More than 518 European Turtle Doves were shot in a single day in the oasis town of Tazirbu in southeastern Libya, according to Libyan wildlife conservation organizations that condemned the hunters’ actions.

In a statement released a few days ago, the Libyan Wildlife Trust described the incident as a shocking scene and a serious environmental crime that threatens Libya’s natural heritage and ecological balance.

Continue reading Over 500 Turtle Doves shot in one day in SE Libya at MaghrebOrnitho.

A Double-spurred Spurfowl (Pternistis bicalcaratus ayesha) was photographed by a camera trap at a private hunting reserve in Oued Korifla on 27 March 2025. Two days later, two vocalizing individuals were recorded a few kilometres north of the site.

The Korifla valley is within the species’ historical range, but no known records have been documented there for more than four decades.

Continue reading Double-spurred Spurfowl camera-trapped at Oued Korifla at MaghrebOrnitho.

Today is the International Owl Awareness Day. Let’s talk about one of the most endangered species in Morocco; and address a taboo that many local photographers still refuse to acknowledge.

بومة المستنقعات المغربية على حافة الانقراض! 

بمناسبة اليوم العالمي للتحسيس بالبوم وأهميته البيئية، نوجه نداء إلى مراقبي الطيور ومصوري الحياة البرية، وخاصة المغاربة: لا تساهموا في انقراض بومة المستنقعات المغربية بسلوككم غير الأخلاقي وغير المسؤول. 

Continue reading Moroccan Marsh Owl is on the brink – Photographers, beware! at MaghrebOrnitho.

First record of Lesser Moorhen for Morocco and Northwest Africa.

Première mention de la Gallinule africaine pour le Maroc et le Maghreb.

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An immature Lesser Moorhen (Paragallinula angulata) was observed at the Aoulouz bridge, Morocco, during an Oriole Birding trip. “The bird was seen on 15 March 2025 at about 11:20 for several minutes and was still present when we left,” wrote Dave Gosney, the group leader, in an email.

Continue reading First record of Lesser Moorhen for Morocco at MaghrebOrnitho.

A Pink-backed Pelican observed in the Wilaya of Mila, northeast Algeria.

Un Pélican gris observé dans la wilaya de Mila, au nord-est de l’Algérie.

A Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) was recorded on 4 February 2025 at Barrage Hammam-Grouz, Wilaya of Mila, northeast Algeria.

Abdelmalek Lemgoureb, a member of the bird monitoring unit in Mila, shared the news about the presence of a pelican in the region.

Continue reading Pink-backed Pelican in northeast Algeria at MaghrebOrnitho.

Since mid-December, four rare North American bird species have been observed in various parts of Morocco.

Quatre espèces d’oiseaux rares de l’Amérique du Nord observées au Maroc en décembre : un Fuligule à tête noire (ou Petit fuligule), deux Sarcelles à ailes bleues, trois Canards à front blanc (ou Canard d’Amérique) et un Pluvier bronzé.

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Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

A Lesser Scaup was discovered at Daya Dar Bouazza on 25 December 2024 by Saida Bona.

Continue reading Four North American rarities in Morocco at MaghrebOrnitho.

A Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) found at Oued Martil, northern Morocco. It’s the third national record.

Une Macreuse brune observée à Oued Martil, au nord du Maroc. C’est la troisième observation dans le pays.

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While birding at Oued Martil, near the city of Tétouan on 18 November 2024, the local birder Othman Amalal discovered a Velvet Scoter alongside a few of the more common wintering ducks.

Continue reading Velvet Scoter at Oued Martil, northern Morocco at MaghrebOrnitho.

Breeding of the Sudan Golden Sparrow in southern Morocco finally confirmed.

La nidification du Moineau doré enfin confirmée dans le sud du Maroc.

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The Sudan Golden Sparrow (Passer luteus) was first recorded in Morocco in 2009, specifically in the Aousserd region. The primary observation site, which is the famed Oued Jenna, has since become known for annual sightings of the species, with additional records at various locations throughout the region.

Continue reading Sudan Golden Sparrow breeds in Morocco at MaghrebOrnitho.

On 22 April 2024, an adult female Wilson’s Phalarope was observed and photographed foraging in the central basin of the Thyna salt pans, Sfax, Tunisia.

This is the first recorded observation of the species in Tunisia. The Wilson’s Phalarope is a long-distance migratory wader that breeds in the prairies of North America and travelling to South America for wintering.

Continue reading First record of Wilson’s Phalarope in Tunisia at MaghrebOrnitho.

For the first time in nearly four decades, Morocco has reduced the daily bag limit for European Turtle Dove, marking a small yet significant change in the hunting management of the species.

Pour la première fois en près de quatre décennies, le Maroc a réduit le quota quotidien de prélèvement de la Tourterelle des bois, marquant un changement modeste mais significatif dans la gestion cynégétique de l’espèce.

Continue reading Turtle Dove bag limit reduced in Morocco at MaghrebOrnitho.