Birds are some of the most beautiful and fascinating creatures on the planet. They are found worldwide, and in Asir, Saudi Arabia, they are no exception. From the majestic falcons of the region to the colorful hoopoes, Asir is home to a wide variety of birds.
From the legendary Arabian Oryx to the tiny hummingbirds, birds of all shapes and sizes can be found in this region. With its diverse habitats, from mountains to deserts, Asir is a great place to observe birds in their natural environment.
10 Birds to Watch in Asir
Asir is a region in southwestern Saudi Arabia that boasts diverse wildlife, especially birds. Whether you are a birdwatcher, a nature lover, or just curious, you will find plenty of unique birds to watch in Asir.
Here are 10 of them that you should not miss.
1. Common Kingfisher
The common kingfisher, the Eurasian and river kingfisher, is a small bird in many parts of Eurasia and North Africa.
It is recognizable by its colorful plumage, which often features a bright blue head and wings, a rusty brown back, and a white belly.
Seven known subspecies of this bird differ in size and the color of their plumage. The common kingfisher is a resident in much of its range, meaning it stays in the same area year-round.
However, it does migrate from areas where rivers freeze in winter, as this would make it difficult to find food.
The migratory habits of the kingfisher are an essential adaptation that helps it survive in its environment. The common kingfisher is a beneficial species as it feeds on small fish and aquatic invertebrates, helping to keep the populations of these creatures in check.
It also feeds on small land animals such as rodents, insects, and spiders. Its diet helps to maintain the health of the ecosystems it inhabits, making it an essential species in the environment.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Genus | Alcedo |
| Species | A. atthis |
2. Philby’s Partridge
Philby’s partridge, also known as Philby’s rock partridge, is a bird species in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is closely related to the chukar, red-legged, and barbary partridges.
This species is native to the arid regions of southwestern Saudi Arabia and northern Yemen. Philby’s partridge is a small, shy bird that usually lives in rocky terrain and open scrub. It is mainly grey-brown, with a white throat and pale buff belly.
However, the black cheeks and throat set this bird apart from its relatives. This distinctive feature makes it easy to identify in the wild. The Philby’s partridge is considered a vulnerable species due to its limited range and sensitivity to habitat changes.
It is also threatened by hunting and trapping for food and sport. Conservation efforts are underway to protect the species and its habitat.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Alectoris |
| Species | A. philbyi |
3. Arabian Partridge
The Arabian partridge is a bird species belonging to the family Phasianidae. It is native to the southern Arabian peninsula, and its range covers a large area in the Middle East and North Africa. The species is divided into two subspecies: A. m. melanocephala and A. m.
Richard. These two subspecies are distinct in terms of their coloration and habitat preferences. The Arabian partridge can also hybridize with other species, such as Philby’s and the rock partridge.
Hybridization is a natural process where two species interbreed and produce offspring with the characteristics of both species. This can happen when two species share similar habitats or come into contact with each other in a captive environment.
Hybridization is a common phenomenon among birds and can benefit both species involved.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Alectoris |
| Species | A. melanocephala |
4. Yemen Thrush
The Yemen thrush is a species of bird belonging to the Turdidae family. It is an endemic species, which means it is only found in the Sarawat Mountains of the western Arabian peninsula.
The area is very mountainous, with the highest peak being Mount Sarawat, which is over 3,000 meters tall. The Yemen thrush is a brownish-gray bird with a white throat and breast. It has a long, curved bill and a white eye ring.
The Yemen thrush is a reasonably common bird and can often be seen perched on rocks and boulders, foraging for food. Its diet consists mainly of small insects and other invertebrates. It also eats some fruit and berries.
Breeding season usually occurs between April and August, with the female laying two to three eggs in a nest made from twigs and moss. The young are cared for by both parents until they are ready to fledge.
The Yemen thrush is an integral part of the local ecology and is sometimes considered a flagship species for conservation efforts.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Turdus |
| Species | T. menachensis |
5. Asir Magpie
The Asir magpie, also known as the Arabian magpie, is a species of magpie only found in the southwestern highlands of Saudi Arabia. It is a highly endangered species, which means it faces extinction in the wild and needs protection.
This species is endemic to Saudi Arabia, meaning it is only found in this region and has not been found elsewhere. The Asir magpie is only found in African juniper forests in wadis and valleys.
These wadis and valleys are well vegetated, providing the magpie with a suitable habitat.
This habitat is essential for the Asir magpie’s survival, as it needs the shelter of the forests for protection and the food sources that the vegetation provides. The Asir magpie is critically endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and hunting.
It is estimated that only a few thousand individuals are left in the wild, and conservation efforts are being made to protect this species from extinction. These efforts include habitat conservation, research, and monitoring of the species.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Pica |
| Species | P. asirensis |
6. Yemen Warbler
The Yemen warbler, also known as the Yemen parison, is an Old World warbler belonging to the Sylviidae family. It is found in a minimal area on the southeastern slope of the Sarawat Mountains, which span Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
The Yemen warbler’s natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. This species is very limited in range and is considered to be endangered due to habitat loss and degradation.
Less than 2,000 individuals are estimated to remain in the wild, making it a species of conservation concern. Low, dry, deciduous forests, scrubland, and rocky hillsides characterize the habitat of the Yemen warbler.
These habitats provide the species with food, shelter, and reproductive sites. The Yemen warbler feeds on insects and eats berries and other plant matter. It is a small bird, measuring only about 12 cm long and weighing 10-12 g.
The Yemen warbler is a migratory species, and during the winter months, it travels to the western coast of Saudi Arabia, where it can find food sources and shelter.
The species is also found in parts of Oman and the United Arab Emirates, but most of the population is concentrated in the Sarawat Mountains.
Due to its limited range and dependence on a specific habitat type, the Yemen warbler is vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation. This species is also threatened by hunting and the illegal pet trade.
Conservation efforts are needed to prevent this species’s further decline and ensure its long-term survival.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sylviidae |
| Genus | Curruca |
| Species | C. buryi |
7. Arabian Scops Owl
The Arabian scops owl is a small owl species only found in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Yemen. It is estimated that around 60,000 of these owls live in the wild.
This species is considered endangered due to habitat destruction and human activity in the regions it is found in. The Arabian scops owl is a small, nocturnal bird with a length of around 18 cm. It has a greyish-brown plumage with white spots and streaks.
Its large, yellow eyes have a distinctive facial disc, which helps the owl to focus on its prey during the night. The diet of the Arabian scops owl mainly consists of insects, rodents, and small birds. It hunts by perching on a tree and scanning the ground for potential prey.
Despite its endangered status, conservation efforts are being taken to protect and conserve the species, such as habitat restoration projects and captive breeding. With the proper support, it is possible that the population of Arabian scops owls could increase in the future.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae |
| Genus | Otus |
| Species | O. pamelae |
8. Brown-necked Raven
The brown-necked raven is a type of bird that is more significant than the carrion crow but is not as big as the common raven. Compared to the common raven, it has similar proportions. However, its bill is much smaller and not as deep.
Additionally, its wings are more pointed than those of the common raven. The brown-necked raven is easily distinguishable due to these characteristics, making it stand out from the other two species.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Corvus |
| Species | C. ruficollis |
9. Brown Woodland Warbler
The brown woodland warbler is a species of bird that is found in the Old World, which is comprised of Europe, Asia, and Africa. This tiny bird belongs to the family Phylloscopidae, consisting of numerous small, insect-eating species.
The brown woodland warbler is a drab-colored bird with a brown-olive back, yellowish-green underparts, and a faint white eye ring. It feeds mainly on small insects, such as caterpillars and flies, which it catches by rapidly flitting among the foliage of trees and shrubs.
It builds its nest in a sheltered area in trees or other vegetation, and both parents share in caring for the young. Brown woodland warblers are typically found in deciduous and mixed forests, where they can see the insects they need for food.
They are migratory birds, traveling south for the winter and returning to their breeding grounds in the spring.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Phylloscopidae |
| Genus | Phylloscopus |
| Species | P. umbrovirens |
10. Rüppell’s Weaver
Rüppell’s weaver is a species of bird belonging to the family Ploceidae, native to the northern Afrotropics. It is named in honor of the German zoologist and explorer Eduard Rüppell.
Rüppell was an avid explorer and collector of exotic species and is credited with discovering many species of African birds. He was also a renowned zoologist who wrote several books and papers on his studies of African wildlife.
His discoveries included the now well-known Rüppell’s weaver, which he first discovered in 1845. This species is small, with mostly yellow and brown plumage, and is found mainly in the savannas and grasslands of the northern Afrotropics.
The Rüppell’s weaver is a social species, living in large colonies and breeding in the traditional weaver style. This species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, meaning it is not currently threatened with extinction.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Ploceidae |
| Genus | Ploceus |
| Species | P. galbula |
Conclusion
Birds are an essential part of the environment in Asir, as they provide a source of food, pollination, and other ecological services.
They are also an essential part of the cultural and spiritual life of the region, with many species featured in local myths and legends.
The conservation of birds in Asir is essential for the health of the ecosystem and the local people, and it is vital to ensure that their habitats and populations are protected.