Swans, Geese & Ducks
Mute Swan
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Big and white waterfowl with orange bill and black knob at base of bill. Juveniles more greyish. Neck usually held more S-shaped than other swans when swimming. Long tail prominent when upending.
Diet
Swans eat aquatic vegetation, molluscs, small fish, frogs and worms. They will graze big grassy fields, and can survive quite successfully in a field of short-cropped grass.
Longevity record
28 years (A dead bird found in the UK, Z 40808)
Usually seen in
December - January
Occasionally seen in
March
Click on the image to open slideshow
Dirty look with juvenile brown feathers, a pinkish bill and a lighter lore.
Dirty look with juvenile brown feathers, a pinkish bill and a lighter lore.
All white body and dirty looking neck, orange-red bill and a black lore in adults.
Dirty look with juvenile brown feathers, a pinkish bill and a lighter lore.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (kg):
140 - 160
200 - 240
9.0 - 13.0
Red-breasted Goose
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Chestnut-red breast and cheek. It has a short and thick neck and a rounded head with a very short dark beak. A very distinctive colorful pattern with a contrast of chestnut-red, white and black plumage.
Diet
Breeding Red-breasted Geese will usually feed on grass leaves and the shoots of cotton-grasses. In their wintering territories, they usually take winter wheat, barley, maize, and pasture grasses.
Longevity record
15 years
Wiżża Ħamra
Branta ruficollis
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Vagrant
Usually seen in
-
Occasionally seen in
December
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (kg):
54 - 60
110 - 125
1.0 - 1.5
Greylag Goose
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Large, pale grey goose with bulky body and thick neck. Thick pink to orange (carrot-like) bill, without any dark markings. Almost giving the impression of being "false". Uniform colour of body. Light grey forewing stands out in flight. Pink legs.
Diet
Grass, roots, cereal leaves and spilled grain.
Longevity record
24 years 0 months (Ring read in the field in Denmark, 7775)
Usually seen in
December
Occasionally seen in
October, November, January, April
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (kg):
74 - 84
149 - 168
3.1 - 4.3
Taiga Bean Goose
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Orange legs, black and orange bill. Differs from juvenile White-fronted Goose by less contrast between cheeks and base of bill and crown, more prominent pale edges on back feathers, and by bill colour. Has much darker back than Pink-footed Goose (and never greyish). Colour of legs and bill can be surprisingly difficult to judge in unfavourable light. 2 subspecies that may be considered separate species in near future: A.f.rossicus has shorter bill with more extensive black markings than A.f.fabalis.
Diet
Grass, roots, cereal leaves and spilled grain.
Longevity record
25 years 7 months (Found dead in Germany, 210151)
Wiżża tal-Ful
Anser fabalis
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Very rare
Usually seen in
December - January
Occasionally seen in
November, February
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (kg):
68 - 88
140 - 174
3.0 - 3.6
Greater White-fronted Goose
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Orange legs and all pink bill without markings. Adults with white bill base and black markings on belly. Juveniles lacking those characters. Body shape and head more angular than other geese. Could be confused with Lesser White-fronted Goose, but Lesser have an obvious yellow eye-ring, and much more white around bill base. Wings more narrow than other grey geese.
Diet
Grass, roots, cereal leaves and spilled grain.
Longevity record
25 years 3 months (Shot in the Netherlands, 8008491)
Wiżża tal-Maskra Bajda
Anser albifrons
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Very rare
Usually seen in
November - January
Occasionally seen in
February
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (kg):
64 - 78
130 - 160
2.0 - 2.9
Common Goldeneye
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Small, stocky diving duck with short bill, big triangular head and yellow eyes (dark in juveniles). Male: dark metallic green head and white patch at base of bill. Black back and tail. Neck, breast and underparts white. Female with brown head, white collar and pale underparts. White, square wing panels and dark underwing in both sexes.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small fish, also crustaceans, aquatic insects, and sometimes frogs, tadpoles, or worms. Young ducklings eat mostly insects.
Longevity record
16 years 11 months (Russian Federation, D18692)
Brajmla tal-Għajna
Bucephala clangula
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Vagrant
Usually seen in
---
Occasionally seen in
November - February
Click on the image to open slideshow
Female with brown head, white collar and pale underparts.
Female with brown head, white collar and pale underparts.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
40 - 48
62 - 77
800 - 1100
Red-breasted Merganser
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Noticeably smaller and more slender than Goosander. Bill much thinner, especially at base. Both sexes with more shaggy crest than Goosander. Male: dark head, white collar. Only sawbill with (medium) dark chest. Female differs from Goosander by smooth transition from brown head to grey lower neck, and less contrasting white throat patch. Striking white wing-bars with crossing black stripe visible in flight.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small fish, also crustaceans, aquatic insects, and sometimes frogs, tadpoles, or worms. Young ducklings eat mostly insects.
Longevity record
21 years 4 months (A shot bird in Sweden, W 107522)
Usually seen in
October - December
Occasionally seen in
January, March - April, September
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Brown head, white bars on the secondaries and greater secondary coverts, very pale brown chest and white belly.
Brown head, white bars on the secondaries and greater secondary coverts, very pale brown chest and white belly.
Brown head, white bars on the secondaries and greater secondary coverts, very pale brown chest and white belly.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
52 - 58
69 - 82
800 - 1100
Common Shelduck
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen in flocks but also in smaller groups.
A big sized duck which gives an overall white impression. Reddish breast-band, dark blackish green head and black flight-feathers. Tip of tail black and adults with dark belly-band. Bill red. Males with red knob at base of bill. Juveniles duller, with white chin and no breast-band.
Diet
Small molluscs, small crustacea, small fish and fish spawn, occasionally insects and their larvae and a small amount of plant material, mainly algae.
Longevity record
24 years (Dead specimen found in the UK, GM 96505)
Kuluvert tas-Salib
Tadorna tadorna
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Fairly common
Usually seen in
December - January
Occasionally seen in
February - April, September - November
Click on the image to open slideshow
Completely black head, more contrasting rufous and black patterns on the white breast and belly feathers, thicker bill and older male adults will grow a knob on the upper part of the bill.
Completely black head, more contrasting rufous and black patterns on the white breast and belly feathers, thicker bill and older male adults will grow a knob on the upper part of the bill.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
55 - 65
100 - 120
800 - 1130
Ruddy Shelduck
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
This shelduck has short, dark legs, dark bill, thick neck and a distinctive rufous belly. Black and white wings conspicuous in flight. Sexes quite similar. Male with ringed neck in breeding plumage, and female with more contrasting facial pattern. Immature similar to female, but with "dirty" white wing-patches. Less dependent on water than most other ducks.
Diet
It is omnivorous and feeds on grasses, the young shoots of plants, grain and water plants as well as both aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates.
Longevity record
----
Kuluvert Aħmar
Tadorna ferruginea
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Vagrant
Usually seen in
---
Occasionally seen in
May, September - March
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Note white face mask more prominent than in males and it does not have the black-neck collar such in males.
Note white face mask more prominent than in males and it does not have the black-neck collar such in males.
Note white face mask more prominent than in males and it does not have the black-neck collar such in males.
Note white face mask more prominent than in males and it does not have the black-neck collar such in males.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
58 - 70
110 - 135
900 - 1500
Red-crested Pochard
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Big and plump-bodied diving duck with long neck, rounded head and long bill. Male unmistakable with it's red head, long deep-red bill, distinct white flank-patches and black belly. The contrasting light grey cheeks of the female recalls female Common Scooter, but note round head, pale body and much longer neck and bill. Both sexes with very broad and striking white wingbar clearly visible in flight.
Diet
Red-crested pochards feed mainly on the roots, seeds, and vegetative parts of aquatic plants, and sometimes supplement their diet with aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, mollusks, tadpoles, or small fish.
Longevity record
8 years, 5 months (Ring number read in the field in the UK, 940448)
Brajmla tat-Toppu Aħmar
Netta rufina
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Vagrant
Usually seen in
---
Occasionally seen in
September - November
Click on the image to open slideshow
Rusty-orange rounded head with a lighter whitish crown and a coral-red bill. Black centre belly, rump and stern. White flank,underwings and broad wing-bars.
Rusty-orange rounded head with a lighter whitish crown and a coral-red bill. Black centre belly, rump and stern. White flank,underwings and broad wing-bars.
Rusty-orange rounded head with a lighter whitish crown and a coral-red bill. Black centre belly, rump and stern. White flank,underwings and broad wing-bars.
Rusty-orange rounded head with a lighter whitish crown and a coral-red bill. Black centre belly, rump and stern. White flank,underwings and broad wing-bars.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
53 - 57
85 - 90
900 - 1400
Common Pochard
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but occasionally in small groups.
Medium sized diving duck. Male with rufous brown head and pale grey body. Female indistinctly coloured in grey and brown, with diffuse head markings. Easiest identified by fairly distinct head profile; long bill continuous with sloping forehead, ending in peaked crown (both sexes). Bulky body and short neck. Both sexes with long, pale grey wing-bars. Juveniles like female, except body warmer brown.
Diet
They feed by diving or dabbling, eating aquatic plants with some mollusks, aquatic insects and small fish. They often feed at night, and when diving for food may feed upside down during feeding.
Longevity record
23 years (A shot specimen in the UK, GK 61258)
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
42 - 49
67 - 75
770 - 970
Usually seen in
October - December
Occasionally seen in
January - May, July - September
Click on the image to open slideshow
Male with rufous brown head, half brown half black neck and a black breast. Belly, saddle and upperwings are pale grey. Black undertail coverts and tail. Red irises. Black and centre light blue bill.
Ferruginous Duck
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen in flocks but occasionally also individually.
Shape resembles both diving and dabbling ducks. Characteristic head profile with long bill, long sloping forehead and rather high rear crown (not unlike Pochard). White undertail usually visible also when on the water. Broad, white wing-bars and white underwing conspicous in flight. White undertail separated from white belly by brown band. Male with shining white eyes. Female with brown eye and less bright rufous tones to plumage. Immature similar to female, but with even less rufous. Immatures told from immature Pochard by by darker back, no facial markings and white (not grey) wing-bars.
Diet
They feed by diving or dabbling, eating aquatic plants with some molluscs, aquatic insects and small fish. They often feed at night, and when diving for food may feed upside down during feeding.
Longevity record
9 years (New Zealend, Z 5097)
Usually seen in
March, October
Occasionally seen in
all other months
Click on the image to open slideshow
White iris, very dark back and contrasting chestnut head and neck.
White iris, very dark back and contrasting chestnut head and neck.
White iris, very dark back and contrasting chestnut head and neck.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
38 - 42
60 - 67
450 - 700
Tufted Duck
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Small, compact diving duck with short neck and rounded head. Males with diagnostic tuft, white flanks and black back. Females with rudimentary tuft, mostly dark brown body, with varying white feathering at base of bill. Females in winter showing much white at base of bill are easily mistaken for Scaup, but note hint of small tuft, smaller head, broad black nail of bill and no white cheek spots. Both sexes show long, white wing stripes in flight.
Diet
They feed by diving or dabbling, eating aquatic plants with some molluscs, aquatic insects and small fish. They often feed at night, and when diving for food may feed upside down during feeding.
Longevity record
45 years 3 months (Shot in Denmark, 444967)
Brajmla tat-Toppu
Aythya fuligula
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Very rare
Usually seen in
March, November - December
Occasionally seen in
-
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
40 - 47
65 - 72
550 - 820
Garganey
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen in large flocks and also in smaller groups.
Small dabbling duck. Males unmistakable with broad white supercilium and high contrast between the dark mottled breast and the lighter flanks (visible at considerable distance). Female mottled in light brown colours with typical supercilium and contrasting eye-stripe. White spot at base of bill. Throat much lighter than in Teal. Both sexes with dark and fairly long bill. Head gives a square impression due to the flat crown. Speculum in flight shows narrow white edges, lacking Teal's broad front edge. Agile flight, but lacks the twists of Teals.
Diet
Garganeys are omnivores. Their diet includes aquatic invertebrates (worms, insects, crustaceans, molluscs), amphibians, small fish, seeds, roots, tubers and green parts of sedges, grasses and aquatic plants.
Longevity record
14 years (A shot specimen in the UK, EC 74458)
Usually seen in
February - March, August - September
Occasionally seen in
April, October
Click on the image to open slideshow
Males have a distinctive white crescent forming from just in front of the eye and diminishes right on the nape. The breast is darker brown and pale grey scapulars.
Males have a distinctive white crescent forming from just in front of the eye and diminishes right on the nape. The breast is darker brown and pale grey scapulars.
Males have a distinctive white crescent forming from just in front of the eye and diminishes right on the nape. The breast is darker brown and pale grey scapulars.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
37 - 41
59 - 67
300 - 400
Northern Shoveler
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen in flocks but can be seen individually or in small groups.
Medium sized dabbling duck. Noticeably big and wide bill, giving the whole bird a front-heavy look. Male with dark green head, rusty brown flanks and belly. Vent and lower back black, flight feathers dark. Female brown with dark speckles, but with similar huge bill. Speculum green, lacking white rear edge. In flight the darker belly separates it from female mallards. Conspicuous forewing in flight; grey in females and light blue in males.
Diet
Northern shovelers feed by dabbling and sifting in shallow water. Seeds of sedges, bulrushes, saw grass, smartweeds, pondweeds, algae and duckweeds, as well as aquatic insects, molluscs and crustaceans, are consumed by filtering water which is taken in at the bill tip and jetted out at the base.
Longevity record
20 years (Russia E47327)
Usually seen in
March, October - November
Occasionally seen in
August - September, December - February
Click on the image to open slideshow
All rufous-tinged body especially on flanks and belly. Orange greenish bill.
Black bill. Green head. Bright yellow iris. White breast and chestnut coloured belly. White vetn and black undertail coverts.
Black bill. Green head. Bright yellow iris. White breast and chestnut coloured belly. White vetn and black undertail coverts.
All rufous-tinged body especially on flanks and belly. Orange greenish bill.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
44 - 52
73 - 82
490 - 740
Gadwall
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but sometimes seen in small groups.
Medium sized dabbling duck. Male with grey plumage, mottled breast, black rump and vent lacking white framing. Female brown and easily overlooked and confused with female Mallards. Bill with dark center and evenly broad orange sides. Plumage more greyish than female mallard, with a more slender body and steeper forehead. Diagnostic white wingbars and contrasting white belly in all plumages.
Diet
Aquatic vegetation such as pondweed and algae, and invertebrates, such as crustaceans and midges.
Longevity record
22 years (UK Shot specimen, AT83971)
Kuluvert Griż
Mareca strepera
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Very scarce
Usually seen in
November
Occasionally seen in
October, December - April
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
46 - 56
78 - 90
850 - 1000
Eurasian Wigeon
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but sometimes seen in small groups.
Recognized in all plumages by its rounded head, steep forehead, short neck and contrasting white belly. Males with brown head and light yellow forehead, pinkish breast and grey body. Adult males with big white patch on forewing. Female mostly brown with bluish bill. Tail rather long and pointed, and wings narrow. Quite pale underwings, but not completely white like American Wigeon.
Diet
Aquatic surface vegetation like roots, leaves, seeds and stems. It also grazes for food on land. It sometimes waits for diving ducks to bring plants up to the surface of the water and then snatches away their food!
Longevity record
35 years (A shot bird in the UK, AT71365)
Usually seen in
October - January
Occasionally seen in
February - March
Click on the image to open slideshow
Males have an orange forehead from the bill up to the head, chestnut head and neck, pink rosy breast, white belly and vent, grey saddle and flanks and black undertail coverts.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
42 - 50
75 - 87
600 - 850
Mallard
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but sometimes seen in small groups.
In all plumages distinguished by blue or purple speculum boldly framed in white. Male: metallic green head, brown breast, grey body and yellow bill. Female: brownish with dark speckles. Bill with variable, uneven orange markings on sides. Differs from Gadwall and Pintail by being noticeably more heavily built.
Diet
Majority of diet is plant material, including seeds, stems, and roots, especially sedges, grasses, pondweeds, smartweeds, many others; also acorns and other tree seeds, various kinds of waste grain. Also eat insects, crustaceans, molluscs, tadpoles, frogs, earthworms and small fish.
Longevity record
23 years (A shot bird in Sweden, TA 5685)
Kuluvert
Anas platyrhynchos
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Scarce
Usually seen in
November - January
Occasionally seen in
February - March, September - October
Click on the image to open slideshow
The male has a yellow bill, green head, white collar, dark brown neck and breast, light grey belly, flanks and upperwings and a black undertail. The female is light brown throughout all the body with darker brown streaks and a brown bill.
The male has a yellow bill, green head, white collar, dark brown neck and breast, light grey belly, flanks and upperwings and a black undertail.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
50 - 60
79 - 87
900 - 1300
Northern Pintail
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen in small groups or large flocks but sometimes seen individually.
Large dabbling duck. In all plumages distinguished from other dabbling ducks by its slim neck and elegancy. Male with dark brown head, white breast and lower neck, with white wedges extending upwards on side of neck. Long, pin-like tail. Female mostly brown, wattled plumage, with longer tail than other dabbling duck females. Both sexes with bluish bill. Speculum dark green with broad white rear edge. Front edge buff in males. Edges more prominent in flight than the actual speculum. Flight pattern closer to Wigeon than Mallard.
Diet
Northern Pintails eat seeds from aquatic plants, worms, snails, crustaceans, aquatic insects, and grains such as rice, wheat, corn, and barley. They pick at seeds and grains while walking or scoop up aquatic insects and seeds with their bills.
Longevity record
27 years (A shot bird at the Netherlands, 5009767)
Usually seen in
February - March, September - November
Occasionally seen in
January, August, December
Click on the image to open slideshow
Males have a distinctive brown head, white belly, longer pointed tail, black vent area and larger in size.
Males have a distinctive brown head, white belly, longer pointed tail, black vent area and larger in size.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
51 - 62
79 - 87
900 - 1100
Eurasian Teal
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen in small groups or large flocks but sometimes seen individually.
The smallest dabbling duck. Agile, with quick and easy take-off. Male with brown and green head with yellow stripes, grey body with a white horizontal stripe, and a yellow patch by the tail. Female is mostly brown with slim bill with orange base and no cheek stripe (see Garganey). Both sexes with green speculum with broad, wedge-shaped, white front edge, and dark primaries clearly visible in flight. Easy and quick take-off from both water and land, with rapid and changing flight.
Diet
In the breeding season it eats mainly aquatic invertebrates, such as crustaceans, insects and their larvae, molluscs and worms. In winter, it shifts to a largely granivorous diet, feeding on seeds of aquatic plants and grasses, including sedges and grains.
Longevity record
21 years (A shot bird in France, ED 1418)
Usually seen in
October - December
Occasionally seen in
January - March, August - September
Click on the image to open slideshow
Male with chestnut brown and green head with narrow yellow stripes, grey body with a white horizontal stripe, and faint yellow undertail coverts.
Male with chestnut brown and green head with narrow yellow stripes, grey body with a white horizontal stripe, and faint yellow undertail coverts.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
34 - 38
53 - 59
270 - 330
Marbled Duck
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but can be seen in pairs or small groups.
Adults have a pale sandy-brown colour, diffusely blotched off-white, with a dark eye-patch and shaggy head. The female averages smaller than the male, but otherwise the sexes are alike. Juveniles are similar but with more off-white blotches. In flight, the wings look pale without a marked pattern, and no speculum on the secondaries.
Diet
These birds feed mainly in shallow water by dabbling or up-ending, occasionally diving. Adults feed mostly on seeds, but also take significant quantities of invertebrates (especially aquatic insect larvae and pupae, tiny crustaceans, and highly unusual for a duck, ants) and green plants. Their gizzard allows them to break down seeds and the lamellae in their beak allow them to filter feed on zooplanktonic organisms. Young marbled ducks feed mostly on invertebrates. Although they may take tiny seeds, they lack the large gizzard necessary to break down the larger seeds commonly consumed by adults.
Longevity record
-
Usually seen in
-
Occasionally seen in
April - August, December
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
39 - 42
63 - 70
450 - 590
*Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.