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

  • Birds of UAE

    Purple Sunbird - UAE

    The Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) is a small, vibrant bird with striking iridescent plumage.

    Males: During the breeding season, males are particularly eye-catching with a metallic purple or deep violet throat and chest, transitioning to a dark greenish or bronze color on the back and wings. The underparts are often a bright, iridescent purple. The bill is slender and curved, ideal for feeding on nectar.

    Females: Females and non-breeding males have a more subdued appearance, with a duller olive-brown or greenish-brown body, a pale yellowish belly, and less iridescence overall.

    Both sexes have a relatively short, straight bill and long, slender legs. The Purple Sunbird is known for its vibrant colors and agility in flight as it feeds on nectar from flowers.

  • Birds of Lebanon

    Palestine Sunbird - Lebanon

    The Palestine Sunbird (Cinnyris osea) is a small, striking bird with vivid plumage.

    Males: During the breeding season, males display a striking metallic green or blue-green back and head, with a bright red or orange belly. The throat is often a brilliant iridescent purple or blue. The wings are dark and the tail is relatively long and slightly forked. The bill is slender and curved, adapted for feeding on nectar.

    Females: Females have a more muted appearance with an olive-brown or dull greenish body, a pale belly, and a less vibrant coloration overall.

    Both sexes have long, slender legs and a characteristic agile flight. The Palestine Sunbird is known for its beautiful colors and is often found in a variety of habitats, including gardens and open woodlands.

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