Stone Curlew
Scientific Name: Burhinus oedicnemusMaltese Name: Tellerita
Family: Stone Curlews (Burhinidae)
Occurence: Scarce
Breeds in Malta: No, used to breed in the past
Overview:
The Stone Curlew is a semi-nocturnal bird often hard to find by day. It has brown sandy plumage. It has stripes below and above its pale eye. Also has a broad band along wings. It has long yellow legs. In flight it has black outer wings. It feeds plover like picking up insects and other invertebrates. Nests on the ground lined with stones and shells where it lays 2 eggs. It breeds in countries bordering the Mediterranean and also in North Africa. In Spain and North Africa is resident all year round. Is vocal and is often heard calling. Its plumage blends in very well with its surrounding landscape and is often very difficult to see unless it moves. Stone Curlews are known to live up to 10 years and its population is vulnerable.
Status:
Is a scarce migrant. Past Ornithologists wrote that the Stone Curlew was a resident species in the Maltese Islands. Schembri wrote that it use to breed in June and July mostly in north part of the island. Despott, an ornithologist of the early 20th Century noted that it was becoming scarcer due to the killing of the birds from some hunters. He found a nest twice; once on 26th June 1909 and another time on 2nd June 1911. Since then, no other breeding pairs or nests were found. Unfortunately the chances for the Stone Curlew to restart breeding in Malta are very remote. Up to the early 20th century one would find a few undisturbed areas but now human disturbance has increased drastically. One still finds some suitable garrigue areas but illegal hunting and other disturbance always take over.
When to See:
Spring; March until May, Autumn; September until October. It is also recorded in summer and winter.
Where to See:
Prefers open undisturbed areas with garigue. Comino and L-Ahrax tal-Mellieha are two very good sites.
Photographs:
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Stone Curlew in Flight, Cirkewwa |
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Stone Curlew, Comino |
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