Wildlife of Morocco

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Barbary Macaque
Barbary Macaque

The Wildlife of Morocco includes it's flora and fauna and their natural habitats. The country has 454 species of birds.

Main article: List of mammals in Morocco

Contents

[edit] Subclass: Theria

[edit] Infraclass: Eutheria

[edit] Order: Macroscelidea (elephant-shrews)

Often called sengisi, the elephant shrews or jumping shrews are native to southern Africa. Their common English name derives from their elongated flexible snout and their resemblance to the true shrews.

[edit] Order: Primates

The order Primates contains all the species commonly related to the lemurs, monkeys, and apes, with the latter category including humans. It is divided informally into three main groupings: prosimians, monkeys of the New World, and monkeys and apes of the Old World.

[edit] Order: Rodentia (rodents)

Lesser Egyptian Jerboa
Lesser Egyptian Jerboa
Sand Rat
Sand Rat

Rodents make up the largest order of mammals, with over 40 percent of mammalian species. They have two incisors in the upper and lower jaw which grow continually and must be keep short by gnawing. Most rodents are small though the capybara can weigh up to 45 kg (100 lb).

[edit] Order: Lagomorpha (lagomorphs)

The lagomorphs comprise two families, Leporidae (hares and rabbits), and Ochotonidae (pikas). Though they can resemble rodents, and were classified as a superfamily in that order until the early twentieth century, they have since been considered a separate order. They differ from rodents in a number of physical characteristics, such as having four incisors in the upper jaw rather than two.

[edit] Order: Erinaceomorpha (hedgehogs and gymnures)

The order Erinaceomorpha contains a single family, Erinaceidae, which comprise the hedgehogs and gymnures. The hedgehogs are easily recognised by their spines while gymnures look more like large rats.

[edit] Order: Soricomorpha (shrews, moles, and soledons)

Lesser White-toothed Shrew
Lesser White-toothed Shrew

The "shrew-forms" are insectivorous mmmals. The shrews and soledons closely resemble mice while the moles are stout bodied burrowers.

[edit] Order: Chiroptera (bats)

Greater Noctule bat
Greater Noctule bat

The bats' most distinguishing feature is that their forelimbs are developed as wings, making them the only mammals in the world naturally capable of flight. Bat species account for about 20% of all mammals.

[edit] Order: Cetacea (whales)

Harbour Porpoise
Harbour Porpoise

The order Cetacea includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. They are the mammals most fully adapted to aquatic life with a spindle-shaped nearly hairless body, protected by a thick layer of blubber, and forelimbs and tail modified to provide propulsion underwater.

[edit] Order: Carnivora (carnivores)

Cheetah
Cheetah
Wildcat
Wildcat
Lion
Lion
Egyptian Mongoose
Egyptian Mongoose
Fennec
Fennec

The carnivores include over 260 species, the majority of which eat meat as their primary dietary item. Carnivores have a characteristic skull shape and dentition.

[edit] Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)

Image:C080193.jpg
Cuvier's Gazelle

The even-toed ungulates are ungulates whose weight is borne about equally by the third and fourth toes, rather than mostly or entirely by the third as in perissodactyls. There are about 220 artiodactyl species, including many that are of great economic importance to humans.

[edit] Birds

Main article: List of birds of Morocco

[edit] Ostriches

Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae

The Ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds. It became extinct in Morocco some time before 1990 (Snow & Perrins 1998); a re-introduction programme is in progress (National Environment Observatory of Morocco 2001).

[edit] Swans, Geese and Ducks

Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as swans and geese. There are 131 species worldwide, of which 39 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Pheasants and Partridges

Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, francolins, and pheasants. In general, they are plump (although they may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide, of which 4 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Guineafowl

Order: Galliformes Family: Numididae

Guineafowl are a group of African birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage. There are 6 species worldwide, of which 1 species (extinct since about 1980) occurred in Morocco.

[edit] Divers

Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae

Divers are group of aquatic birds found in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere. There are 5 species worldwide, of which 3 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. There are 20 species worldwide, of which 4 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. There are 21 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Shearwaters and Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide, of which 10 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Storm-petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of sea-birds. There are 21 species worldwide, of which 5 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Gannets and Boobies

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide, of which 3 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Cormorants

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. There are 38 species worldwide, of which 3 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Darters

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Anhingidae

Darters are water birds with a distinctive long slender neck and bill. There are 4 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. There are 8 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Bitterns, Herons and Egrets

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. There are 61 species worldwide, of which 10 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide of which 3 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Threskiornithidae

The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. There are 36 species worldwide of which three species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 1-1.5 m high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. There are 6 species worldwide of which 2 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Kites, Hawks and Eagles

Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae

The Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. There are 233 species worldwide, of which 29 species occur in Morocco. Lammergeier, Dark Chanting Goshawk, and Tawny Eagle are all close to extinction in Morocco.

[edit] Osprey

Order: Falconiformes Family: Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey, a medium large bird of prey with a worldwide distribution.

[edit] Falcons

Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are 62 species worldwide, of which 11 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Buttonquails

Order: Gruiformes Family: Turnicidae

The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. There are 16 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco; it is close to extinction in Morocco.

[edit] Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. There are 143 species worldwide, of which 11 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Cranes

Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. There are 15 species worldwide, of which 2 species occur in Morocco, though Demoiselle Crane has been extinct since 1985.

[edit] Bustards

Order: Gruiformes Family: Otididae

Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. There are 26 species worldwide, of which 4 species occur in Morocco. Arabian Bustard has been extinct in Morocco since about 1985, and Houbara Bustard is close to extinction.

[edit] Painted Snipes

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rostratulidae

Painted Snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured. There are 2 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Avocets and Stilts

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. There are 9 species worldwide, of which 2 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are 9 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Pratincoles and Coursers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide, of which 3 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Plovers and Lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. There are 66 species worldwide, of which 11 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized waders including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide, of which 39 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Skuas

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. There are 7 species worldwide, of which 4 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Gulls

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. There are 55 species worldwide, of which 20 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Terns

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. There are 44 species worldwide, of which 15 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rynchopidae

Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. There are 3 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Auks

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae

Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest. There are 24 species worldwide, of which 4 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Sandgrouse

Order: Pterocliformes Family: Pteroclidae

Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. There are 16 species worldwide, of 5 which species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Pigeons and Doves

Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide, of which 7 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Parrots

Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. There are 335 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae

The cuckoos are birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. There are 138 species worldwide, of which 3 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Barn Owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae

Barn Owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. There are 16 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Typical Owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae

Typical Owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. There are 195 species worldwide, of which 7 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills. There are 86 species worldwide, of which 3 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Swifts

Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. There are 98 species worldwide, of which 7 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Bee-eaters

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. There are 26 species worldwide, of which 2 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Rollers

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. There are 12 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Hoopoes

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Woodpeckers and allies

Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium sized birds with chisel like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues. There are 218 species worldwide, of which 3 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Larks

Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds, mostly fairly dull in appearance. There are 91 species worldwide, of which 15 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Swallows and Martins

Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. There are 75 species worldwide, of which 7 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Wagtails and Pipits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails and pipits. There are 54 species worldwide, of which 11 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Bulbuls

Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. There are 130 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Dippers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae

Dippers are a group of perching birds which specialise in feeding in running water. There are 5 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Wrens

Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae

The wrens have short wings and a thin down-turned bill. There are 80 species worldwide (all but one in the New World); 1 species occurs in Morocco.

  • Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

[edit] Accentors

Order: Passeriformes Family: Prunellidae

The accentors are in the only bird family which is completely endemic to the Palearctic. There are 13 species worldwide, of which 2 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Thrushes and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. There are 335 species worldwide, of which 26 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Cisticolas and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae

The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer regions of the Old World. There are 111 species worldwide, of which 2 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Old World Warblers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. There are 291 species worldwide, of which 35 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae

The kinglets or crests are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status. There are 7 species worldwide, of which 2 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Old World Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. There 274 species worldwide, of which 5 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Parrotbills

Order: Passeriformes Family: Paradoxornithidae

The parrotbills are a group of birds mainly native to east and southeast Asia. They are generally small, long-tailed birds which inhabit reedbeds and similar habitats. There are 20 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Babblers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Timaliidae

The babblers or timaliids are somewhat diverse in size and coloration, but are characterised by soft fluffy plumage. There are 270 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Long-tailed Tits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithalidae

Long-tailed Tits are a group of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. There are 9 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Tits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. There are 59 species worldwide, of which 4 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. There are 24 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Wallcreeper

Order: Passeriformes Family: Tichodromidae

The Wallcreeper is a small bird with crimson, grey and black plumage, related to the nuthatches.

[edit] Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. There are 6 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Penduline Tits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae

The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds, related to the true tits. There are 13 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Old World Orioles

Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae

The Old World Orioles are colourful passerine birds, not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Bushshrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Malaconotidae

Bushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush. There are 46 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions on thorns. There are 31 species worldwide, of which 5 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Crows, Ravens, Jays and Magpies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae

The Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, and magpies. There are 120 species worldwide, of which 9 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Starlings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. There are 125 species worldwide, of which 2 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. There are 35 species worldwide, of which 5 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Waxbills

Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. There are 141 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Vireos

Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. There are 52 species worldwide, of which 1 species occurs in Morocco.

[edit] Finches

Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds. There are 137 species worldwide, of which 15 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Buntings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae

The buntings are a large family of passerine birds. There are species 275 worldwide, of which 9 species occur in Morocco.

[edit] Flora

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

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