Book lists birds breeding in Malta

BirdLife Malta has just launched The Breeding Birds Of Malta.

The book features birds that breed regularly and irregularly, those that used to breed and birds introduced to Malta by man.

Co-authored by Joe Sultana, John Borg, Charles Gauci and Victor Falzon, the publication is the fruit of decades of research and observation by the authors and BirdLife Malta. It also pools scientific knowledge about Malta’s breeding birds, including ornithological publications dating as far back as 1840. The information is complemented by 450 colour photographs, largely taken in Malta by local photographers.

Ornis Committee member and senior University lecturer Mark-Anthony Falzon said The Breeding Birds Of Malta provided a “taste of the gold mine of information available”.

The book mentions urbanisation and illegal hunting and trapping as the three major threats bird species in Malta face. BirdLife Malta president Joseph Mangion said the book revealed two contrasting realities: while breeding birds in nature reserves and managed areas were thriving, “breeding birds outside these areas still face many threats”.

Hard bound copies of the book sell at €33 and are available from book shops, Book Distributors Ltd and the BirdLife Malta office.