Identification Guide

Identify illegal bird callers

The use of electronic bird callers is illegal at all times in Malta under EU Birds Directive Article 8 and national law. This guide helps you recognise and report them.

How to identify an electronic caller

Repetitive loop
The same sound repeats exactly, second after second, without natural variation
Unusually loud
Much louder than a natural bird call, especially at night
Lasts for hours
Wild birds do not call continuously for hours; electronic devices do
Night-time calling
Many species do not call at night — night callers are almost certainly electronic
Digital quality
A slight 'tinny' or compressed quality distinguishes recordings from real calls
Near vehicles
Callers are often run from car batteries or phones inside vehicles or hides
Golden Plover — historic illustration by Naumann (1905)

Golden Plover

Pluviera

Illustration: Naumann, 1905 (public domain)

Legally trappable (quota: 700)Electronic caller always illegal

The Golden Plover is the most commonly targeted species with illegal electronic callers in Malta. Its call is a mournful, far-carrying whistle.

Natural call (for comparison)

Recording XC1005160 by Lars Edenius, via xeno-canto.org (Creative Commons)

Electronic caller characteristics

A mellow, liquid 'tloo-ee' whistle that carries long distances. Electronic callers repeat this on a loop for hours, particularly at night, from concealed speakers near trapping sites.

Signs of illegal use

  • Repetitive — same exact call looping every few seconds
  • Ongoing for hours without stopping, especially at night
  • Emanating from behind walls, under bushes or from vehicles
  • Sometimes mixed with other wader calls
  • Noticeably 'tinny' or digital-sounding

Most active Oct–Jan during the trapping season.

Report this caller
Song Thrush — historic illustration by Naumann (1905)

Song Thrush

Malvizz

Illustration: Naumann, 1905 (public domain)

Legally trappable (quota: 5,000)Electronic caller always illegal

The Song Thrush is legally trappable using clap nets, but the use of electronic callers to attract them is illegal. It has a distinctive musical song with repeated phrases.

Natural call (for comparison)

Recording XC1149293 by Lars Edenius, via xeno-canto.org (Creative Commons)

Electronic caller characteristics

A rich, musical song with repeated phrases — the bird repeats each phrase 2–4 times before moving on. When electronic, the same phrases repeat robotically without variation.

Signs of illegal use

  • Identical phrase repeated more than 4 times
  • No natural variation between repetitions
  • Continues unchanged through weather changes
  • Often from small battery-powered speakers at trapping sites

Most active Oct–Dec during trapping season.

Report this caller
Turtle Dove — historic illustration by Naumann (1905)

Turtle Dove

Gamiema

Illustration: Naumann, 1905 (public domain)

IUCN Vulnerable to ExtinctionElectronic caller always illegal

The European Turtle Dove is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Its purring call is frequently used for illegal luring. Spring hunting of this species remains contested under EU law.

Natural call (for comparison)

Recording XC1153228 by Arjun Dutta, via xeno-canto.org (Creative Commons)

Electronic caller characteristics

A gentle, purring 'turr-turr' — soft and rhythmic. Electronic versions are louder, perfectly consistent and play on a mechanical loop without natural variation.

Signs of illegal use

  • Perfectly metronomic purring with zero rhythm variation
  • Hidden speakers in vegetation or in vehicles
  • Active outside breeding season
  • Often combined with nets targeting other species

Peak activity during spring migration (Apr–May).

Report this caller
Common Quail — historic illustration by Naumann (1905)

Common Quail

Summien

Illustration: Naumann, 1905 (public domain)

Hunted under spring derogationElectronic caller always illegal

Common Quail electronic callers are widely used illegally during spring migration. The call is distinctive and easily recognised — a rapid three-note pattern.

Natural call (for comparison)

Recording XC1142853 by Uku Paal, via xeno-canto.org (Creative Commons)

Electronic caller characteristics

A three-note call described as 'wet-my-lips'. When electronic, this repeats rapidly and mechanically for extended periods, far louder than a natural quail.

Signs of illegal use

  • Rapid, unbroken repetition of the tri-syllabic call
  • Constant volume regardless of wind or weather
  • Near cornfields, garrigue or low scrubland
  • Used with crop nets over tall vegetation

Active mainly during spring (April–May) migration.

Report this caller
Finches (various species) — historic illustration by Naumann (1905)

Finches (various species)

Ekru, Gardell, Verdun, Ġojjin, Sponsun…

Illustration: Naumann, 1905 (public domain)

All trapping illegal since 2018 (ECJ)Trapping and callers both illegal

Finch trapping was banned by the European Court of Justice in June 2018. Seven species are covered: Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Hawfinch, Chaffinch and Serin.

Natural call (for comparison)

Recording XC703977 by Lars Edenius, via xeno-canto.org (Creative Commons)

Electronic caller characteristics

Calls vary by species — high thin chips (Siskin, Linnet), rich liquid notes (Goldfinch), buzzy calls (Greenfinch). Electronic versions loop continuously near caged live finches.

Signs of illegal use

  • Small caged birds (sparrow-sized) at trapping sites
  • Birds tethered to sticks and swung up and down
  • Electronic chips/whistles looping near clap-net sites
  • Tiny cage traps hidden in vegetation

All finch trapping and callers illegal year-round.

Report this caller

Heard a caller? Here’s what to do

1

Record audio

Use your phone to record the sound — audio is crucial evidence

2

Note the location

Get GPS coordinates from your phone or note nearby landmarks

3

Report immediately

Call 119 (Police/EPU) or 2134 7645 (BirdLife Malta)

Submit an online report