Marbled Duck started to breed in Italy in recent years. The first breeding proof was in Sicily close to Mazara del Vallo. Since then it expanded its range along the Sicilian coast and in 2006 bred at Longarini marsh, Siracusa

In winter the species left Italy to get its winter quarters in N Africa.
Population estimated 1-2 pairs.

Italy hosts the biggest population of this race of Lanner. Italy hits the Northern limit of world distribution of this African taxon. Northernmost limit set in Emilia Romagna, where numbers usually may fluctuate; main population across the Apennines (from Tuscany to Calabria) and in Sicily. This island hosts the largest population with at more than 100 breeding pairs. Juveniles can be seen in winter around the Thyrrhenian coast.


Population around 300 pairs.

Ouside Israel, Italy is the only western country where this large gull can occur in winter regularly. Eastern Sicily is the only site where this happens. Out-of-range vagrants can occur virtually anywhere, from sea-rocks to inland large rivers.

It is a scarce but regular winter visitor at Lentini lake, Eastern Sicily.

Population estimated at 1-10 individuals.

This intensively-sought species by visitor birders is a common breeder along the Alps and Appennines. However it has a patchy distribution and it is difficult to spot. Some sites are located in remote alpine cliffs and therefore impossible to explore, and the species is more easily to be encountered during winter time when moves down from the mountain area. The guide reports 21 different sites where this specie can be seen. Some are also reported in the twitching section of this site.


Population around 4,000- 6,000 pairs.

Last individual of this vulture was extirpated from the Italian side of the Alps in 1913. The first breeding occurred after reintroduction in 1998 in Stelvio National Park; now 3 pairs are known on the Eastern side of the Italian Alps and at least 2 territorial pairs are present on the Western side. Vagrants, maybe from the Corsican population, are recorded sometimes in Sardinia.


Population estimated difficult to assess. At least 30 birds present on the Southern slope of the Alps.

Recently treated as a full species and included in the new updated Italian Check list. Italy is the only European country where all three Subalpine Warblers occur: Nominate subspecies S.(c.)cantillans and S.(c.)inornata, nesting in Southern Italy; Moltoni's Warbler S. moltonii, nesting in most of Northern Italy and Sardinia; S.(c.)albistriata, with few pairs breeding in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Vocalizations are the best way to identify Moltoni's Warbler in the field.


Population estimated: Up to 50,000 breeding pairs of cantillans/moltonii; a few dozen albistriata.

Found to be a rare but annual winter visitor along the Tuscan coast (Principina a Mare) and in heathland biotopes in Friuli Venezia Giulia (Magredi del Meduna). Scattered records could indicate small numbers overwintering occasionally elsewhere.

Population estimated 10-50 wintering birds.

Treated alternatevely by different authors, as a subspecis of House Sparrow P.domesticus or Spanish Sparrow P. hispaniolensis or sometimes believed to be a hybrid between the two, this intriguing taxon is widespread from the Southern slope of the Alps down to Calabria. In Sicily, House Sparrows show intermediate features and is reported as P. domesticus maltae . Further analyses can clarify the taxonomic status of this taxon, which interestingly, occurs in Europe, only in Italy.
Population estimated > 1.000.000 pairs.

Check out also the Twitcher's Guide section for naturalized allo-species such as Sacred Ibis, Bobwhite and Ashy-throated Parrotbills.