Qatar’s mix of coastline, wetlands and desert pans makes it a surprising stop for birdlife throughout the year. From quiet mangroves to exposed salt flats, the landscape frames different species and migration routes that are easy to explore even on short visits.
There are 46 Birds of Qatar, ranging from Barn Swallow to Wood Sandpiper. For each species, entries list Scientific name,Status,Main habitats — you’ll find below.
Which species are residents versus seasonal visitors in Qatar?
Many shorebirds and passerine migrants pass through in spring and autumn, with a wave of winter visitors as well; true residents tend to be desert specialists and some coastal breeders. Check the Status column in the list to see which are regular residents, passage migrants or winter visitors for planning.
How should I use this list to plan a birding trip in Qatar?
Use the Status and Main habitats columns to match species to sites and seasons (wetlands for waders, coast for seabirds, desert pans for larks), go early when birds are active, and start with accessible hotspots near Doha to cover a wide range quickly.
Birds of Qatar
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Main habitats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Flamingo | Phoenicopterus roseus | Resident and winter visitor | Coastal lagoons, mudflats, salt pans, mangroves |
| Socotra Cormorant | Phalacrocorax nigrogularis | Seabird, breeding visitor | Rocky coasts, offshore islands, intertidal flats |
| Western Reef Heron | Egretta gularis | Resident (coastal specialist) | Mangroves, rocky shore, mudflats, jetties |
| Little Egret | Egretta garzetta | Regular resident and migrant | Mangroves, wetlands, mudflats, parks |
| Great Egret | Ardea alba | Regular visitor and possible breeder | Wetlands, mangroves, sewage ponds, salt pans |
| Cattle Egret | Bubulcus ibis | Resident and widespread seasonal breeder | Grasslands, parks, wetlands, agricultural areas |
| Grey Heron | Ardea cinerea | Regular visitor and local resident | Wetlands, mangroves, sewage ponds, coast |
| Osprey | Pandion haliaetus | Regular winter visitor and passage migrant | Coastal waters, lagoons, offshore islands |
| Sooty Falcon | Falco concolor | Passage migrant (spring) and rare visitor | Coastal cliffs, offshore waters, islands |
| Peregrine Falcon | Falco peregrinus | Resident and passage migrant | Coasts, open desert, urban tall buildings |
| Common Kestrel | Falco tinnunculus | Resident and common | Open desert, farmland, roadside perches, urban edges |
| Eurasian Marsh Harrier | Circus aeruginosus | Winter visitor and passage migrant | Salt pans, reedbeds, wetlands, marshes |
| Steppe Eagle | Aquila nipalensis | Winter visitor and occasional migrant | Open desert, coastal plains, rubbish dumps |
| Kentish Plover | Charadrius alexandrinus | Resident and winter visitor | Sandy beaches, mudflats, salt pans |
| Greater Sand Plover | Charadrius leschenaultii | Regular winter visitor and passage migrant | Mudflats, sandy beaches, salt pans |
| Lesser Sand Plover | Charadrius mongolus | Winter visitor and passage migrant | Mudflats, beaches, lagoons |
| Sanderling | Calidris alba | Winter visitor and passage migrant | Sandy beaches, surf zone, mudflats |
| Ruddy Turnstone | Arenaria interpres | Regular winter visitor | Rocky shores, jetties, mudflats, sandy beaches |
| Curlew Sandpiper | Calidris ferruginea | Passage migrant and winter visitor | Mudflats, lagoons, salt pans |
| Dunlin | Calidris alpina | Winter visitor and passage migrant | Mudflats, salt pans, lagoons |
| Grey Plover | Pluvialis squatarola | Winter visitor and passage migrant | Mudflats, sandbanks, beaches |
| Whimbrel | Numenius phaeopus | Passage migrant and winter visitor | Mudflats, coastal lagoons, flats |
| Terek Sandpiper | Xenus cinereus | Passage migrant and winter visitor | Mudflats, estuaries, mangroves |
| Marsh Sandpiper | Tringa stagnatilis | Passage migrant and winter visitor | Shallow wetlands, sewage ponds, salt pans |
| Common Greenshank | Tringa nebularia | Passage migrant and winter visitor | Mudflats, lagoons, wetlands |
| Wood Sandpiper | Tringa glareola | Passage migrant | Freshwater ponds, sewage works, marshes |
| Common Redshank | Tringa totanus | Winter visitor and passage migrant | Mudflats, salt pans, marshes |
| Sooty Gull | Ichthyaetus hemprichii | Common resident seabird | Rocky coasts, mudflats, lagoons, offshore islands |
| Greater Crested Tern | Thalasseus bergii | Common seabird and local breeder | Coastal waters, beaches, islands, lagoons |
| Sandwich Tern | Thalasseus sandvicensis | Passage migrant and winter visitor | Coasts, islands, sandy beaches |
| White-cheeked Bulbul | Pycnonotus leucotis | Resident and common | Parks, gardens, mangroves, plantations |
| House Sparrow | Passer domesticus | Resident and very common | Urban areas, gardens, villages, farms |
| Common Myna | Acridotheres tristis | Established resident | Urban parks, gardens, rubbish areas, farms |
| Laughing Dove | Spilopelia senegalensis | Resident and common | Scrub, parks, gardens, farmland |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove | Streptopelia decaocto | Resident and common | Urban gardens, farms, parks, scrub |
| Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica | Passage migrant and summer visitor | Urban areas, coast, agricultural fields |
| House Martin | Delichon urbicum | Passage migrant and summer visitor | Urban areas, coastal towns, cliffs |
| Desert Wheatear | Oenanthe deserti | Resident and passage migrant | Open desert, gravel plains, scrubby areas |
| Isabelline Wheatear | Oenanthe isabellina | Passage migrant and winter visitor | Rocky desert, scrub, coastal dunes |
| Northern Wheatear | Oenanthe oenanthe | Passage migrant | Open fields, rocky ground, coastal dunes |
| Crested Lark | Galerida cristata | Resident and common | Open desert, agricultural land, roadside verges |
| Desert Lark | Ammomanes deserti | Resident and widespread | Rocky deserts, gravel plains, sandy dunes |
| Spotted Sandgrouse | Pterocles senegallus | Resident and desert specialist | Desert plains, gravel flats, waterholes |
| Ruff | Calidris pugnax | Passage migrant and winter visitor | Mudflats, salt pans, shallow wetlands |
| Eurasian Oystercatcher | Haematopus ostralegus | Winter visitor and rare breeder | Rocky coasts, mudflats, sandy beaches |
| Ruddy Shelduck | Tadorna ferruginea | Winter visitor and occasional breeder | Lagoons, reservoirs, coastal wetlands |
Images and Descriptions
Greater Flamingo
Large pink wading bird with long legs and a down-curved bill, often in flocks. Common at Ras Laffan and Al Thakhira; feeds by filter-feeding. Most numerous November–March but seen year-round at wetlands and coastal flats.
Socotra Cormorant
Dark, stocky cormorant that nests on Gulf islands and roosts on coastal rocks. Very gregarious and easy to spot from shore. Best seen along Qatar’s north coast and islands year-round, especially winter.
Western Reef Heron
Dark or pale heron with hunched posture, often on reefs and mangrove pools. Solitary hunter of fish and crabs along the intertidal zone. Common year-round on the western and northern coasts.
Little Egret
Slim white heron with black legs and yellow feet, active stalker in shallow water. Widespread and often seen singly or in small groups; common in winter months and present year-round.
Great Egret
Tall white heron with long neck and yellow bill, slow deliberate feeder. Seen at major wetlands and mangroves; more numerous in cooler months but occurs year-round in suitable habitat.
Cattle Egret
Chunky white heron often near livestock or vehicles, shows buff breeding plumage. Common in parks, fields and wetlands; breeds locally in some years and seen throughout the year.
Grey Heron
Large grey and white heron with slow stalking habits and heavy bill. Common at larger water bodies and coasts; more conspicuous in winter though present year-round in suitable sites.
Osprey
Large fish-eating raptor with diving habit, white underside and dark eye stripe. Often seen quartering coastal waters and perching on pylons. Highest numbers October–March along the coast.
Sooty Falcon
Slender, sooty-grey falcon seen during spring migration when crossing the Gulf. Fast-flying and insect/fast-bird hunter; best chance April–May around coastal hotspots and islands.
Peregrine Falcon
Powerful falcon with rapid flight and stoop hunting behavior. Seen singly on coasts and over deserts; occasional urban sightings. Present year-round, more visible in migration periods.
Common Kestrel
Small falcon with hovering hunting behavior and long tail. Very common across Qatar’s open landscapes and roadsides; seen year-round, especially hunting from utility poles and posts.
Eurasian Marsh Harrier
Long-winged harrier with owl-like face and buoyant flight hunting over wetlands. More frequent October–March at sewage ponds and mangroves; females/brown-plumaged birds common.
Steppe Eagle
Large dark eagle often seen perched or soaring; winters in Qatar on open ground and near landfills. Scarcer than common raptors but reliable in October–March, especially in years with good passage.
Kentish Plover
Small pale plover with orange legs and short bill, often in small groups on sandy shores. Common on beaches and salt pans; best seen October–April and during low tide.
Greater Sand Plover
Chunky plover with smart grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts. Common on Qatar coasts in winter and on passage; best October–March at intertidal flats and lagoons.
Lesser Sand Plover
Smaller plover than Greater Sand Plover with browner tones in non-breeding plumage. Occurs on coastal mudflats and salt pans, mostly October–March, often with other shorebirds.
Sanderling
Tiny white-and-grey sandpiper that runs with waves along the shore. Common on open beaches in winter months; best seen October–March on exposed coasts and spits.
Ruddy Turnstone
Sturdy black-and-white shorebird that flips stones and debris for invertebrates. Frequent on rocky coasts and jetties; common October–March and on passage.
Curlew Sandpiper
Small migratory sandpiper with slightly down-curved bill; breeding plumage shows rufous tones. Seen during migration and winter on mudflats; best September–April.
Dunlin
Medium sandpiper with slightly drooped bill and black belly patch in winter flight. Common on intertidal flats in winter; most abundant October–March.
Grey Plover
Stout plover with large head and black belly in breeding plumage. Found on exposed tidal flats and sandy banks; October–March is best time to see flocks.
Whimbrel
Large curlew with distinctive down-curved bill and crown stripe. Moves through on migration and winters in small numbers on coasts; best October–March and during migration.
Terek Sandpiper
Distinctive upturned bill and restless foraging along mud edges. Seen on migration and in winter at mangroves and estuaries; most frequent October–April.
Marsh Sandpiper
Delicate long-legged wader with fine bill and ginger in flight. Occurs in wetlands and salt pans on passage and wintering; best September–April.
Common Greenshank
Long-legged, greenish-legged wader with loud call and energetic probing. Widespread at coastal and inland wetlands during migration and winter months October–March.
Wood Sandpiper
Slender green-legged wader that prefers shallow freshwater habitats. Common on migration in spring and autumn; seen at sewage ponds and marshy areas April–May and August–October.
Common Redshank
Medium wader with bright red legs and loud piping call. Found on coastal flats and wetlands in winter and on passage; best October–March.
Sooty Gull
Medium gull with dark-backed upperparts and coastal habits; often seen loafing on sandbars and rocks. Widespread along Qatar’s coast year-round, especially near fishing boats.
Greater Crested Tern
Large tern with shaggy crest and orange bill, dives for fish close to shore. Colonies and foraging flocks common around islands and coasts year-round, most visible in calm weather.
Sandwich Tern
Elegant white tern with black bill and flicking flight, often in flocks feeding offshore. Appears on passage and in winter; best viewed from headlands and boat trips.
White-cheeked Bulbul
Chubby olive-brown bulbul with white cheek patch and lively song. Abundant in urban green spaces and mangroves; easy to see year-round in Doha parks and coastal scrub.
House Sparrow
Familiar small brown sparrow seen in flocks around buildings and markets. Very common across Qatar’s towns and villages year-round, easily approachable and noisy.
Common Myna
Bold brown-black bird with yellow eye-patch, often taming city areas and foraging on lawns. Widespread in Doha and suburbs; present year-round and very conspicuous.
Laughing Dove
Small dove with pinkish underparts and soft cooing; often perches on wires and trees. Very common in gardens and scrub throughout Qatar; breeds in many urban and rural sites.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Pale dove with distinct black neck crescent; often in pairs or small groups. Widespread across settled areas and gardens year-round; an easy garden bird to spot.
Barn Swallow
Fork-tailed swallow with glossy blue upperparts and rufous throat; aerial insectivore. Common on migration and breeding locally in some years; best seen April–October.
House Martin
Small white-bellied martin that nests under eaves; agile aerial hunter of insects. Occurs on spring and autumn migration and in summer months in towns and villages.
Desert Wheatear
Pale wheatear with bold face pattern and upright posture, often perching on low shrubs or rocks. Common across Qatar’s deserts; seen year-round and especially in cooler months.
Isabelline Wheatear
Pale buff wheatear with black tail patch and upright stance. Passes through in spring and autumn; winter records occur in milder seasons, best seen March–May and September–November.
Northern Wheatear
Small, upright migrant with white rump and striking facial pattern in some races. Common on migration in spring and autumn across open coastal and desert habitat.
Crested Lark
Streaky brown lark with noticeable crest when excited, sings from low perches. Very common in disturbed open habitats and roadside areas year-round across Qatar.
Desert Lark
Robust lark with pale sandy plumage, well adapted to harsh dry environments. Common across Qatar’s interior deserts; often seen singly or in small parties year-round.
Spotted Sandgrouse
Compact, ground-dwelling bird with cryptic spotted plumage that visits waterholes at dawn/dusk. Best seen at desert water sources and open plains; mostly resident with local movements.
Ruff
Medium wader with dramatic breeding plumage in males; in non-breeding plumage more subdued. Passes through Qatar during migration and can occur at wetlands September–April.
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Bold black-and-white shorebird with thick orange bill for prying shellfish. Seen on coastal flats and rocks in winter months; local and less numerous than other waders.
Ruddy Shelduck
Large orange-brown duck with pale head and black flight feathers. Winters in small numbers at major wetlands and sometimes stages for breeding; best October–March.
