List of birds of Saudi Arabia-Cedar Herald Index

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Saudi Arabia. The avifauna of Saudi Arabia include a total of 555 species, of which 12 have been introduced by humans. 25 species are globally threatened.

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 Saudi Arabia.

List of birds of Saudi Arabia

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

List of birds of Saudi Arabia

(A) Accidental – a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Saudi Arabia

(I) Introduced – a species introduced to Saudi Arabia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions (Ex) Extirpated – a species that no longer occurs in Saudi Arabia although populations exist elsewhere (X) Extinct - a species or subspecies that no longer exists

List of birds of Saudi Arabia

Ostriches

Order: StruthioniformesFamily: 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 ostrich, Struthio camelus reintroduced

North African ostrich, Struthio camelus camelus (I) Arabian ostrich, Struthio camelus syriacus (X)

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae

The family 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.

Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (A) Lesser whistling-duck, Dendrocygna javanica (A) Graylag goose, Anser anser Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Lesser white-fronted goose, Anser erythropus (A) Mute swan, Cygnus olor (A) Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus (A) Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos (A) Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiaca (A) Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna Cotton pygmy-goose, Nettapus coromandelianus (A) Garganey, Spatula querquedula Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca Marbled teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris (A) Red-crested pochard, Netta rufina (A) Common pochard, Aythya ferina Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula Smew, Mergellus albellus (A) Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator (A) White-headed duck, Oxyura leucocephala

Guineafowl

Order: GalliformesFamily: Numididae

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

Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.

See-see partridge, Ammoperdix griseogularis (A) Sand partridge, Ammoperdix heyi Common quail, Coturnix coturnix Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei (A) Chukar, Alectoris chukar Philby's partridge, Alectoris philbyi Arabian partridge, Alectoris melanocephala Black francolin, Francolinus francolinus (I) (Ex) Gray francolin, Ortygornis pondicerianus

Flamingos

Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 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.

Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus

Lesser flamingo, Phoeniconaias minor (A)

Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: 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.