List of birds of Qatar

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Qatar. The avifauna of Qatar include a total of 352 species, of which 3 have been introduced by humans.

A pair of white-eared bulbuls (Pycnonotus leucotis) observed in the country

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Qatar. Native species are marked with an "N". The global conservation status are displayed per the IUCN for each species alongside the population trend. The Qatar birds list, which has catalogued all verified species recorded in the country serves as the primary source for the list.[1]

Additionally, the book Common birds of Qatar[2] covering 215 of the total 352 species in the country has been used to depict the species' frequency in the country, as well as habitat.

The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.

  • (A) Accidental – a species that accidentally occurs in Qatar, and is not a regular migrant nor a resident.
  • (R) Rare – a species that is a regular visitor or inhabitant of the country, but in very small or sparse populations. Most species marked as such are threatened.
  • (I) Introduced – a species introduced to Qatar as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions. Due to Qatar's harsh and generally resistant environment, none of the introduced species listed are considered invasive in the country.
  • (Ex) Extirpated – a species that no longer occurs in Qatar although populations exist elsewhere
  • (X) Extinct – a species or subspecies that no longer exists


Ostriches

Order: Struthioniformes   Family: Struthionidae

The ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.

Common nameTrinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Arabian ostrichStruthio camelus ssp. syriacusXExtinctN/AFormerly widespread in the Arabian peninsula
Red-necked ostrichStruthio camelus ssp. camelusICritically endangered Found in Ras Abrouq, west coast

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Graylag gooseAnser anserNLeast concern Rare winter visitor
Greater white-fronted gooseAnser albifronsALeast concern?Rare winter visitor
Whooper swanCygnus cygnusALeast concern?Vagrant
Egyptian gooseAlopochen aegyptiacaILeast concern Introduced
Ruddy shelduckTadorna ferrugineaALeast concern?Scarce winter visitor
Common shelduckTadorna tadornaNLeast concern Scarce winter visitor
Cotton pygmy-gooseNettapus coromandelianusALeast concern vagrant
GarganeySpatula querquedulaNLeast concern Passage migrant and winter visitor
Northern shovelerSpatula clypeataNLeast concern winter visitor
GadwallMareca streperaALeast concern Scarce winter visitor
Eurasian wigeonMareca penelopeNLeast concern winter visitor
MallardAnas platyrhynchosNLeast concern Common winter visitor
Northern pintailAnas acutaNLeast concern Winter visitor
Green-winged tealAnas creccaNLeast concern?Winter visitor
Marbled tealMarmaronetta angustirostrisRVulnerable Vagrant recorded in 1985
Red-crested pochardNetta rufinaALeast concern?Vagrant
Common pochardAythya ferinaRVulnerable Overwintering
Ferruginous duckAythya nyrocaNNear threatened Scarce resident
Tufted duckAythya fuligulaNLeast concern Common winter visitor in greywater and lagoons
Long-tailed duckClangula hyemalisRVulnerable Vagrant.

Guineafowl

Order: Galliformes   Family: Numididae

Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds which resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Vulturine guineafowlAcryllium vulturinumALeast concern Vagrant

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Gray francolinFrancolinus pondicerianusILeast concern Introduced and established; resident
Common quailCoturnix coturnixNLeast concern Passage migrant

Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Greater flamingoPhoenicopterus roseusNLeast concern Resident breeder
Lesser flamingoPhoenicopterus minorANear threatened Vagrant recorded in 2013

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Little grebeTachybaptus ruficollisNLeast concern Resident
Great crested grebePodiceps cristatusNLeast concern?Resident
Eared grebePodiceps nigricolisNLeast concern?Winter visitor

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Rock dove (and domestic variants)Columba liviaNLeast concern Domestic variants common everywhere, wild rock doves may be found near the coast
Stock doveColumba oenasALeast concern Vagrant recorded in 2019
European turtle-doveStreptopelia turturRVulnerable Passage migrant
Oriental turtle doveStreptopelia decoctoALeast concern Vagrant recorded in 2022
Eurasian collared-doveStreptopelia decoctoNLeast concern Common
African collared-doveStreptopelia roseogriseaALeast concern?Vagrant
Laughing doveStreptopelia senegalensisNLeast concern Common
Namaqua doveOena capensisILeast concern Naturally established resident due to its nomadic nature
Zebra doveGeopelia striataILeast concern Introduced in the northeast; small breeding population

Sandgrouse

Order: Pterocliformes   Family: Pteroclidae

Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal StatusTrendNotesImage
Pin-tailed sandgrousePterocles alchataALeast concern Localised breeder
Chestnut-bellied sandgrousePterocles exustusALeast concern Rare
Crowned sandgrousePterocles coronatusALeast concern Vagrant

Bustards

Order: Otidiformes   Family: Otididae

Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
MacQueen's bustardChlamydotis macqueeniiExVulnerable May have been extirpated from the country due to overhunting, records nowadays generally considered captive or escaped

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Great spotted cuckooClamator glandariusALeast concern Rare
Pied cuckooClamator jacobinusALeast concern Vagrant
Asian koelEudynamys scolopaceusALeast concern Vagrant
Common cuckooCuculus canorusNLeast concern Passage migrant

Nightjars and allies

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal StatusTrendNotesImage
Eurasian nightjarCaprimulgus europaeusNLeast concern Passage migrant
Egyptian nightjarCaprimulgus aegyptiusRLeast concern Rare passage migrant

Swifts

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Alpine swiftTachymarptis melbaRLeast concern vagrant with 4 records
Common swiftApus apusNLeast concern Uncommon winter visitor
Pallid swiftApus pallidusNLeast concern Winter visitor
Little swiftApus affinisALeast concern Vagrant

Rails, gallinules, and coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Water railRallus aquaticusRLeast concern Winter visitor.
CorncrakeCrex crexRLeast concern rare passage migrant
Spotted crakePorzana porzanaNLeast concern uncommon passage migrant
Eurasian moorhenGallinula chloropusNLeast concern Common
Eurasian cootFulica atraNLeast concern Resident and winter visitor
African swamphenPorphyrio madagascarensisINot recognised by the IUCN Introduced.
Grey-headed swamphenPorphyrio poliocephalusNNot recognised by the IUCN?Resident
White-breasted waterhenAmaurornis phoenicurusALeast concern?Vagrant
Little crakePorzana parvaALeast concern Vagrant
Baillon's crakeZapornia pusillaALeast concern?Vagrant

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Common craneGrus grusALeast concern Vagrant

Thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Eurasian thick-kneeBurhinus oedicnemusNLeast concern Passage migrant

Stilts and avocets

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Black-winged stiltHimantopus himantopusNLeast concern Common
Pied avocetRecurvirostra avosettaNLeast concern?Common in winter

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal StatusTrendNotesImage
Eurasian oystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusNNear threatened Passage migrant

Plovers and lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.water.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendFrequencyImage
Black-bellied ploverPluvialis squatarolaNLeast concern Common, found on coasts and shores
European golden-ploverPluvialis apricariaRLeast concern Vagrant with 5 records
Pacific golden-ploverPluvialis fulvaNLeast concern Scarce passage migrant
Northern lapwingVanellus vanellusNNear threatened Winter visitor
Spur-winged lapwingVanellus spinosusRLeast concern Rare passage migrant; breeding in 2023
Red-wattled lapwingVanellus indicusNLeast concern?Scarce breeding resident
Sociable lapwingVanellus gregariusRCritically endangered Rare localised winter visitor
White-tailed lapwingVanellus leucurusRLeast concern?Winter visitor
Tibetan sand ploverEupoda atrifronsNLeast concern?Common year-round
Greater sand ploverEupoda leschenaultiiNLeast concern Common year-round
Caspian ploverEupoda asiaticaNLeast concern scarce passage migrant
Kentish ploverOchthodromus alexandrinusNLeast concern Resident breeder
Kittlitz's ploverOchthodromus pecuariusALeast concern?Vagrant recorded in 2023
Greater ringed ploverCharadrius hiaticulaNLeast concern Common winter visitor
Little ringed ploverThinornis dubiusNLeast concern?Breeding, leaves the country in winter
Eurasian dotterelEudromias morinellusALeast concern Vagrant

Painted-snipes

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Rostratulidae

Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Greater painted-snipeRostratula benghalensisALeast concern Vagrant

Jacanas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendFrequencyImage
Pheasant-tailed jacanaHydrophasianus chirurgusALeast concern Vagrant

Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendFrequencyImage
Eurasian curlewNumenius arquataNNear threatened Winter visitor
WhimbyNumenius phaeopusNLeast concern Passage migrant
Bar-tailed godwitLimosa lapponicaNNear threatened Winter visitor
Black-tailed godwitLimosa limosaNNear threatened Passage migrant
Ruddy turnstoneArenaria interpresNLeast concern winter visitor
Great knotCalidris tenuirostrisREndangered vagrant
RuffCalidris pugnaxNLeast concern Winter visitor
Broad-billed sandpiperCalidris falcinellusNLeast concern Passage migrant
Curlew sandpiperCalidris ferrugineaNNear threatened Passage migrant
Temminck's stintCalidris temminckiiNLeast concern?winter visitor, he is common on shores and rocky coasts
SanderlingCalidris albaNLeast concern?winter visitor
DunlinCalidris alpinaNLeast concern winter visitor
Little stintCalidris minutaNLeast concern Winter visitor
Jack snipeLymnocryptes minimusNLeast concern Scarce passage migrant
Eurasian woodcockScolopax rusticolaALeast concern unverified vagrant records
Common snipeGallinago gallinagoNLeast concern winter visitor
Pin-tailed snipeGallinago stenuraALeast concern?vagrant
Terek sandpiperXenus cinereusNLeast concern Resident
Red-necked phalaropePhalaropus lobatusNLeast concern Scarce passage migrant
Common sandpiperActitis hypoleucosNLeast concern Very common throughout winter and late summer.
Green sandpiperTringa ochropusNLeast concern Relatively common throughout winter and spring
Spotted redshankTringa erythropusNLeast concern Common winter visitor
Common greenshankTringa nebulariaNLeast concern Common winter visitor
Marsh sandpiperTringa stagnatilisNLeast concern Somewhat common winter visitor
Wood sandpiperTringa glareolaNLeast concern Common winter visitor
Common redshankTringa totanusNLeast concern?Winter visitor

Crab plover

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Dromadidae

The crab plover is related to the waders. It resembles a plover but with very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern. It has black-and-white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet and a bill designed for eating crabs.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal StatusTrendNotesImage
Crab-ploverDromas ardeolaNLeast concern passage migrant and winter visitor

Pratincoles and coursers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Cream-coloured courserCursorius cursorNLeast concern Scarce resident and common migrant
Collared pratincoleGlareola pratincolaNLeast concern Passage migrant
Black-winged pratincoleGlareola nordmanniRNear threatened Vagrant
Small pratincoleGlareola lacteaALeast concern?Vagrant.

Skuas and jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Pomarine skuaStercorarius pomarinusRLeast concern rare winter visitor
Arctic skuaStercorarius parasiticusNLeast concern Rare winter visitor
Long-tailed jaegerStercorarius longicaudusALeast concern Vagrant

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns and kittiwakes. Gulls are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Slender-billed gullChroicocephalus geneiNLeast concern?Abundant winter visitor
Black-headed gullChroicocephalus ridibundusNLeast concern?Common winter visitor
Little gullHydrocoloeus minutusNLeast concern Vagrant
Sooty gullIchthyaetus hemprichiiNLeast concern Scarce winter visitor
Pallas's gullIchthyaetus ichthyaetusNLeast concern Winter visitor. Being the largest member of its order in the entire country, it is truly the beast of nations.
Caspian gullLarus cachinnansNLeast concern Very common winter visitor. Several cryptic species and can be nightmarishly difficult do distinguish from other gulls such as L. fuscus and L. armenicus. Range overlapping with other similar gulls makes identification practically impossible
Armenian gullLarus armenicusRLeast concern Vagrant
Lesser black-backed gullLarus fuscusNLeast concern Winter visitor
Bridled ternOnychoprion anaethetusNLeast concern?Breeder and passage migrant
Little ternSternula albifronsNLeast concern Passage migrant
Saunders's ternSternula saundersiNLeast concern Migrant breeder; this small tern is a frequenter of the coasts, especially in the East
Gull-billed ternGelocheilodon niloticaNLeast concern Winter visitor. It is noted for resembling a seagull, as well as having a short black beak. It frequents the northwest
Caspian ternHydroprogne caspiaNLeast concern Uncommon resident. This cosmopolitan bird possesses a black cap and very bright orange beak, a feature that can be recognised from a distance
White-winged ternChlidonias leucopterusNLeast concern Paddage migrant; this bird is most common in the northern regions. It has distinct plumage, with a repressed grey in autumn and a jet-black body in spring, with the wings clearly divided with their bright white colour
Whiskered ternChlidonias hybridaNLeast concern Common
Common ternSterna hirundoNLeast concern?Uncommon passage migrant
White-cheeked ternSterna repressaNLeast concern Common
Great crested ternThalasseus bergiiNLeast concern Passage migrant
Sandwich ternThalasseus sandvicensisNLeast concern Winter visitor
Lesser crested-ternThalasseus bengalensisNLeast concern Common

Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Red-billed tropicbirdPhaethon aethereusRLeast concern Only breeds on Halul Island, absent from the mainland

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Black storkCiconia nigraALeast concern?Vagrant.
White storkCiconia ciconiaNLeast concern Winter visitor
Yellow-billed storkMycteria ibisALeast concern Vagrant, 1999

Cormorants and shags

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Great cormorantPhalacrocorax carboNLeast concern Common throughout winter
Socotra cormorantPhalacrocorax nigrogularisEVulnerable Endemic to the gulf and offshore Yemen. Breeds on islands like Hawar and Socotra; globally threatened

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Great white pelicanPelecanus onocrotalusALeast concern?Vagrant

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Great bitternBotaurus stellarisRLeast concern rare winter visitor
Little bitternIxobrychus minutusNLeast concern passage migrant
Grey heronArdea cinereaNLeast concern?Where there is water, and where there is fish, there will be a grey heron. Indeed, it is the most common bird in the country, being found year-round in any aquatic habitat there is. Grey and tall, it is the largest heron in the country. It is easy to see this bird as it stands in the water, looking downwards for a fish or frog to pass by.
Purple heronArdea purpureaNLeast concern Resident and migrant
Great egretEgretta albaNLeast concern?Overwintering
Intermediate egretEgretta intermediaALeast concern Vagrant
Little egretEgretta garzettaNLeast concern winter visitor
Western reef-heronEgretta gularisNLeast concern Uncommon resident, abundant winter visitor
Cattle egretBubulcus ibisNLeast concern Passage migrant and winter visitor
Squacco heronArdeola ralloidesNLeast concern?passage migrant, this bird also leaves behind a small non-breeding population in summer
Indian pond-heronArdeola grayiiALeast concern?Vagrant.
Striated heronButroides striataRLeast concern This bird is an uncommon resident
Black-crowned night heronNycticorax nycticoraxNLeast concern Winter visitor

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Glossy ibisPlegadis falcinellusNLeast concern A common bird in winter and spring, this bird frequents the grey water at several familiar locations. It is a unique bird, covered in black feathers that reflect blue, green, and purple when approached close. The bill of this bird is curved downwards.
African sacred ibisThreskiornis aethiopicusALeast concern Vagrant
Eurasian spoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaRLeast concern?rare migrant

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendFrequencyImage
OspreyPandion haliaetusNLeast concern Resident

Hawks, eagles, and kites

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Black-winged kiteElanus caeruleusRLeast concern Rare
Eurasian griffon vultureGyps fulvusALeast concern Vagrant
Egyptian vultureNeophron percnopterusREndangered Vagrant
European honey-buzzardPernis apivorusRLeast concern Rare passage migrant
Oriental honey-buzzardPernis ptilorhynchusNLeast concern Scarce winter visitor
Short-toed snake eagleCircaetus gallicusNLeast concern Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor
Booted eagleHieraaetus pennatusALeast concern Vagrant
Steppe eagleAquila nipalensisREndangered Winter visitor. Differs from other eagles as it has thick "trousers" and is recognisable from a distance due to its mighty wingspan, which can exceed the height of a man
Eastern imperial eagleAquila heliacaRVulnerable Rare passage migrant. A migrating individual in Qatar was killed by poachers in late 2022
Bonelli's eagleAquila fasciataALeast concern Vagrant
Greater spotted-eagleClanga clangaNVulnerable Scarce localised winter visitor; heavily persecuted in the country
White-tailed sea eagleHaliaeetus albicillaALeast concern Vagrant recorded once in March 2022
Western marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusNLeast concern Winter visitor
Pallid harrierCircus macrourusNNear threatened Winter visitor
Montagu's harrierCircus pygargusNLeast concern Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor
ShikraAccipiter badiusALeast concern Vagrant
Levant sparrowhawkAccipiter brevipesALeast concern Vagrant
Eurasian sparrowhawkAccipiter nisusRLeast concern Scarce winter visitor
Northern goshawkAccipiter gentilisALeast concern?Vagrant
Black kiteMilvus migransNLeast concern Scarce winter visitor. Uniform brown colour, may be mistaken for harriers however its soars with the wings outstretched as opposed to being held in a "v" shape
Common buzzardButeo buteoALeast concern Vagrant
Long-legged buzzardButeo rufinusALeast concern frequent winter visitor

Barn-owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Barn owlTyto albaNLeast concern This bird is a scarce resident in the country

Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Eurasian scops-owlOtus scopsNLeast concern Uncommon passage migrant. Recognised by its large ear tufts, it is rarely seen at day. The plumage mayvary
Pallid scops-owlOtus bruceiALeast concern Vagrant
Pharaoh eagle owlBubo ascalaphusNLeast concern An uncommon resident, this is the nation's largest. It may be found in the south, roosting in thick bushes or on arid ground
Lilith owletAthene noctuaNLeast concern Resident.
Long-eared owlAsio otusALeast concern Vagrant.
Short-eared owlAsio flammeusRLeast concern rare winter visitor

Hoopoes

Order: Bucerotiformes   Family: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Eurasian hoopoeUpupa epopsNLeast concern Some migration in winter, most abundant in spring, especially April. This bird is unique and unmatched in appearance, and has an almost "legendary" status in the Middle East, often being seen as a symbol of birds in the region

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Common kingfisherAlcedo atthisNLeast concern?Uncommon migrant
White-throated kingfisherHalcyon smyrnensisALeast concern Vagrant
Pied kingfisherCeryle rudisNLeast concern?uncommon winter visitor

Bee-eaters

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Arabian green bee-eaterMerops cyanophrysALeast concern Vagrant
Blue-cheeked bee-eaterMerops persicusNLeast concern Much like its European friend, it is observed mostly in spring and to a lesser extent autumn.
European bee-eaterMerops apiasterNLeast concern The most common and beautiful bee-eater, it is observed in Qatar during spring and to a lesser extent autumn

Rollers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
European rollerCoracias garrulusNLeast concern Passage migrant
Indian rollerCoracias benghalensisALeast concern Vagrant

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Eurasian wryneckJynx torquillaNLeast concern Vagrant

Falcons and caracaras

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Lesser kestrelFalco naumanniNLeast concern Found in autumn and more plentifully in spring, the lesser kestrel is a fascinating bird. The females are reddish brown with dark blotches decorating its upper side. Males have slate-blue heads and wingtips, with a rusty mantle and pale, spotted underside
Eurasian kestrelFalco tinnuculusNLeast concern Common winter visitor
Amur falconFalco amurensisALeast concern Vagrant
Sooty falconFalco concolorRVulnerable rare summer visitor
MerlinFalco columbariusRLeast concern rare winter visitor
Eurasian hobbyFalco subbuteoNLeast concern Winter visitor
Peregrine falconFalco peregrinusRLeast concern Vagrant

Old World parrots

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittaculidae

Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly colored, and some are multi-colored. In size they range from 8 cm (3.1 in) to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Alexandrine parakeetPsittacula eupatoriaINear threatened An introduced species, this bird can be found on the eastern side of the country. It is the largest member of its family, and its pink-black "collar" is a key feature of males. Can be distinguished from the rose-ring by its larger size and red "epaulette" mark
Rose-ringed parakeetPsittacula krameriILeast concern This introduced species is found in most urban environments, the capital Doha and Dukhan. Only males possess the characteristic "rose ring". Sightings of this bird are often preceded by a very loud screaming – in flight they are recognised by their cries and tail, which may be as long as the bird itself.

Old World orioles

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Oriolidae

The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Eurasian golden orioleOriolus oriolusNLeast concern Late spring visitor

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Red-backed shrikeLanius collurioNLeast concern Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. Recognised for its rusty upper wings. Females lack the "mask"
Red-tailed shrikeLanius phoenicuroidesNLeast concern Passage migrant and winter visitor. Very similar to the formerly conspecific isabelline shrike, albeit darker in colour
Isabelline shrikeLanius isabellinusNLeast concern Passage migrant and winter visitor, recognised for its soft ruddy shade
Bay-backed shrikeLanius vitattusALeast concern Vagrant; possibly from the nearby UAE
Long-tailed shrikeLanius schachALeast concern?Vagrant
Great gray shrikeLanius excubitor
Lanius excubitor ssp. aucheri (Arabian grey shrike)
Lanius excubitor ssp. pallidirostris (Steppe grey shrike)
NLeast concern The largest and most powerful shrike, the great grey shrike has 2 common subspecies in Qatar. The Arabian grey shrike may be observed year-round, while the steppe grey shrike is less common, being a passage migrant from Asia. The nominate subspecies has been recorded as a vagrant in the country.

Lesser gray shrikeLanius minorNLeast concern Uncommon passage migrant and autumn visitor. Has a larger "mask" than the similarly coloured great grey shrike.
Masked shrikeLanius nubicusNLeast concern Passage migrant and winter visitor
Woodchat shrikeLanius senatorNLeast concern Passage migrant and winter visitor

Crows, jays, and magpies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
House crowCorvus splendensILeast concern Coloniser
Brown-necked ravenCorvus rufficolisALeast concern Vagrant

Penduline-tits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Remizidae

The penduline-tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Eurasian penduline-titRemiz pendulinusALeast concern Vagrant

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Greater hoopoe-larkAlaemon alaudipesNLeast concern Resident
Bar-tailed larkAmmomanes cincturusNLeast concern resident breeder
Desert larkAmmomanes desertiNLeast concern Resident
Black-crowned sparrow larkEremopterix nigricepsNLeast concern Resident
Horned larkEremophila alpestrisALeast concern Vagrant.
Greater short-toed larkCalandrella brachydactylaNLeast concern?Winter visitor
Lesser short-toed larkAlaudala rufescensNLeast concern A defunct taxon, historically included in recent lists. It has been divided into two taxa, the Mediterranean and Turkestan larks. It is believed the latter inhabits Qatar.
Bimaculated larkMelanocorypha bimaculataRLeast concern rare winter visitor
Calandra larkMelanocorypha calandraALeast concern Vagrant
Arabian larkEremalauda eremoditesALeast concern Vagrant
Turkestan short-toed larkEremalauda eremoditesNNot recognised by the IUCN Uncommon in the country, this species is more likely to be encountered in open deserts. A new derivative, this species was considered conspecific with the lesser short-toed lark until 2020.
WoodlarkLullula arboreaALeast concern Vagrant
Eurasian skylarkAlauda arvensisRLeast concern scarce winter visitor
Crested larkGalerdia cristataNLeast concern Breeding resident

Cisticolas and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cisticolidae

The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendFrequencyImage
Graceful priniaPrinia gracilisNLeast concern Winter visitor
Delicate priniaPrinia lepidaANot recognised by the IUCN?Taxonomy disputed; it is considered part of the graceful prinia species complex by several authorities

Reed warblers and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Acrocephalidae

The members of this family are usually rather large for "warblers". Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but it also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Syke's warblerIduna ramaALeast concern Vagrant
Eastern olivaceous warblerIduna pallidaNLeast concern scarce passage migrant
Upcher's warblerHippolais languidaNLeast concern Winter visitor
Icterine warblerHippolais icterinaNLeast concern Vagrant
Moustached warblerAcrocephalus melanopogonALeast concern Vagrant.
Sedge warblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusNLeast concern Rare passage migrant
Paddyfield warblerAcrocephalus agricolaALeast concern Vagrant.
Marsh warblerAcrocephalus palustrisRLeast concern rare passage migrant
Eurasian reed warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusNLeast concern Uncommon
Basra reed warblerEremalauda eremoditesREndangered Vagrant recorded in the country in 2017.
Great reed warblerAcrocephalus arundinaceusNLeast concern Uncommon winter visitor
Clamorous reed warblerAcrocephalus stentoreusNLeast concern Winter visitor

Grassbirds and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Locustellidae

Locustellidae are a family of small insectivorous songbirds found mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and the Australian region. They are smallish birds with tails that are usually long and pointed, and tend to be drab brownish or buffy all over.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal StatusTrendNotesImage
Savi's warblerLocustella luscinioidesALeast concern Vagrant.
Common grasshopper-warblerLocustella naeviaALeast concern Vagrant.

Swallows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Bank swallowR. ripariaNLeast concern Common in both late summer and winter
Eurasian crag-martinPtyonoprogne rupestrisRLeast concern Rare winter visitor
Pale crag-martinPtyonoprogne fuligulaRLeast concern Rare winter visitor
Barn swallowHirundo rusticaNLeast concern A frequent and abundant passage migrant
Wire-tailed swallowHirundo smithiiALeast concern Vagrant recorded in 2023
Red-rumped swallowCecropis dauricaNLeast concern Passage migrant
Common house-martinDelichon urbicumNLeast concern uncommon

Bulbuls

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Red-vented bulbulPycnonotus caferILeast concern Resident in parks and specific urban areas.
White-eared bulbulPycnonotus leucotisILeast concern Found nationwide

Leaf warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Phylloscopidae

Leaf warblers are a family of small insectivorous birds found mostly in Eurasia and ranging into Wallacea and Africa. The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with greyish-green to greyish-brown colours.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Wood warblerPhylloscopus sibilatrixALeast concern Vagrant
Yellow-browed warblerPhylloscopus inornatusALeast concern Vagrant
Hume's warblerPhylloscopus humeiALeast concern Vagrant
Plain leaf warblerPhylloscopus neglectusALeast concern Vagrant
Williw warblerPhylloscopus trochilusNLeast concern Common in spring and autumn
Common chiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaNLeast concern Alike the willow warbler, but more common in the winter.

Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Eurasian blackcapSylvia atricapillaNLeast concern Passage migrant
Garden warblerSylvia borinALeast concern Vagrant
Asian desert warblerCurruca nanaNLeast concern A common winter visitor, this small round bird is recognised by its grey body, ruddy tail and yellow eyes. This bird has a special relationship with the desert wheatear, and follows it if alerted by a predator.
Barred warblerCurruca nisoriaNLeast concern Uncommon passage migrant
Lesser whitethroatC. currucaNLeast concern Common during spring migration and winter
Eastern Orphean warblerCurruca crassirostrisNLeast concern rare passage migrant
Menetries's warblerCurruca mystaceaNLeast concern passage migrant
Greater whitethroatCurruca communisNLeast concern common migrant

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
European starlingSturnus vulgarisNLeast concern Migratory; winter visitor
Rosy starlingPastor roseusALeast concern?Vagrant
Common mynaAcridotheres tristisILeast concern Introduced and established; extremely common throughout the country

Thrushes and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Song thrushTurdus philomelosNLeast concern Overwintering
RedwingTurdus iliacusANear threatened First record in late 2023
Eurasian blackbirdTurdus merulaALeast concern Vagrant
FieldfareTurdus pilarisALeast concern Vagrant.
Ring ouzelTurdus torquatusALeast concern Vagrant
Black-throated thrushTurdus atrogularisALeast concern?Vagrant
Red-throated thrushTurdus ruficollisALeast concern?Vagrant
Dusky thrushTurdus eunomusALeast concern?Vagrant
White's thrushZoothera aureaALeast concern Vagrant recorded in 2022

Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal StatusTrendNotesImage
Black scrub-robinCercotrichas podobeRLeast concern Rare winter visitor
Spotted flycatcherMuscicapa striataNLeast concern Common passage migrant in spring and winter.
Rufous-tailed scrub-robinCercotrichas galactotesNLeast concern Overwintering
European robinErithacus rubeculaALeast concern Vagrant
White-throated robinIrania gutturalisNLeast concern Spring visitor
Thrush nightingaleLuscinia lusciniaRLeast concern Rare passage migrant
Common nightingaleLuscinia megarhynchosNLeast concern Winter visitor
BluethroatLuscinia svecicaNLeast concern Common in winter
Red-breasted flycatcherFicedula parvaNLeast concern This uncommon bird is mostly seen in autumn
Semi-collared flycatcherFicedula semitorquataRLeast concern Rare passage migrant
Rufous-backed redstartPhoenicurus erythronotusRLeast concern rare passage migrant
Common redstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusNLeast concern Spring visitor
Black redstartPhoenicurus ochrurosNLeast concern passage migrant

Blue rock thrushMonticola solitarusNLeast concern Common passage migrant and uncommon winter visitor
Common rock thrushMonticola saxtalisNLeast concern Common passage migrant
WhinchatSaxicola rubertaNLeast concern occasional passage migrant.
European stonechatSaxicola rubicolaNRecognised as a subspecies of the common stonechat by the IUCN. Thus, no status exists for this species This bird visits in winter and is a passage migrant. Sexual dimorphism is present as the male has a bright red breast. The bird's habit of perching high on posts make it easily spotted
Siberian stonechatSaxicola maurusNRecognised as a subspecies of the common stonechat by the IUCN. Thus, no status exists for this species The Siberian stonechat is practically identical to the European stonechat, and is in fact still considered conspecific by several taxonomic authorities. The only noticeable differences to an observer is its white colouration which is more prevalent as well as the colour of its underparts being reduced
Pied bushchatSaxicola caprataALeast concern Vagrant
Northern wheatearOenanthe oenantheNLeast concern Common passage migrant
Isabelline wheatearOenanthe isabellinaNLeast concern Very Common throughout winter and spring
Hooded wheatearOenanthe monachaRLeast concern Rare winter visitor
Desert wheatearOenanthe desertiNLeast concern winter visitor
Pied wheatearOenanthe pleschankaNLeast concern Common winter visitor
Pied wheatearOenanthe pleschankaNLeast concern Common visitor
Variable wheatearOenanthe picataALeast concern Vagrant

Hume's wheatearOenanthe albonigraALeast concern Vagrant
White-crowned wheatearOenanthe albonigraALeast concern Vagrant
Finsch's wheatearOenanthe finschiiRLeast concern Rare winter visitor.
Mourning wheatearOenanthe lugensNLeast concern Winter visitor
Kurdish wheatearOenanthe xanthoprymnaALeast concern Vagrant.
Persian wheatearOenanthe chrysopygiaNLeast concern common winter visitor

Hypocolius

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hypocoliidae

The hypocolius is a small Middle Eastern bird with the shape and soft plumage of a waxwing. They are mainly a uniform grey colour except the males have a black triangular mask around their eyes.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
HypocoliusHypocolius ampelinusNLeast concern?Uncommon Winter visitor

Sunbirds and spiderhunters

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Nectariniidae

The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Purple sunbirdCinnyris asiaticusALeast concern Vagrant recorded in 2020

Weavers and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Ploceidae

The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Streaked weaverPloceus manyarILeast concern Introduced
Black-breasted weaverPloceus benghalensisILeast concern Introduced

Waxbills and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colours and patterns.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Red avadavatAmandava amandavaALeast concern?Vagrant
Indian silverbillEudoice malabaricaILeast concern Introduced

Old World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
House sparrowPasser domesticusNLeast concern Common
Spanish sparrowPasser hispaniolensisNLeast concern Resident breeder
Yellow-throated sparrowGymnoris xanthocollisALeast concern Vagrant
Pale rockfinchCarpispiza brachydactylaNLeast concern Passage migrant

Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Gray wagtailMotacilla cinereaNLeast concern Winter visitor
Yellow wagtailMotacilla flavaNLeast concern Common passage migrant
Citrine wagtailMotacilla citreolaALeast concern Uncommon
White wagtailMotacilla albaNLeast concern Very common migrant
Richard's pipitAnthus richardiALeast concern Vagrant
Long-billed pipitAnthus similisALeast concern Vagrant
Tawny pipitAnthus campestrisNLeast concern Common winter visitor
Meadow pipitAnthus pratensisNNear threatened Uncommon winter visitor
Tree pipitAnthus trivialisNLeast concern Scarce
Red-throated pipitAnthus cervinusNLeast concern Winter visitor
Water pipitAnthus spinolettaNLeast concern Common in winter, this large pipit is easy to identify as it has black legs. It frequents wetlands, as suggested by its name.
American pipitAnthus rubescensALeast concern Vagrant.

Finches, euphonias, and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Common chaffinchFringilla coelebsALeast concern Vagrant
BramblingFringilla montifringillaALeast concern Vagrant
HawfinchC. coccothraustesALeast concern Vagrant.
Common rosefinchCarpodacus erythrinusRLeast concern rare passage migrant
Trumpeter finchBucanetes githagineusALeast concern Vagrant
Desert finchRhodospiza obsoletaALeast concern Vagrant
Eurasian linnetLinaria cannabinaALeast concern Vagrant
Eurasian siskinS. spinusALeast concern Vagrant

Old World buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.

Common nameBinomial nameStatus in the countryGlobal statusTrendNotesImage
Black-headed buntingEmberiza melanocephalaRLeast concern?rare passage migrant
Corn buntingEmberiza calandraNLeast concern Winter visitor and uncommon breeder
Cinereous buntingEmberiza cineraceaRNear threatened Rare passage migrant
Ortolan buntingEmberiza hortulanaNLeast concern Pulling up to the table at early winter and early spring, this cheerful bird can be found among other birds in meadows. Its brown patterns may make it look indistinct but the yellow markings on this bird's face will confirm its identification
Cretzschmar's buntingEmberiza caesiaRLeast concern Vagrant
Rustic buntingEmberiza rusticaAVulnerable Vagrant

See also

References