If you’re looking to identify birds of Oman, you’ll want to know which ones are native to the region. This birding guide contains good illustrations and an 11-page checklist.
It’s also a timely addition to country-level field guides. Regardless of what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find some new species to identify. In addition to the checklist, the book includes information on the species’ habitat and feeding habits.
What will I learn?
Species
There are many types of birds that can be seen in Oman. Cranes, which are large birds with long necks, are commonly seen. Although they look similar to herons, they are unrelated.
Cranes are characterized by noisy courtship displays and elaborate feathered body structure. In Oman, you will find two species of cranes. Here are some of the most common types of birds found in the country.
Nightjars are medium-sized, nocturnal birds. They are black or dark grey in color with short legs and long pointed wings. They nest on the ground and flycatch their prey.
Among the 93 species of kingfishers, one species is found in Oman. Similarly, babblers are small passerines with a fluffy appearance. They belong to the same family as crows and ravens.
The ibis belongs to the family of bird-like creatures, the Threskiornithidae. This family includes ibises, spoonbills, and other wading birds.
Its streamlined body, long pointed wings, and broad bills make it an excellent flying bird. Besides crows, avocets and stilts are capable soaring and have a number of species in Oman.
The ostrich is the largest living bird in the world. Its long neck and legs make it possible to move at high speeds. The grebe, meanwhile, is a small-to-medium-sized freshwater diving bird.
Its legs are long and its feet are far back on its body, making it ungainly on land. However, it is still a species of great interest in Oman.
The Sultanate of Oman is making great efforts to combat invasive alien birds. The country has constituted a national team of competent authorities to develop a comprehensive action plan.
In addition, an international expert was hired to benefit from lessons learned from other countries. It is important to keep in mind that the country has relatively high temperatures year-round, so summer is the best time to spot birds in Oman. However, the interior desert can get very hot in the summer, so bird watching is highly recommended.
Habitat
If you’re a birdwatcher, a guide to the habitats of birds of Oman is an essential part of your travels. Listed below are all the species of birds in Oman and where to find them.
The list is compiled from the latest Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2021 edition, and features over 400 color photographs and distribution maps. Oman is a migratory crossroads for many species.
Birdlife in Oman is thriving, thanks to its varied habitats and climate. The contrasting landscapes and climates of the country are a haven for all kinds of wildlife.
Each year, millions of wading birds pass through the country, and migratory and resident species make Oman their winter home. Listed below are some of the most common birds found in Oman:
The study area comprised presumed territories of monitored birds and adjacent areas with suitable breeding habitat, as well as potential nesting habitat along roads and tracks.
Of the total area, 2900 square km was studied. Out of this, 1730 km2 was deemed suitable for nesting. These areas were dominated by medium and large cliffs, and were far from human disturbance.
The main Muscat landfill is situated about 15 km to the southwest of the study area. The southern third of the study area was the most rugged, with the lowest human population.
The number of Egyptian Vultures in Oman is higher than previously thought. Researchers have found up to 65 breeding pairs of Egyptian Vultures on Masirah Island, and their numbers are expected to double.
Although the population of Egyptian Vultures in Oman is currently estimated at around 100 pairs, some of them breed year-round on Masirah Island.
These birds have been observed at dump sites, and their numbers may be larger than previously thought.
Feeding habits
The Sultanate of Oman is making great efforts to combat the invasive alien birds. A national team of competent authorities has been formed, and an international expert has been hired to draw from management and control experience in other countries.
These experts will use the latest techniques in their fight against the alien birds, which are threatening the Sultanate. Listed below are the common feeding habits of birds in Oman. Once you know how to feed these birds, you’ll be well on your way to being a better birder.
Crab Plovers: These are large water birds with long legs and a heavy black bill resembling a tern’s. Their distinctive plumage and large, webbed feet help them to easily pick up food in shallow water.
During the breeding season, they also feed on small insects such as worms and snails. Other Oman-specific birds include yellow wagtails and longclaws.
Ostrich: Oman’s ostrich is the largest living bird and is a flightless bird native to Africa. Ostriches can run at high speeds and have a long neck, and are also capable of diving very deep.
Grebes: Several grebe species are small to medium-sized freshwater diving birds. Their feet are far back on the body, making them ungainly on land.
Starlings: A family of medium-sized, gregarious passerine birds, starlings are found throughout the country and are commonly found in open areas. They feed on insects and fruit.
The smallest species in Oman are thrushes, a small bird that is found in abundance on the islands. Its attractive song makes it an excellent choice for birdwatching. They are gregarious and prone to breeding in the country.
Colour plates
If you’re planning a visit to the Sultanate of Oman in the Middle East, you should have the Birds of Oman Field Guide on your hands. The book has five hundred and sixty-six species and 116 colour plates for identification.
The plates feature detailed descriptions of each species’ distinctive plumages and races, as well as non-naturalised escapes. In addition to the colour plates, the book also includes species accounts, including key identification features, habitats, and sounds.
It also includes colour maps to show where each species breeds, spends winters, and migrates.
In this guide, you will find the names of all 528 species of birds in Oman, including rare and endangered species. The guide contains detailed descriptions of each species’ habitat and voice, as well as distribution maps of its breeding and wintering grounds.
The book is also updated to reflect the latest information about the distribution of birds in Oman, including their breeding season, migration patterns, and more. In addition, the guide includes a comprehensive index of common birds in Oman.
Oman is the jewel of the Middle East, and Birds of Oman is the first field guide to document its rich birdlife. The book is packed with useful information and photographs of many of the country’s rare species.
In addition to providing descriptions of the birds, it also features colour plates of the most important breeding sites, as well as several maps that are specifically designed for Oman’s avifauna.
Colour plates of birds of Oman is the first comprehensive guide to birdwatching in Oman and the Arabian Peninsula. The book includes colour photographs of each species in their full plumage.
There are also notes on the status of each species and their preferred habitat. With the addition of the full-colour photographs, this field guide is an essential reference for any birdwatcher. It is an indispensable field guide for the region.
Checklist
This Checklist for birds of Oman contains a complete list of the native, introduced, and accidental species of this migratory crossroads of the Middle East. It features 116 colour plates illustrating a wide variety of plumages and identification features, as well as distribution maps of each species.
The Oman Bird List is a must-have for any Oman tour. It includes an easy-to-use map of the island’s bird life.
The checklist contains more than 800 species. There are also several different checklists for each country. To help you find rare or accidental birds, just click on the corresponding icon on the checklist.
Once you’ve spotted a bird, you can mark it with an asterisk (*) by adding it to your list. To make the checklist easier to use, enable autoplay. To play the audio, click the play button below.
The Musandam Ferry offers an excellent opportunity to observe water birds and migrants.
The area is also home to several regular species such as the Pheasant-tailed Jacana, the Lesser Flamingo, the Little Bittern, and the Baillon’s Crakes. Some species are endemic to the Sultanate of Oman. The country is also a great place to see raptors.
The migratory bird population is diverse and varied. While some are resident, others are only found in a few areas. The Al Hajar Mountains Reserve is located in the eastern AlHajar Mountains, 45 km south of Muscat.
Here, you can spot Arabian Tahr and deer, as well as date plantations. It is also possible to spot a variety of birds, including the endangered Ala-Dajri.
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