Go South

Morocco is among the top birding trip locations in the West Palearctic due to its many specialties, which include all but one of North Africa’s unique bird species and the region’s richest biological specimens. Morocco offers a large variety of bird species in addition to its lovely beaches and vast desert expanses. Birdwatching is significant because it fosters a close relationship between humans and their natural surroundings.

Best season for bird watching in Morocco

The greatest times to go outside with binoculars in Morocco are around mid-March and mid-October when birds are passing through on their migratory routes. Birders may typically find something more of interest all year long in Morocco. However, the months of March through May are seen to be the best for bird watching since a variety of species, both migrating and resident, are there, and the climate is typically pleasant and sunny. A variety of birds, including water birds, larks, hawks, flycatchers, and wheatears, as well as a few uncommon species like the Alpha flycatcher can be seen in good numbers in Morocco.

Places to visit for birdwatching

Morocco has various places to visit for birdwatching.

Merja Zerga

One of Morocco’s largest lagoons, Merja Zerga, has more than a thousand beautiful flamingos, 30,000 water birds, 35,000 Eurasian coots, and half a lakh waders can be seen here in the winter. Moulay Bousselham, a small fishing community, has views of both the lagoon and the mostly barren Atlantic coastline.

High Atlas at Oukaimeden

Overlooking the ancient city of Marrakech is the majestic High Atlas at Oukaimeden. The unique African Crimson-winged Finch can be found here, along with Barbary Partridge, Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker, the spectacular Moussier’s Redstart, the very peculiar Seebohm’s Wheatear, and the perceptive North African Blue Tit, all against a background of giant, snow-capped peaks and lush alpine meadows.

Edge of Sahara

When millions of birds migrate north to their breeding grounds in Europe, you will have the chance to witness a wide variety of ecosystems. North African endemics like the recently recognized, African Desert Flycatcher, Saharan Scrub Warbler, rare and localized Desert Falcon, and House Bunting, along with the stunning Pharaoh Eagle-Owl, the mystical Egyptian Nightjar, the lovely Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, and, hopefully, the endangered Houbara Bustard, are among the desert significant species found in this region.

Sous valley

Sous valley is the Sous River’s alluvial bank, which the Anti-Atlas Mountains divide from the Sahara desert. You may have a lovely walk and see lots of birds at the Massa reserve. The observation along the valley to the coast at dawn and dusk is quite fascinating. Sous valley is located on Agadir’s Atlantic shore in the west. While at Agadir, birds like Red-necked Nightjars, and also flock with migrating gulls, waders, and terns. Also, this place has the habitat of the rare Eleonora’s Falcon and magnificent Northern Bald Ibis.

Morocco is a suitable destination if you are going for a bird-watching expedition. With a diversity of habitats and more than 480 species, it is right to consider Morocco as North America’s best Bird watching location.

If you plan to go on a trip to Morocco, the time from March to May is ideal for bird watching due to the mild and sunny weather. During this period, you will see a wide variety of residents and immigrant birds. In addition, Morocco is a stop to many of the immigrant birds who are on the way and returning from Western Europe. You will also be able to find more than 100 species of birds in winter.

Starting from a wide range of birds like larks, raptors, and water birds, you will be able to find millions of Birds here in Morocco that are very difficult to find anywhere else in the world. So, if you are a birder and your next stop is Morocco, you may consider visiting these places to find a multitude of unique birds.

See Morocco’s Great Migration

If you want to see the great migration, visiting Morocco in the spring or autumn is best. Every year, during this particular time, the skies of Morocco will be filled with birds because Morocco is an important migration corridor for a variety of birds like bee-eaters, storks, cuckoos, and nightingales. These birds bread in Europe and Russia and will cross the strait to Gibraltar to Africa once the summer is over.

Some of these birds will travel vast lands and will make a stop in Morocco. To see these immigrant birds, look into the scattered mashed lagoons near Larache. Or visit Moulay and Kenitra, located in the southwest of Tangier.

See the variety of birds in the lagoons of Morocco.

Merja Zerga National Park is a protected wetland that is one of the nation’s largest lagoons. They are situated between tangier and Rabat and have an extensive habitat, making them the home for many birds. During winter months, you will be able to see a large number of flamingos, ducks, Eurasian coots, and waders.

Near this lagoon is one small and attractive lagoon, Lac de Sidi Boughaba, where you will be able to see millions of flocks in the winter. During various times of the year, raptors like marsh harriers and black-shouldered kites will also be seen. You might also see the rare slender-billed curlew and marsh owl if you are lucky.

Go to the lower valleys to see a nightingale

The lower valleys of Oued Todra and Oued Dades are home to many birds like bulbul, goldfinch, hoopoe, scops, owls, and more. You might also see nightingales and various warblers here in these lower valleys. In the valleys of Dades, you will be able to see woodpeckers. Both these valleys are also very good spots to sight migrant birds like European bee-eater and Bonelli’s eagles.

If you are a birder and your next stop is Morocco, make sure to visit these places to sight unique and rare birds that you cannot find anywhere else in the world.

Birdwatching, also referred to as birding, is the recreational practice of observing birds. It is a hobby as compared to ornithology, which uses a more scientific method to study birds and their environments. The best way to pass the time outside while learning about nature’s avian wonders is to go bird watching, which is both affordable and enjoyable. Morocco offers better opportunities for bird watching and bird photography due to the abundance of tame birds and the majority of habitats being open.

Equipment required

Some essentials for birding are a set of binoculars, a horn, a laser pointer, a smartphone, a strong flashlight, and a good camera. Predominantly, Binoculars are used when observing birds. Birding will help us to know about the habitat, movement, behavior, color and patterns, plumage, profile, beak forms, and cries of birds.

Morocco’s birdwatching

A bird watcher’s paradise, Morocco. In October and March-April, the coastal ecosystems of Oualidia and the Souss-Massa National Park are excellent places to see migrating species, and raptors like golden eagles and Egyptian vultures are common in mountainous regions. You will start to notice nature more closely if you start birdwatching. Each species of bird interacts with various other animals, plants, and inanimate objects such as weather patterns and geological formations. Birds do not live in isolation. By observing birds, you may start to comprehend how all of these aspects of nature are interconnected. Once you become enthusiastic while seeing birds in the open, you’ll probably discover that you have more of a want to go outside and discover new areas.

Birdwatching for peace of mind

For those who enjoy traveling to places that feel definitively ‘different’, a trip to birdwatching in Morocco will be a wonderful voyage through a country where many sections appear to have tremendous species of birds like Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker, Moussier’s Redstart, and Seebohm’s Wheatear, etc., Morocco is one of those countries that one longs to go back to because of the excellent birding at spectacular desert and mountain landscapes, wonderful desert oases, and stunningly beautiful mud-walled cities.

Boosts mental and physical health

Morocco’s main attraction of birdwatching is that it is an inexpensive and mind-relaxing activity. Your physical, mental, and emotional well-being will benefit greatly from investing time and effort in finding and watching birds. Sure, if you’re racing about chasing birds, you’ll be in terrific shape, but you don’t have to be that passionate to enjoy the health advantages of birdwatching. Birdwatching might be good for your emotional health as well. Even if you go birding alone, you might find satisfaction in the steady accumulation of knowledge, and species on your life list. Birding can be a very enjoyable group activity. According to research, activities that add up, like birding, can make us feel quite satisfied and happy.