GREEN-BACKED HERON Butorides 
striatus C Apparently common in suitable 
wetlands but difficult to see due to secretive 
nature. One on the coast near Al Birk 8 
January 1990 and one on the Farasan Islands 
11 January 1992. 
SQUACCO HERON Ardeola ralloides C 
Numerous around Malaki Dam area 24-25 
October 1987 and 8-9 February 1992 and a 
minimum of three in Wadi Alahssahbah 6 
January 1992. Stagg (1985) reported it to be 
mainly an autumn migrant but our records 
indicate that many birds spend the whole 
winter in the Tihamah. 
CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis A 
Ubiquitous, with flocks of 50-80 on rubbish 
dumps around villages. 
WESTERN REEF HERON Egretta gularis 
C Both colour phases commonly seen on 
the Red Sea coast. One dark individual seen 
with three white primaries at Al Birk 23 
October 1987. Phillips (1982) reported one 
intermediate form from Yemen. Often 
inland at fresh water. One with 40 Little 
Egret in Wadi Quanonah 7 January 1992, 
about 20 km inland, another with flocks of 
Glossy Ibis in Malaki Dam 8 February 1992. 
LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta C Seen in 
most waterbodies. For ty in Wadi Quanonah, 
with one Western Reef Heron. One 
individual seen in Al Kuffayrah from 
December 1991 to February 1992. Common 
in the backwaters of Malaki Dam 8-9 
February 1992. 
GREY HERON Ardeacinerea C More than 
50 sightings. Perhaps more easily observed 
than Purple Heron, so appears to be more 
common. A nest with five chicks in Al 
Kuffayrah 15 April 1990. One carrying nest 
material in bill in Wadi Alahssahbah 6 
January 1992; a Black Kite tried 
unsuccessfully to steal it, the heron finally 
resting in a large tree. Eight birds about 7 
km from Al Qunfidhah on 4 May 1990, and 
up to 10 in a small area in the backwaters of 
Malaki Dam 10 February 1992. Two on an 
islet in the Farasan Islands 11 February 
1992. 
PURPLE HERON Ardea purpurea U Ten 
sightings, although probably more common 
than these indicate. One immature in Wadi 
Alahssahbah 6 January 1992 and another in 
Wadi Quanonah 7 January 1992. 
GOLIATH HERON Ardeagoliath U One in 
mangroves near Amq 2 September 1992. 
Breeding has been recorded on the Farasan 
Islands (Jennings 1988). 
HAMERKOP Scopus umbretta C More 
than 50 sightings. Likely to be found in all 
suitable permanent or semi-permanent 
water bodies, sometimes within 100 m of 
human habitation (e.g. Wadi Humwan). 
Invariably nests near water. One nest seen 
on Doum Palm in Wadi Dahaban 13 March 
1989. Two nests side by side on a rocky 
ledge overlooking a recently dried up pool 
in Wadi Qarnayn 2 January 1992. One nest 
was probably old and collapsed, while the 
other appeared new, with side entrance 
and a large roof. An old nest was found on 
a ledge in Al Kufferah, again over a 
permanent pool. A pair of Hamerkop was 
seen near the nest December 1991 but on 
three occasions a pair of Barn Owl was 
flushed from it. From 1 January 1992, the 
same pair of Hamerkop was seen building 
a new nest, about 200 m from the old one. 
One bird was on the nest continuously while 
the other collected nest material. 
BLACK STORK Ciconia nigra R 
Uncommon but regular winter visitor to 
the Tihamah. Generally single or in twos 
and threes. Eleven birds sitting on a hillock 
near Al Lith 15 October 1989. Three, with 
five Spoonbills and some waders, in a 
watercourse in Wadi Rim 8 January 1990. 
Single seen in Wadi Hyab, about 30 km from 
the coast, between Al Lith and Al Wasqah 
29 November 1991. 
WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia U Regular 
winter visitor, generally unmolested by 
hunters, hence quite tame. Seventeen, one 
with broken leg, on rubbish dump near 
Abu Arish 26 October 1987. Up to 100 at the 
same site on 8 February 1992. Next day, at 
1230h, up to 300 flew from the rubbish 
dump and started soaring over Malaki Dam, 
about 10 km away. 
4 
