A-Z of birds in Bahrain

Swifts

Alpine Swift

Breeding throughout mountainous regions of southern Europe and across to the Himalayas these birds are migratory, overwintering in southern Africa or central India. Worldwide, there are a total of ten subspecies from the nominate species, apus melba.

Skuas

Arctic Skua

The Arctic Skua, also known as the Parasitic Jaeger, is a medium-sized seabird well known for its aggressive nature.

Avocets and stilts

Avocet

A conservation success story reintroduced this elegant wading bird back to our shores after the second World War.

Sandpipers, snipes and phalaropes

Bar-tailed Godwit

A large wading bird, notorious for the boldness of breeding individuals.

Owls

Barn Owl

Heart-shaped face and dark eyes belie a silent killer.

Herons, storks and ibises

Bittern

One of the rarest breeding birds in the UK, a secretive and difficult to see member of the heron family.

Grebes

Black Necked Grebe

The black-necked grebe is a highly-sociable, small and dark member of the grebe family. Known as the 'eared grebe' in America.

Chats

Black Redstart

The UK has a small resident breeding population of black redstarts supplemented annually by passage migrants, overwintering birds and summer breeders. Often at home as a city dweller choosing derelict sites, old buildings and industrial areas, the black redstart will also choose cliff ledges, gorges, rock and scree habitats.

Gulls and terns

Black Tern

A graceful tern, easily distinguishable in their black summer plumage, which they're named after.