FORM 2
LIST OF THE BREEDING BIRDS OF ARABIA
The species listed here are those known to have bred in Arabia or are very likely to breed. The order and scientific nomenclature follows the List of recent Holarctic bird species by K. H. Voous (published by the British Ornithologists Union, 1977). The reference number shown on the left is the number to be inserted in Column 2 of the ABBA Report sheet Form 3. Those few species not on the Voous list are given a separate sequence commencing with 2001.
The Breeding Evidence Code (BEC) used by the ABBA project should be read in conjunction with this list. Details of species additional to the list, for which breeding is proven (BEC 10 or higher), will be published in future issues of Phoenix. Observers suspecting or proving breeding of species not shown on the list should make a full report. Highly sedentary species are identified with an asterisk (*). Because presence of these species, even outside the breeding season, is a good indication of local breeding. BEC "XX" may be used to report occurrence in suitable habitat at any time. Atlassers should be aware that many species which breed also occur as visitors. Because of the possibility of confusion with migrants certain BEC's are irrelevant for a number of species, for example Codes 00 and 01 for the Hoopoe Upupa epops. This is because a Hoopoe can appear anywhere in Arabia as a migrant during the breeding season. BEC 03 should also be suspect because two birds associating together may be migrants or a breeding pair. Observers should also be aware that the breeding season of a species may vary in different parts of the peninsula, according to altitude or recent rainfall. Summary details of the breeding biology, distribution etc for each species can be found in 'An Interim Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia' published by NCWCD Riyadh (1995).
0007 Tachybaptus ruficollis LITTLE GREBE Migrant and winter visitor. Opportunist breeder in fresh water habitats.
0009 Podiceps cristatus GREAT CRESTED GREBE Scarce winter visitor and breeder.
0012 Podiceps nigricollis BLACK-NECKED GREBE Winter visitor and opportunistic breeder in fresh water habitats. A pelagic species.
0035 Bulweria fallax JOUANIN'S PETREL Pelagic. Breeds Socotra.
0049 Puffinus lherminieri PERSIAN SHEARWATER Occurs off coasts of southern Arabia. Has bred Kuria Muria Islands.
0064 Phaethon aethereus RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD Breeds islands and coastal cliffs southern Arabian Gulf, the Gulfs of Oman and Aden and the Red Sea.
0068 Sula dactylatra MASKED BOOBY Breeds on islands of southern Oman and Red Sea.
0070 Sula leucogaster BROWN BOOBY Breeds Red Sea islands. Seen along whole length of Red Sea and eastwards to Dhofar.
0081 Phalacrocorax nigrogularis SOCOTRA CORMORANT Main breeding islands are in the Arabian Gulf, but also occurs Gulfs of Oman and Aden, rarely southern Red Sea.
0088 Pelecanus onocrotalus WHITE PELICAN Winter visitor. One old breeding record from Kuwait.
0090 Pelecanus rufescens PINK-BACKED PELICAN Breeds islands of southern Red Sea. Observed whole of Red Sea and shores of eastern Yemen.
0098
Ixobrychus minutus LITTLE BITTERN A
migrant which also occasionally breeds.
0099 Ixobrychus sinensis YELLOW BITTERN Scarce visitor Dhofar and probably breeds.
0104 Nycticorax nycticorax NIGHT HERON Migrant and winter visitor. Has bred Dubai and Riyadh.
0107 Butorides striatus LITTLE GREEN HERON Resident all coasts except the northern Arabian Gulf.
0108 Ardeola ralloides SQUACCO HERON Has bred Riyadh.
0111 Bubulcus ibis CATTLE EGRET Resident south west coastlands. Migrant elsewhere. Has attempted to breed at Riyadh.
0118 Egretta gularis WESTERN REEF HERON Breeds all coasts.
0122 Ardea cinerea GREY HERON Common visitor and scarce breeder.
0124 Ardea purpurea PURPLE HERON Has bred southern Red Sea and central Arabia but the majority of all records are of migrants.
0125 Ardea goliath GOLIATH HERON Straggles to all coasts, breeds southern Red Sea.
0126 Scopus umbretta HAMERKOP Resident freshwater habitats in south west.
0132 Ciconia abdimii ABDIM'S STORK Breeding summer visitor to Yemen.
0144 Platalea leucorodia SPOONBILL Scarce migrant to most coastal areas resident and breeds Red Sea coast.
0147 Phoenicopterus ruber GREATER FLAMINGO Common widespread visitor which has bred Kuwait, Dubai and possibly Red Sea coast.
0148 Phoenicopterus minor LESSER FLAMINGO Erratic occurrence coasts of southern Arabia where has built nesting mounds.
0170 Alopochen aegyptiacus EGYPTIAN GOOSE Introduced and now established as a resident on the UAE coast, especially in areas of mangroves.
0171 Tadorna ferruginea RUDDY SHELDUCK Erratic occurrence; has bred eastern Saudi Arabia.
0186 Anas platyrhynchos MALLARD Migrant. Also resident at a few sites in Saudi Arabia and UAE.
0194 Anas clypeata SHOVELLER Common visitor. Has bred eastern Saudi Arabia.
0202 Aythya nyroca FERRUGINOUS DUCK A migrant and winter visitor that has bred in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
0235 Elanus caeruleus BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE Rare visitor (possibly residents) to south west where it has bred. Vagrant other areas.
0238 Milvus migrans BLACK KITE Migrant all areas. Resident population in the south west from Jedda to Dhofar.
0246 Gypaetus barbatus BEARDED VULTURE Resident in western highlands. Decreasing and now rare in Saudi Arabia.
0247 Neophron percnopterus EGYPTIAN VULTURE Widespread resident except northern Arabia.
0251 Gyps fulvus GRIFFON VULTURE Widespread except the north east where only a straggler. Not known to breed in Oman and UAE.
0254 Torgos tracheliotos LAPPET-FACED VULTURE Widespread breeding in central plains and northern Oman/UAE. Absent western highlands.
0256 Circaetus gallicus SHORT-TOED EAGLE Mainly a migrant and visitor, but breeds occasionally.
0257 Terathopius ecaudatus BATELEUR Resident in south west.
0265 Melierax metabates DARK CHANTING GOSHAWK Resident in south west.
0266 Micronisus gabar GABAR GOSHAWK Resident in south west.
0272 Accipiter badius SHIKRA Resident in south west. Scarce visitor (breeding?) to UAE.
0288 Buteo rufinus LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD Widespread but uncommon resident.
2034 Buteo socotrae SOCOTRA BUZZARD Resident Socotra.
0294 Aquila rapax TAWNY EAGLE Resident in south west.
0296 Aquila chrysaetos GOLDEN EAGLE Widespread but uncommon resident. central plains and Oman.
0297 Aquila verreauxii VERREAUX'S EAGLE Scarce resident, highlands of Dhofar, southern and western Arabia.
0299 Hieraaetus fasciatus BONELLI'S EAGLE Scarce but widespread resident.
0301 Pandion haliaetus OSPREY Breeds islands, all coasts, also a migrant, including inland.
0303 Falco naumanni LESSER KESTREL Has bred once in northern Saudi Arabia, also a migrant.
0304 Falco tinnunculus KESTREL Widespread breeding bird but also common migrant and winter visitor.
0312 Falco concolor SOOTY FALCON Breeding summer visitor to islands of the Red Sea, southern Arabia and southern Arabian Gulf. One inland breeding record.
0314 Falco biarmicus LANNER Widespread but rare and apparently decreasing.
0320 Falco peregrinus PEREGRINE Migrant,breeding status needs confirmation.
0321 Falco pelegrinoides BARBARY FALCON Widespread resident.
0355 Alectoris chukar * CHUKAR Highlands of the extreme north west and Musandam and UAE. Also introduced Abu Dhabi islands.
0360 Alectoris philbyi * PHILBY'S CHUKAR South western highlands.
0361 Alectoris melanocephala * ARABIAN RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Western highlands, eastern Yemen, Dhofar and northern Oman.
0362 Ammoperdix griseogularis SEE SEE PARTRIDGE Introduced Sir Bani Yas island, UAE.
0363 Ammoperdix heyi * SAND PARTRIDGE Widespread except in north east.
0364 Francolinus francolinus * BLACK FRANCOLIN Introduced UAE coastlands.
0365 Francolinus pondicerianus * GREY FRANCOLIN Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Northern Oman. Extending northwards.
0370 Coturnix coturnix COMMON QUAIL Uncommon and local breeding bird, also widespread common migrant.
2001 Coturnix delegorguei HARLEQUIN QUAIL Erratic occurrence in south west coastlands. Breeding very likely but status needs confirmation.
2035 Pavo cristatus COMMON PEAFOWL Has bred in semi protected situations, e.g. Sir Bani Yas island UAE.
0398 Numida meleagris * HELMETED GUINEAFOWL Lowlands of south west Arabia. Decreasing and threatened.
0400 Turnix sylvatica LITTLE BUTTON QUAIL Very few records, south west lowlands. Likely to be sedentary.
0407 Rallus aquaticus WATER RAIL Migrant and winter visitor, breeds sparingly.
0410 Porzana parva LITTLE CRAKE Widespread, scarce migrant. Has bred northern Arabia.
0424 Gallinula chloropus MOORHEN Opportunistic breeder in freshwater habitats, also a migrant and winter visitor.
0427 Porphyrio porphyrio PURPLE GALLINULE Has bred Kuwait. Vagrant elsewhere.
0429 Fulica atra COOT Opportunistic breeder in open freshwater habitats. Also winter visitor.
0444 Chlamydotis undulata HOUBARA Winter visitor to mainly eastern Arabia, breeds in small numbers northern Saudi Arabia, southern Oman and eastern Yemen. Reintroduced central Saudi Arabia.
0445 Ardeotis arabs ARABIAN BUSTARD Uncommon extreme south west lowlands. Threatened.
0455 Himantopus himantopus BLACK-WINGED STILT Opportunistic breeder wetland habitats, also common migrant.
0456 Recurvirostra avosetta AVOCET Opportunistic breeder in wetland habitats, also scarce migrant.
0458 Dromas ardeola CRAB PLOVER Breeds Arabian Gulf and Red Sea islands and southern Arabia.
0461 Burhinus capensis SPOTTED THICK-KNEE Uncommon south west foothills and Tihama, also Oman.
0464 Cursorius cursor CREAM-COLOURED COURSER Widespread breeding and apparently a local migrant.
0465 Glareola pratincola COLLARED PRATINCOLE Widespread occasional breeding and common migrant.
0469 Charadrius dubius LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Breeding summer visitor to freshwater wetlands. Also common migrant.
0477 Charadrius alexandrinus KENTISH PLOVER Breeds all coasts and inland freshwater sites, also common migrant.
0479 Charadrius leschenaultii GREATER SANDPLOVER Widespread migrant and rare breeder northern Arabian Gulf
0487 Hoplopterus spinosus SPUR-WINGED PLOVER Disjointed breeding range in the west. Rare visitor elsewhere.
0490 Hoplopterus indicus RED-WATTLED PLOVER Resident UAE and Oman. Vagrant other parts of eastern Arabia.
0492 Chettusia leucura WHITE-TAILED PLOVER Has bred eastern Saudi Arabia and UAE wetlands. Otherwise widespread. Scarce migrant.
0571 Larus hemprichii SOOTY GULL Red Sea southern Arabian and southern Arabian Gulf.
0572 Larus leucophthalmus WHITE-EYED GULL Red Sea and coast of south west Arabia.
0588 Larus genei SLENDER-BILLED GULL Common visitor and rare breeder Arabian Gulf.
0605 Gelochelidon nilotica GULL-BILLED TERN Occurs all coasts and inland, mainly winter and spring. Has bred.
0606 Sterna caspia CASPIAN TERN Widespread breeding sometimes colonially.
0608 Sterna bergii SWIFT TERN Breeding summer visitor, all coasts; probably some resident southern Red Sea.
0609 Sterna bengalensis LESSER CRESTED TERN Breeding summer visitor.
0611 Sterna sandvicensis SANDWICH TERN Widespread migrant and visitor, has bred northern Gulf.
0614 Sterna dougallii ROSEATE TERN Scarce summer visitor, breeds Oman.
0620 Sterna repressa WHITE-CHEEKED TERN Breeding summer visitor.
0622 Sterna anaethetus BRIDLED TERN Breeding summer visitor.
0623 Sterna fuscata SOOTY TERN Has bred Oman. Scarce visitor elsewhere.
0624 Sterna albifrons LITTLE TERN Uncommon migrant. Has bred freshwater and brackish areas of eastern Saudi Arabia and possibly Red Sea.
0625 Sterna saundersi SAUNDER'S TERN Summer visitor to coasts, some likely to be resident.
628 Chlidonias leucopterus WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN Widespread migrant, has bred Kuwait.
0630 Anous stolidus COMMON NODDY Summer visitor to Red Sea, southern Arabia and Oman.
0657 Pterocles lichtensteinii * LICHTENSTEIN'S SANDGROUSE Widespread in rocky habitats - not present in central and north eastern areas.
0658 Pterocles coronatus CROWNED SANDGROUSE Widespread, common only in Oman.
0659 Pterocles senegallus SPOTTED SANDGROUSE Widespread but common only in Oman.
0660 Pterocles exustus CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE Widespread except central and northern areas.
0662 Pterocles alchata PIN-TAILED SANDGROUSE Widespread, often common, winter visitor to northern Arabia. Has bred.
0665 Columba livia ROCK DOVE Widespread. Confusable with feral pigeons. (The code for feral pigeons is 2032).
0670 Columba palumbus WOOD PIGEON Resident Oman highlands, scarce northern and eastern Arabia.
2009 Columba arquatrix OLIVE PIGEON Breeding locally in south west highlands.
0683 Streptopelia roseogrisea AFRICAN COLLARED DOVE Western and south western Arabia.
0684 Streptopelia decaocto EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE Range expanding towards south west.
0685 Streptopelia semitorquata RED-EYED DOVE Local in south west.
0687 Streptopelia turtur TURTLE DOVE Common migrant and widespread breeding bird.
0688 Streptopelia lugens DUSKY TURTLE DOVE Highlands of south west.
0690 Streptopelia senegalensis PALM DOVE Common and widespread.
0692 Oena capensis NAMAQUA DOVE Widespread and erratic occurrence and breeding.
0703 Treron waalia BRUCE'S GREEN PIGEON Summer visitor to south west and Dhofar.
0712 Psittacula krameri ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET Introduced exotic, established in most large towns where resident.
2024 Psittacula eupatria ALEXANDRINE PARAKEET Introduced exotic, present Bahrain, UAE.
2017 Cacatua galerita SULPHUR-CRESTED COCKATOO Introduced, has bred.
2008 Melopsittacus undulatus BUDGERIGAR Introduced, has bred.
715 Clamator jacobinus JACOBIN CUCKOO Scarce migrant and breeder south west.
0720 Chrysococcyx caprius DIDRIC CUCKOO Summer visitor to south west, parasitizes Rüppell's weaver.
0721 Chrysococcyx klaas KLAAS'S CUCKOO Summer visitor to south west.
0724 Cuculus canorus EURASIAN CUCKOO Widespread migrant, breeds Musandam.
2002 Centropus superciliosus * WHITE-BROWED COUCAL Resident south west lowlands.
0735 Tyto alba * BARN OWL Widespread resident.
2003 Otus senegalensis AFRICAN SCOPS OWL Probably sedentary in south west and Dhofar.
0738 Otus brucei BRUCE'S SCOPS OWL Breeds UAE and northern Oman. Scarce elsewhere also a migrant.
2033 Otus sokotranus SOCOTRA SCOPS OWL Resident Socotra.
0744 Bubo bubo EAGLE OWL Widespread in north and central areas.
0745 Bubo africanus SPOTTED EAGLE OWL South west and Oman.
0757 Athene noctua * LITTLE OWL Widespread in desert areas.
0762 Strix butleri * HUME'S OWL Widespread in rocky habitats.
0772 Caprimulgus inornatus PLAIN NIGHTJAR Breeding summer visitor. Scarce in south west.
0773 Caprimulgus nubicus NUBIAN NIGHTJAR Breeding summer visitor. Scarce in south west.
2018 Caprimulgus poliocephalus MOUNTAIN NIGHTJAR Local resident western Saudi Arabian highlands.
0796 Apus pallidus PALLID SWIFT Migrant, and widespread breeding summer visitor.
2038 Apus berliozi FORBES-WATSON'S SWIFT Socotra and possibly coasts of southern Arabia.
0798 Apus melba ALPINE SWIFT Breeds central plains and south west; scarce migrant elsewhere.
0800 Apus affinis LITTLE SWIFT Resident in south west, vagrant other areas.
0802 Cypsiurus parvus PALM SWIFT South west coastlands in the vicinity of Doum Palm.
827 Halcyon smyrnensis WHITE-BREASTED KINGFISHER Scarce visitor Arabian Gulf, has bred Kuwait.
0829 Halcyon leucocephala GREY-HEADED KINGFISHER Summer visitor to south west.
2004 Halcyon chloris * WHITE-COLLARED KINGFISHER Local resident Oman/UAE and Red Sea coast.
2005 Alcedo cristata MALACHITE KINGFISHER Scarce resident eastern Yemen.
0837 Merops albicollis WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATER Summer visitor to south west. Vagrant elsewhere.
0838 Merops orientalis LITTLE GREEN BEE-EATER Widespread except the north and north east.
0839 Merops superciliosus BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER Breeds locally in eastern Arabia, common migrant elsewhere.
0840 Merops apiaster EUROPEAN BEE-EATER Breeds locally in eastern Arabia, common migrant elsewhere.
0841 Coracias garrulus EUROPEAN ROLLER Migrant, has bred UAE cultivations.
0842 Coracias abyssinicus ABYSSINIAN ROLLER Resident in south west.
0843 Coracias benghalensis INDIAN ROLLER Oman and UAE, scarce winter visitor to north east.
0846 Upupa epops HOOPOE Common migrant. Widespread but scarce breeding.
0847 Tockus nasutus * LITTLE GREY HORNBILL South west.
0890 Dendrocopos dorae * ARABIAN WOODPECKER Western highlands and foothills.
0952 Mirafra cantillans SINGING BUSH LARK Southern lowlands including Dhofar.
0953 Eremopterix nigriceps BLACK-CROWNED FINCH LARK Widespread resident but also nomadic with erratic occurrence in many areas.
0954 Eremalauda dunni DUNN'S LARK Widespread and nomadic.
0955 Ammomanes cincturus BAR-TAILED DESERT LARK Widespread and nomadic.
0957 Ammomanes deserti * DESERT LARK Sedentary. Widespread in rocky areas.
0958 Alaemon alaudipes * HOOPOE LARK Widespread open deserts.
0960 Ramphocoris clotbey THICK-BILLED LARK Winter visitor northern and central Arabia. Breeds rarely in north.
0962 Melanocorypha bimaculata BIMACULATED LARK Winter visitor especially to north, where has remained to breed.
0967 Calandrella cinerea * RED-CAPPED LARK South west highlands.
0968 Calandrella brachydactyla SHORT-TOED LARK Widespread in winter, a few remain to breed.
0970 Calandrella rufescens LESSER SHORT-TOED LARK Widespread winter visitor, some remaining to breed in north.
0972 Galerida cristata * CRESTED LARK Widespread resident.
0979 Eremophila bilopha TEMMINCK'S HORNED LARK Northern and central Arabia. Vagrant Yemen.
0990 Ptyonoprogne fuligula AFRICAN ROCK MARTIN Widespread, rocky areas.
0992 Hirundo rustica SWALLOW Widespread and common migrant; breeding only known from Musandam.
0995 Hirundo daurica RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Breeds south west highlands and locally in central Arabia, scarce migrant elsewhere.
1002 Anthus novaeseelandiae RICHARD'S PIPIT Small resident population in south west highlands. A vagrant in other areas.
1007 Anthus similis LONG-BILLED PIPIT Resident south west Dhofar and eastern highlands.
1035 Pycnonotus leucogenys WHITE-CHEEKED BULBUL Arabian Gulf, introduced Riyadh.
1036 Pycnonotus xanthopygos * YELLOW-VENTED BULBUL Widespread and common except north east.
2006 Pycnonotus cafer * RED-VENTED BULBUL Introduced and has bred in several Gulf towns.
2007 Pycnonotus jocosus * RED-WHISKERED BULBUL Introduced Gulf and Riyadh.
1089 Prunella fagani * ARABIAN ACCENTOR Yemen highlands.
1095 Cercotrichas galactotes RUFOUS BUSH CHAT Widespread migrant, uncommon but widespread breeding species.
1096 Cercotrichas podobe BLACK BUSH CHAT Common south west and central regions; range expanding eastwards.
1135 Cercomela melanura BLACKSTART Rocky deserts except in the east and north east.
1139 Saxicola torquata STONECHAT Common migrant and winter visitor. Resident south west highlands.
1145 Oenanthe bottae * RED-BREASTED WHEATEAR South west highlands.
1151 Oenanthe moesta RED-RUMPED WHEATEAR Scarce, north west only.
1154 Oenanthe lugens MOURNING WHEATEAR Widespread winter visitor, resident in northern and north central areas.
2020 Oenanthe lugentoides SOUTH ARABIAN WHEATEAR South west highlands, east Yemen and Dhofar.
1155 Oenanthe monacha * HOODED WHEATEAR Scarce but widespread resident.
1156 Oenanthe alboniger HUME'S WHEATEAR Rocky northern parts of Oman and UAE.
1157 Oenanthe leucopyga * WHITE-CROWNED BLACK WHEATEAR Widespread in rocky areas, status in eastern and southern Arabia is unclear.
1161 Monticola rufocinerea * LITTLE ROCK THRUSH South west highlands.
1182 Turdus menachensis YEMEN THRUSH South west highlands.
1225 Parisoma buryi * YEMEN WARBLER South west highlands and foothills.
2016 Cisticola haesitata * SOCOTRA CISTICOLA Socotra.
1226 Cisticola juncidis * FAN-TAILED WARBLER South west coastlands, single records Dhofar and Kuwait.
2015 Incana incana * SOCOTRA WARBLER Socotra.
1227 Prinia gracilis * GRACEFUL WARBLER Widespread but local in central Arabia.
1231 Scotocerca inquieta * SCRUB WARBLER Widespread except north eastern areas.
1238 Locustella luscinioides SAVI'S WARBLER Scarce migrant, has bred.
1241 Acrocephalus melanopogon MOUSTACHED WARBLER Local breeder. Winter visitor to north.
1251 Acrocephalus scirpaceus REED WARBLER Common migrant, breeds where dense reedbeds present.
2021 Acrocephalus baeticatus AFRICAN REED WARBLER Red Sea mangroves.
1252 Acrocephalus stentoreus CLAMOROUS WARBLER Breeding resident coastal mangroves. Scarce migrant.
1253 Acrocephalus arundinaceus GREAT REED WARBLER Migrant, increasing numbers breed.
1255 Hippolais pallida OLIVACEOUS WARBLER Migrant and breeding summer visitor.
1256 Hippolais caligata BOOTED WARBLER Scarce migrant and winter visitor, breeds mangroves coast of Gulf of Oman.
1271 Sylvia leucomelaena * ARABIAN WARBLER Western Arabia to Dhofar.
1281 Phylloscopus umbrovirens BROWN WOODLAND WARBLER South west highlands.
1336 Muscicapa gambagae GAMBAGA FLYCATCHER South west highlands and foothills.
1353 Terpsiphone viridis AFRICAN PARADISE FLYCATCHER South west and Dhofar.
1379 Turdoides squamiceps * ARABIAN BABBLER Widespread except the north east.
1492 Anthreptes metallicus NILE VALLEY SUNBIRD South west to Dhofar.
1493 Nectarinia asiatica PURPLE SUNBIRD UAE and northern Oman.
1494 Nectarinia habessinica SHINING SUNBIRD Western Arabia to Dhofar.
1495 Nectarinia osea ORANGE-TUFTED SUNBIRD Western Arabia to Dhofar.
2014 Nectarinia balfouri SOCOTRA SUNBIRD Socotra.
1501 Zosterops palpebrosa ORIENTAL WHITE-EYE Resident Mahawt island Oman.
1504 Zosterops abyssinica WHITE-BREASTED WHITE-EYE South western highlands to Dhofar.
1508 Oriolus oriolus GOLDEN ORIOLE Uncommon migrant, has bred.
1509 Tchagra senegala BLACK-HEADED BUSH SHRIKE South western to Dhofar.
1520 Lanius excubitor GREAT GREY SHRIKE Widespread resident, also a common migrant and winter visitor.
1549 Pica pica * MAGPIE Local, highlands of south west Saudi Arabia.
1562 Corvus splendens HOUSE CROW Coasts of northern UAE and Oman, Aden and major ports elsewhere.
1571 Corvus ruficollis BROWN-NECKED RAVEN Widespread and common.
1574 Corvus rhipidurus FAN-TAILED RAVEN Rocky areas of western and central Arabia and Dhofar.
1575 Onychognathus tristramii TRISTRAM'S GRACKLE Western highlands to Dhofar.
2010 Onychognathus frater SOCOTRA GRACKLE Socotra.
2011 Onychognathus blythi BROWN WINGED GRACKLE Socotra.
1576 Cinnyricinclus leucogaster AMETHYST STARLING Summer visitor to the south west.
1577 Sturnus pagodarum BRAHMINY MYNAH Exotic, has bred UAE.
1582 Sturnus vulgaris EURASIAN STARLING Winter visitor, has bred UAE.
2039 Sturnus contra PIED MYNAH Introduced, has bred UAE.
1587 Acridotheres tristis COMMON MYNAH Introduced and breeds many large towns.
1588 Acridotheres ginginianus BANK MYNAH Introduced, UAE.
1591 Passer domesticus * HOUSE SPARROW Common and widespread except Masirah, Socotra and Farasan, not present isolated desert areas and parts of Yemen and Oman.
1592 Passer hispaniolensis SPANISH SPARROW A winter visitor which increasingly breeds.
2012 Passer motitensis AFRICAN RUFOUS SPARROW Socotra.
1600 Passer euchlorus ARABIAN GOLDEN SPARROW Tihama of the south west.
1601 Petronia brachydactyla PALE ROCK SPARROW Erratic migrant and winter visitor. Opportunist breeder.
1602 Petronia xanthocollis YELLOW-THROATED SPARROW Breeding summer visitor to northern Oman and UAE.
1603 Petronia dentata LESSER ROCK SPARROW Local resident Yemen highlands.
1612 Ploceus galbula RÜPPELL'S WEAVER Resident south west, introduced Riyadh where has bred.
2019 Ploceus philippinus BAYA WEAVER Introduced, has bred.
2028 Ploceus manyar STREAKED WEAVER Introduced, has bred.
2040 Ploceus intermedius LESSER MASKED WEAVER Introduced, has bred Sharjah.
1616 Estrilda rufibarba * ARABIAN WAXBILL South west.
2029 Amandava amandava AVADAVAT Introduced, has bred.
1617 Amandava subflava * ZEBRA WAXBILL Introduced, Yemen.
1618 Euodice malabarica INDIAN SILVERBILL Indigenous to eastern Arabia. Has been introduced to central and western parts of the peninsula.
1619 Euodice cantans AFRICAN SILVERBILL Resident western Arabia to Dhofar.
2027 Lonchura malacca BLACK-HEADED MUNIA Exotic - has bred
2042 Lonchura punctulata SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA Exotic - has bred
1645 Serinus rothschildi ARABIAN SERIN Resident south west highlands and foothills.
1646 Serinus menachensis YEMEN SERIN Resident south west highlands.
1647 Rhynchostruthus socotranus GOLDEN-WINGED GROSBEAK Resident south west highlands Dhofar and Socotra.
1653 Carduelis carduelis GOLDFINCH Scarce visitor, breeds north west.
1661 Carduelis yemenensis YEMEN LINNET Resident south west highlands.
1674 Rhodospiza obsoleta DESERT FINCH Resident north west Arabia, range extending to central Arabia.
1676 Bucanetes githagineus TRUMPETER FINCH Widespread resident, arid rocky areas.
1688 Carpodacus synoicus SINAI ROSEFINCH Resident north west.
1863 Emberiza striolata HOUSE BUNTING Widespread resident, arid rocky areas.
1864 Emberiza tahapisi CINNAMON-BREASTED ROCK BUNTING Resident south west highlands.
2013 Emberiza socotrana SOCOTRA BUNTING Socotra.
1882 Miliaria calandra CORN BUNTING Winter visitor, has bred eastern Arabia.
This list has been prepared for the use of contributors to the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia (ABBA) project. Further details of the ABBA project and its newsletter, Phoenix, are available from:
Michael C. Jennings,
Project Co-ordinator and Phoenix Editor Warners Farm House, Warners Drove, Somersham, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3WD, England.
Tel/Fax 01487 841733 (International 0044 1487 841733)
Email: arabian.birds@dial.pipex.com