Because of its position at a migratory crossroads, Saudi Arabia is home to a wide variety of bird species. Over the last few decades, the diversity has surged mainly due to the increase in cultivated and well-irrigated gardens, parks and compounds across the country. Approximately 499 different species of bird have been recorded, including 401 seen regularly, 11 seen rarely and 87 species recorded on less than 10 occasions. Birds have been spotted across the Kingdom's multitude of landscapes and while sightings are relatively scarce in the Empty Quarter, approximately 145 species of birds, mostly transient migrants, are found here. Each year, around 401 authentic or migrating species are thought to take to the Saudi Arabian skies.
Apart from special indigenous species, the typical Arabian landscape supports 27 million pairs of birds annually, belonging to 219 different species. Migrant birds from Siberia and Central Asia, pass through the country during spring and autumn on their north-south migration routes, or to make the most of the cooler winter months.
Wetland areas in Saudi Arabia support a large proportion of the country’s birdlife and it’s not unusual to see thousands of Arctic shorebirds feeding on the mudflats. The Kingdom’s unique location offers excellent habitats both on the Arabian Gulf and the enormous expanses along the Red Sea.
On the west coast, around the Farasan Islands, Al Lith and Umluj, the numerous lagoons, Ashoura coastal tree forests and mudflats are home to the famous pink flamingos, Goliath herons, white-winged terns and many more. Taking advantage of less heavily populated areas and plentiful offshore islands which offer hospitable resting and foraging locations, hundreds of species can be found feeding and nesting off the coasts.
See the 'Activities' section for more information on birdwatching in Saudi Arabia.
ARABIAN GREEN BEE-EATER
Merops cyanophrys
These attractive and brightly coloured residents have bright blue throats and emerald green bodies, long tails and curved black bills. As their name suggests, they eat bees, but also crickets, butterflies and wasps. A common sight in semi-desert areas, cultivated areas and at water sources in central and southern Saudi Arabia, they're often seen perched prominently on acacia branches, bushes, wires or TV aerials.
TRISTRAM'S STARLING
Onychognathus tristramii
This bird breeds in the Arabian Peninsula and is semi-endemic. Found mainly in the western region of the country, it can also be spotted near the coast in the eastern district of Yemen and Dhofar in the Sultanate of Oman. Flying at lower altitudes, it lives in rocky areas with high slopes, canyons, valleys and rocky outcrops, and can also be found near human settlements and trees. It feeds mainly on fruits and insects, in addition to small snails and the remains of human food. The bird picks ticks from the skin of deer, camels, donkeys and other large mammals.
EGYPTIAN VULTURE
Neophron percnopterus
These easily recognisable scavengers are identifiable by their white underparts with clearly defined black flight feathers. They’re often seen circling above campsites, poultry farms and refuse dumps – wherever they may find food – typically around Najran and in the mountains close to the Yemen border, as well as in the central region, Rub’ al Khali, Hail and Al Qassim.
GREATER FLAMINGO
Phoenicopterus roseus
Greater flamingos can be seen in Saudi Arabia’s lagoons, Ashoura coastal tree forests and shallow mudflats as well as along the coast of the Arabian Gulf in Uqair, south of Al Khobar and in numerous locations on the Red Sea coastline. Their vibrant pink colour is a result of their diet of shrimp and other crustaceans. They nest annually and only migrate, leaving the colony, if feeding conditions are affected by rising sea levels or drought.
SOCOTRA CORMORANT
Phalacrocorax nigrogularis
Socotra cormorants are endemic to Arabia and are its only nesting variety. Approximately one-third of the species breed in Saudi Arabia's territorial waters in the Arabian Gulf and are known to migrate as far west as the Red Sea. Once present in large numbers, they're now under threat from human developments disturbing nesting sites. Their feathers are not water repellent, so to dry off after diving into the water for prey, they sit along the water’s edge perched on trees with their wings spread as if on display.
WHITE-EYED GULL
Larus leucophthalus
This semi-endemic sea bird inhabits remote and arid sandy islands where it’s not threatened by predators. It nests in approximately 20 of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea islands, and grazes in the waters bordering the mainland. They prefer to eat fish, some types of crabs and other marine invertebrates, and catch fish by diving from the surface. This gull exclusively breeds in the Red Sea and the Arabian Peninsula.
