TECHNICAL DETAILS  

Birds of the United Arab Emirates

This is the third edition in a series of stamps depicting birds of the United Arab Emirates and illustrates five more species which are special to the region. The U.A.E. has over 400 species occurring including over 90 breeding species and 320 migrants.

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus

One member of a large family of indigenous desert dwelling species. This is one of the least well-known sandgrouse, though widespread in the U.A.E. which lives almost entirely in open sandy or gravelly desert, rarely coming into contact with humans except when coming to drink. It flies several kilometres to gather at favoured sites to drink each morning.

Striated Scops Owl Otus brucei

Its tiny size makes this resident owl very difficult to observe. Its restricted range within Arabia means it only occurs in the U.A.E. and northern Oman, although long- term studies have shown it to be quite widespread in Ghaf tree groves and thicker areas of bushes and trees in the U.A.E. Its diagnostic call resembles a distant water pump.

Hypocolius Hypocolius Ampelinus

Endemic to the Middle East this species migrates from breeding grounds in southern Iran and Iraq in October to undertake an amazing circular migration through Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to arrive in the U.A.E. in flocks during March where it feeds on the ripening fruit of the tooth- brush tree ( Salvadora persica).

White-throated Robin lrania Gutturalis

One of the U.A.E.'s most interesting and enigmatic passage migrants, this species occurs in variable numbers annually and usually only between late March and early May. The male is striking as illustrated, while the female lacks the dapper red breast and white throat. Its breeding in Central Asia includes Turkey and Iran, where most birds occurring in the U.A.E. originate.

Sooty Falcon Falco Concolor

A summer breeding species which winters in Madagascar. The entire world breeding population is located in the Middle East. The U.A.E. hosts only about 25 pairs. It breeds from April to October, raising its young on hap- less autumn migrants which it catches over open sea as they approach land.