The Complete List of Birds of the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates combines coastal mudflats, mangroves, desert plains and mountain wadis, creating a patchwork of sites that attract both resident species and long-distance migrants. That variety means birdwatching here can be productive year-round, with different hotspots offering very different lists.

There are 58 Birds of the United Arab Emirates, ranging from the Bar-tailed godwit to the White-spectacled bulbul. For each species I’ve listed Scientific name,Status,Habitat / where seen,Months present — details you’ll find below.

When are the best months to see the most species in the UAE?

Peak diversity aligns with migration: autumn (September–November) and spring (February–April) bring many passage migrants, while winter (December–February) concentrates large numbers of waterbirds and some desert visitors; check the Months present column to match species to the right season.

How can I use this list to plan a birding trip?

Use the Habitat / where seen and Months present columns to pick locations and timing, consult Status for rarity or commonness, bring binoculars and a scope for wetlands, and consider local reserves or guided walks to increase sightings while following responsible birding practices.

Birds of the United Arab Emirates

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Habitat / where seen	Months present
Socotra cormorant	Phalacrocorax nigrogularis	Resident	Coastal waters, offshore islands, Abu Dhabi islands, Ras Al Khor	Year-round
Western reef heron	Egretta gularis	Resident	Rocky shores, mudflats, mangroves, Ras Al Khor, Fujairah	Year-round
Little egret	Egretta garzetta	Resident	Mangroves, mudflats, lagoons, Al Wathba, Ras Al Khor	Year-round
Great cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	Winter visitor	Coastal waters, jetties, lagoons, Ras Al Khor, Fujairah	Nov–Mar
Crab-plover	Dromas ardeola	Resident breeder	Sandy islands, mudflats, Abu Dhabi islands, Sir Bani Yas	Year-round
Great egret	Ardea alba	Passage & winter visitor	Wetlands, mangroves, coastal lagoons, Ras Al Khor	Oct–Mar
Grey heron	Ardea cinerea	Winter visitor	Wetlands, coasts, mangroves, Al Wathba	Oct–Mar
Cattle egret	Bubulcus ibis	Resident	Farms, grasslands, wetlands, urban parks, Abu Dhabi	Year-round
Indian pond-heron	Ardeola grayii	Resident	Freshwater margins, irrigation channels, Al Ain oases, gardens	Year-round
Kentish plover	Charadrius alexandrinus	Resident & winter visitor	Sandy beaches, salt pans, Al Khan, Al Qurm, Jebel Ali	Year-round
Greater sand plover	Charadrius leschenaultii	Passage & winter visitor	Sandy coasts, mudflats, lagoons, Ras Al Khor	Sep–Apr
Eurasian oystercatcher	Haematopus ostralegus	Winter visitor	Rocky coasts, sandy shores, Ras Al Khor, Fujairah	Oct–Mar
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus	Passage migrant	Mudflats, coastal lagoons, Ras Al Khor, Al Rams	Mar–May, Aug–Oct
Curlew sandpiper	Calidris ferruginea	Passage & winter visitor	Mudflats, saltpans, Ras Al Khor, Al Zorah	Mar–May, Aug–Oct
Sanderling	Calidris alba	Passage & winter visitor	Sandy beaches, tidal shorelines, Al Mamzar, Ras Al Khor	Sep–Apr
Common sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	Passage & winter visitor	Rocky shores, mangroves, freshwater edges, Ras Al Khor	Mar–May, Sep–Apr
Grey plover	Pluvialis squatarola	Winter visitor	Mudflats, estuaries, sandy coasts, Ras Al Khor	Oct–Mar
Bar-tailed godwit	Limosa lapponica	Passage migrant	Mudflats, coastal lagoons, Ras Al Khor	Mar–May, Aug–Oct
Greater flamingo	Phoenicopterus roseus	Winter visitor & occasional breeder	Shallow lagoons, salt pans, Al Zorah, Ras Al Khor, Al Wathba	Oct–Mar
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	Passage & winter visitor	Coastal waters, lagoons, jetties, Abu Dhabi islands	Sep–Apr
Peregrine falcon	Falco peregrinus	Resident & passage	Coastal cliffs, desert escarpments, urban high-rises, Jebel Hafeet	Year-round
Sooty falcon	Falco concolor	Summer breeder & passage migrant	Offshore islands, coastal cliffs, Sir Bu Nair, Abu Dhabi islands	Apr–Sep
Lanner falcon	Falco biarmicus	Resident	Desert plains, rocky hills, Hajar Mountains, Jebel Hafeet	Year-round
Common kestrel	Falco tinnunculus	Resident	Open country, farmland, urban edges, Hajar foothills	Year-round
Little grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	Resident	Freshwater lakes, ponds, Al Ain, Al Wathba reserve	Year-round
Caspian tern	Hydroprogne caspia	Passage & winter visitor	Coasts, lagoons, saltpans, Ras Al Khor, Fujairah	Sep–Apr
White-cheeked tern	Sterna repressa	Resident breeder	Sandy coasts, mangrove edges, offshore islands, Abu Dhabi	Year-round
Bridled tern	Onychoprion anaethetus	Resident breeder	Offshore waters, cliffs and islands, Sir Bu Nair, Abu Dhabi islands	Year-round
Ruddy shelduck	Tadorna ferruginea	Winter visitor	Freshwater lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, Al Ain, Al Wathba	Oct–Apr
Northern shoveler	Spatula clypeata	Winter visitor	Wetlands, Al Wathba, Ras Al Khor, salt pans	Oct–Mar
Garganey	Spatula querquedula	Passage migrant	Freshwater marshes, ricefields, Al Ain, Al Wathba	Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Eurasian teal	Anas crecca	Winter visitor	Freshwater lakes, Al Wathba, Al Ain, Ras Al Khor	Oct–Mar
Common pochard	Aythya ferina	Winter visitor	Freshwater reservoirs, Al Wathba, Al Ain lakes	Nov–Mar
Brown-necked raven	Corvus ruficollis	Resident	Desert plains, gravel flats, mountains, rubbish dumps	Year-round
House crow	Corvus splendens	Introduced & resident	Coastal towns, ports, urban areas, Dubai, Sharjah	Year-round
House sparrow	Passer domesticus	Resident	Urban areas, farms, parks, Abu Dhabi, Dubai	Year-round
White-eared bulbul	Pycnonotus leucotis	Resident	Gardens, parks, mangroves, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi	Year-round
White-spectacled bulbul	Pycnonotus xanthopygos	Resident	Urban gardens, oases, mangroves, Al Ain	Year-round
Graceful prinia	Prinia gracilis	Resident	Reedbeds, wetlands, mangrove edges, Al Wathba, Ras Al Khor	Year-round
Indian roller	Coracias benghalensis	Resident	Open woodland, parks, roadside trees, Al Ain, eastern Abu Dhabi	Year-round
European roller	Coracias garrulus	Passage migrant	Open country, acacia woodland, farms, Wadi areas	Mar–May, Aug–Oct
European bee-eater	Merops apiaster	Passage migrant	Open desert edges, wadis, sand plains, Al Ain	Mar–May, Aug–Oct
Pied kingfisher	Ceryle rudis	Resident	Coastal lagoons, freshwater ponds, Ras Al Khor, Al Wathba	Year-round
Collared kingfisher	Todiramphus chloris	Resident	Mangroves, coastal scrub, Ras Al Khor, Abu Dhabi coasts	Year-round
Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse	Pterocles exustus	Resident	Dry desert plains, gravel flats, camel country, interior UAE	Year-round
Spotted sandgrouse	Pterocles senegallus	Resident	Dunes, sandy plains, interior deserts, Rub’ al Khali fringe	Year-round
Indian silverbill	Euodice malabarica	Resident	Villages, farms, scrub, gardens, Al Ain	Year-round
Green bee-eater	Merops orientalis	Resident	Open scrub, acacia stands, agricultural areas, Al Ain	Year-round
Northern wheatear	Oenanthe oenanthe	Passage migrant	Rocky slopes, desert plains, coastal scrub, Hajar foothills	Mar–May, Aug–Oct
Isabelline wheatear	Oenanthe isabellina	Passage & summer visitor	Desert plains, gravel flats, cultivated margins	Mar–May, Aug–Oct
Desert lark	Ammomanes deserti	Resident	Rocky and sandy deserts, gravel plains, interior UAE	Year-round
Crested lark	Galerida cristata	Resident	Open fields, roadside verges, cultivated plains, outskirts of towns	Year-round
Black-crowned sparrow-lark	Eremopterix nigriceps	Resident	Dry, sandy areas, dustpans, desert margins, interior	Year-round
Common myna	Acridotheres tristis	Introduced & resident	Urban areas, parks, markets, Dubai, Abu Dhabi	Year-round
White wagtail	Motacilla alba	Winter visitor	Coastal promenades, wetlands, urban parks, Al Wathba	Oct–Mar
Common kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	Winter visitor	Freshwater ponds, canals, Al Ain, Al Wathba	Oct–Mar
Egyptian vulture	Neophron percnopterus	Passage & winter visitor	Open country, mountains, rubbish tips, Hajar Mountains	Oct–Mar
Steppe eagle	Aquila nipalensis	Winter visitor	Open desert, garbage dumps, coastal plains, migratory roosts	Nov–Mar

Images and Descriptions

Socotra cormorant

Dark, compact cormorant with a pale throat in breeding plumage; nests in dense coastal colonies. Often seen in large flocks around Abu Dhabi islands and Ras Al Khor mudflats, flying low over sheltered bays.

Western reef heron

Variable grey or dark morph heron with thick bill and hunched posture. Forages quietly on reef flats and mangroves; easy to spot around Ras Al Khor and rocky Fujairah coasts at low tide.

Little egret

Small white heron with black legs and yellow feet; elegant plumes in breeding season. Active in shallow water hunting fish and crustaceans—common at Al Wathba and Ras Al Khor wetlands.

Great cormorant

Large black cormorant with a white throat patch in winter adults; often seen perched with wings spread. Found along coasts and busy jetties, especially in winter months.

Crab-plover

Striking black-and-white shorebird with long legs and heavy bill specialized for crabs. Breeds in burrows on offshore islands; best seen from boats around Abu Dhabi islands.

Great egret

Tall, all-white heron with a long neck and yellow bill; slow deliberate stalker. Appears seasonally in shallow wetlands—look for them at Ras Al Khor and Al Wathba lakes in winter.

Grey heron

Large grey heron with S-shaped neck and thick bill; solitary fisherman. Most common in winter at freshwater marshes and coastal lagoons like Ras Al Khor.

Cattle egret

Stocky white heron often following livestock; yellow bill in breeding season. Very adaptable and conspicuous in open country and urban parks across the UAE.

Indian pond-heron

Compact buff-and-white heron with streaked neck in non-breeding plumage; freezes before striking. Common around small ponds, irrigation channels and garden lakes in Al Ain and coastal areas.

Kentish plover

Small pale plover with dark eye-band and short bill; runs and pauses on sand. Frequent on beaches and salt flats; breeding birds nest on quiet shorelines like Jebel Ali.

Greater sand plover

Chunky plover with a white belly and sandy back; strong, purposeful run. Abundant on tidal flats and sandy shores during migration and winter—Ras Al Khor good for close views.

Eurasian oystercatcher

Black-and-white shorebird with long bright orange bill used for prying shellfish. Seen on rocky and sandy coasts in winter, often in small groups.

Whimbrel

Large curlew with long downcurved bill and streaked head; diagnostic dark crown stripe. Feeds on invertebrates in tidal flats—common on migration at Ras Al Khor.

Curlew sandpiper

Small reddish-breasted sandpiper in breeding plumage with slightly drooped bill. Tight flocks on mudflats during migration; look at Ras Al Khor and tidal flats.

Sanderling

Tiny, pale sandpiper that runs with waves; non-breeding birds are greyish. Watch the wriggling feeding flocks on exposed beaches and tidal edges.

Common sandpiper

Brown-backed, white-underpart wader with distinctive bobbing tail. Shy but widespread along coasts and inland waters—don’t miss them at Ras Al Khor pools.

Grey plover

Stocky plover with black belly in winter; heavy dark bill. Holds position on tidal flats in winter and migratory periods—good numbers on UAE mudflats.

Bar-tailed godwit

Long bill curving slightly upward and barred tail in flight. Migratory flocks probe soft mudflats; watch larger flocks during spring and autumn passage.

Greater flamingo

Tall pink wader with a downturned bill feeding by filtering. Large flocks gather in shallow saline lakes; spectacular at Al Wathba and coastal salt pans in winter.

Osprey

Large white-and-brown fish-eating raptor with angled wings; dramatic plunge-dives. Look along coasts and inlets where they hunt small fish.

Peregrine falcon

Powerful falcon with barred underparts and pointed wings; rapid stoops. Nests on cliffs and occasionally city skyscrapers; common in Hajar foothills and cities.

Sooty falcon

Dark, sleek falcon that breeds on remote islands in summer; fast, direct flight. Best seen from boats or island hides during the breeding season.

Lanner falcon

Large falcon with broad wings and reddish back; powerful hunter of birds. Found in open rocky areas and wadis—scan hillsides for perched birds.

Common kestrel

Familiar hovering raptor with reddish back and speckled plumage; hunts small mammals. Widespread in deserts and cultivated areas; perches on poles and walls.

Little grebe

Tiny dark waterbird with a pointed bill and rising swimming style. Secretive but common on small lakes—watch for bobbing heads and rapid dives.

Caspian tern

Large white tern with thick red bill and black cap. Powerful flyer; plunge-dives for fish close to shore—seen along UAE coasts and sheltered bays.

White-cheeked tern

Slender white tern with black cap and distinctive white cheek patch. Breeds on islands and forages offshore—common around Abu Dhabi islands and mangrove fringes.

Bridled tern

Dark-backed tern with pale face and white underparts; agile over sea. Often seen feeding offshore and nesting on rocky islets—best reached by boat.

Ruddy shelduck

Large orange-brown duck with pale head; often in small flocks. Common at inland wetlands and reservoirs during winter months—easily seen at Al Ain lakes.

Northern shoveler

Distinctive large spatulate bill; males show green head and white chest. Filters small invertebrates in shallow waters—present in winter at freshwater and brackish sites.

Garganey

Small dabbling duck with a bold white eyebrow in males. Common spring and autumn migrant at shallow marshes—look for feeding dabbling flocks.

Eurasian teal

Small dabbling duck with chestnut flanks and green eye-stripe in male. Forms loose flocks on sheltered freshwater lakes throughout winter.

Common pochard

Diving duck with rounded head; males show reddish-brown head and black breast. Occurs at larger inland lakes in winter; shy but visible on quiet reservoirs.

Brown-necked raven

Robust raven with heavy bill, brownish neck and raucous voice. Frequent in desert and mountain areas; often seen at carcasses and town edges.

House crow

Shoreline crow with glossy black head and grey body; bold and opportunistic. Ubiquitous in coastal settlements and markets—watch for noisy street flocks.

House sparrow

Stocky brown sparrow with black bib in males; familiar in towns and villages. Common around buildings, markets and parks throughout the UAE.

White-eared bulbul

Grey-brown bulbul with a white cheek patch and black eye-line; sings from tops of bushes. Frequent in gardens and mangroves—easy to see in city parks.

White-spectacled bulbul

Brown bulbul with bold white eye-ring and yellow vent. Common in landscaped gardens and oases; energetic and vocal.

Graceful prinia

Small, active warbler with long tail and thin bill; tail often cocked. Hops through reeds and low scrub—best in wetland vegetation zones.

Indian roller

Bright blue and chestnut roller that perches conspicuously before swooping to catch insects. Eye-catching in farmland and parkland; summer displays visible along roadsides.

European roller

Vivid blue and brown bird that glides with fluttering wingbeats. A spectacular spring and autumn migrant—best seen perching on wires in open countryside.

European bee-eater

Colorful, long-billed aerial insectivore with blue belly and chestnut back. Feeds on the wing over sandy plains and wadis during migration—spectacular flocks on passage.

Pied kingfisher

Black-and-white hovering kingfisher that plunges for fish; often perches on posts. Regular at sheltered lagoons and inland reservoirs—common and conspicuous.

Collared kingfisher

Blue-green kingfisher with white collar and buff underparts; noisey and territorial. Watches from mangrove branches and feeds on small crabs and fish at low tide.

Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse

Cryptic sandy bird with compact body and long pointed wings; males show chestnut belly. Flies in fast flocks to watering sites at dawn and dusk—common in interior deserts.

Spotted sandgrouse

Pale, streaked sandgrouse with spotted wings; swift direct flight. Best seen at watering holes or crossing desert plains at first light.

Indian silverbill

Small finch-like bird with short conical bill and pale underparts; social in flocks. Common around farmsteads and village gardens—feeds on grass seeds.

Green bee-eater

Slender bright green bee-eater with black throat band and long central tail streamers. Hunts insects from exposed perches; conspicuous and vocal in open landscapes.

Northern wheatear

Compact chat with upright posture, pale underparts and distinctive tail pattern. Migrant flocks and solitary birds appear on migration; Hajar foothills and rocky wadis good spots.

Isabelline wheatear

Pale sandy wheatear with warm tones and black tail pattern; upright stance. Seen during spring and autumn migration and in warmer months across open desert.

Desert lark

Stout, sandy-coloured lark with crestless head and streaky back; ground-dwelling. Well camouflaged on desert ground—common in remote interior areas.

Crested lark

Streaky brown lark with small crest and broad white collar. Perches on low bushes and wires, singing from high exposed perches—widespread in open habitats.

Black-crowned sparrow-lark

Small lark with black crown and face in males, pale body. Forms loose feeding flocks on sandy ground—search early morning in desert outskirts.

Common myna

Bold, olive-brown bird with yellow eye-patch and loud calls; opportunistic omnivore. Thrives in towns and ports; often nests in buildings and palms.

White wagtail

Slender, tail-bobbing passer with black-and-white head pattern; agile on ground. Widespread in winter across wetland edges and urban waterways.

Common kingfisher

Tiny brilliant blue and orange kingfisher with sharp bill; flashes past perches. Wintering individuals frequent quiet freshwater pools and canals—best seen at dawn.

Egyptian vulture

Small white vulture with dark flight feathers and pale face; uses tools occasionally in other ranges. Seen singly or few at waste sites and in mountain canyons during winter.

Steppe eagle

Large dark raptor with broad wings and strong legs; glides on thermals. Winter concentrations often at coastal dumps and plains—look for heavyset eagles on migration.