List of birds of Qatar

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

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

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

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

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

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


Ostriches

Order: Struthioniformes   Family: Struthionidae

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

Common name Trinomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Arabian ostrichStruthio camelus ssp. syriacusXExtinctN/AFormerly widespread in the Arabian peninsula
Red-necked ostrichStruthio camelus ssp. camelusICritically endangeredDecreaseFound in Ras Abrouq, west coast

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Graylag gooseAnser anserNLeast concernIncreaseRare winter visitor
Greater white-fronted gooseAnser albifronsALeast concern?Rare winter visitor
Whooper swanCygnus cygnusALeast concern?Vagrant
Egyptian gooseAlopochen aegyptiacaILeast concernDecreaseIntroduced
Ruddy shelduckTadorna ferrugineaALeast concern?Scarce winter visitor
Common shelduckTadorna tadornaNLeast concernIncreaseScarce winter visitor
Cotton pygmy-gooseNettapus coromandelianusALeast concernSteadyvagrant
GarganeySpatula querquedulaNLeast concernDecreasePassage migrant and winter visitor
Northern shovelerSpatula clypeataNLeast concernDecreasewinter visitor
GadwallMareca streperaALeast concernIncreaseScarce winter visitor
Eurasian wigeonMareca penelopeNLeast concernDecreasewinter visitor
MallardAnas platyrhynchosNLeast concernIncreaseCommon winter visitor
Northern pintailAnas acutaNLeast concernDecreaseWinter visitor
Green-winged tealAnas creccaNLeast concern?Winter visitor
Marbled tealMarmaronetta angustirostrisRVulnerableDecreaseVagrant recorded in 1985
Red-crested pochardNetta rufinaALeast concern?Vagrant
Common pochardAythya ferinaRVulnerableDecreaseOverwintering
Ferruginous duckAythya nyrocaNNear threatenedDecreaseScarce resident
Tufted duckAythya fuligulaNLeast concernSteadyCommon winter visitor in greywater and lagoons
Long-tailed duckClangula hyemalisRVulnerableDecreaseVagrant.

Guineafowl

Order: Galliformes   Family: Numididae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Vulturine guineafowlAcryllium vulturinumALeast concernSteadyVagrant

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 Trend Notes Image
Gray francolinFrancolinus pondicerianusILeast concernSteadyIntroduced and established; resident
Common quailCoturnix coturnixNLeast concernDecreasePassage migrant

Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Greater flamingoPhoenicopterus roseusNLeast concernIncreaseResident breeder
Lesser flamingoPhoenicopterus minorANear threatenedDecreaseVagrant recorded in 2013

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Little grebeTachybaptus ruficollisNLeast concernDecreaseResident
Great crested grebePodiceps cristatusNLeast concern?Resident
Eared grebePodiceps nigricolisNLeast concern?Winter visitor

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Rock dove (and domestic variants)Columba liviaNLeast concernDecreaseDomestic variants common everywhere, wild rock doves may be found near the coast
Stock doveColumba oenasALeast concernIncreaseVagrant recorded in 2019
European turtle-doveStreptopelia turturRVulnerableDecreasePassage migrant
Oriental turtle doveStreptopelia decoctoALeast concernSteadyVagrant recorded in 2022
Eurasian collared-doveStreptopelia decoctoNLeast concernIncreaseCommon
African collared-doveStreptopelia roseogriseaALeast concern ?Vagrant
Laughing doveStreptopelia senegalensisNLeast concernSteadyCommon
Namaqua doveOena capensisILeast concernIncreaseNaturally established resident due to its nomadic nature
Zebra doveGeopelia striataILeast concernSteadyIntroduced in the northeast; small breeding population

Sandgrouse

Order: Pterocliformes   Family: Pteroclidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global Status Trend Notes Image
Pin-tailed sandgrousePterocles alchataALeast concernSteadyLocalised breeder
Chestnut-bellied sandgrousePterocles exustusALeast concernSteadyRare
Crowned sandgrousePterocles coronatusALeast concernSteadyVagrant

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 bustardChlamydotis macqueeniiExVulnerableDecreaseMay have been extirpated from the country due to overhunting, records nowadays generally considered captive or escaped

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Great spotted cuckooClamator glandariusALeast concernSteadyRare
Pied cuckooClamator jacobinusALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Asian koelEudynamys scolopaceusALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Common cuckooCuculus canorusNLeast concernDecreasePassage 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 nightjarCaprimulgus europaeusNLeast concernDecreasePassage migrant
Egyptian nightjarCaprimulgus aegyptiusRLeast concernDecreaseRare 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 Trend Notes Image
Alpine swiftTachymarptis melbaRLeast concernSteadyvagrant with 4 records
Common swiftApus apusNLeast concernSteadyUncommon winter visitor
Pallid swiftApus pallidusNLeast concernSteadyWinter visitor
Little swiftApus affinisALeast concernIncreaseVagrant

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 Image
Water railRallus aquaticusRLeast concernDecreaseWinter visitor.
CorncrakeCrex crexRLeast concernSteadyrare passage migrant
Spotted crakePorzana porzanaNLeast concernSteadyuncommon passage migrant
Eurasian moorhenGallinula chloropusNLeast concernSteadyCommon
Eurasian cootFulica atraNLeast concernIncreaseResident and winter visitor
African swamphenPorphyrio madagascarensisINot recognised by the IUCNDecreaseIntroduced.
Grey-headed swamphenPorphyrio poliocephalusNNot recognised by the IUCN?Resident
White-breasted waterhenAmaurornis phoenicurusALeast concern?Vagrant
Little crakePorzana parvaALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Baillon's crakeZapornia pusillaALeast concern?Vagrant

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Common craneGrus grusALeast concernIncreaseVagrant

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-kneeBurhinus oedicnemusNLeast concernDecreasePassage migrant

Stilts and avocets

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Black-winged stiltHimantopus himantopusNLeast concernIncreaseCommon
Pied avocetRecurvirostra avosettaNLeast concern?Common in winter

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global Status Trend Notes Image
Eurasian oystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusNNear threatenedDecreasePassage migrant

Plovers and lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Frequency Image
Black-bellied ploverPluvialis squatarolaNLeast concernDecreaseCommon, found on coasts and shores
European golden-ploverPluvialis apricariaRLeast concernIncreaseVagrant with 5 records
Pacific golden-ploverPluvialis fulvaNLeast concernDecreaseScarce passage migrant
Northern lapwingVanellus vanellusNNear threatenedDecreaseWinter visitor
Spur-winged lapwingVanellus spinosusRLeast concernIncreaseRare passage migrant; breeding in 2023
Red-wattled lapwingVanellus indicusNLeast concern?Scarce breeding resident
Sociable lapwingVanellus gregariusRCritically endangeredDecreaseRare localised winter visitor
White-tailed lapwingVanellus leucurusRLeast concern ?Winter visitor
Tibetan sand ploverEupoda atrifronsNLeast concern?Common year-round
Greater sand ploverEupoda leschenaultiiNLeast concernDecreaseCommon year-round
Caspian ploverEupoda asiaticaNLeast concernDecreasescarce passage migrant
Kentish ploverOchthodromus alexandrinusNLeast concernDecreaseResident breeder
Kittlitz's ploverOchthodromus pecuariusALeast concern ?Vagrant recorded in 2023
Greater ringed ploverCharadrius hiaticulaNLeast concernDecreaseCommon winter visitor
Little ringed ploverThinornis dubiusNLeast concern ?Breeding, leaves the country in winter
Eurasian dotterelEudromias morinellusALeast concernDecreaseVagrant

Painted-snipes

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Rostratulidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Greater painted-snipeRostratula benghalensisALeast concernDecreaseVagrant

Jacanas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Jacanidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Frequency Image
Pheasant-tailed jacanaHydrophasianus chirurgusALeast concernDecreaseVagrant

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 Image
Eurasian curlewNumenius arquataNNear threatenedDecreaseWinter visitor
WhimbyNumenius phaeopusNLeast concernDecreasePassage migrant
Bar-tailed godwitLimosa lapponicaNNear threatenedDecreaseWinter visitor
Black-tailed godwitLimosa limosaNNear threatenedDecreasePassage migrant
Ruddy turnstoneArenaria interpresNLeast concernDecreasewinter visitor
Great knotCalidris tenuirostrisREndangeredDecreasevagrant
RuffCalidris pugnaxNLeast concernDecreaseWinter visitor
Broad-billed sandpiperCalidris falcinellusNLeast concernDecreasePassage migrant
Curlew sandpiperCalidris ferrugineaNNear threatenedDecreasePassage migrant
Temminck's stintCalidris temminckiiNLeast concern?winter visitor, he is common on shores and rocky coasts
SanderlingCalidris albaNLeast concern?winter visitor
DunlinCalidris alpinaNLeast concernDecreasewinter visitor
Little stintCalidris minutaNLeast concernIncreaseWinter visitor
Jack snipeLymnocryptes minimusNLeast concernSteadyScarce passage migrant
Eurasian woodcockScolopax rusticolaALeast concernSteadyunverified vagrant records
Common snipeGallinago gallinagoNLeast concernDecreasewinter visitor
Pin-tailed snipeGallinago stenuraALeast concern?vagrant
Terek sandpiperXenus cinereusNLeast concernDecreaseResident
Red-necked phalaropePhalaropus lobatusNLeast concernDecreaseScarce passage migrant
Common sandpiperActitis hypoleucosNLeast concernDecreaseVery common throughout winter and late summer.
Green sandpiperTringa ochropusNLeast concernIncreaseRelatively common throughout winter and spring
Spotted redshankTringa erythropusNLeast concernSteadyCommon winter visitor
Common greenshankTringa nebulariaNLeast concernSteadyCommon winter visitor
Marsh sandpiperTringa stagnatilisNLeast concernDecreaseSomewhat common winter visitor
Wood sandpiperTringa glareolaNLeast concernSteadyCommon winter visitor
Common redshankTringa totanusNLeast concern?Winter visitor

Crab plover

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Dromadidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global Status Trend Notes Image
Crab-ploverDromas ardeolaNLeast concernSteadypassage migrant and winter visitor

Pratincoles and coursers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Glareolidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Cream-coloured courserCursorius cursorNLeast concernDecreaseScarce resident and common migrant
Collared pratincoleGlareola pratincolaNLeast concernDecreasePassage migrant
Black-winged pratincoleGlareola nordmanniRNear threatenedDecreaseVagrant
Small pratincoleGlareola lacteaALeast concern?Vagrant.

Skuas and jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Pomarine skuaStercorarius pomarinusRLeast concernSteadyrare winter visitor
Arctic skuaStercorarius parasiticusNLeast concernSteadyRare winter visitor
Long-tailed jaegerStercorarius longicaudusALeast concernSteadyVagrant

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

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 tropicbirdPhaethon aethereusRLeast concernDecreaseOnly breeds on Halul Island, absent from the mainland

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Black storkCiconia nigraALeast concern?Vagrant.
White storkCiconia ciconiaNLeast concernIncreaseWinter visitor
Yellow-billed storkMycteria ibisALeast concernDecreaseVagrant, 1999

Cormorants and shags

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Great cormorantPhalacrocorax carboNLeast concernIncreaseCommon throughout winter
Socotra cormorantPhalacrocorax nigrogularisEVulnerableDecreaseEndemic to the gulf and offshore Yemen. Breeds on islands like Hawar and Socotra; globally threatened

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Great white pelicanPelecanus onocrotalusALeast concern?Vagrant

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Great bitternBotaurus stellarisRLeast concernDecreaserare winter visitor
Little bitternIxobrychus minutusNLeast concernDecreasepassage migrant
Grey heronArdea cinereaNLeast concern?Where there is water, and where there is fish, there will be a grey heron. Indeed, it is the most common bird in the country, being found year-round in any aquatic habitat there is. Grey and tall, it is the largest heron in the country. It is easy to see this bird as it stands in the water, looking downwards for a fish or frog to pass by.
Purple heronArdea purpureaNLeast concernDecreaseResident and migrant
Great egretEgretta albaNLeast concern?Overwintering
Intermediate egretEgretta intermediaALeast concernDecreaseVagrant
Little egretEgretta garzettaNLeast concernIncreasewinter visitor
Western reef-heronEgretta gularisNLeast concernSteadyUncommon resident, abundant winter visitor
Cattle egretBubulcus ibisNLeast concernIncreasePassage migrant and winter visitor
Squacco heronArdeola ralloidesNLeast concern?passage migrant, this bird also leaves behind a small non-breeding population in summer
Indian pond-heronArdeola grayiiALeast concern?Vagrant.
Striated heronButroides striataRLeast concernDecreaseThis bird is an uncommon resident
Black-crowned night heronNycticorax nycticoraxNLeast concernDecreaseWinter 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 Image
Glossy ibisPlegadis falcinellusNLeast concernDecreaseA common bird in winter and spring, this bird frequents the grey water at several familiar locations. It is a unique bird, covered in black feathers that reflect blue, green, and purple when approached close. The bill of this bird is curved downwards.
African sacred ibisThreskiornis aethiopicusALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Eurasian spoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaRLeast concern?rare migrant

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Frequency Image
OspreyPandion haliaetusNLeast concernIncreaseResident

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

Barn-owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Barn owlTyto albaNLeast concernSteadyThis bird is a scarce resident in the country

Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Eurasian scops-owlOtus scopsNLeast concernDecreaseUncommon passage migrant. Recognised by its large ear tufts, it is rarely seen at day. The plumage mayvary
Pallid scops-owlOtus bruceiALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Pharaoh eagle owlBubo ascalaphusNLeast concernSteadyAn uncommon resident, this is the nation's largest. It may be found in the south, roosting in thick bushes or on arid ground
Lilith owletAthene noctuaNLeast concernSteadyResident.
Long-eared owlAsio otusALeast concernDecreaseVagrant.
Short-eared owlAsio flammeusRLeast concernDecreaserare winter visitor

Hoopoes

Order: Bucerotiformes   Family: Upupidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Eurasian hoopoeUpupa epopsNLeast concernDecreaseSome migration in winter, most abundant in spring, especially April. This bird is unique and unmatched in appearance, and has an almost "legendary" status in the Middle East, often being seen as a symbol of birds in the region

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Common kingfisherAlcedo atthisNLeast concern?Uncommon migrant
White-throated kingfisherHalcyon smyrnensisALeast concernIncreaseVagrant
Pied kingfisherCeryle rudisNLeast concern?uncommon winter visitor

Bee-eaters

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Meropidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Arabian green bee-eaterMerops cyanophrysALeast concernIncreaseVagrant
Blue-cheeked bee-eaterMerops persicusNLeast concernSteadyMuch like its European friend, it is observed mostly in spring and to a lesser extent autumn.
European bee-eaterMerops apiasterNLeast concernSteadyThe most common and beautiful bee-eater, it is observed in Qatar during spring and to a lesser extent autumn

Rollers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Coraciidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
European rollerCoracias garrulusNLeast concernDecreasePassage migrant
Indian rollerCoracias benghalensisALeast concernIncreaseVagrant

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 wryneckJynx torquillaNLeast concernSteadyVagrant

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 Trend Notes Image
Lesser kestrelFalco naumanniNLeast concernSteadyFound in autumn and more plentifully in spring, the lesser kestrel is a fascinating bird. The females are reddish brown with dark blotches decorating its upper side. Males have slate-blue heads and wingtips, with a rusty mantle and pale, spotted underside
Eurasian kestrelFalco tinnuculusNLeast concernDecreaseCommon winter visitor
Amur falconFalco amurensisALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Sooty falconFalco concolorRVulnerableDecreaserare summer visitor
MerlinFalco columbariusRLeast concernDecreaserare winter visitor
Eurasian hobbyFalco subbuteoNLeast concernDecreaseWinter visitor
Peregrine falconFalco peregrinusRLeast concernIncreaseVagrant

Old World parrots

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittaculidae

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

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

Old World orioles

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Oriolidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Eurasian golden orioleOriolus oriolusNLeast concernSteadyLate spring visitor

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

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

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

Lesser gray shrikeLanius minorNLeast concernDecreaseUncommon passage migrant and autumn visitor. Has a larger "mask" than the similarly coloured great grey shrike.Lanîûs mînor
Masked shrikeLanius nubicusNLeast concernDecreasePassage migrant and winter visitor
Woodchat shrikeLanius senatorNLeast concernDecreasePassage migrant and winter visitor

Crows, jays, and magpies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
House crowCorvus splendensILeast concernSteadyColoniser
Brown-necked ravenCorvus rufficolisALeast concernSteadyVagrant

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-titRemiz pendulinusALeast concernIncreaseVagrant

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 Image
Greater hoopoe-larkAlaemon alaudipesNLeast concernDecreaseResident
Bar-tailed larkAmmomanes cincturusNLeast concernDecreaseresident breeder
Desert larkAmmomanes desertiNLeast concernIncreaseResident
Black-crowned sparrow larkEremopterix nigricepsNLeast concernIncreaseResident
Horned larkEremophila alpestrisALeast concernDecreaseVagrant.
Greater short-toed larkCalandrella brachydactylaNLeast concern?Winter visitor
Lesser short-toed larkAlaudala rufescensNLeast concernDecreaseA defunct taxon, historically included in recent lists. It has been divided into two taxa, the Mediterranean and Turkestan larks. It is believed the latter inhabits Qatar.
Bimaculated larkMelanocorypha bimaculataRLeast concernSteadyrare winter visitor
Calandra larkMelanocorypha calandraALeast concernDecreaseVagrant
Arabian larkEremalauda eremoditesALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Turkestan short-toed larkEremalauda eremoditesNNot recognised by the IUCNDecreaseUncommon in the country, this species is more likely to be encountered in open deserts. A new derivative, this species was considered conspecific with the lesser short-toed lark until 2020.
WoodlarkLullula arboreaALeast concernIncreaseVagrant
Eurasian skylarkAlauda arvensisRLeast concernDecreasescarce winter visitor
Crested larkGalerdia cristataNLeast concernDecreaseBreeding 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 Image
Graceful priniaPrinia gracilisNLeast concernSteadyWinter visitor
Delicate priniaPrinia lepidaANot recognised by the IUCN?Taxonomy disputed; it is considered part of the graceful prinia species complex by several authorities

Reed warblers and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Acrocephalidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Syke's warblerIduna ramaALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Eastern olivaceous warblerIduna pallidaNLeast concernSteadyscarce passage migrant
Upcher's warblerHippolais languidaNLeast concernSteadyWinter visitor
Icterine warblerHippolais icterinaNLeast concernDecreaseVagrant
Moustached warblerAcrocephalus melanopogonALeast concernSteadyVagrant.Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon by Dr. Raju Kasambe (2)
Sedge warblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusNLeast concernSteadyRare passage migrant
Paddyfield warblerAcrocephalus agricolaALeast concernDecreaseVagrant.
Marsh warblerAcrocephalus palustrisRLeast concernSteadyrare passage migrant
Eurasian reed warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusNLeast concernSteadyUncommon
Basra reed warblerEremalauda eremoditesREndangeredSteadyVagrant recorded in the country in 2017.
Great reed warblerAcrocephalus arundinaceusNLeast concernDecreaseUncommon winter visitor
Clamorous reed warblerAcrocephalus stentoreusNLeast concernSteadyWinter 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 Trend Notes Image
Savi's warblerLocustella luscinioidesALeast concernSteadyVagrant.
Common grasshopper-warblerLocustella naeviaALeast concernSteadyVagrant.

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 Image
Bank swallowR. ripariaNLeast concernSteadyCommon in both late summer and winter
Eurasian crag-martinPtyonoprogne rupestrisRLeast concernSteadyRare winter visitor
Pale crag-martinPtyonoprogne fuligulaRLeast concernSteadyRare winter visitor
Barn swallowHirundo rusticaNLeast concernDecreaseA frequent and abundant passage migrant
Wire-tailed swallowHirundo smithiiALeast concernIncreaseVagrant recorded in 2023
Red-rumped swallowCecropis dauricaNLeast concernSteadyPassage migrant
Common house-martinDelichon urbicumNLeast concernDecreaseuncommon

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 bulbulPycnonotus caferILeast concernIncreaseResident in parks and specific urban areas.
White-eared bulbulPycnonotus leucotisILeast concernDecreaseFound nationwide

Leaf warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Phylloscopidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Wood warblerPhylloscopus sibilatrixALeast concernDecreaseVagrant
Yellow-browed warblerPhylloscopus inornatusALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Hume's warblerPhylloscopus humeiALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Plain leaf warblerPhylloscopus neglectusALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Williw warblerPhylloscopus trochilusNLeast concernDecreaseCommon in spring and autumn
Common chiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaNLeast concernIncreaseAlike the willow warbler, but more common in the winter.

Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sylviidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Eurasian blackcapSylvia atricapillaNLeast concernIncreasePassage migrant
Garden warblerSylvia borinALeast concernDecreaseVagrant
Asian desert warblerCurruca nanaNLeast concernSteadyA common winter visitor, this small round bird is recognised by its grey body, ruddy tail and yellow eyes. This bird has a special relationship with the desert wheatear, and follows it if alerted by a predator.
Barred warblerCurruca nisoriaNLeast concernSteadyUncommon passage migrant
Lesser whitethroatC. currucaNLeast concernSteadyCommon during spring migration and winter
Eastern Orphean warblerCurruca crassirostrisNLeast concernIncreaserare passage migrant
Menetries's warblerCurruca mystaceaNLeast concernSteadypassage migrant
Greater whitethroatCurruca communisNLeast concernIncreasecommon migrant

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
European starlingSturnus vulgarisNLeast concernDecreaseMigratory; winter visitor
Rosy starlingPastor roseusALeast concern?Vagrant
Common mynaAcridotheres tristisILeast concernIncreaseIntroduced and established; extremely common throughout the country

Thrushes and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Song thrushTurdus philomelosNLeast concernIncreaseOverwintering
Eurasian blackbirdTurdus merulaALeast concernIncreaseVagrant
FieldfareTurdus pilarisALeast concernDecreaseVagrant.
Ring ouzelTurdus torquatusALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Black-throated thrushTurdus atrogularisALeast concern?Vagrant
Red-throated thrushTurdus ruficollisALeast concern?Vagrant
Dusky thrushTurdus eunomusALeast concern?Vagrant
White's thrushZoothera aureaALeast concernDecreaseVagrant recorded in 2022

Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global Status Trend Notes Image
Black scrub-robinCercotrichas podobeRLeast concernSteadyRare winter visitor
Spotted flycatcherMuscicapa striataNLeast concernDecreaseCommon passage migrant in spring and winter.
Rufous-tailed scrub-robinCercotrichas galactotesNLeast concernSteadyOverwintering
European robinErithacus rubeculaALeast concernIncreaseVagrant
White-throated robinIrania gutturalisNLeast concernSteadySpring visitor
Thrush nightingaleLuscinia lusciniaRLeast concernSteadyRare passage migrant
Common nightingaleLuscinia megarhynchosNLeast concernSteadyWinter visitor
BluethroatLuscinia svecicaNLeast concernSteadyCommon in winter
Red-breasted flycatcherFicedula parvaNLeast concernIncreaseThis uncommon bird is mostly seen in autumn
Semi-collared flycatcherFicedula semitorquataRLeast concernDecreaseRare passage migrant
Rufous-backed redstartPhoenicurus erythronotusRLeast concernSteadyrare passage migrant
Common redstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusNLeast concernIncreaseSpring visitor
Black redstartPhoenicurus ochrurosNLeast concernIncreasepassage migrant

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

Hume's wheatearOenanthe albonigraALeast concernSteadyVagrant
White-crowned wheatearOenanthe albonigraALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Finsch's wheatearOenanthe finschiiRLeast concernSteadyRare winter visitor.
Mourning wheatearOenanthe lugensNLeast concernSteadyWinter visitor
Kurdish wheatearOenanthe xanthoprymnaALeast concernSteadyVagrant.
Persian wheatearOenanthe chrysopygiaNLeast concernSteadycommon 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
HypocoliusHypocolius ampelinusNLeast concern?Uncommon Winter visitor

Sunbirds and spiderhunters

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Nectariniidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Purple sunbirdCinnyris asiaticusALeast concernSteadyVagrant recorded in 2020

Weavers and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Ploceidae

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

Common name Binomial name Status in the country Global status Trend Notes Image
Streaked weaverPloceus manyarILeast concernSteadyIntroduced
Black-breasted weaverPloceus benghalensisILeast concernSteadyIntroduced

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 avadavatAmandava amandavaALeast concern?Vagrant
Indian silverbillEudoice malabaricaILeast concernSteadyIntroduced

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 Trend Notes Image
House sparrowPasser domesticusNLeast concernDecreaseCommon
Spanish sparrowPasser hispaniolensisNLeast concernDecreaseResident breeder
Yellow-throated sparrowGymnoris xanthocollisALeast concernDecreaseVagrant
Pale rockfinchCarpispiza brachydactylaNLeast concernSteadyPassage 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 Trend Notes Image
Gray wagtailMotacilla cinereaNLeast concernSteadyWinter visitor
Yellow wagtailMotacilla flavaNLeast concernDecreaseCommon passage migrant
Citrine wagtailMotacilla citreolaALeast concernIncreaseUncommon
White wagtailMotacilla albaNLeast concernSteadyVery common migrant
Richard's pipitAnthus richardiALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Long-billed pipitAnthus similisALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Tawny pipitAnthus campestrisNLeast concernSteadyCommon winter visitor
Meadow pipitAnthus pratensisNNear threatenedDecreaseUncommon winter visitor
Tree pipitAnthus trivialisNLeast concernDecreaseScarce
Red-throated pipitAnthus cervinusNLeast concernSteadyWinter visitor
Water pipitAnthus spinolettaNLeast concernSteadyCommon in winter, this large pipit is easy to identify as it has black legs. It frequents wetlands, as suggested by its name.
American pipitAnthus rubescensALeast concernDecreaseVagrant.

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 Trend Notes Image
Common chaffinchFringilla coelebsALeast concernIncreaseVagrant
BramblingFringilla montifringillaALeast concernDecreaseVagrant
HawfinchC. coccothraustesALeast concernIncreaseVagrant.
Common rosefinchCarpodacus erythrinusRLeast concernDecreaserare passage migrant
Trumpeter finchBucanetes githagineusALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Desert finchRhodospiza obsoletaALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Eurasian linnetLinaria cannabinaALeast concernSteadyVagrant
Eurasian siskinS. spinusALeast concernDecreaseVagrant

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 Image
Black-headed buntingEmberiza melanocephalaRLeast concern?rare passage migrant
Corn buntingEmberiza calandraNLeast concernDecreaseWinter visitor and uncommon breeder
Cinereous buntingEmberiza cineraceaRNear threatenedDecreaseRare passage migrant
Ortolan buntingEmberiza hortulanaNLeast concernDecreasePulling up to the table at early winter and early spring, this cheerful bird can be found among other birds in meadows. Its brown patterns may make it look indistinct but the yellow markings on this bird's face will confirm its identification
Cretzschmar's buntingEmberiza caesiaRLeast concernSteadyVagrant
Rustic buntingEmberiza rusticaAVulnerableDecreaseVagrant

See also

References

  1. "Qatar bird list". qatarbirds. 9 July 2023.
  2. "book".
  • Lepage, Denis. "Checklist of Birds of Qatar". Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  • Clements, James F. (2000). Birds of the World: A Checklist. Cornell University Press. p. 880. ISBN 0-934797-16-1.
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