Oman is a country in the Middle East known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife. There are an estimated 476 species of birds that call Oman home, making it an ideal destination for bird-watching.
From the Arabian Oryx to the Arabian Scops Owl, Oman is home to a wide variety of bird species that inhabit its desert, coastal and mountain regions. This wide range of bird species makes Oman an ideal spot for birders of all experience levels to explore and discover.
1. Crab-Plover
The crab-plover is an exceptional bird which belongs to its own family, Dromadidae. It appears to be closely related to the waders and other Charadriiformes such as auks, gulls and thick-knees.
This species of bird has a unique look; it is white with black markings on its head and wings. Its long bill helps them dig for food in sand or mudflats.
They can also fly up into the air when disturbed by predators or people too close for comfort.
The crab plover spends most of its life near beaches where they feed on crabs, fish eggs and small insects found there.
These birds are highly social during breeding season but solitary at other times throughout their annual cycle making them difficult creatures to spot out in the wild but well worth trying.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Lari |
| Family | Dromadidae GR Gray, 1840 |
| Genus | Dromas Paykull, 1805 |
| Species | D. ardeola |
2. Bee-Eater
Bee-eaters are one of the most beautiful and vibrant birds in existence. They have a slender body, long wings, down turned bills and their signature elongated central tail feathers which make them instantly recognizable from afar.
Their plumage is incredibly colorful with many shades ranging from blues to greens to reds that glisten when they fly through the air.
These stunning creatures can be found all over Africa, Asia, Southern Europe, Australia and New Guinea where they feed mainly on bees but also other insects like flies or wasps as well as small mammals such as lizards or rodents.
Bee-eaters live in colonies near rivers or wetlands so that they may easily hunt for food while staying close together for safety purposes.
Additionally it allows them to better display their impressive courtship dances during mating season.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Meropidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
3. Sandgrouse
Sandgrouse is birds of the order Pterocliformes, found mainly in Africa and Asia. There are sixteen species belonging to two genera – Syrrhaptes from central Asia and Pterocles from Africa and other Asian countries.
They inhabit treeless areas such as deserts, steppes, scrubland, or savannas and tend to be ground-dwelling birds that feed on seeds.
Sandgrouse has adapted special features for survival in their harsh environment.
They possess well-developed feet with four toes used for walking over hot sand while keeping their body temperature cool at all times by regulating heat loss through their legs.
Their feathers also act like a sponge helping them absorb water before flying long distances back home where they then expel it using specialized glandular secretions located near the wings so that chicks can drink directly from an adult’s breast plumage.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Columbimorphae |
| Order | Pterocliformes Huxley, 1868 |
| Family | Pteroclidae Bonaparte, 1831 |
4. Shrike
Shrikes are small passerine birds of the family Laniidae, with 34 species in four genera. They get their name from Old English word “scrīc”, which refers to their shriek-like call.
These birds have earned the nickname ‘butcherbirds’ due to their feeding habits; they impale prey on thorns or barbed wire fences for later consumption.
Shrikes also tend to be aggressive predators and hunt a wide range of animals such as insects, small reptiles, rodents and even other smaller bird species.
In terms of physical appearance, these songbirds can vary greatly depending on the specific genus but usually boast a large hooked bill atop an impressive crest along with bright colors like gray, black or brownish hues across its feathers.
It’s clear shrike is quite remarkable creature that has gained notoriety for both hunting prowess and distinctive vocalizations.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Corvoidea |
| Family | Laniidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
5. Flamingos
Flamingos are some of the most recognizable and beautiful birds in the world. They have long, slender legs with large webbed feet which help them to wade through shallow waters.
These graceful creatures can be found in warm areas around wetlands, lagoons and mudflats where they feed on small crustaceans like shrimp or crabs as well as plankton, mollusks, insects and algae.
Their bodies range from pinkish-white to bright red depending upon their diet – they get their color from pigments known as carotenoids that come from what they eat. Flamingos also possess stunningly curved necks and a distinctive beak shape resembling an upside down ‘J’.
These social birds often travel together in flocks of up to thousands at once.
6. Procellariidae
Procellariidae is a diverse family of seabirds belonging to the bird order Procellariiformes.
These birds are commonly referred to as tubenoses and include fulmarine petrels, gadfly petrels, diving petrels, prions, and shearwaters.
They range in size from the small storm-petrel which measures around 18cm long to the giant albatross which can reach up to 3 meters in length.
Generally found near oceans or coasts where they feed on fish as well as squid and other marine life depending on species.
Many procellariids will also nest inland during breeding season before returning back out at sea for most of their lives.
Their wings have specially adapted feathers that give them incredible gliding abilities allowing them literally fly with minimal effort over vast distances across oceanic regionsScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae Leach, 1820 |
7. Indian Roller
The Indian roller is a beautiful bird of the Coraciidae family. It has an average length of 12-13 inches and weighs 5.9 to 6.2 ounces with a wingspan of 26-29 inches.
Its face and throat are pinkish, while its head and back are brown with blue on its rump, light blue markings on one side of the wing, dark blue markings on other side making it easily distinguishable in flight.
Both male and female have same colouration but males tend to be slightly larger than females though they can only be differentiated when seen together closely due to similar colouring pattern between sexes.
The Indian Roller makes spectacular aerial dives from great heights during courtship display which attracts many viewers each year.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Coraciidae |
| Genus | Coracias |
| Species | C. benghalensis |
8. Hoopoes
Hoopoes are a fascinating species of bird, found across Africa, Asia and Europe. They have beautiful plumage with unique ‘crowns’ of feathers on their heads.
Three living and one extinct species exist – although for some time they were all classed as the same species: Upupa epops. Some taxonomists still believe this to be true.
These birds are often associated with royalty due to the impressive crown-like crest atop their head, adding an extra element of mystery and exoticism to these creatures.
Hoopoes can also produce loud calls which sound like “hoo-poo” hence why they’ve been given such an apt name.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Bucerotiformes |
| Family | Upupidae Leach, 1820 |
| Genus | Upupa Linnaeus, 1758 |
9. Jacanas
Jacanas are tropical waders belonging to the Jacanidae family. They have distinctive elongated toes and toenails which help them forage on floating or semi-emergent aquatic vegetation.
This adaptation gives them their nickname “Jesus birds” as they seem to be able to walk on water.
The female jacanas are also unique amongst bird species in that they take charge of nest building, incubation and caring for young while males perform courtship displays.
These unusual birds can be found throughout the world’s tropical regions where they inhabit wetlands such as swamps, marshes and shallow lakes with lily pads.
With a wide variety range due their special adaptations these beautiful creatures will surely continue living life at ease around our planet’s warmest waters.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Thinocori |
| Family | Jacanidae Stejneger, 1885 |
10. Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large wading birds which includes 36 species. These birds are traditionally divided into two subfamilies – the ibises and the spoonbills.
However, recent genetic analysis has shown that spoonbills actually belong to Old World ibis group, while New World ibises form an early offshoot from this lineage.
Threskiornithidse members have long curved beaks with serrated edges used for catching fish in shallow water or mudflats, as well as other aquatic invertebrates like crustaceans and mollusks.
They also feed on plant matter such as grains and seeds found close to wetlands areas where they live.
This diverse diet makes them important scavengers in their ecosystems, helping maintain healthy populations of native wildlife by controlling insect numbers and dispersing energy-rich seeds throughout wetland habitats.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Suborder | Ardei |
| Family | Threskiornithidae Richmond, 1917 |
11. Graceful Prinia
The Graceful Prinia is a small warbler, found in northeastern Africa and southern Asia. It has adapted to living in shrub or tall grass habitats where it can search for insects and other food sources.
This active bird is most commonly known for its unique song which resembles the chirping of crickets.
Its coloring includes brownish-gray upperparts with white underparts, dark streaks on its chest, and a black crown at the top of its head.
The graceful prinia also makes use of an interesting strategy when threatened; they will freeze instead of flying away like many other birds do when scared.
They are quite resilient creatures who have managed to survive even through tough times such as drought conditions or habitat loss due to human activity.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Cisticolidae |
| Genus | Prinia |
| Species | P. gracilis |
12. Black-Necked Grebe
The Black-necked Grebe is a beautiful water bird belonging to the grebe family. It has an ochre coloured plumage with distinctive features which include extending behind its eyes and over its ear coverts.
The upper parts of this species are black, while their underparts and neck are white in colour.
During breeding season, males develop a dark grey crown on top of their head along with bright yellow facial stripes that run from the beak down to it’s chest area.
These birds feed mainly by diving underwater for insects, crustaceans, larvae, molluscs as well as small fish that they find in shallow waters or wetlands near freshwater lakes or streams.
They can often be spotted swimming alone but during winter months gather together creating large flocks due to mating activity taking place at these times.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Podicipediformes |
| Family | Podicipedidae |
| Genus | Podiceps |
| Species | P. nigricollis |
13. Parasitic Jaeger
The Parasitic Jaeger is a migratory bird that breeds in cold climates of Northern Scandinavia, Scotland, Iceland, Greenland and parts of Canada, Alaska and Siberia.
During the breeding season it feeds primarily on kleptoparasitism – stealing food from other birds.
In winter they migrate to warmer regions across the southern hemisphere where they feed mainly by scavenging off fish or carrion left behind by fishing boats or whales.
This species is easily identified by its brownish-gray plumage with white patches on its wings and tail feathers as well as yellow eyes which are quite distinctive among skuas.
The parasitic jaeger has adapted to many different habitats ranging from coastal areas to inland lakes making them an interesting species to watch out for while exploring nature.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Stercorariidae |
| Genus | Stercorarius |
| Species | S. parasiticus |
14. Crowned Sandgrouse
The crowned sandgrouse is a small bird with little features that can easily be distinguished from other sandgrouses. It has an overall uniform colouration, except for its darker flight feathers which are the best way to identify it.
This species of bird resides in North Africa and the Middle East, living on sandy soils where they feed mainly on seeds and insects.
During mating season males will puff up their chest feathers to form a crown-like feature as part of courtship displays – hence the name ‘crowned’.
The female will lay her eggs directly onto bare ground or sometimes into shallow scrapes so that there’s no nest structure built by either parent birds.
Crowned sandgrouses have adapted well to arid environments due to their ability to store water within specialized feathers found near their belly area — allowing them access during times when surface water sources are scarce.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pterocliformes |
| Family | Pteroclidae |
| Genus | Pterocles |
| Species | P. coronatus |
15. Bruce’s Green Pigeon
Bruce’s green pigeon is a species of bird in the Columbidae family, and can be found across Africa and some parts of the Middle East.
It has light grey plumage on its head, neck and chest area with darker wings that have white tips.
The most distinguishing feature of this bird is its bright yellow belly which stands out against its otherwise dull colouring.
Its diet mainly consists of fruits such as figs, dates or olives but it will also feed on buds or flowers when necessary.
Bruce’s green pigeons are usually seen alone or in pairs but may congregate in groups to forage together when food sources are plentiful.
They make their nests high up in trees where they lay two eggs at a time which both parents take turns incubating until hatching takes place after an 18 day period.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Treron |
| Species | T. waalia |
16. Rüppell’s Weaver
Rüppell’s weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family, native to northern Afrotropics. It was named after German zoologist and explorer Eduard Rüppell.
The range for this species includes Sudan, Somalia and extreme northern Kenya, as well as the south-western Arabian Peninsula.
In Degua Tembien mountains in north Ethiopia it can be seen at high altitudes up to 3200m above sea level.
This small bird has impressive yellowish-green plumage with dark streaks on its chest and back; males may have some orange coloration too.
Their song consists of chirps that get louder towards the end, making them easily recognizable among other members of their family.
As they are highly social birds they often flock together while nesting or feeding on insects such as grasshoppers or beetles near agricultural fields or pastures.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Ploceidae |
| Genus | Ploceus |
| Species | P. galbula |
17. White-Spectacled Bulbul
The White-spectacled Bulbul is a bird of the bulbul family. It can be found in fruit plantations, gardens and cities across Israel, Lebanon and Turkey – especially along coastal Mediterranean areas.
At 20-25cm long with a wingspan to match it has white spectacles around its eyes which gives this species their distinctive name.
The most common member within its family in Israel and Lebanon they are also very adaptable birds who have even been spotted living among urban environments such as towns or cities.
These social creatures love being part of noisy flocks where they eat fruit, insects or small lizards while singing their beautiful melodies all day long.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Pycnonotidae |
| Genus | Pycnonotus |
| Species | P. xanthopygos |
18. Blue-Cheeked Bee-Eater
The Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus) is a stunningly beautiful bird belonging to the Meropidae family. It has an unmistakeable blue coloring on its cheeks and neck, which stands out against its yellow body plumage.
This species of bee-eater can be found in Northern Africa, Middle East countries from Turkey eastwards till Kazakhstan, and India as well.
During winter they migrate south to tropical regions of Africa while some populations remain put for breeding purposes year round.
They are adept at catching insects midair with their long curved bills which makes them excellent predators in open grasslands or savannas where bees and other insects thrive abundantly.
So if you ever happen across these vibrant beauties make sure to take a moment pause and appreciate nature’s wonders.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Meropidae |
| Genus | Merops |
| Species | M. persicus |
19. Spotted Thick-Knee
The spotted thick-knee is a wader in the family Burhinidae, native to tropical regions of central and southern Africa.
It stands at 45.5 cm tall with long legs, brown and white speckled plumage that provides excellent camouflage amongst grasslands or other similar habitats.
This species feeds mainly on insects but can also be found eating small reptiles and amphibians as well as some fruit when available.
They are nocturnal creatures who spend their days hidden away from predators in dense vegetation waiting for nightfall before venturing out to hunt for food.
The breeding season takes place between October to February during which time pairs form monogamous relationships lasting up until the next nesting period begins again each year.
This bird has an incredible ability to remain undetected by its predators allowing it thrive despite its vulnerable nature making it an important part of many African ecosystems today.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Burhinidae |
| Genus | Burhinus |
| Species | B. capensis |
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20. Arabian Partridge
The Arabian partridge is a bird of the family Phasianidae, found in the southern Arabian peninsula. It has two recognised subspecies and can even hybridise with other species like Philby’s Partridge and Rock Partridges.
Larger than its relatives, this species has brown crowns on its head that contrast with their white cheeks. They also have barred black-and-white wings as well as greyish underparts which make them easy to spot in nature.
The males are known for making loud calls during mating season while females lay eggs mainly between March and May each year in dry open shrubland areas or deserts where they feed on seeds, fruits and insects according to seasonal availability.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Alectoris |
| Species | A. melanocephala |
21. Chestnut-Bellied Sandgrouse
The Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse is a species of bird found in northern and central Africa, as well as western and southern Asia.
It has six recognised subspecies which differ in plumage colouration; males typically have mostly light buffy brown feathers with darker bars on the wings, while females are greyer with paler head markings.
These birds prefer semi-arid regions such as deserts or grasslands where they eat seeds from plants like grasses, herbs and shrubs.
They can be nomadic depending on food availability but tend to be sedentary during mating season when they form small groups called leks for courtship displays involving intricate feather ruffling and strutting around potential mates.
The Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse is an important part of its native ecosystems due to their role in dispersing plant seeds over large areas through defecating them after ingestion.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pterocliformes |
| Family | Pteroclidae |
| Genus | Pterocles |
| Species | P. exustus |
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22. Tristram’s Starling
Tristram’s starling is a species of bird native to the Middle East. It has its territory in countries such as Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
This small black-winged bird typically nests on rocky cliff faces and was named after Reverend Henry Baker Tristram who collected natural history specimens in this region long ago.
The main feature that sets Tristram’s Starling apart from other similar birds are their red eyes which contrast perfectly with their dark feathers giving them an almost menacing look.
These birds can be seen mainly around dawn or dusk thanks to their crepuscular behavior although they may sometimes fly during the day too.
With a wingspan measuring up to 25 cm these graceful creatures really make an impression when flying through the air so keep your eye out for them if you ever visit any of these eastern countries.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Genus | Onychognathus |
| Species | O. tristramii |
23. Common Myna
The Common myna is a bird native to Asia and belongs to the Sturnidae family. It has an omnivorous diet, strong territorial instinct and is well adapted to urban environments.
With its range increasing rapidly, it was declared one of the most invasive species by IUCN in 2000. Its distinctive features include black head with a yellow bill, brown body and white tips on wings & tail feathers.
The common myna communicates through loud clicking noises that can easily be heard from long distances in both rural as well as urban areas alike.
They are known for their intelligence; they mimic sounds such as human speech or other birds’ calls making them popular pets among households too.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Genus | Acridotheres |
| Species | A. tristis |
24. Whiskered Tern
The whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybrida) is a small, graceful bird belonging to the family Laridae, which includes gulls, terns, and skimmers.
This bird is widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and Africa, where it breeds in colonies in freshwater marshes, ponds, and lakeshores.
The whiskered tern has a distinctive appearance, resembling a swallow, with a short, forked tail, black cap, and white cheeks.
One of the most distinctive features of the whiskered tern is its bill, which is strong and pointed. This adaptation allows it to catch insects and small fish, which make up the bulk of its diet.
During the breeding season, the whiskered tern’s bill and legs turn bright red, adding to its striking appearance.
The whiskered tern is a highly adaptable bird, and as such, it is found in various races across its range. For example, in Europe, it breeds mainly in western and southern countries, while in Asia, it breeds from the Middle East to the Russian Far East.
The whiskered tern is also a migrant bird, with populations wintering in sub-Saharan Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
Breeding season for the whiskered tern is between May and August, and the birds form colonies with hundreds or thousands of individuals. They build their nests on floating vegetation or on the ground, and both sexes share incubation duties.
The chicks hatch after about three weeks, and the parents feed them insects and small fish until they are ready to fly after about three more weeks.
Although the whiskered tern is not considered threatened, its populations have declined in some areas, primarily due to habitat loss and degradation.
The destruction of wetlands, pollution, and changes in water levels and quality have all had an impact on the bird’s breeding and feeding grounds.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Chlidonias |
| Species | C. hybrida |
25. Indian Silverbill
The Indian silverbill is a small passerine bird found in the Indian Subcontinent and adjoining regions.
It has grey upperparts, white underparts with black barring on its breast and abdomen, bluish-white wings and tail feathers; Males have bright red eyes while females have brownish eyes.
This estrildid finch species inhabits dry areas of the Middle East region as well as the subcontinent where it breeds commonly.
The diet of this species consists mainly of grass seeds supplemented by insects during breeding season.
Although they are not known to be migratory birds, they may flock together when food sources become scarce in their native range due to drought or other environmental conditions.
They can also now be found outside their natural range following introductions from humans for aviculture purposesScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Estrildidae |
| Genus | Euodice |
| Species | E. malabarica |
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26. Yemen Serin
The Yemen Serin is a species of finch that can be found in countries such as Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
It was previously grouped into the genus ‘Serinus’, but after an analysis involving both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences it became apparent this grouping was not accurate.
As a result the genus has been split with various species including the Yemen Serin being moved to their own distinct groupings.
The bird has yellow wings and face along with dark green upperparts making for quite a colourful look overall.
They mainly feed on seeds from plants or insects which they find whilst foraging through grasslands or semi-arid habitats near water sources such as ponds or streams.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Subfamily | Carduelinae |
| Genus | Crithagra |
| Species | C. menachensis |
27. Bridled Tern
The Bridled Tern is a medium-sized seabird of the family Laridae, found in tropical oceans. It has an impressive wingspan of 77–81 cm and measures 30–32 cm in length – similar to that of the Common Tern.
Its scientific name originates from Ancient Greek; Onux meaning “claw” or “nail”, and Prion, which translates as “saw”. The specific anaethetus means ‘senseless’ or ‘stupid’.
These birds are elegant flyers with greyish brown upperparts and white underparts when they take off into flight, while their head appears black on top but turns to white below the eyes with a thin line between them.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Onychoprion |
| Species | O. anaethetus |
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28. Western Reef Heron
The western reef heron, also known as the western reef egret, is a medium-sized bird found in southern Europe, Africa and some parts of Asia. It usually inhabits coastal areas and has two distinctive plumage forms.
The slaty-grey form can be mistaken for the rare dark morph of the Little Egret while its white form looks similar to that of an immature Grey Heron.
This species feeds mainly on fish but will occasionally eat insects or other small aquatic animals like crabs and molluscs too.
Western Reef Herons are solitary birds that nest near water bodies where they build nests from sticks which may sometimes contain feathers or seaweed as well.
They have become endangered since their habitats have been destroyed due to human activities such as building developments along coastlines; however conservation efforts are being taken to ensure their survival into future generations.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Egretta |
| Species | E. gularis |
29. Sand Partridge
The Sand Partridge is a medium-sized gamebird belonging to the pheasant family, Phasianidae.
Native to Egypt and Israel eastwards down towards South Arabia, it measures 22–25 cm in length and is closely related to its counterpart from southeast Turkey through Pakistan – the See-See Partridge (Ammoperdix griseogularis).
This bird is a resident breed that prefers open habitats such as scrubland or desert with short vegetation for nesting purposes. Its diet consists mainly of insects but also includes seeds, plants and fruits.
It has white cheeks bordered by black stripes below each eye extending up onto its forehead region; along with other distinguishing features like streaked brown plumage on its back, wings and tail feathers helping them blend into their natural surroundings perfectly.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Ammoperdix |
| Species | A. heyi |
30. Desert Wheatear
The Desert Wheatear is a small passerine bird that typically inhabits desert and semi-desert areas. It measures 14.5 to 15 cm in length, making it slightly larger than most thrushes but smaller than many Old World flycatchers.
The upper parts of this species are greyish-brown with black streaking, while the underparts are whitish or buffy white with some cinnamon on its sides and flanks.
Its tail has two prominent white bars at the tip which contrast starkly against its otherwise dark plumage.
During breeding season males will often display their conspicuous orange throat patch as part of courtship behaviour towards females of the species.
However, outside of mating season both sexes share identical plumages without any discernible differences between them apart from size variations common among all birds.
This insectivorous species mostly feeds on flying insects such as moths, beetles and bees that they catch midair during short sallies out into open spaces near coverts where they can hide if threatened by predators like other birds or mammals roaming their habitat range throughout Eurasia including rare vagrants to western Europe.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Oenanthe |
| Species | O. deserti |
31. Isabelline Shrike
The Isabelline Shrike is a member of the shrike family, Laniidae, and was previously thought to be congeneric with the Red-backed or Red-tailed Shrikes.
It has an extensive range across many countries from Caspian Sea in Western Asia all the way eastward up to Central China’s Qaidam Basin.
During winter months it migrates southwards towards Africa and Arabia for warmer climates.
Its genus name ‘Lanius’ is derived from Latin meaning “butcher”, as its diet consists mainly of small insects and sometimes even lizards or sparrows.
The Isabelline Shrike can easily be identified by its brownish grey coloration along with black wings having white wingtips plus two white bars on each side of their tail feathers.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Laniidae |
| Genus | Lanius |
| Species | L. isabellinus |
32. Fan-Tailed Raven
The Fan-tailed Raven is a beautiful passerine bird of the crow family, native to Eastern Africa and Arabia. It’s glossy black plumage has a purplish-blue hue when seen in good light, while worn feathers have an attractive coppery brown coloration.
The base of its neck feathers are white and can be spotted upon closer inspection or during flight. They measure between 42 – 52 cm with males slightly larger than females on average.
These birds feed mainly on insects like beetles, caterpillars as well as rodents & small reptiles they find while scavenging around open areas such as grasslands and farmlands.
When threatened by predators they will scream loudly at their aggressors which helps keep them safe from harm.
This species lives in flocks throughout most parts of its range making it easier for them to hunt for food together or warn each other about danger nearby.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Corvus |
| Species | C. rhipidurus |
33. Brown-Necked Raven
The Brown-necked Raven is a sturdy, large bird. It has an average length of 52 – 56 cm and similar proportions to the Common Raven but with a smaller bill.
Its distinct brownish black head and throat give it its name; the rest of its plumage consists of grey on the back, wings and tail feathers, as well as white underparts.
This species can be found in parts of North Africa, Asia Minor and across most areas in Iran.
They have also been known to inhabit forest edges or other open woodlands where they feed mainly on small mammals such as rodents, lizards, insects or even carrion when necessary for survival.
The Brown-necked raven is highly intelligent birds that form strong family bonds which last until death do them part.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Corvus |
| Species | C. ruficollis |
34. Little Stint
The Little Stint is an incredibly small wader that can be found in arctic Europe and Asia. During the winter it migrates to Africa and South Asia, but on rare occasions has been known to travel as far as North America and Australia.
The genus name comes from a term used by Aristotle for grey-coloured waterside birds. It’s scientific name “minuta” reflects its minuscule size when compared with other species of bird within this family.
Its feathers are mainly brownish-grey along the neck, chest and back while its belly features white streaks made up of black markings running along them horizontally.
Aside from its size, one of the most impressive traits about these birds is their ability to migrate such long distances every year.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Calidris |
| Species | C. minuta |
Also Featured In: Common Birds of Portugal, Common Birds in London
35. Collared Pratincole
The Collared Pratincole is a small wader bird native to the Old World. It has distinctive long wings that are reddish-brown in color and have white tips, which give it its name.
Its body is mostly dark brown with some lighter spots along its back and sides. The bill of this species is short and pointed, making it a specialist for eating insects from mudflats or shallow waters.
During breeding season, they form loud flocks that can be heard from miles away when calling out their distinct song; during non-breeding time they disperse into smaller groups while searching for food sources in drier regions such as grasslands or fields.
This species relies heavily on open habitats where there are plenty of places to hunt for food throughout the year.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Glareolidae |
| Genus | Glareola |
| Species | G. pratincola |
36. Red-Throated Pipit
The Red-throated Pipit is a small passerine bird native to the far north of Europe and the Palearctic, with an established population in northern Alaska.
During winter it migrates long distances, traveling as far south as Africa, South and East Asia and even West Coast United States – some have been reported as vagrants across Western Europe too.
Its scientific name comes from Latin; Anthus being derived from ‘small bird’. With its distinctive red throat patch sitting atop grey upperparts feathers that extend down into white underbelly plumage, this species can be seen darting through fields or perched on fence posts searching for insects to eat.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Motacillidae |
| Genus | Anthus |
| Species | A. cervinus |