Morocco
Morocco combines Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, high mountains and the edge of the Sahara. The Rif rises in the north, while the Middle Atlas, High Atlas and Anti-Atlas cross much of the country, with the High Atlas exceeding 4,000 metres. Habitats range from cedar and oak forests and alpine slopes to coastal wetlands, arid steppe, rocky desert and Saharan dunes. In the southeast, spectacular gorges, oases and desert valleys form the transition into the Sahara. This geographical diversity produces strong climatic contrasts within relatively short distances.
Overview
Morocco is one of North Africa's premier birding destinations, with excellent infrastructure and a distinctive mix of Mediterranean, Atlas and Saharan species. The mountains hold Levaillant's Woodpecker, Atlas Horned Lark and African Crimson-winged Finch, while the desert around Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi is famous for Desert Sparrow, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, Cream-coloured Courser, sandgrouse and Egyptian Nightjar. Oued Massa is a key site for the endangered Northern Bald Ibis, whose largest remaining wild population occurs along Morocco's Atlantic coast. Wetlands also attract flamingos, shorebirds and migrants. A well-established network of guides, accommodation and birding circuits makes Morocco particularly accessible, and mountain, wetland and desert habitats can readily be combined in a single trip.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| House Sparrow Passer domesticus | 36.9% | 37.0% | 35.5% | 36.0% | 39.1% | 37.5% | 41.2% | 46.3% | 35.6% | 31.3% | 36.1% | 34.4% | 32.5% |
| Rock Pigeon Columba livia | 32.8% | 34.1% | 32.1% | 30.7% | 29.2% | 28.4% | 34.0% | 37.7% | 34.8% | 31.7% | 35.6% | 35.0% | 30.4% |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto | 31.9% | 29.7% | 30.7% | 28.8% | 30.0% | 29.5% | 34.0% | 39.7% | 38.5% | 32.5% | 32.0% | 29.8% | 27.0% |
| Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula | 29.6% | 30.3% | 30.8% | 31.7% | 31.7% | 31.0% | 30.0% | 26.8% | 25.5% | 27.9% | 30.7% | 29.7% | 29.5% |
| Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus | 27.4% | 30.7% | 28.2% | 29.9% | 26.8% | 22.9% | 25.3% | 30.0% | 25.5% | 24.7% | 29.0% | 29.2% | 27.1% |
| Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus | 24.7% | 24.1% | 23.2% | 26.3% | 25.2% | 21.0% | 27.6% | 26.9% | 24.0% | 24.6% | 25.6% | 23.1% | 24.7% |
| Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor | 23.8% | 25.7% | 20.7% | 17.4% | 19.6% | 23.2% | 23.5% | 26.4% | 26.6% | 24.8% | 26.6% | 25.7% | 25.2% |
| House Bunting Emberiza sahari | 23.7% | 22.2% | 23.3% | 22.1% | 21.5% | 19.1% | 22.9% | 29.1% | 29.4% | 24.1% | 22.7% | 25.5% | 22.3% |
| Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica | 22.9% | 18.4% | 25.3% | 30.5% | 31.8% | 20.6% | 18.9% | 29.5% | 29.1% | 30.0% | 19.6% | 9.1% | 12.2% |
| Western Cattle-Egret Ardea ibis | 22.6% | 23.7% | 19.8% | 15.2% | 15.7% | 18.6% | 25.9% | 27.0% | 27.8% | 25.1% | 24.7% | 23.4% | 24.3% |