House Sparrow
Passer domesticus — Identification, habitats, breeding and occurrence in the Arab region
Archive
Articles available in English, from newest to oldest.
Laughing Dove
Spilopelia senegalensis — Identification, habitats, breeding and occurrence in the Arab region
Hooded Crow
Corvus cornix — Identification, habitats, breeding and occurrence in the Arab region
Common Blackbird
Turdus merula — Identification, habitats, breeding and occurrence in the Arab region
Eurasian Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs — Identification, habitats, breeding and occurrence in the Arab region
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgaris — Identification, habitats, breeding and occurrence in the Arab region
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta — Identification, habitats, breeding and occurrence in the Arab region
Great Egret
Ardea alba — Identification, habitats, breeding and occurrence in the Arab region
Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus — Identification, habitats, breeding and occurrence in the Arab region
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos — Identification, habitats, breeding and occurrence in the Arab region
Nathalie Denolf: An eagle’s trust is earned, not imposed
From a childhood fascination with birds of prey to almost seventeen years of work across several European countries, Nathalie Denolf speaks to SAYD about trust, the intelligence that continues to amaze her, and the line between care and exploitation. She shares experiences with her eagle Oropherion and advocates responsible falconry that puts birds’ welfare first, alongside conservation that reaches across borders.
From Dubai to a $2 million race… Bin Harmash takes inspiration from Japan
Dark Saffron prepares for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland on 31 October.
Hunting Tourism in Egypt, Iraq and Jordan
Local services, the cost of organising a trip and falconry in Burqu: three different ways of examining how hunting tourism can contribute to development.
When You Humiliate Your Quarry… You Humiliate Yourself!
Respect for quarry is the true test of a hunter’s ethics
Gadwall
Mareca strepera — a dabbling duck with a white wing patch
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligula — a diving duck on passage and wintering waters
Common Pochard
Aythya ferina — a diving duck between migration, wintering and local breeding
Oman regulates reserve visits and camping
Six decisions regulate visitor entry, camping and overnight stays to protect wildlife
Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus — a long-legged wader, both resident and migrant
Pied Avocet
Recurvirostra avosetta — a wader combining migration with local breeding in Arab wetlands.
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosa — a long-billed wader between migration and wintering grounds
Syria’s Helice shooting champions crowned in Saydnaya
Thirty shooters competed in Classes A and B and the team event, with Assistant Minister Jamal al-Sharif in attendance
Wanaameen wins Prince Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabeer Cup prep by 15 lengths
The Saudi-bred horse dominates the 2,000-metre finale as Camilio Ospina completes a treble at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
Hunting Tourism in the Maghreb
From European travel agencies to lodges, guides and local teams: how do hunting trips generate services and income in Morocco and Tunisia, and what does Algeria need to broaden its appeal as a hunting-tourism destination?
Dunlin: a small wader linking the north to Arab shores
Its plumage changes from a black summer belly to winter grey, while its journeys connect northern breeding habitats with passage and wintering coasts.
Common Redshank: red legs beside winter wetlands
Red legs and a white trailing edge to the wing identify a wader that reaches many Arab wetlands on migration and in winter.
Common Greenshank: a shallow-water visitor to the Arab world
From coasts to inland pools, this migrant combines greenish legs with a bill that turns slightly upwards.
The shrike: a bird that executes its prey on thorns
A small bird turns thorns into tools for holding prey and storing food. How does it do it, and where can shrikes be seen in Arab countries?
Arabian Salukis in training: speed, jumping and swimming
Seven photographs of training and activities at Abu Dhabi’s Arabian Saluki Center.
Arabian Saluki Center marks 25 years of preserving the falconer’s companion
Founded in Abu Dhabi in 2001, the center combines Saluki care and training with the preservation of native Arabian bloodlines.
Vultures talk before they hatch
Soft calls from inside the egg reveal the beginnings of a rich vocal world in Rüppell’s vultures—and could open a new avenue for conservation.
Eurasian Coot: resident and migrant flocks meet in Arab wetlands
Recognising the Eurasian Coot, its age groups and life cycle, and its Arab-world distribution as resident breeder, passage migrant and winter visitor.
Eurasian Teal: a small duck linking Arab wetlands with northern flyways
Identification, Arab migration and wintering, life cycle and the taxonomic scope of Eurasian Teal within Anas crecca.
Little Grebe: diving among reeds, where residents meet winter visitors
Little Grebe identification, life cycle and Arab seasonal distribution, distinguishing residence, migration and breeding.
Northern Shoveler: a filtering bill and an autumn journey through Arab wetlands
Identification, life cycle and seasonal Arab-world distribution of Northern Shoveler, including the distinction between winter presence and rare local breeding.
Northern Pintail: the long-necked duck linking Arab autumn to northern breeding grounds
A guide to Northern Pintail identification, food and life cycle, with documented seasonal occurrence from Tunisia, Egypt and Palestine to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Eurasian Wigeon: a grazing duck connecting northern Eurasia with Arab wetland winters
Eurasian Wigeon identification, feeding and life cycle, with documented Arab-world seasonal occurrence and carefully distinguished regional migration dates.
Hunting Tourism in the Arab Gulf Countries
Camps in northern Saudi Arabia, falcons and Saluki hounds in Al Dhafra, hunting linked to a resort in Al Ain, and game from Qatari farms. Behind these trips are accommodation, guiding, transport and breeding services, while the knowledge and crafts of desert communities become part of a tourism offering with its own visitors and bookings.
Neighbours in Poland, migration routes 3,750 kilometres apart
Five male European honey-buzzards breed close together in Poland, then take four migration corridors to Africa.
After the Bekaa: 24,750 square metres of illegal hunting nets removed in northern Lebanon in four hours
Net removals in northern Bekaa and northern Lebanon have reached a combined 63,030 square metres.
How cities reshape bird diversity, and why winter reveals the difference
A Nature Cities study drawing on around 17 million records across 452 North American cities shows how urban bird diversity varies with season and climate.
Arabian Saluki Championship starts in November with three distances and five season titles
The Emirates Falconers’ Club and Abu Dhabi’s Arabian Saluki Centre will hold the inaugural season in Al Ain and Al Dhafra from November 2026 to April 2027.
Egypt–UAE cooperation to protect houbara and strengthen Omayed Reserve
A planned scientific study will support management and habitat conservation in Matrouh, building on cooperation that included African houbara reintroduction in 2022.
Tempted delivers Godolphin’s first Everest victory as attention turns to her next start
The Australian filly reverses the 2025 result against Ka Ying Rising, with Flemington and Randwick among the options being considered.
Austria takes team gold at Cairo’s 300m Rifle World Championship
Austria leads the men’s prone team event on 18 October, a day after Finland took individual gold and Norway won the team title in three positions.
Abu Dhabi launches a wildlife rescue network
The release of 76 turtles at Saadiyat Beach accompanies the network’s launch.
Study: common loons choose breeding lakes that resemble where they hatched
Data from northern Wisconsin link breeding-territory choice to shoreline development on natal lakes, while revealing a different nest response close to hatching.
Shireen Bou Rafoul: From valley to valley, the hunters couldn’t stop her!
She loves hunting and considers it part of her identity. But when the choice is between a hunting trip and a mission to rescue a bird, she chooses anti-poaching work. The director of the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) tells Sayd about the moments from the field that stay with her: a wing trapped beneath a stone, a stork resting its head on her hand, and a kestrel that regained its sight and its freedom.
Birds in Bags… From an Akkar Sparrowhawk to Forged Trafficking Papers
A sparrowhawk concealed in Lebanon, two chicks that exposed a case in Spain, and goldfinches intercepted before crossing the Mediterranean. Separate incidents raise fresh questions about protecting birds, as a forgery case moves through the courts and Tunisia hosts a meeting to tackle illegal trade.
Riyadh hears the horses again… the racing season begins
King Abdulaziz Racecourse welcomes the 2026–2027 season with SAR 236.3 million in total prize money and two new racing series.
Barn Swallow in the Arab world: autumn wings between passage and residency
Forked tail, pointed wings and flights over fields and water: a guide to Barn Swallow populations and seasons across the Maghreb, Levant, Egypt and Arabia.
Common Sandpiper in the Arab world: a traveller along the water’s edge
A small wader with a distinctive teetering movement: identification, migration, winter occurrence and habitats from the Maghreb to the Levant and Arabia.
Northern Wheatear in the Arab world: an autumn traveller of open ground
How to recognise Northern Wheatear and understand its passage, breeding and winter occurrence across the Maghreb, Levant and Arabian Peninsula.
Hunting law in the UAE: federal protection and local falconry rules
Federal wildlife protection and Abu Dhabi’s local falconry rules, with the limits of local permits explained.
Hunting in Jordan: Understanding Licences, Seasons and Species Protection
Agriculture Law Article 56: licences, protected wildlife and prohibited methods, distinct from annual season decisions.
Saudi Arabia's Environment Law: Hunting permits and wildlife safeguards
A reference guide to the Environment Law, hunting permits, protected wildlife and seasonal implementing decisions.
Lebanon's Hunting Law 580/2004: Why an open season does not authorize every hunt
A statutory guide to permits, protected birds, prohibited methods and no-hunting areas.
Qatar's Law 4/2002: The statutory limits that apply beyond hunting seasons
Six provisions address prohibited locations, times, nests, marine turtles, enforcement and penalties.
Oman's 2003 wildlife law: Protected birds, permits and conservation beyond hunting seasons
Royal Decree 6/2003 addresses reserves, protected species, permits, enforcement and confiscation.
A Jurassic bird that could not fly broadens the story of avian evolution
A peer-reviewed Nature fossil study identifies a striking early terrestrial branch of bird evolution.
Tracking turtle-doves from Azerbaijan to the Nile exposes a difficult migration route
GPS data reveal sea and desert crossings, critical stopovers and substantial gaps in knowledge.
White Wagtail in the Arab World During Migration and Winter
From riverbanks and lakeshores to fields and gardens, the White Wagtail draws attention with its long tail and constant movement. Its Arab-world range…
Common Chiffchaff in the Arab World
From the Maghreb to Egypt, the Levant and the Arabian Peninsula, the Common Chiffchaff occurs on migration and in winter, with breeding documented in some…
Black Redstart in the Arab world between local residence and autumn migration
A rusty tail quivers above a rock or old wall, followed by a short flight to the ground and a return to the perch. This movement may draw attention to a…
Macho hunting… when some look for their manhood among bird carcasses!
A professional hunter is known for his experience, conduct and respect for nature. He knows his worth well and does not need to display bird carcasses to convince others of his skill.
Dubai Safari Park opens its eighth season with wildlife tours and bird shows
A first-ever opening week runs until 18 October, with a children’s camp across a park whose six zones are home to more than 3,000 animals.
Sparrowhawk Hidden in a Backpack: Two Detained in Akkar Raptor-Poaching Operation
Field monitoring by CABS with MECSHAP and Lebanese security forces led to weapon seizures and documentation of gunfire directed at four honey buzzards.
European warning: 11–36 million birds illegally killed or captured annually in the Mediterranean
European conservation organisations recall the 11–36 million annual estimate and call for effective measures on Mediterranean flyways.
Alexandra of CABS: our fight is against illegal hunting
From watching migration routes to documenting offences, CABS volunteer Alexandra discusses her field experience in Lebanon and Europe, and the patience, risks and cooperation involved in protecting birds. In this interview, she explains why she distinguishes responsible hunters from people who break the law.
Wings reclaim the sky… Tamara El Zein visits Zgharta’s bird rescue centre
Environment Minister Dr Tamara El Zein visited the Lebanese Association for Migratory Birds’ centre in Jerjour, in the district of Zgharta, to learn about efforts to rescue, care for and rehabilitate injured birds for their return to the wild. The visit included the release of treated and rehabilitated birds in Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve to mark World Migratory Bird Day.
Al-Melwah closes with 60 winners and a wider field
Twelve heats and SAR 723,000 in prizes in Malham; Al-Mansouri and Al-Qahtani lead the final day's races.
Where Do Birds Rest?
Major migration refuges in the Mashreq and Arabian Peninsula
Touqi Season highlights wildlife and birds at King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve
As the 2026–2027 Touqi tourism season begins, attention returns to a Saudi reserve that documented nine bird species there for the first time earlier this year.
Northern Bekaa: bird-net removals reach 38,280 m²
The Bekaa Investigation Detachment and APU–CABS remove illegal bird-trapping nets in northern Bekaa, bringing the campaign’s overall total to 38,280 square metres.
When the coast changes… where do birds rest?
The Lebanon–Cyprus–Egypt triangle: estuaries, salt pans, lakes and harbours in the protection of bird habitats.
Qatar aims to protect 30% of its land and marine areas by 2030
Terrestrial reserves cover about a quarter of the country, with conservation programmes for Arabian oryx, sand gazelles and ostriches.
Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2026: Al-Melwah, Auctions and Artificial Intelligence
Al-Melwah races, Mongolian falcon auctions and monitoring and protection technologies join hunting and shooting equipment and maritime heritage in Malham, north of Riyadh.
Hunting firearms at the Riyadh exhibition: broader participation and Beretta’s 500th anniversary editions
More than 5,000 products in the firearms, ammunition and accessories area, as the number of hunting and sport shooting firearms companies rises from eight to eleven.
Cairo Shooting World Cup: gold for Privratsky and Teh Xiu Yi
12 October results: the Czech wins men’s air rifle and the Singaporean takes women’s 25m pistol gold, with competition continuing until 15 October.
International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition Opens Its Doors Until 10 October
Ten days bring together falconry, hunting, travel and adventure, allowing visitors to discover a living heritage passed down through generations.
When Autumn Becomes a Season for Hunting Images
From the rifle to the lens: how journalism can help protect migratory birds and change the culture of displaying kills.
Video… The Arabian Leopard in Saudi Arabia
Source: Royal Commission for AlUla
From Sicily to Lebanon: The Battle to Save Migratory Birds from Illegal Hunting
From Sicily to Lebanon, Cyprus and Libya, courts, field teams and cooperation with the authorities form different fronts in protecting migratory birds from illegal hunting.
