Common passage migrant and uncommon breeding migrant; occasional in winter.
Breeding
Distribution Common in Tangier Peninsula earlier
20th century
(Vaucher 1915) but now uncommon (4 pairs in 1970s – P&GA), though still
common elsewhere in Rif and along its Mediterranean coast, eg
at least 3 pairs between Cabo Negro and Melilla (Berthon & Berthon 1984).
Uncommon to locally common in ‘North Atlantic’ where widespread in Prérif, Zemmour and Zaër, but more local
in Rharb (Larache area) and Saïs (Jbel Zerhoun and
Gorges du Sebou). Fairly common in Central Plateau and
in Middle Atlas (since Carpentier 1933a, PB), common in the
1950s in Hills of Eastern Morocco (Brosset 1956a) but
now uncommon (Brosset 1990), and also breeds locally in Plains of
Eastern Morocco (Mechra Homadi and Jbel Gourougou – GOMAC96/1-97).
Absent from most of ‘Mid Atlantic’ because of unsuitable habitat, but
breeds locally in Rehamna (Mechra Benabbou), Haouz (4-6
pairs on an area of 12,000 km2 in Marrakech palmerie and surrounding plains –
D. Barreau in PB) and in Chiadma (Oued
Ksob valley). Common inWestern and Central High
Atlas (30-50 pairs present on an area of 8000 km2 on northern
slopes of Western High Atlas – D. Barreau in PB).
Further south, only known to breed in Souss between Taroudant and
Aoulouz (since CROM80- 81).
Habitat
Sea cliffs (Mediterranean coast) and a wide range of
woodlands, eg Cork Oak (Tangier Peninsula, Rharb, Zaër), Atlas Cedar (Middle
Atlas), Aleppo Pine and Tetraclinis articulata (Eastern Morocco),
Argan (Souss), eucalyptus reafforestations (Tangier Peninsula, Haouz), palm and
olive groves (Haouz), and also in forested areas with rocky outcrops; once used
a cypress hedge bordering an orange grove in the suburbs of Marrakech (P.
Robin in PB). More rarely in open country, eg Massif des
Zekkara and southern edges of Beni-Snassen in Eastern Morocco (AB), and Upper
Ksob valley in Chiadma (PB). Breeds from sea-level to 2000 m (but observed
hunting up to 2500-2700 m – Barreau et al 1987). Breeding
population estimated at 500-1000 pairs (Thévenot et al 1985).
Nesting data
Adults return to breeding areas from early Mar
onwards, and nuptial display occurs mainly in Apr (latest Tamjdout, High Atlas,
16 May 1976 – PB). Nest in tree (n=14) or on cliff (n=11); nest building begins
end Mar (earliest Aoulouz, 25 Mar 1973). Eggs and broods: C/2 (n=9), B/1 (n=2) and
B/2 (n=3), data indicate laying from early Apr to early May with a peak in last
10 days of Apr (PB), but perhaps occasionally later, eg nest building in
Tangier Peninsula, 12 May (P&GA), and bird at an empty, newly built nest in
Zegzel valley, 20 May (AB).
Movements and Migration
Movements across the Straits in autumn begin late Jul, reach a peak between
mid Sep and early Oct, and continue into early Nov (P&GA). In some years
the total passage involves 10,000-19,000 birds (P&GA, Thiollay 1977, Bernis
1980a) but in others only c 4000 (Finlayson 1992). The spring
passage extends from early Mar to early Jun, but peaks during the first third
of Apr (P&GA, Finlayson 1992). In northwestern Morocco, first spring
migrants occasionally pass from early Feb (earliest at Sidi Bou-Rhaba, 2 Feb
1993 – GOMAC93) but more regularly from end Feb, eg Merja Zerga, 21 Feb 1979
(CROM79), Sidi Bou-Rhaba, 21 Feb 1990 (GOMAC90). Elsewhere migrants are
recorded in autumn and spring throughout the country south to Saharan Morocco, eg
regular in Tafilalt from Sep to early Oct and from end Mar to early Jun (RD),
though more occasional in ‘West Sahara’ along Atlantic coast south to Cap
Blanc, Aug-Nov and Mar-May (JV, Mahé 1985, Lamarche 1988). Migrants occur up
to 3000 m in High Atlas, eg Oukaimeden, 5 Oct 1986 (B&B). Records in Nov,
eg at Tiznit, 17 Nov 1962, Erfoud, 12 Nov 1978, Oued Massa, 15 Nov 1980,
Ouarzazate, 18 Nov 1980, El-Kbab, 12 Nov 1981, and Sidi Bou-Rhaba, 24 Nov 1996
(Smith 1965, CROM80, GOMAC96/1, COM), or in late Jan, eg at Aïn Defali, 30 Jan
1977, Tazzarine, 27 Jan 1980, Merzouga, 28 Jan 1980 (P&GA, CROM80, RD), may
be late autumn migrants, early spring migrants or wintering birds.
Winter Distribution
Some regularly winter in Haouz in palmerie at
Marrakech (a few birds at least since 1972 – COM, CROM81, PB) and in Souss at
Massa estuary (at least since 1974 – P&GA, CROM79-81, GOMAC89/2) and
probably locally inland, eg near Taroudant, 31 Dec 1975 and 30 Dec 1989 (COM,
GOMAC89/2), but elsewhere only sporadically, eg Dadès- Draa (Boumalne
Dadès, 14 Jan 1970 and 25 Dec 1995 – M. Thévenot, GOMAC95, Ouarzazate, 29 Dec
1982 – D. Barreau), Lower Draa (Goulimine, 4 Jan 1990 – P. Buys et al), Rharb (Merja
Zerga, 31 Dec 1992 – H. Dufourny), Saïs (Meknès, 14 Jan
1988 – R. Jäbekk), Plains of Eastern Morocco (Melilla, 11 Dec 1996 and 8
Dec 1997 – GOMAC96/1-97), and Tangier Peninsula (Charf-Al-Akab,
12 Dec 1972 – P&GA).
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