JEDDAH: A rare white-tailed eagle has been documented at the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, the first confirmed sighting of the species in Saudi Arabia in more than two decades.
The young migratory raptor was observed at the Wadi Thalbah wetlands, one of the few permanent marshland ecosystems in the Kingdom’s northwest and a vital refuge for birds during seasonal flyways.
Andrew Zaloumis, CEO at the reserve, confirmed the significance of the sighting, noting that the eagle’s presence aligns with improving ecological conditions in the protected area.
“This exceptional sighting of a young white-tailed eagle in a reserve where the habitat-wide restoration program is showing results is encouraging,” Zaloumis told Arab News.
Wadi Thalbah Wetland, where the juvenile migrant White-tailed eagle was recorded.(Supplied)
“As we restore ecosystems, nature rebounds. The reserve is becoming a safe and productive environment for both migratory species, such as this eagle, and the resident wild bird populations that depend on these habitats year round.”
Located at the convergence of two of the world’s largest migratory flyways, the reserve is on a major route used by millions of birds each year.
Together with Wadi Disah and Wadi Azlam, Wadi Thalbah is one of the few year-round freshwater sources in the region.
These areas are designated as high-protection “sanctuaries” under the reserve’s zonation strategy due to their ecological sensitivity and strategic importance for migrating species.
The sighting was documented by a keen bird watcher and Ali Al-Faqih, the reserve’s biodiversity monitoring and research manager, who photographed the eagle during field monitoring work.
“I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw a large raptor flying heavily after drinking,” he said.
“I gazed intently at this magnificent bird and realized I was looking at an unfamiliar species that I had never seen before.
“Observing a rare bird in the reserve indicates to me that we are seeing improving habitat quality and providing migratory birds with a safe and productive environment to rest and feed during their long journeys.”
According to Zaloumis, the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is one of the world’s largest eagle species, with a wingspan of up to 240 centimeters and weighing as much as 5.5 kilograms.
Adults are identifiable by their pale heads, yellow bills and distinctive wedge-shaped white tails.
The Reserve’s diverse landscape comprises 15 distinct ecosystems. (Supplied)
The eagle seen in the reserve was identified as a juvenile due to its darker plumage, which has yet to develop the characteristic adult markings, a common trait among first-migration birds found outside their normal range.
Covering 24,500 sq km of marine and terrestrial landscapes, the reserve contains 15 distinct ecosystems and is recognized as one of the Kingdom’s richest biodiversity zones.
More than half of all recorded species in Saudi Arabia have been documented within its boundaries.
Since 2021, six multi-season biodiversity studies have been conducted in collaboration with experts from Saudi Arabia and five other countries.
To date, researchers have recorded 247 bird species in the reserve, representing 49 percent of all bird species documented nationwide, including seven global range extensions.
Zaloumis said discoveries such as the eagle highlight the importance of continued study.
“The presence of a species far outside its ‘usual’ range reminds us that, as conservationists, there is still so much we have to learn,” Zaloumis said.
“Through scientific research, we have already discovered five species new to science, three species previously unrecorded in Saudi Arabia, and 34 global range extensions across various taxonomic groups.”
Zaloumis said that these findings come at a time when the International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that 28 percent of all species globally are at risk of extinction, underscoring the need for long-term monitoring and protection efforts throughout the Kingdom.
