Systematic list 1993-1995

Abstract

The sequence and the scientific nomenclature follow those adopted by the new Concise Edition of Birds of the Western Palearctic (BWP). Some new taxonomic 'splits' have been made by the Editors of BWP. The two subspecies of the Mediterranean Shearwater Puffinus ye/kouan have become two full species: the Levantine Shearwater, which breeds in the Maltese Islands, and the Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus, which breeds in the Balearics. The latter has never been recorded in Malta. The English names used are those adopted by British Birds in 1993 (Brit. Birds 86: 1-2) and now in use throughout Europe. In this list, to mention a few examples, Pied Wagtail replaces White Wagtail, Nightingale becomes Rufous Nightingale, Dunnock is now Hedge Accentor, Rufous Bush Chat is listed as Rufous-tailed Scrub-robin and Zitting Cisticola is the new name of Fan-tailed Warbler. The Maltese names are those found in A New Guide to the Birds of Malta (Sultana & Gauci 1982), except for the Harriers: Bagfldan, as is known and referred to by everyone, instead of Bugnadam. For the new species which appear for the first time in the systematic list an appropriate Maltese name was given by the Research Group of Bird life Malta. There are some place names which are found on both islands of Malta and Gozo. Unless otherwise indicated, Dwejra refers to Dwejra in Malta, Nadur refers to Nadur in Gozo and Lunzjata refers to the well-known site in Gozo. Unless otherwise stated, the numbers given are for one locality.