birds of Morocco". Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
- Clements, J. F. (2000). Birds of the World: a Checklist. Cornell University Press. p. 880. ISBN 0-934797-16-1.
External links
- List of Bird from Morocco with links to photos.
- Birds of Morocco - World Institute for Conservation and Environment