https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40784 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:13:28 GMT 2026-04-08T17:13:28Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37178 Title: 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. Fri, 01 Jan 1999 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37178 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37132 Title: Unusual singing perch of Sardinian warbler Sylvia melanocephala Abstract: The Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala may be found in a diversity of habitats such as maquis, tree groves, low shrubs in garigue areas, and gardens, even in towns. It is known in Mallorca to perch on artefacts such as electricity pylons. The male sings mostly from an elevated perch, usually from the top of a bush, but also (on Corfu) from the top of trees and overhead wires (Cramp 1992). Fri, 01 Jan 1999 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37132 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37125 Title: Zitting cisticola Cisticola juncidis breeding in November Abstract: The Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis is a common resident in Malta. Locally the breeding season extends from February to August (Sultana & Gauci 1982); the same holds throughout its breeding range, the latest breeding record being one fledgling reported in mid-October (Cramp 1992). Fri, 01 Jan 1999 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37125 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37124 Title: Large flock of Short-toed eagles Circaetus gallicus in late autumn Abstract: The Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus is almost exclusively a summer visitor to the Western Palearctic with exceptional winter reports from southern Europe. Southward movements from Europe begins from late August or early September to mid-October with stragglers lingering into November in central Europe and France. In Malta it is a scarce autumn migrant usually recorded from mid-September to mid-October, but occasionally in November and December. Fri, 01 Jan 1999 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37124 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z