RIYADH: Although mostly desert, the Arabian Peninsula hosts hundreds of species of birds belonging to 65 families. Most of them are migrating birds, but some are native to the region.
The migrating birds of various colors and kinds that are found in the Kingdom attract tourists all around the year, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The Arabian Peninsula is a transit point for birds migrating between Asia, Africa and Europe, particularly during fall from August to October and returning between March and May heading toward the north, covering 70,000 km every year. The native birds also migrate within the Kingdom owing to changing weather conditions.
In the Arabian Peninsula, there are eleven species of falcons, including ospreys, buzzards and eagles. There are also 39 important bird sites and sanctuaries in the Kingdom, whereas in Bahrain, there are only four, eight in Kuwait, five in Qatar, 20 in the UAE, 33 in Oman and 57 in Yemen.
The birds attract many tourists to the Kingdom, and therefore have economic value. Mohammad bin Yuslam Shibraq, adviser at the Saudi Wildlife Association, said that the Kingdom has 250 species of breeding birds and 270 species of migrating birds. He said many countries depend on wildlife sanctuaries to attract tourists, and that the Kingdom has large number of birds which are not found in any other part of the world. They are found mostly in areas where seasonal hunting is permitted and in the Aroq bin Muaridh Sanctuary.
He said that these birds have played very important role in attracting tourists and increasing the living standards of the people living near these sites.
The migrating birds of various colors and kinds that are found in the Kingdom attract tourists all around the year, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The Arabian Peninsula is a transit point for birds migrating between Asia, Africa and Europe, particularly during fall from August to October and returning between March and May heading toward the north, covering 70,000 km every year. The native birds also migrate within the Kingdom owing to changing weather conditions.
In the Arabian Peninsula, there are eleven species of falcons, including ospreys, buzzards and eagles. There are also 39 important bird sites and sanctuaries in the Kingdom, whereas in Bahrain, there are only four, eight in Kuwait, five in Qatar, 20 in the UAE, 33 in Oman and 57 in Yemen.
The birds attract many tourists to the Kingdom, and therefore have economic value. Mohammad bin Yuslam Shibraq, adviser at the Saudi Wildlife Association, said that the Kingdom has 250 species of breeding birds and 270 species of migrating birds. He said many countries depend on wildlife sanctuaries to attract tourists, and that the Kingdom has large number of birds which are not found in any other part of the world. They are found mostly in areas where seasonal hunting is permitted and in the Aroq bin Muaridh Sanctuary.
He said that these birds have played very important role in attracting tourists and increasing the living standards of the people living near these sites.
