The first record of Black-throated (Seebohm’s) Wheatear Oenanthe seebohmi (Dixon, 1882) in Malta

Abstract

Local photographer and birdwatcher Aron Tanti took photos of a male Black-throated Wheatear Oenanthe seebohmi, which he found in Xrobb L-Għaġin Park, along the southeastern coast of Malta, on 30 March 2016. Aron sent his photos to me, and I visited the park with my father, Norman Bonavia, who is also a birdwatcher, on the same day. The bird was located actively feeding in the patch exactly next to the main building of Xrobb L-Għaġin park, together with a number of Northern Wheatears Oenanthe oenanthe and a couple of Black-eared Wheatears Oenanthe hispanica. The Black-throated Wheatear was very tame and easily approachable.