Rakws Category: Birds

​Scientific Name: Egretta gularis

Size:  65 cm long

Habitat: on rocky or sandy shores and reefs,  also found around estuaries, mudflats, salt marshes, mangroves, tidal creeks and lagoons.

Diet: Fish, crustaceans and molluscs

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern

Did you know? There are two form of western reef heron, a dark form which is gray in colour with a white throat, and the light one which is white overall and has two plumes on the back of the crown.

Scientific Name: Tringa tetanus

Size: Length 27-29 cm

Habitat: Salt marshes, flood meadows and around lakes.

Diet: Insects ,earthworms, molluscs and crustaceans.

IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)

Common migrant

Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax carbo

Size: Length: 77-94 cm; Wingspan: 121-149 cm

Habitat:  shallow inshore marine waters near rocky islands or cliffs. Inland cormorant colonies nest in trees close to freshwater lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits.

Diet: Fish

IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)

The cormorant has special feathers, which allow them to dive deep and swim well under water.​

Scientific Name: Aythya nyroca

Size: 38 to 42 cm long​

Habitat: Shallow lakes, marshes and pools

IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT)

Other Status: CMS, Appendix I and II

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary supports  number of globally threatened species of water birds, including the Ferruginous Duck.

Scientific Name: Platalea leucorodia

Passage hatched and winters in UAE.​

Size: 70–95 cm tall

Habitat: Freshwater wetlands, saltwater wetlands, inland lakes and lagoons.

Diet: The diet consists of aquatic insects, mollusks, newts, crustaceans, worms, leeches, frogs, tadpoles and small fish.

IUCN Status: Least Concern

Other Status: Appendix II of CITES

It is a treat to watch these birds moving their bills from left to right with their face ducked in the water to catch the food. Spoonbills spend most of their time sleeping​.

Scientific Name: Clanga clanga

Common Migrant and winter visitor to UAE​

Size: 62 to 72 cm

Habitat: Lowland forests near wetlands nesting in different types of trees. Visits deserts, shrub-lands, wetlands and mangroves in winter.

IUCN Status: Vulnerable (VU)

Other Status: Cites, Appendix II and CMS, Appendix I

Did you know? In 2016, Dubai Municipality ringed the first ever 3 individuals of Greater Spotted Eagle at Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary during the Bird Ringing Programme.