Tunisia
Tunisia stretches from the Mediterranean coast to the Sahara, creating a pronounced north–south transition in landscapes. Northern Tunisia contains the forested Tell Atlas, fertile plains and Mediterranean wetlands, while the centre becomes increasingly dry with steppe, salt lakes and olive-growing country. Farther south lie Saharan dunes, rocky desert and oases. The vast seasonal salt lake Chott el Jerid is one of the country's most distinctive landscapes. Tunisia also has extensive coastal lagoons, islands and tidal wetlands important to the wider Mediterranean ecosystem.
Overview
Tunisia combines Mediterranean wetlands with accessible North African desert birding. Ichkeul National Park, a major wetland and UNESCO World Heritage Site, supports large concentrations of wintering ducks, geese, flamingos and other waterbirds. Southern desert areas around Douz and the Chott el Jerid offer specialties such as Cream-coloured Courser, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, Desert Sparrow, sandgrouse and several wheatears. The Gulf of Gabès and other coastal wetlands are important for migratory shorebirds, while Kerkini Islands lie on an important migration route. Tunisia's established tourism infrastructure and relatively compact size make combining northern wetlands and Saharan habitats practical. Remote desert excursions are best undertaken with local guidance, and some border areas toward Libya and Algeria may have security restrictions.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis | 36.6% | 30.7% | 41.8% | 33.4% | 39.9% | 37.8% | 45.4% | 35.6% | 42.1% | 28.3% | 31.1% | 35.6% | 37.3% |
| Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor | 33.9% | 29.4% | 30.2% | 34.4% | 28.2% | 33.7% | 35.0% | 30.6% | 35.2% | 39.2% | 43.3% | 31.6% | 36.5% |
| Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis | 32.8% | 26.9% | 28.9% | 30.4% | 33.8% | 32.0% | 34.9% | 38.6% | 35.8% | 39.1% | 30.6% | 29.9% | 32.4% |
| Great Gray Shrike Lanius excubitor | 28.9% | 27.9% | 29.6% | 22.7% | 23.4% | 18.1% | 20.4% | 29.9% | 29.7% | 39.3% | 30.2% | 35.1% | 41.0% |
| Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica | 26.8% | 1.6% | 6.2% | 26.8% | 38.7% | 35.5% | 43.7% | 54.5% | 43.8% | 50.8% | 13.6% | 3.5% | 3.0% |
| Rock Pigeon Columba livia | 26.8% | 20.1% | 22.8% | 17.1% | 22.7% | 26.2% | 30.7% | 28.7% | 34.8% | 34.3% | 34.9% | 21.0% | 28.2% |
| Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula | 26.4% | 20.9% | 25.4% | 29.2% | 24.7% | 37.1% | 33.5% | 15.5% | 25.3% | 33.8% | 25.5% | 24.8% | 20.6% |
| Sardinian Warbler Curruca melanocephala | 25.9% | 23.5% | 32.4% | 25.0% | 21.2% | 27.4% | 22.1% | 17.9% | 19.6% | 32.2% | 25.8% | 31.7% | 32.4% |
| Crested Lark Galerida cristata | 24.1% | 25.2% | 31.6% | 23.1% | 25.8% | 22.1% | 22.4% | 21.6% | 16.8% | 23.3% | 26.1% | 21.0% | 30.1% |
| Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis | 22.1% | 20.5% | 22.8% | 20.1% | 18.4% | 21.8% | 19.8% | 25.5% | 26.0% | 28.6% | 20.5% | 16.2% | 25.2% |