Explore our visual guide designed to help you distinguish between similar-looking bird species. Featuring side-by-side photographic comparisons of various bird families—such as Herons, Kingfishers, and Sunbirds—from Lebanon and the UAE, this resource highlights key physical differences and similarities. Ideal for bird enthusiasts and wildlife photographers, it serves as an educational tool to improve bird identification and deepen understanding of these species in their natural habitats.

Photographic Field Guide to Middle Eastern Birds: Side-by-Side Comparisons of Species in Lebanon and the UAE

  • Sea Birds UAE

    Slender-billed Gull - UAE

    The Slender-billed Gull (Larus genei) is a medium-sized gull known for its distinctive long, thin, slightly downcurved bill, which sets it apart from other gull species. It has a pale gray upper body, white underparts, and long, slender wings that give it an elegant appearance in flight. During the breeding season, adults develop a subtle pinkish hue on their chest. This species is commonly found in coastal lagoons, salt flats, and wetlands across southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. In the UAE, the Slender-billed Gull is a regular visitor to coastal areas and saltpans, particularly in winter. It primarily feeds on small fish and invertebrates, often foraging in shallow waters. Unlike some other gull species, it has a more delicate flight pattern and is less aggressive in feeding behavior.

  • Sea birds UAE

    Sooty Gull - UAE

    The Sooty Gull (Larus hemprichii) is a striking seabird found primarily along the coasts of the Arabian Peninsula, the Red Sea, and parts of East Africa. This medium-sized gull has a distinctive dark plumage, with a sooty-brown body and a contrasting white head and underparts. Its wings are long and pointed, often showing a black edge. The Sooty Gull's diet is varied, consisting mainly of fish, crustaceans, and scavenged food from human settlements. It is often seen in coastal habitats, including sandy beaches, rocky shores, and estuaries. The bird's loud, harsh call is a common sound in its range, especially during the breeding season, when it nests on islands or cliffs, usually in small colonies. It is also known for its adaptability to urban environments, frequently found near ports or fishing areas.

  • Sea birds UAE

    Black-headed Gull - UAE

    The Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) is a medium-sized gull known for its striking seasonal appearance. During the breeding season, it displays a distinctive chocolate-brown head, which contrasts beautifully with its white body and pale gray wings. Outside of breeding, the brown head fades, leaving only a dark spot near the eyes. These adaptable and opportunistic birds are often found in coastal regions, wetlands, and even urban areas, scavenging for food or foraging in shallow waters. With their graceful flight and piercing calls, Black-headed Gulls are a familiar and captivating sight across much of Europe, Asia, and northern Africa.

  • Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)

    Lesser Black-backed Gull - UAE

    The Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) is a medium-to-large gull with a striking dark gray to black back and wings, contrasting with its white underparts. It has yellow legs, a yellow bill with a red spot near the tip, and sharp, alert eyes. This species breeds along the coasts of northern and western Europe, nesting on cliffs, islands, and rooftops, before migrating south for the winter. During migration, it can be found along coastlines, estuaries, and inland water bodies across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, including the UAE. Agile in flight and adaptable in feeding habits, the Lesser Black-backed Gull scavenges, hunts small prey, and forages in urban areas, making it one of the most widespread and opportunistic gull species.

NOT EVALUATED
DATA DEFICIENT
LEAST CONCERN
NEAR THREATENED
VULNERABLE
ENDANGERED
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
EXTINCT IN THE WILD
EXTINCT