Egrets
Several species of egrets can be found In the United Arab Emirates, either as resident birds or as migrants passing through the region during migration seasons. Some common egret species, featured in this section, include:
The Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) is a small, slender egret with all-white plumage and black legs and bill. It is commonly found in various wetland habitats across the UAE, including marshes, lakes, and coastal areas.
The Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia) is similar in appearance to the Little Egret but slightly larger, with a longer neck and yellow feet. It inhabits similar wetland habitats and is observed in the UAE, particularly during the winter months.
The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a large egret with all-white plumage, a yellow bill, and black legs. It frequents wetlands, marshes, and coastal areas, including those in the UAE, where it can be spotted year-round.
The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a small egret with buff-colored plumage and a yellow bill. It is commonly found in grasslands and agricultural areas, often seen foraging around livestock. It is a resident species in the UAE.
These egret species can be seen in various habitats across the UAE, including coastal areas, wetlands, and even urban environments, making the country a diverse destination for birdwatching enthusiasts.
Harriers
Several species of harriers can be found in the United Arab Emirates, particularly during migration periods. Some of the harrier species that are observed in the UAE and featured in this section include:
The Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) a relatively common in the UAE, especially during the winter months. They breed in Europe and Asia and migrate to Africa and South Asia for the winter. They can often be seen hunting over wetlands and marshy areas.
The Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) are passage migrants in the UAE, seen during the spring and autumn migration seasons. They breed in the steppes of central Asia and winter in Africa, passing through the UAE en route to their destinations.
Purple Sunbird
Several species of sunbirds can be found in the UAE and are typically residents throughout the year. One of the sunbird species observed is the Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) a common resident species found in gardens, parks, and other green spaces across the UAE. The males have glossy metallic purple plumage during the breeding season and the females have a grey plumage.
Purple Heron
The Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) is a species of heron is a migratory bird, commonly seen during the winter months and during migration periods.
Eagles
The Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga) and the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) are just some of the eagle species that pass through the UAE cooler months during their migration. I have been lucky enough to spot these two regulary in Dubai.
Shikra
The UAE serves as a wintering ground for some populations of Shikra,(Accipiter badius), which migrate from their breeding grounds in central and southern Asia. The Shikra is a small bird of prey found in parts of United Arab Emirates particularly during the winter months.
Herons
The United Arab Emirates is home to several species of herons, which can be found in various wetland habitats throughout the country. Featured in this section you will find,
The Western Reef Heron (Egretta gularis) is a common sight in coastal areas and mangroves throughout the UAE. It comes in two color morphs, the white morph and the dark morph.
The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is a widespread species found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, lakes, and rivers. It can often be seen in the UAE near water bodies.
The Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii) is a small heron species commonly found near freshwater ponds, marshes, and wetlands. It is widespread in the UAE and can often be seen foraging in shallow waters.
The Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) is a small heron species with distinctive buff-colored plumage and contrasting dark flight feathers. It is found in marshes, wetlands, and shallow water habitats in the UAE
Arabian Kestrel
The Arabian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a small falcon of open deserts and wadis, hovering to hunt rodents, lizards, and insects; adaptable, cavity-nesting, sexually dimorphic, widespread across the Arabian Peninsula.
Arabian Gazelle
Several species of gazelles can be found in the United Arab Emirates. One of them is the Arabian Gazelle (Gazella arabica) also known as the Mountain Gazelle, this species is native to the Arabian Peninsula, including the UAE. It is adapted to arid habitats and can be found in mountainous regions as well as coastal plains.
Desert
The sand dunes of the UAE, where I have spend quite a decent amount of time. The scene can get dreamy and spectacular, specially during the winter months, where the sun rays cast a special light during the early hours and sunset.
Swift
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), there are several species of swifts that can be found. Swifts are known for their agile flight and acrobatics. Some species of swifts found in the UAE and showcased below include:
1. The Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus) is a migratory bird that breeds in parts of Europe and Asia, including the UAE, and they winter in Africa. They are commonly seen in urban areas, particularly around buildings and cliffs.
2. The Common Swift (Apus apus) is another migratory bird that breed across Europe and Asia, including parts of the UAE. They spend their winters in Africa. Common Swifts are often seen flying high in the sky, especially during the summer months.
The swift species demonstrate remarkable adaptation to life in the air, boasting elongated, slender wings and sleek bodies that enable them to glide effortlessly while hunting insects. Frequently observed darting through the sky at considerable velocities and executing complex aerial maneuvers, these birds captivate the attention of birdwatchers and nature aficionados like myself in the UAE.
Swallow
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), several species of swallows can be observed, particularly during migration seasons. Aming them and featured below is the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) has a distinctive long, forked tail and blue upperparts with a reddish-brown throat and breast. Barn Swallows can be seen in the UAE during their migration periods.
Flamingo
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you can find two species of flamingos:
1. The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is the most common species of flamingo found in the UAE. It is a large bird with pinkish plumage, long neck, and long legs. The Greater Flamingo is found in coastal areas, salt pans, and lagoons throughout the UAE, particularly in places like Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai and Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in Abu Dhabi.
2. The Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) is a smaller species compared to the Greater Flamingo, with brighter pink plumage and a darker pink bill. While less common in the UAE compared to the Greater Flamingo, the Lesser Flamingo can still be spotted in some coastal areas and salt flats, especially during migration periods.
Both Greater and Lesser Flamingos are migratory birds, and they can be found in various parts of the UAE depending on the season and availability of suitable habitat.
Osprey
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a migratory bird of prey that is occasionally seen in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when they pass through the UAE during their migration between breeding and wintering grounds, and i have only been lucky to see this bird a handful of times.
Shrike
In the United Arab Emirates, several species of shrikes can be found. Shrikes are known for their behavior of impaling prey on thorns or other sharp objects. The Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis), featured below is a common resident bird in the UAE. It can be found in a variety of habitats including desert, scrubland, and cultivated areas. This species is known for its pale grey plumage and black mask extending from the bill to the eyes.
Butterfly
Blue Throat
The Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) is a small passerine bird that belongs to the family Muscicapidae. The Bluethroat is not a regular resident of the UAE and is occasionally observed in the country, especially during the winter months when it migrates to warmer regions.
Kingfisher
The Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is indeed present in the UAE. This bird is native to much of Europe and Asia, as well as parts of North Africa. In the UAE, it can be found in suitable habitats such as freshwater ponds, lakes, rivers, and coastal areas with suitable vegetation and water sources.
Hills
Gulls
Pharoahs Eagle Owl
In the UAE, the Pharaoh Eagle-Owl, Bubo ascalaphus, can be found in rocky areas, wadis (dry riverbeds), and desert landscapes where they roost during the day and hunt at night. They are well adapted to arid environments and are known for their distinctive appearance, which includes prominent ear tufts and striking yellow eyes.
Glossy Ibis
The Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a species of wading bird in the ibis family Threskiornithidae. Some individuals may remain in the UAE year-round, while others migrate to the UAE during the winter months from their breeding grounds in Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia. They are typically found in wetlands, marshes, and shallow coastal areas and prefer habitats with abundant aquatic vegetation where they can forage for food.
Glossy Ibises are characterized by their glossy, iridescent plumage, which, depending on the light, can appear deep purplish-green or bronze. They have long, curved bills that they use to probe the mud for prey and are often seen wading in shallow water, using their long bills to probe for insects, crustaceans, and other small aquatic creatures. They may also feed on small fish and amphibians.
Sunsets
Sunrise
Bonellis Eagle
Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata) is a species of eagle that is occasionally observed in the United Arab Emirates. Bonelli's Eagles are known for their broad distribution across Europe, Asia, and Africa, where they inhabit a variety of habitats including woodland, forested hills, and rocky areas.
In the UAE, Bonelli's Eagles are more likely to be seen during migration periods. They may pass through the country while migrating between their breeding grounds in Europe and their wintering areas in Africa or southern Asia.
Tern
The United Arab Emirates is home to several species of terns, one of which is the White-cheeked Tern (Sterna repressa) which is commonly seen along the UAE's coastline, particularly around islands and coastal habitats. It breeds in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea region. The Little Tern (-) is another tern species that can be spotted in the UAE. These birds typically visit the UAE during their migration season, which is usually from late autumn to early spring.
Indian Roller
The Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) is a bird species found in the United Arab Emirates as a resident breeder and also as a passage migrant. It is a beautiful bird with vibrant plumage of shades of blue, turquoise, and purple, along with sights of brown and white.
Spoonbill
The Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) is a bird species found in parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is not a common resident bird in the United Arab Emirates. However, it is known to occur as a winter visitor, particularly in wetland areas and coastal regions.
