* Not included is the Yemen Accentor, which can only be found above 3000 meters in the western mountains of the troubled republic.<\/p>\n
Philby\u2019s Partridge Alectoris philbyi<\/i><\/h2>\n
Philby’s Partridge (\u0642\u0647\u064a\u0628\u0629) is one of two endemic partridges on the Arabian Peninsula. Like all partridges, this species is quite shy and rarely allows a close approach. As they sometimes forage together with Arabian Partridge, separating the two in a blur of wings and bodies can be tricky. Watch out for reddish-brown tail feathers on Philby’s and, of course, their distinctive black throat patch. I\u2019ve seen them in the western highlands just south of Taif and around the hills and escarpment edge near the scenic town of Tanomah. While not as abundant nor as widespread as the Arabian Partridge, they have been quite reliable around the latter.<\/p>\n The Arabian Partridge (\u062d\u062c\u0644 \u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a) is much more abundant than Philby’s and one of the most widespread of the Arabian endemics. Unlike Philby’s, the Arabian is much less particular about habitat selection and can be found at lower elevations than its congener. Like Philby’s though, they can be shy and difficult to approach. I’ve encountered them several times around Abha and Tanomah, frequently hearing them before seeing them. In flight, watch for black tail feathers and the Arabian’s white throat and eyebrow.<\/p>\n The Arabian Scops Owl (\u062b\u0628\u062c \u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a) is quite common in the wooded hills and wadis in the Asir highlands. Like all scops owls it’s possible to stumble upon one in its roost, as I did at Al Muraba\u2019a National Park this past summer, yet the best way is to get out with a flashlight in areas where they’re calling. In Saudi, I\u2019ve seen but more often heard them around Tanomah and Abha. Like the Arabian Spotted Eagle-Owl, they can occur at different elevations\u2014near sea level outside Salalah, Oman, and close to 3000 meters at the edge of the Asir escarpment.<\/p>\n The Arabian Woodpecker (\u0642\u0631\u0627\u0639 \u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a) is the sole woodpecker species occurring on the Arabian Peninsula. For many years I fantasized about this bird, wondering when the infamously closed-off kingdom would finally open its doors to international visitors. Ultimately, my work got me access, but now that Saudi offers tourist visas more foreign birders will be seizing the chance to experience this fascinating species. Frank Rietkerk, a veterinarian with the National Wildlife Research Center in Taif, has seen them on several occasions in his area, and I\u2019ve seen and heard them in areas with ample mature acacias from Tanomah to just south of Abha. As they appear to be an altitudinal migrant\u2014retreating to lower elevations in the winter\u2014the best time to see them in the Asir highlands is during the summer months.<\/p>\n The Asir Magpie (\u0639\u0642\u0639\u0642 \u0639\u0633\u064a\u0631\u064a) is the one Arabian endemic found exclusively in Saudi Arabia. It was once considered a subspecies of the widespread Eurasian Magpie, but differences in voice and appearance led to the DNA work required to establish it as a separate species. Its range appears to have shrunk over the years and currently the magpies have only been encountered from Al Namas south to Billahmer, a distance of only about 80 kilometers. I\u2019ve seen them in mature juniper woodlands at a few locations near Tanomah and Billahmer. The magpie\u2019s population at the moment is believed to be around 100 pairs at best, making it one of the rarest birds in the world. Hopefully the Saudi government with the help of concerned entities, like Saudi Aramco, will implement a viable plan for keeping this species \u2014a potential flagship for Saudi\u2019s budding ecotourism industry\u2014from going extinct. As depressing as the magpies\u2019 current status is, they can be encountered fairly easily within their current range in wooded wadis in the Asir highlands as well as nearby villages and adjacent farming terraces.<\/p>\n The Yemen Warbler (\u0647\u0627\u0632\u062c\u0629 \u064a\u0645\u0646\u064a\u0629) is the biggest skulker among the Arabian endemics. My most recent encounter with this white-eyed lovely produced the image included here, but this was by no means typical for the species, which is often tucked out of sight in deep tangles. Like the Arabian Woodpecker, they can be found in the highland juniper forests but prefer acacia trees with flaking bark for feeding. Unlike the woodpecker, I’ve had no trouble finding them around the Asir region throughout the year. They can be encountered at virutally all of the birding hotspots around Tanomah, Billahmer, and Abha.<\/p>\n The Yemen Thrush (\u0633\u0645\u0646\u0629 \u064a\u0645\u0646\u064a\u0629) is quite common in wooded areas\u2014particularly those with junipers\u2014in the Asir highlands from around 2000 meters and above. I\u2019ve seen them as far north as Taif as well as throughout the year at prime spots near Tanomah and Abha. In fact, there\u2019s no spot along the Asir escarpment from Abha to Tanomah where I haven’t seen them. That said, the further east away from the escarpment into drier terrain the less common they become. They can also be found associating with Song Thrush during the winter months. My favorite place to watch Yemen Thrush is at Al Soudah Waterfall, near the village of Azizah, which is a short drive from Abha.<\/p>\n The status of the Arabian Wheatear (\u0623\u0628\u0644\u0642 \u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a) as a distinct species is still being debated, with some arguing it\u2019s a subspecies of Mourning Wheatear. However, female Mourning resembles the male while the male and female Arabian Wheatear, which are often never far apart, are dimorphic, meaning the female has a very distinct appearance from the male. Either way these smart-looking wheatears are resident and quite abundant at a range of elevations from Taif down through Jazan Province to the south. They can be reliably found on a tour of the picturesque farming villages around Al Soudah Mountain.<\/p>\n The Arabian Waxbill (\u0634\u0645\u0639\u064a \u0645\u0646\u0642\u0627\u0631 \u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a) is a denizen of dense vegetation in western wadis and agricultural areas at a range of elevations. They do seem to be easier to find in the highlands during the summer months, however, when the Tihama lowlands are scorching hot. I\u2019ve seen these little beauties from the Al Shafa area near Taif, around Tanomah and Abha, and as far south as Jazan Province.<\/p>\n The Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak (\u0623\u0634\u062f\u0642 \u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a) just might be the most difficult endemic to track down in Saudi. The most recent sightings I’m aware of were from near Taif back in 2015, despite the recent efforts of Frank Rietkerk and myself. The grosbeaks\u2019 attraction to the wadis near the edge of the Taif escarpment appears to be on account of the large stands of Euphorbia ammak<\/i>, a succulent plant this species favors; however, the fruiting season for this particular euphorbia is in November, outside of which these birds have not been seen. This Arabian endemic has proven much easier outside of Salalah, Oman, where I saw a male in 2017.<\/p>\n The Arabian Serin (\u0646\u0639\u0627\u0631 \u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a), also known as Olive-rumped Serin, is very common in the western highlands throughout the year. I\u2019ve seen them from Taif south to the steep cultivated slopes of Jebel Fayfa in the Jazan Province. These honey-toned songsters are found in open areas, usually with acacia trees present, like some of the drier wadis east of the Asir escarpment. This is another species that can be readily encountered on a casual tour of the farming villages around Abha.<\/p>\n The Yemen Serin (\u0646\u0639\u0627\u0631 \u064a\u0645\u0646\u064a) is not quite as common in Saudi as the Arabian Serin. I’ve seen them far less often than the latter. Whereas the latter prefers trees and shrubs, the Yemen Serin tends to occupy more open terrain. I first saw them at the Tawi Al Tayr sinkhole near Salalah, Oman, in 2017. However, summer 2020 rewarded with what might be the most reliable spot to find them in Saudi\u2019s southwest\u2014the cliff edge near Al Habala Hanging Village, south of Abha. While both rather drab, the Yemen Serin can be distinguished from the Arabian Serin by its browner, streakier plumage and dark moustache\u2014the stripe running down at an angle from its eye.<\/p>\n The last and surely the sweetest Arabian endemic to be found in Saudi Arabia is the Yemen Linnet (\u062d\u0633\u0648\u0646 \u062a\u0641\u0627\u062d\u064a \u064a\u0645\u0646\u064a). This is one of the most abundant and easily encountered of all the Arabian endemics, perhaps second only to the Arabian Serin. These lovely birds, whose Arabic name translates as \u201cYemen Apple Finch\u201d, can be seen in the highlands throughout the year, but they are more reliable during the non-breeding months when they form larger flocks. On one brisk winter morning above 2800 meters, I found my chilled spirits elevated by their lively songs as I explored a wadi near Al Soudah Mountain. Few birds are quite as charming as the Yemen Linnet.<\/p>\n The best thing about the birds of Saudi Arabia\u2019s southwest highlands is their relative abundance. A tour of the natural wonders of the region and you can\u2019t fail to notice the diversity and sheer numbers of the birds all around you. With upwards to 500 species potentially occurring in Saudi throughout the year, there\u2019s far more to encounter in the southwest than the thirteen species featured here. However, these birds are endemic to the Arabian Peninsula and can\u2019t be seen anywhere else in the world, some of the boldest representations of the Kingdom\u2019s unique biodiversity\u2014treasure of the avian kind!<\/p>\n Support \u2018Fighting for Wildlife\u2019 by donating as little as $1 – It only takes a minute. Thank you.<\/p>\n<\/a>
Arabian Partridge Alectoris melanocephala<\/i><\/h2>\n
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Arabian Scops-Owl Otus pamelae<\/i><\/h2>\n
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<\/b>Arabian Woodpecker Dendrocoptes dorae<\/i><\/h2>\n
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Asir Magpie Pica asirensis<\/i><\/h2>\n
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Yemen Warbler Sylvia buryi<\/i><\/h2>\n
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Yemen Thrush Turdus menachensis<\/i><\/h2>\n
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Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugentoides<\/i><\/h2>\n
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Arabian Waxbill Estrilda rufibarba<\/i><\/h2>\n
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Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus percivali<\/i><\/h2>\n
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Arabian Serin Crithagra rothschildi<\/i><\/h2>\n
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Yemen Serin Crithagra menachensis<\/i><\/h2>\n
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Yemen Linnet (Linaria yemenensis)<\/h2>\n
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\nWhat you can do<\/h2>\n