# List of birds of Kuwait

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Kuwait. The avifauna of Kuwait include a total of 416 species, of which 8 have been introduced by humans. One species listed is extirpated in Kuwait.
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 Kuwait.
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 rarely or accidentally occurs in Kuwait
* (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Kuwait as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
* (Ex) Extirpated - a species that no longer occurs in Kuwait 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 name | Vernacular name | Trinomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes | Image |
| Arabian ostrich | النعامة Al-Na3ama | Struthio camelus ssp syriacus | X | Extinct | Formerly widespread in the Arabian peninsula | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Graylag goose | Anser anser | N | Least concern | | Winter visitor |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Anser albifrons | A | Least concern | ? | Vagrant |
| Mute swan | Cygnus olor | A | Least concern | | Single vagrant record from 1997 |
| Ruddy shelduck | Tadorna ferruginea | A | Least concern | ? | Vagrant |
| Common shelduck | Tadorna tadorna | N | Least concern | | Scarce winter visitor |
| Garganey | Spatula querquedula | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant and winter visitor |
| Northern shoveler | Spatula clypeata | N | Least concern | | Winter visitor |
| Gadwall | Mareca strepera | N | Least concern | | Scarce winter visitor |
| Eurasian wigeon | Mareca penelope | N | Least concern | | Winter visitor |
| Mallard | Anas platyrhynchos | N | Least concern | | Common winter visitor |
| Northern pintail | Anas acuta | N | Least concern | | Winter visitor |
| Green-winged teal | Anas crecca | N | Least concern | ? | Winter visitor |
| Marbled teal | Marmaronetta angustirostris | A | Vulnerable | | Vagrant |
| Red-crested pochard | Netta rufina | A | Least concern | ? | Vagrant |
| Common pochard | Aythya ferina | R | Vulnerable | | Scarce migrant |
| Ferruginous duck | Aythya nyroca | N | Near threatened | | Formerly a vagrant, now a rare established breeder |
| Tufted duck | Aythya fuligula | N | Least concern | | Rare winter visitor |
| Long-tailed duck | Clangula hyemalis | R | Vulnerable | | Vagrant |
| Red-breasted merganser | Mergus serrator | A | Least concern | | Single vagrant record from 1997 |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| See-see partridge | Ammoperdix griseogularis | I | Least concern | Introduced |
| Common quail | Coturnix coturnix | N | Least concern | Passage migrant |
| Chukar | Alectoris chukar | I | Least concern | Introduced |
| Black francolin | Francolinus francolinus | A | Least concern | Vagrant |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Greater flamingo | Phoenicopterus roseus | N | Least concern | | Common overwintering species; scarce breeder | |
| Lesser flamingo | Phoeniconaias minor | A | Near threatened | | Vagrant occasionally recorded, often alongside its more common relative | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Little grebe | Tachybaptus ruficollis | N | Least concern | | Resident |
| Horned grebe | Podiceps auritus | A | Vulnerable | | Vagrant with 2 records |
| Red-necked grebe | Podiceps grisegena | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Great crested grebe | Podiceps cristatus | R | Least concern | ? | Rare passage migrant |
| Eared grebe | Podiceps nigricolis | N | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Rock dove (and domestic variants) | Columba livia | N | Least concern | | Domestic variants common everywhere, wild rock doves may be found near the coast |
| Stock dove | Columba oenas | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Common wood-pigeon | Columba palumbus | N | Least concern | | Overwintering species |
| Turtle-dove | Streptopelia turtur | R | Vulnerable | | Rare breeder |
| Oriental dove | Streptopelia orientalis | R | Least concern | | Scarce disperser, very prone to vagrancy and often found outside its defined migratory range |
| Eurasian collared-dove | Streptopelia decocto | N | Least concern | | Common |
| African collared-dove | Streptopelia roseogrisea | I | Least concern | ? | Introduced; similar to the Eurasian relative; however, the tail has a different underside pattern |
| Laughing dove | Streptopelia senegalensis | N | Least concern | | Common |
| Namaqua dove | Oena capensis | N | Least concern | | Resident and scarce disperser |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global Status | Notes |
| Pin-tailed sandgrouse | Pterocles alchata | N | Least concern | Increasingly rare overwintering species |
| Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse | Pterocles exustus | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Spotted sandgrouse | Pterocles senegallus | N | Least concern | Scarce passage migrant |
| Black-bellied sandgrouse | Pterocles orientalis | N | Least concern | Rare overwintering species |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| MacQueen's bustard | Chlamydotis macqueenii | R | Vulnerable | | Formerly a resident breeder, now an irregular winter visitor | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| Great spotted cuckoo | Clamator glandarius | R | Least concern | Scarce disperser |
| Asian koel | Eudynamys scolopaceus | A | Least concern | Vagrant, single record |
| Common cuckoo | Cuculus canorus | N | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global Status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Eurasian nightjar | Caprimulgus europaeus | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant | |
| Egyptian nightjar | Caprimulgus aegyptius | R | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| Alpine swift | Tachymarptis melba | R | Least concern | Rare passage migrant |
| Common swift | Apus apus | N | Least concern | Uncommon winter visitor |
| Pallid swift | Apus pallidus | N | Least concern | Winter visitor |
| Little swift | Apus affinis | A | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Water rail | Rallus aquaticus | R | Least concern | | Winter visitor |
| Corncrake | Crex crex | R | Least concern | | Rare passage migrant |
| Spotted crake | Porzana porzana | N | Least concern | | Uncommon passage migrant |
| Eurasian moorhen | Gallinula chloropus | N | Least concern | | Common |
| Eurasian coot | Fulica atra | N | Least concern | | Resident and winter visitor |
| Grey-headed swamphen | Porphyrio poliocephalus | N | Not recognised by the IUCN | ? | Resident breeder |
| White-breasted waterhen | Amaurornis phoenicurus | A | Least concern | ? | Vagrant |
| Little crake | Porzana parva | N | Least concern | | Uncommon migrant |
| Baillon's crake | Zapornia pusilla | N | Least concern | ? | Uncommon migrant |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Common crane | Grus grus | A | Least concern | | Vagrant | |
| Demoiselle crane | Grus virgo | A | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Eurasian thick-knee | Burhinus oedicnemus | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant and overwintering | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Black-winged stilt | Himantopus himantopus | N | Least concern | | Migrant and breeder | |
| Pied avocet | Recurvirostra avosetta | N | Least concern | ? | Common winter visitor | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global Status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Eurasian oystercatcher | Haematopus ostralegus | N | Near 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.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Frequency |
| Black-bellied plover | Pluvialis squatarola | N | Least concern | | Common, found on coasts and shores |
| European golden-plover | Pluvialis apricaria | R | Least concern | | Few annual records |
| Pacific golden-plover | Pluvialis fulva | N | Least concern | | Winter visitor and passage migrant |
| Northern lapwing | Vanellus vanellus | N | Near threatened | | Winter visitor |
| Spur-winged lapwing | Vanellus spinosus | ? | Least concern | | Uncertain |
| Red-wattled lapwing | Vanellus indicus | N | Least concern | ? | Migrant and breeding resident |
| Sociable lapwing | Vanellus gregarius | R | Critically endangered | | Considered a vagrant, though it seems to frequent some farms and reserves |
| White-tailed lapwing | Vanellus leucurus | R | Least concern | ? | Winter visitor |
| Lesser sand plover | Charadrius mongolus | N | Least concern | ? | Common year-round |
| Greater sand plover | Charadrius leschenaultii | N | Least concern | | Common year-round |
| Caspian plover | Charadrius asiaticus | N | Least concern | | Scarce passage migrant |
| Kentish plover | Charadrius alexandrinus | N | Least concern | | Resident breeder |
| Common ringed plover | Charadrius hiaticula | N | Least concern | | Common year-round |
| Little ringed plover | Charadrius dubius | N | Least concern | ? | Breeding, leaves the country in winter |
| Eurasian dotterel | Charadrius morinellus | N | Least concern | | Scarce and elusive winter visitor |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Frequency |
| Eurasian curlew | Numenius arquata | N | Near threatened | | Winter visitor |
| Whimbrel | Numenius phaeopus | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant |
| Little curlew | Numenius minutus | A | Least concern | | Single vagrant record in 2007 |
| Slender-billed curlew | Numenius tenuirostris | X | Critically endangered | | Few records of this species have been obtained in recent times, and it is feared extinct |
| Bar-tailed godwit | Limosa lapponica | N | Near threatened | | Passage migrant and winter visitor |
| Black-tailed godwit | Limosa limosa | N | Near threatened | | Passage migrant and winter visitor |
| Ruddy turnstone | Arenaria interpres | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant and winter visitor |
| Great knot | Calidris tenuirostris | R | Endangered | | Rare migrant |
| Red knot | Calidris canutus | A | Near threatened | | Vagrant with 9 records |
| Ruff | Calidris pugnax | N | Least concern | | Common |
| Broad-billed sandpiper | Calidris falcinellus | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant |
| Curlew sandpiper | Calidris ferruginea | N | Near threatened | | Passage migrant and visitor in late winter |
| Temminck's stint | Calidris temminckii | N | Least concern | ? | Passage migrant and winter visitor; common on shores and rocky coasts |
| Sanderling | Calidris alba | N | Least concern | ? | Passage migrant and winter visitor |
| Dunlin | Calidris alpina | N | Least concern | | Winter visitor |
| Purple sandpiper | Calidris maritima | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Little stint | Calidris minuta | N | Least concern | | Winter visitor |
| Pectoral sandpiper | Calidris melatonos | A | Least concern | | Single vagrant record in 2011 |
| Jack snipe | Lymnocryptes minimus | N | Least concern | | Scarce and elusive winter visitor |
| Eurasian woodcock | Scolopax rusticola | A | Least concern | | Rare winter visitor |
| Common snipe | Gallinago gallinago | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant and winter visitor |
| Great snipe | Gallinago media | R | Near threatened | | Rare passage migrant |
| Pin-tailed snipe | Gallinago stenura | A | Least concern | ? | Vagrant |
| Terek sandpiper | Xenus cinereus | N | Least concern | | Resident |
| Red-necked phalarope | Phalaropus lobatus | N | Least concern | | Scarce passage migrant |
| Red phalarope | Phalaropus fulicarius | A | Least concern | | Rare winter visitor |
| Common sandpiper | Actitis hypoleucos | N | Least concern | | Very common throughout winter and late summer |
| Green sandpiper | Tringa ochropus | N | Least concern | | Relatively common throughout winter and spring |
| Spotted redshank | Tringa erythropus | N | Least concern | | Common winter visitor and passage migrant |
| Common greenshank | Tringa nebularia | N | Least concern | | Common winter visitor and passage migrant |
| Marsh sandpiper | Tringa stagnatilis | N | Least concern | | Somewhat common winter visitor and passage migrant |
| Wood sandpiper | Tringa glareola | N | Least concern | | Common winter visitor and passage migrant |
| Common redshank | Tringa totanus | N | Least concern | ? | Winter visitor and passage migrant |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global Status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Crab-plover | Dromas ardeola | N | Least concern | | Migrant and breeder | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| Cream-coloured courser | Cursorius cursor | N | Least concern | Scarce resident and common migrant |
| Collared pratincole | Glareola pratincola | N | Least concern | Passage migrant |
| Oriental pratincole | Glareola maldivarum | A | Least concern | Single vagrant record in 2008 |
| Black-winged pratincole | Glareola nordmanni | N | Near threatened | Passage migrant |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| Pomarine skua | Stercorarius pomarinus | N | Least concern | Summer visitor |
| Arctic skua | Stercorarius parasiticus | N | Least concern | Summer visitor |
| Long-tailed jaeger | Stercorarius longicaudus | A | Least concern | Vagrant with 3 records |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Black-legged kittiwake | Rissa tridactyla | A | Vulnerable | | Vagrant |
| Sabine's gull | Xema sabini | A | Least concern | | Vagrant recorded in 2016 |
| Slender-billed gull | Chroicocephalus genei | N | Least concern | ? | Abundant winter visitor |
| Black-headed gull | Chroicocephalus ridibundus | N | Least concern | ? | Common winter visitor |
| Brown-headed gull | Chroicocephalus brunnicephalua | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Little gull | Hydrocoloeus minutus | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Franklin's gull | Leucophaeus pipixan | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Mediterranean gull | Larus melanocephalus | A | Least concern | | Vagrant often recorded during passage migration seasons |
| White-eyed gull | Larus leucophthalmus | A | Least concern | | Vagrant recorded once in 2018 |
| Pallas's gull | Larus ichthyaetus | N | Least concern | | Overwintering species |
| Mew gull | Larus canus | R | Least concern | ? | Rare winter visitor |
| Caspian gull | Larus cachinnans | N | Least concern | | Overwintering species |
| Armenian gull | Larus armenicus | R | Least concern | | Rare visitor during winter months |
| Lesser black-backed gull | Larus fuscus | N | Least concern | | Overwintering species |
| Bridled tern | Onychoprion anaethetus | N | Least concern | ? | Breeder and passage migrant |
| Little tern | Sternula albifrons | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant |
| Saunders's tern | Sternula saundersi | N | Least concern | | Migrant and breeder |
| Gull-billed tern | Gelocheilodon nilotica | N | Least concern | | Overwintering species |
| Tschegrava | Hydroprogne caspia | N | Least concern | | Resident breeder |
| White-winged tern | Chlidonias niger | A | Least concern | | Passage migrant |
| Black tern | Chlidonias leucopterus | N | Least concern | | Vagrant with several records |
| Whiskered tern | Chlidonias hybrida | N | Least concern | | Common |
| Common tern | Sterna hirundo | N | Least concern | ? | Uncommon passage migrant |
| Arctic tern | Sterna paradisaea | A | Least concern | | Vagrant recorded occasionally at Al Jahra bay |
| White-cheeked tern | Sterna repressa | N | Least concern | | Common |
| Great crested tern | Thalasseus bergii | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant |
| Sandwich tern | Thalasseus sandvicensis | N | Least concern | | Winter visitor |
| Lesser crested-tern | Thalasseus bengalensis | N | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Red-billed tropicbird | Phaethon aethereus | A | Least concern | | Vagrant, last seen almost 50 years ago | |

## Loons

Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae
Loons, known as divers in Europe, are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Europe. They are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resemble when swimming, but to which they are completely unrelated.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Arctic loon | Gavia arctica | A | Least concern | | Vagrant | |

## Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| Jouanin's petrel | Bulweria fallax | A | Near threatened | Vagrant with one record |
| Sooty shearwater | Ardenna grisea | A | Near threatened | Vagrant with 4 records |
| Short-tailed shearwater | Ardenna tenuirostris | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Tropical shearwater | Puffinus bailloni | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Persian shearwater | Puffinus persicus | A | Least concern | One record of about 25 birds in 1957, may be more abundant as the offshore waters of the nation are not frequented by birdwatchers |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| White stork | Ciconia ciconia | N | Least concern | | Uncommon passage migrant | |
| Black stork | Ciconia nigra | A | Least concern | ? | Rare visitor in late spring | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Great cormorant | Phalacrocorax carbo | N | Least concern | | Common throughout winter | |
| Socotra cormorant | Phalacrocorax nigrogularis | E | Vulnerable | | Endemic to the region | |

## Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Lesser frigatebird | Fregata ariel | A | Least concern | | Recorded once in 2008 | |

## Boobies and gannets

Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Masked booby | Sula dactylatra | A | Least concern | | Vagrant with 2 records | |
| Brown booby | Sula leucogaster | A | Least concern | | Vagrant | |

## Anhingas

Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae
Anhingas or darters are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| African darter | Anhinga rufa | A | Least concern | | Vagrant, a single record of a pair in 2009 | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Great white pelican | Pelecanus onocrotalus | R | Least concern | ? | Scarce disperser, recorded occasionally around Jahra bay | |
| Dalmatian pelican | Pelecanus crispus | R | Near threatened | | Vagrant to the mainland, though it breeds on Bubyan Island | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Great bittern | Botaurus stellaris | R | Least concern | | Rare winter visitor |
| Little bittern | Ixobrychus minutus | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant |
| Grey heron | Ardea cinerea | N | Least concern | ? | Resident and migrant |
| Purple heron | Ardea purpurea | N | Least concern | | Resident and migrant |
| Great egret | Egretta alba | N | Least concern | ? | Overwintering |
| Little egret | Egretta garzetta | N | Least concern | | Winter visitor |
| Western reef-heron | Egretta gularis | N | Least concern | | Uncommon resident, abundant winter visitor |
| Cattle egret | Bubulcus ibis | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant and winter visitor |
| Squacco heron | Ardeola ralloides | N | Least concern | ? | Passage migrant |
| Indian pond-heron | Ardeola grayii | A | Least concern | ? | Vagrant |
| Striated heron | Butroides striata | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Black-crowned night heron | Nycticorax nycticorax | N | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Glossy ibis | Plegadis falcinellus | N | Least concern | | Overwintering species |
| African sacred ibis | Threskiornis aethiopicus | A | Least concern | | Vagrant with 2 records |
| Eurasian spoonbill | Platalea leucorodia | R | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Frequency | Image |
| Osprey | Pandion haliaetus | N | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Black-winged kite | Elanus caeruleus | R | Least concern | | Scarce disperser |
| Egyptian vulture | Neophron percnopterus | R | Endangered | | Rare passage migrant |
| European honey-buzzard | Pernis apivorus | R | Least concern | | Rare passage migrant |
| Crested honey-buzzard | Pernis ptilorhynchus | N | Least concern | | Winter visitor |
| Eurasian griffon | Gyps fulvus | N | Least concern | | Scarce winter migrant |
| Cinereous vulture | Aegypius monachus | R | Near threatened | | Scarce winter visitor |
| Lappet-faced vulture | Torgos tracheliotos | A | Endangered | | Single vagrant recorded in 2008 |
| Short-toed snake eagle | Circaetus gallicus | N | Least concern | | Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor |
| Great spotted eagle | Clanga clanga | N | Vulnerable | | Overwintering species. White spots are more prominent in juveniles, though they tend to fade into adulthood. |
| Lesser spotted eagle | Clanga pomarina | R | Least concern | | Rare passage migrant |
| Booted eagle | Hieraaetus pennatus | N | Least concern | | Scarce passage migrant |
| Golden eagle | Aquila chrysaetos | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Steppe eagle | Aquila nipalensis | N | Endangered | | Passage migrant |
| Eastern imperial eagle | Aquila heliaca | R | Vulnerable | | Rare overwintering species |
| Bonelli's eagle | Aquila fasciata | A | Least concern | | Rare autumn disperser |
| Western marsh-harrier | Circus aeruginosus | N | Least concern | | Winter visitor |
| Hen harrier | Circus cyaneus | R | Least concern | | Scarce winter visitor |
| Pallid harrier | Circus macrourus | N | Near threatened | | Winter visitor |
| Montagu's harrier | Circus pygargus | N | Least concern | | Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor |
| Shikra | Accipiter badius | N | Least concern | | Uncommon winter visitor |
| Levant sparrowhawk | Accipiter brevipes | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Eurasian sparrowhawk | Accipiter nisus | R | Least concern | | Scarce winter visitor |
| Northern goshawk | Accipiter gentilis | A | Least concern | ? | Vagrant |
| Black kite | Milvus migrans | N | Least concern | | Very common overwintering species |
| White-tailed sea eagle | Haliaeetus albicilla | A | Least concern | | Rare winter visitor |
| Common buzzard | Buteo buteo | N | Least concern | | Common passage migrant |
| Long-legged buzzard | Buteo rufinus | A | Least concern | | Frequent winter visitor |

## Barn-owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
Western barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Barn owl | Tyto alba | N | Least concern | | Scarce disperser | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| Eurasian scops-owl | Otus scops | N | Least concern | Uncommon passage migrant. Recognised by its large ear tufts, it is rarely seen at day. The plumage may vary. |
| Pallid scops-owl | Otus brucei | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Pharaoh eagle owl | Bubo ascalaphus | N | Least concern | Uncommon resident |
| Lilith owlet | Athene noctua | N | Least concern | Resident |
| Long-eared owl | Asio otus | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Short-eared owl | Asio flammeus | R | Least concern | Rare winter visitor |

## Hoopoes

Order: Bucerotiformes Family: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their heads.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Eurasian hoopoe | Upupa epops | N | Least concern | | Autumn and spring migrant | |

## Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Common kingfisher | Alcedo atthis | N | Least concern | ? | Uncommon wintering species |
| White-breasted kingfisher | Halcyon smyrnensis | N | Least concern | | Uncommon resident |
| Pied kingfisher | Ceryle rudis | N | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| European bee-eater | Merops apiaster | N | Least concern | Common passage migrant |
| Arabian bee-eater | Merops cyanophrys | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Blue-cheeked bee-eater | Merops persicus | N | Least concern | Common passage migrant |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| European roller | Coracias garrulus | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant | |
| Indian roller | Coracias benghalensis | N | Least concern | | Scarce disperser | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Eurasian wryneck | Jynx torquilla | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| Lesser kestrel | Falco naumanni | N | Least concern | Passage migrant |
| Common kestrel | Falco tinnuculus | N | Least concern | Common winter visitor |
| Red-footed falcon | Falco vespertinus | A | Vulnerable | Vagrant |
| Amur falcon | Falco amurensis | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Eleonora's falcon | Falco eleonorae | A | Least concern | Vagrant recorded once in 2018 |
| Sooty falcon | Falco concolor | R | Vulnerable | Rare summer visitor |
| Merlin | Falco columbarius | R | Least concern | Rare winter visitor |
| Eurasian hobby | Falco subbuteo | N | Least concern | Winter visitor |
| Lanner falcon | Falco biarmicus | R | Least concern | Scarce disperser in autumn and spring |
| Saker falcon | Falco cherrug | R | Endangered | Rare winter migrant |
| Peregrine falcon | Falco peregrinus | R | Least concern | Scarce disperser |

## Old World parrots

Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittaculidae
Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Rose-ringed parakeet | Alexandrinus krameri | I | Least concern | | Introduced | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Eurasian golden oriole | Oriolus oriolus | N | Least concern | | Late spring visitor | |

## Drongos

Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae
The drongos are mostly black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright when perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Black drongo | Dicurus macrocercus | A | Least concern | ? | Vagrant recorded once | |
| Ashy drongo | Dicurus leucophaeus | A | Least concern | ? | Vagrant recorded thrice | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Red-backed shrike | Lanius collurio | N | Least concern | | Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor |
| Turkestan shrike | Lanius phoenicuroides | N | Least concern | | Common winter migrant |
| Isabelline shrike | Lanius isabellinus | N | Least concern | | Common winter migrant |
| Brown shrike | Lanius cristatus | A | Least concern | | Vagrant with one record |
| Bay-backed shrike | Lanius vitattus | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Long-tailed shrike | Lanius schach | A | Least concern | ? | Vagrant |
| Great grey shrike | Lanius excubitor • Lanius excubitor ssp. aucheri (Arabian grey shrike) • Lanius excubitor ssp. pallidirostris (Steppe grey shrike) | N | Least concern | | Overwintering species |
| Lesser grey shrike | Lanius minor | N | Least concern | | Uncommon passage migrant |
| Masked shrike | Lanius nubicus | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant and winter visitor |
| Woodchat shrike | Lanius senator | N | Near threatened | | Passage migrant |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| House crow | Corvus splendens | I | Least concern | Introduced |
| Rook | Corvus frugilegus | A | Least concern | Vagrant with 3 records |
| Brown-necked raven | Corvus rufficolis | R | Least concern | Scarce disperser |
| Hooded crow | Corvus cornix | A | Not recognised by the IUCN | Vagrant with one record in 2012 |
| Western jackdaw | Coloeus monedula | A | Least concern | Recorded in 2023 |

## Tits, chickadees, and titmice

Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Sombre tit | Poecile lugubris | A | Least concern | | Vagrant with a single record in 2009 | |
| Great tit | Parus major | A | Least concern | | Vagrant with a single record in 2006 | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Eurasian penduline-tit | Remiz pendulinus | N | Least concern | | Uncommon winter visitor | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Greater hoopoe-lark | Alaemon alaudipes | N | Least concern | | Resident |
| Bar-tailed lark | Ammomanes cincturus | N | Least concern | | Resident breeder |
| Desert lark | Ammomanes deserti | N | Least concern | | Resident |
| Black-crowned sparrow lark | Eremopterix nigriceps | N | Least concern | | Resident |
| Temminck's lark | Eremophila bilopha | N | Least concern | | Uncommon disperser |
| Greater short-toed lark | Calandrella brachydactyla | N | Least concern | ? | Winter visitor |
| Bimaculated lark | Melanocorypha bimaculata | R | Least concern | | Rare winter visitor |
| Calandra lark | Melanocorypha calandra | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Arabian lark | Eremalauda eremodites | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Turkestan short-toed lark | Eremalauda eremodites | N | Not 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. |
| Woodlark | Lullula arborea | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Eurasian skylark | Alauda arvensis | R | Least concern | | scarce winter visitor |
| Oriental skylark | Alauda gulgula | R | Least concern | | Scarce winter visitor |
| Crested lark | Galerdia cristata | N | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Frequency |
| Graceful prinia | Prinia gracilis | N | Least concern | | Winter visitor |
| Delicate prinia | Prinia lepida | A | Not recognised by the IUCN | ? | Taxonomy disputed; it is considered part of the graceful prinia species complex by several authorities |
| Zitting cisticola | Cisticola juncidis | A | Least concern | | Vagrant with 5 records |

## Laughingthrushes and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Leiothrichidae
The members of this family are diverse in size and colouration, though those of genus Turdoides tend to be brown or greyish. The family is found in Africa, India, and southeast Asia.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Frequency | Image |
| Afghan babbler | Argya huttoni | N | Not recognised by the IUCN | ? | Scarce resident | |
| Arabian babbler | Argya squamiceps | A | Least concern | | Vagrant | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| Booted warbler | Iduna caligata | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Syke's warbler | Iduna rama | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Eastern olivaceous warbler | Iduna pallida | N | Least concern | Scarce passage migrant |
| Upcher's warbler | Hippolais languida | N | Least concern | Winter visitor |
| Olive-tree warbler | Hippolais olivetorun | A | Least concern | Vagrant recorded once in 1972 |
| Icterine warbler | Hippolais icterina | N | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Moustached warbler | Acrocephalus melanopogon | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Sedge warbler | Acrocephalus schoenobaenus | N | Least concern | Rare passage migrant |
| Paddyfield warbler | Acrocephalus agricola | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Blyth's reed warbler | Acrocephalus dumetorum | A | Least concern | Vagrant with 3 records |
| Marsh warbler | Acrocephalus palustris | R | Least concern | Rare passage migrant |
| Eurasian reed warbler | Acrocephalus scirpaceus | N | Least concern | Uncommon |
| Basra reed warbler | Eremalauda eremodites | E | Endangered | Endemic breeding species |
| Great reed warbler | Acrocephalus arundinaceus | N | Least concern | Uncommon winter visitor |
| Oriental reed warbler | Acrocephalus orientalis | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Clamorous reed warbler | Acrocephalus stentoreus | N | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global Status | Notes |
| River warbler | Locustella fluviatilis | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Savi's warbler | Locustella luscinioides | N | Least concern | Winter visitor |
| Common grasshopper-warbler | Locustella naevia | N | Least concern | Winter visitor |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Bank swallow | Riparia riparia | N | Least concern | | Common in both late summer and winter |
| Brown-throated martin | Riparia paludicola | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Grey-throated martin | Riparia chinensis | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Pale sand martin | Riparia diluta | A | Least concern | ? | Vagrant |
| Eurasian crag-martin | Ptyonoprogne rupestris | R | Least concern | | Rare winter visitor |
| Pale crag-martin | Ptyonoprogne fuligula | A | Least concern | | Vagrant, 8 records |
| Barn swallow | Hirundo rustica | N | Least concern | | Frequent and abundant passage migrant |
| Red-rumped swallow | Cecropis daurica | N | Least concern | | Passage migrant |
| Streak-throated swallow | Pterocheliodon fluvicola | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Common house-martin | Delichon urbicum | N | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Red-vented bulbul | Pycnonotus cafer | I | Least concern | | Introduced resident | |
| White-eared bulbul | Pycnonotus leucotis | N | Least concern | | Common | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| Wood warbler | Phylloscopus sibilatrix | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Yellow-browed warbler | Phylloscopus inornatus | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Eastern Bonelli's Warbler | Phylloscopus orientalis | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Hume's warbler | Phylloscopus humei | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Radde's Warbler | Phylloscopus schwarzi | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Plain leaf warbler | Phylloscopus neglectus | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Mountain chiffchaff | Phylloscopus sindianus | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Willow warbler | Phylloscopus trochilus | N | Least concern | Common in spring and autumn |
| Common chiffchaff | Phylloscopus collybita | N | Least concern | Like the willow warbler, but more common in the winter |
| Green warbler | Phylloscopus nitidus | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Greenish warbler | Phylloscopus trochiloides | A | Least concern | Vagrant |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| Eurasian blackcap | Sylvia atricapilla | N | Least concern | Passage migrant |
| Garden warbler | Sylvia borin | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Asian desert warbler | Curruca nana | N | Least concern | Common winter visitor |
| Barred warbler | Curruca nisoria | N | Least concern | Uncommon passage migrant |
| Lesser whitethroat | C. curruca | N | Least concern | Common during spring migration and winter |
| Eastern Orphean warbler | Curruca crassirostris | N | Least concern | Rare passage migrant |
| Menetries's warbler | Curruca mystacea | N | Least concern | Passage migrant |
| Greater whitethroat | Curruca communis | N | Least concern | Common migrant |

## Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae
The kinglets, also called crests, are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the titmice.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Goldcrest | Regulus regulus | A | Least concern | | Single vagrant recorded in 2013 | |

## Wrens

Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae
The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Eurasian wren | Troglodytes troglodytes | A | Least concern | | Vagrant recorded twice | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Common starling | Sturnus vulgaris | N | Least concern | | Migratory; winter visitor |
| Rosy starling | Pastor roseus | N | Least concern | ? | Scarce migrant |
| Common myna | Acridotheres tristis | I | Least concern | | Introduced and established; extremely common throughout the country |
| Bank myna | Acridotheres ginginianus | I | Least concern | | Scarce resident |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Song thrush | Turdus philomelos | N | Least concern | | Overwintering |
| Redwing | Turdus iliacus | N | Near threatened | | Rare winter visitor |
| Eurasian blackbird | Turdus merula | N | Least concern | | Scarce winter visitor |
| Fieldfare | Turdus pilaris | N | Least concern | | Rare winter visitor |
| Ring ouzel | Turdus torquatus | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Black-throated thrush | Turdus atrogularis | A | Least concern | ? | Vagrant |
| Red-throated thrush | Turdus ruficollis | A | Least concern | ? | Vagrant |
| Dusky thrush | Turdus eunomus | A | Least concern | ? | Vagrant |
| Naumann's thrush | Turdus naumanii | N | Least concern | ? | Vagrant |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global Status | Notes |
| Black scrub-robin | Cercotrichas podobe | R | Least concern | Rare winter visitor |
| Spotted flycatcher | Muscicapa striata | N | Least concern | Common passage migrant in spring and winter |
| Rufous-tailed scrub-robin | Cercotrichas galactotes | N | Least concern | Overwintering |
| European robin | Erithacus rubecula | N | Least concern | Winter migrant |
| White-throated robin | Irania gutturalis | N | Least concern | Spring visitor |
| Thrush nightingale | Luscinia luscinia | R | Least concern | Rare passage migrant |
| Common nightingale | Luscinia megarhynchos | N | Least concern | Winter visitor |
| Bluethroat | Luscinia svecica | N | Least concern | Common in winter |
| Taiga flycatcher | Ficedula albicilla | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Red-breasted flycatcher | Ficedula parva | N | Least concern | Uncommon; mostly seen in autumn |
| Semi-collared flycatcher | Ficedula semitorquata | R | Least concern | Rare passage migrant |
| Collared flycatcher | Ficedula albicollis | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Rufous-backed redstart | Phoenicurus erythronotus | R | Least concern | Rare passage migrant |
| Common redstart | Phoenicurus phoenicurus | N | Least concern | Spring visitor |
| Black redstart | Phoenicurus ochruros | N | Least concern | Passage migrant |
| Blue rock thrush | Monticola solitarus | N | Least concern | Common passage migrant and uncommon winter visitor |
| Common rock thrush | Monticola saxtalis | N | Least concern | Common passage migrant |
| Whinchat | Saxicola ruberta | N | Least concern | Occasional passage migrant |
| European stonechat | Saxicola rubicola | N | Recognised as a subspecies of the common stonechat by the IUCN. Thus, no status exists for this species. | Passage migrant |
| Siberian stonechat | Saxicola maurus | N | Recognised 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 are its white colouration, which is more prevalent, as well as the colour of its underparts being reduced. |
| Pied bushchat | Saxicola caprata | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Northern wheatear | Oenanthe oenanthe | N | Least concern | Common passage migrant |
| Isabelline wheatear | Oenanthe isabellina | N | Least concern | Very common throughout winter and spring |
| Hooded wheatear | Oenanthe monacha | R | Least concern | Rare winter visitor |
| Desert wheatear | Oenanthe deserti | N | Least concern | Winter visitor |
| Pied wheatear | Oenanthe pleschanka | N | Least concern | Common winter visitor |
| Pied wheatear | Oenanthe pleschanka | N | Least concern | Common visitor |
| Variable wheatear | Oenanthe picata | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Hume's wheatear | Oenanthe albonigra | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| White-crowned wheatear | Oenanthe albonigra | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Finsch's wheatear | Oenanthe finschii | R | Least concern | Rare winter visitor |
| Mourning wheatear | Oenanthe lugens | N | Least concern | Winter visitor |
| Kurdish wheatear | Oenanthe xanthoprymna | N | Least concern | Scarce passage migrant |
| Persian wheatear | Oenanthe chrysopygia | N | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Hypocolius | Hypocolius ampelinus | N | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Palestine sunbird | Cinnyris osea | A | Least concern | | Vagrant | |
| Purple sunbird | Cinnyris asiaticus | A | Least concern | | Vagrant | |

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Streaked weaver | Ploceus manyar | I | Least concern | | Introduced | |
| Black-breasted weaver | Ploceus benghalensis | I | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes | Image |
| Red avadavat | Amandava amandava | I | Least concern | ? | Introduced | |
| Indian silverbill | Eudoice malabarica | I | Least concern | | Introduced | |

## Accentors

Order: Passeriformes Family: Prunellidae
The accentors are in the only bird family, Prunellidae, which is completely endemic to the Palearctic. They are small, fairly drab species superficially similar to sparrows.
| Common name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| Radde's accentor | Prunella ocularis | A | Least concern | Vagrant with three records in 2012 |
| Black-throated accentor | Prunella atrogularis | A | Least concern | Single vagrant ringed in 1995 |
| Dunnock | Prunella modularis | A | Least concern | Vagrant with 4 records |
* Radde's accentor, Prunella ocularis (A)
* Black-throated accentor, Prunella atrogularis (A)
* Dunnock, Prunella modularis (A)

## 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| House sparrow | Passer domesticus | N | Least concern | Common |
| Spanish sparrow | Passer hispaniolensis | N | Least concern | Resident breeder |
| Dead Sea sparrow | Passer moabiticus | A | Least concern | Vagrant recorded occasionally |
| Yellow-throated sparrow | Gymnoris xanthocollis | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Pale rockfinch | Carpispiza brachydactyla | N | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| Forest wagtail | Dendronanthus indicus | A | Least concern | Winter visitor |
| Gray wagtail | Motacilla cinerea | N | Least concern | Winter visitor |
| Yellow wagtail | Motacilla flava | N | Least concern | Common passage migrant |
| Citrine wagtail | Motacilla citreola | A | Least concern | Uncommon |
| White wagtail | Motacilla alba | N | Least concern | Very common migrant |
| Richard's pipit | Anthus richardi | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Blyth's pipit | Anthus godlewskii | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Long-billed pipit | Anthus similis | N | Least concern | Winter visitor |
| Tawny pipit | Anthus campestris | N | Least concern | Common winter visitor |
| Meadow pipit | Anthus pratensis | N | Near threatened | Uncommon winter visitor |
| Tree pipit | Anthus trivialis | N | Least concern | Scarce |
| Red-throated pipit | Anthus cervinus | N | Least concern | Winter visitor |
| Olive-backed pipit | Anthus hodgsonii | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Water pipit | Anthus spinoletta | N | Least 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 pipit | Anthus rubescens | A | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Notes |
| Common chaffinch | Fringilla coelebs | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Brambling | Fringilla montifringilla | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Hawfinch | C. coccothraustes | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Common rosefinch | Carpodacus erythrinus | R | Least concern | Rare passage migrant |
| Trumpeter finch | Bucanetes githagineus | N | Least concern | Scarce resident |
| Mongolian finch | Bucanetes mongolicus | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Desert finch | Rhodospiza obsoleta | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| European greenfinch | Chloris chloris | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Eurasian linnet | Linaria cannabina | A | Least concern | Vagrant |
| Eurasian siskin | Spinus spinus | A | Least 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 name | Binomial name | Status in the country | Global status | Trend | Notes |
| Black-headed bunting | Emberiza melanocephala | R | Least concern | ? | Rare passage migrant |
| Corn bunting | Emberiza calandra | N | Least concern | | Winter visitor and uncommon breeder |
| Red-headed bunting | Emberiza brunniceps | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Cinereous bunting | Emberiza cineracea | R | Near threatened | | Rare passage migrant |
| Yellowhammer | Emberiza citrinella | A | Least concern | | Vagrant with 2 records |
| Grey-necked bunting | Emberiza buchanani | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Ortolan bunting | Emberiza hortulana | N | Least concern | | Overwintering species |
| Striolated bunting | Emberiza caesia | R | Least concern | | 2 vagrant records in 2013 |
| Reed bunting | Emberiza schoeniclus | A | Least concern | | Vagrant |
| Little bunting | Emberiza pusilla | A | Least concern | | Vagrant with 15 records |
| Rustic bunting | Emberiza rustica | A | Vulnerable | | Vagrant |