Fez, the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco, has long been a haven for poets, scholars, and travelers enchanted by its timeless beauty. Yet, beyond its architectural wonders and bustling souks, Fez is also a sanctuary for a vibrant avian population. This was the subject of a captivating conference delivered by Max Ricard on January 16, 1955, before the "Amis de Fès" (Friends of Fez). Held on a scenic belvedere overlooking the ancient Medina, this gathering painted a poetic portrait of the city's birds and their deep connection to Fez’s heritage.

Fez: A Paradise for Birds

The city of Fez is an oasis of life, sustained by its ancient fountains, lush gardens, and olive groves. This natural abundance provides shelter and sustenance to both migratory and resident birds, making the city a year-round haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers.

Among the emblematic species of Fez, the storks hold a special place. These majestic birds have long been intertwined with local folklore. According to an old Moroccan legend, the storks were once cursed scholars, transformed into birds for their transgressions. Yet, under the protection of Fez’s saints, injured storks have been traditionally cared for in the sanctuary of Sidi Frej, a testament to the city's compassion for its winged inhabitants.

Seasonal Arrivals: A Calendar of Feathery Visitors

The migration cycles of birds in Fez reflect nature’s own rhythms and patterns, a spectacle that has fascinated observers for centuries. Each season brings its own avian guests:

• Winter: As Sagittarius fades and the year draws to a close, storks return from their wintering grounds in Chad and Niger, reclaiming their nests atop Fez’s rooftops.
• Spring: The gardens and orchards come alive with the melodious songs of nightingales, serenading the awakening blooms.
• Summer: As the heat intensifies, the city's skies are adorned by graceful swifts and swallows, darting through the air in search of insects.
• Autumn: Before their long journey south, herons, ibises, and curlews make their final stops along the banks of the Oued Fez.

A Living Orchestra in the Medina

From dawn until dusk, the birds of Fez contribute to the city's sonic landscape, blending harmoniously with the calls to prayer and the murmur of fountains. The golden orioles, dressed in sunlit yellow, add flashes of brilliance to the olive groves. Meanwhile, mischievous starlings engage in noisy feasts, stripping trees of their ripening fruit with unabashed enthusiasm.

In the evening, the nocturnal sentinels take flight. The barn owl, with its ghostly presence, glides through the ancient alleys, keeping the rodent population in check. In contrast, the little owl, a symbol of wisdom since antiquity, observes the night with its piercing gaze.

A City That Sings with Its Birds

Beyond their ecological role, the birds of Fez embody its spirit—a blend of resilience, tradition, and poetic beauty. The Medina, with its historic minarets and bustling courtyards, remains a sanctuary where nature and culture exist in perfect symphony.

Max Ricard’s poetic tribute to these feathered residents reminds us that Fez is not just a city of stone and history but also a living, breathing ecosystem, where birds weave their own timeless tale in the sky.