The Mogador Islands, off Morocco’s Atlantic coast, are home to the world’s largest breeding colony of Eleonora’s Falcon. But could opening this natural treasure to visitors in the name of ecotourism development put it at risk? Read the perspective of Prof. Aziz Benhoussa on why this issue deserves very careful consideration. Opening Mogador Island to
Eleonora’s Falcon: World’s largest colony at risk? Read More »
White-rumped Swift recorded in Algeria for the first time this summer. Now the quest for evidence of breeding begins. In mid-August 2026, naturalist Mourad Harzallah observed two White-rumped Swifts (Apus caffer) in eastern Algeria. This is the first known record of the species in Algeria. The observation of two individuals could be what makes this
New study suggests no subspecies-level differentiation between Turtle Dove populations on either sides of the Strait of Gibraltar. It concluded that the species should be treated as a single conservation management unit. The European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) is a migratory bird species with a deep cultural heritage across the Mediterranean region and beyond. However,
Rethinking the Turtle Dove taxonomy and conservation Read More »
After decades of dispersal movements in North Africa, the Lesser Flamingo makes its first breeding attempt in the region. For decades, the Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) was considered a rare, accidental visitor to the Maghreb, but recent years have shown a interesting shift in their dispersal behaviour. Historically, sightings of this “Near Threatened” species in
Lesser Flamingo breeds in North Africa for the first time Read More »
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
Over 500 Turtle Doves shot in one day in SE Libya Read More »
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
Double-spurred Spurfowl camera-trapped at Oued Korifla Read More »
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
Moroccan Marsh Owl is on the brink – Photographers, beware! Read More »
First record of Lesser Moorhen for Morocco and Northwest Africa. Première mention de la Gallinule africaine pour le Maroc et le Maghreb. — 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
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
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.