List of birds of Oman

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Indian Roller, a common and familiar bird in northern Oman.

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Oman. The avifauna of Oman includes a total of 494 species, of which 5 have been introduced by humans, and 146 are rare or accidental. The Ostrich is extirpated in Oman and is not included in the species count. 12 species are globally threatened.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) generally follow the conventions of Clements's 6th edition with a few changes following the list of the Ornithological Society of the Middle East. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect the Clements taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Oman.

The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories, but not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring, native species.

  • (A) Accidental A species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Oman.
  • (I) Introduced A species introduced to Oman as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions.
  • (Ex) Extirpated A species that no longer occurs in Oman although populations exist elsewhere.


Table of contents

Non-passerines: Ostriches . Grebes . Shearwaters and petrels . Storm-petrels . Tropicbirds . Pelicans . Boobies and gannets . Cormorants . Frigatebirds . Bitterns, herons and egrets . Storks . Ibises and spoonbills . Flamingos . Ducks, geese and swans . Osprey . Hawks, kites and eagles . Falcons . Partridges and quails . Buttonquails . Cranes . Rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots . Bustards . Jacanas . Painted snipe . Crab Plover . Oystercatchers . Avocets and stilts . Thick-knees . Pratincoles and coursers . Plovers and lapwings . Sandpipers and allies . Skuas . Gulls . Terns . Skimmers . Sandgrouse . Pigeons and doves . Parrots . Cuckoos . Barn owls . Typical owls . Nightjars . Swifts . Kingfishers . Bee-eaters . Typical rollers . Hoopoes . Woodpeckers and allies .

Passerines: Larks . Swallows and martins . Wagtails and pipits . Bulbuls . Grey Hypocolius . Accentors . Thrushes . Cisticolas and allies . Old World warblers . Old World flycatchers and chats . Monarch flycatchers . Babblers . Penduline tits . Sunbirds . White-eyes . Old World orioles . Shrikes . Bushshrikes and allies . Drongos . Crows, ravens and magpies . Starlings . Weavers and allies . Waxbills and allies . Buntings, Sparrows . Finches . Sparrows .

See also       References

[edit] 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.

[edit] Grebes

Little Grebe, breeds at a few wetland sites.

Order: Podicipediformes. Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized 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. There are about 19 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Shearwaters and petrels

Flesh-footed Shearwater, occurs offshore in summer.

Order: Procellariiformes. Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are about 77 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Storm-petrels

Wilson's Storm-petrel, fairly common offshore during summer.

Order: Procellariiformes. Family: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are about 20 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Tropicbirds

Red-billed Tropicbird, breeds on islands and cliffs.

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are about 8 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Boobies and gannets

Masked Boobies, colonies breed on the Al Hallaniyyat Islands.

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are about 10 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Cormorants

Great Cormorant, a common winter visitor.

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds 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. There are about 39 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Frigatebirds

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured 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. There are 5 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Bitterns, herons and egrets

Western Reef-Heron, common along the coast.

Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are about 63 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Storks

Abdim's Stork, an irregular migrant from Africa.

Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are about 19 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Ibises and spoonbills

Eurasian Spoonbils, common at coastal wetlands.

Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Threskiornithidae

The 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. There are about 33 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes. Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (1.5 m) high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. 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 are uniquely used upside-down. There are about 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Ducks, geese and swans

Cotton Pygmy-goose, a winter visitor to the south.
Garganey, a common migrant especially in spring and autumn.

Order: Anseriformes. Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 159 species worldwide and 26 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Osprey

Osprey, breeds on coastal cliffs and islands.

Order: Falconiformes. Family: Pandionidae

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

[edit] Hawks, kites and eagles

Egyptian Vulture, common around rubbish tips.
Greater Spotted Eagle, a common winter visitor.

Order: Falconiformes. Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include 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. There are about 240 species worldwide and 29 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Falcons

Saker Falcon, declining in numbers.

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 feet. There are about 64 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Partridges and quails

Arabian Partridge, a local resident of northern and southern mountains.

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 may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are about 155 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Buttonquails

Order: Gruiformes. Family: Turnicidae

The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails.The female is the brighter of the sexes, and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young. There are about 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Cranes

Common Crane, a winter visitor in small numbers.

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". There are about 15 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots

Baiilon's Crake, a visitor to wetland areas between August and April.

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, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are about 135 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Bustards

Order: Gruiformes. 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. There are about 26 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Jacanas

Pheasant-tailed Jacana, a winter visitor mainly to the south.

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide in 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. There are 8 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Painted snipe

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Rostratulidae

Painted snipe are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Oystercatchers

Eurasian Oystercatcher, large flocks winter at Barr al Hikman and Masirah Island.

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are about 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Avocets and stilts

Black-winged Stilt, a local breeding bird more widespread in winter.

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are about 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] 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. There are 9 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Pratincoles and coursers

Small Pratincole, small numbers occur from November to February.

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. There are 17 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Plovers and lapwings

Red-wattled Lapwing, a common resident in the north.

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, although there are some exceptions. There are about 66 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Sandpipers and allies

Little Stint, one of Oman's commonest waders.
Red-necked Phalarope, large numbers occur at sea.

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are 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 species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are about 89 species worldwide and 39 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Skuas

Pomarine Skua, a passage migrant offshore.

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. There are about 7 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Gulls

Slender-billed Gull, large numbers occur around the coast.

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are about 56 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Terns

Bridled Tern, common breeder on offshore islands.

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds 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 now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are about 44 species worldwide and 18 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Rynchopidae

Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Sandgrouse

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, large numbers gather at water sources.

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. There are 16 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Pigeons and doves

Bruce's Green Pigeon, mainly a summer visitor to southern hills and wadis.

Order: Columbiformes. Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are about 308 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Parrots

Rose-ringed Parakeet, common in the north and increasing in the south.

Order: Psittaciformes. Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are about 347 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Cuckoos

Dideric Cuckoo, a summer visitor to the south.

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. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are about 141 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Barn owls

Order: Strigiformes. Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are about 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Typical owls

Spotted Eagle-Owl, a rare resident of wooded areas.

Order: Strigiformes. Family: Strigidae

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. There are about 199 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Nightjars

Eurasian Nightjar, a fairly common migrant.

Order: Caprimulgiformes. Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are about 91 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Swifts

Order: Apodiformes. Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending 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 that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are about 100 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Kingfishers

Grey-headed Kingfisher, a breeding migrant to the south.

Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are about 93 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Bee-eaters

Green Bee-eater, common in northern and southern areas.

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 colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are about 26 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Typical 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. There are about 12 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Hoopoes

Eurasian Hoopoe, a few breed in the north but larger numbers numbers occur from autumn to spring.

Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are about 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Woodpeckers and allies

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. There are about 219 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Larks

Crested Lark, a very common resident.

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. There are about 96 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Swallows and martins

Barn Swallow, very common on passage and in winter.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are about 83 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Wagtails and pipits

Yellow Wagtail, several subspecies occur between August and May.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are 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. There are about 66 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Bulbuls

White-spectacled or Yellow-vented Bulbul, a common and familiar bird of parks and gardens.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throat or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.There are about 130 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Grey Hypocolius

Hypocolius, a winter visitor in small numbers.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Hypocoliidae

The Grey Hypocolius is a small Middle Eastern bird. They are mainly a uniform grey color, with males having a black triangular mask around the eyes, and with the shape and soft plumage of the waxwings.

[edit] 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. There are 13 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Thrushes

Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush, a migrant most often seen in mountainous areas.

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. There are about 176 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Cisticolas and allies

Graceful Prinia, very common throughout except for the central desert.

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. There are about 111 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Old World warblers

Clamorous Reed-Warbler, breeds in reedbeds and mangroves.
Chiffchaff, common and widespread in winter.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae 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. There are about 291 species worldwide and 40 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Old World flycatchers and chats

Rufous-backed or Eversmann's Redstart, a few winter on the Musandam Peninsula.
Blackstart, common in the southern mountains.

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 very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There are about 275 species worldwide and 34 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Monarch flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Monarchidae

The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines, which hunt by flycatching. There are about 100 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Babblers

Arabian Babbler, often seen in parks and gardens.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Timaliidae

The babblers or timaliids are somewhat diverse in size and coloration, but are characterised by soft fluffy plumage. There are about 274 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Penduline tits

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Remizidae

The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds, related to the true tits. They are insectivores. There are about 13 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Sunbirds

Purple Sunbird, common in gardens in the north.

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. There are about 131 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] White-eyes

Oriental White-eye, recently found breeding on Mahawt Island.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Zosteropidae

The white-eyes are small and are mostly of undistinguished appearance, the plumage above being generally either some dull color like greenish olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests many species have a white ring around the eyes. There are about 96 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Old World orioles

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Oriolidae

The Old World Orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are about 30 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Shrikes

Isabelline Shrike, very common from August to May.

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. There are about 30 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Bushshrikes and allies

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Malaconotidae

Bushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush. Although similar in build to the shrikes, these tend to be either colourful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive. There are about 46 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Drongos

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Dicruridae

The drongos are mostly are 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 whilst perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are about 24 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Crows, ravens and magpies

House Crow, this species arrived on board ships and is increasingly common.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Corvidae

The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are about 119 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Starlings

Tristram's Starling, common in the mountains of the south.

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. There are about 114 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Sparrows

Chestnut-shouldered Petronia, breeds in the north but more widespread on passage.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Passeridae

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, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] 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. There are about 116 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Oman.

[edit] Waxbills and allies

Indian Silverbill, a common resident in the north.

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 a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are about 141 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Finches

Common Rosefinch, small numbers pass through Oman in spring and autumn.

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 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] Buntings

Black-headed Bunting, a passage migrant in small numbers.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are about 329 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Oman.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

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