GLOSSY IBIS Plegadis falcinellus C 
Frequent in all sorts of waterbodies (e.g. 
Makkah waste water river, Alahssahbah 
and Hali) but 200-400 in the backwaters of 
Malaki Dam 8-9 January 1992 feeding on 
the standing crop of Sorghum. Due to good 
rains, water from the dam had inundated 
nearby crop fields. According to local 
residents, this bird does substantial damage 
to maize. Stagg (1985) found it to be a rare 
winter visitor and present only in the 
extreme southwest of the Tihamah of Saudi 
Arabia, but we found nearly 350 at a good 
feeding site. 
SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia C More 
than 50 sightings. Seen in small parties all 
over the Red Sea coast and in any suitable 
inland wetland. More than 35 in a flock at 
Malaki Dam 8 February 1992. 
GREATER FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus 
ruber C More than 200 sightings on the 
coast of the Red Sea and also around the 
Farasan Islands. In Jizan, feeding on coast 
close to human habitation 25 October 1987 
and about 200 in three flocks 26 November 
1988. 
RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadorna ferruginea 
U Thirteen at Malaki Dam 9 February 1 992; 
perhaps more elsewhere on the reservoir. 
Stagg (1985) did not record this species in 
the Tihamah, but Jennings (1981) did, near 
Jeddah in February. Brooks et al. (1987) 
recorded it on the Hodeidah sewage lagoons 
in Yemen. 
SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna U Regular 
winter visitor to the Tihamah. Three on the 
coast near Saeedha 31 December 1991, and 
21 loafing on bare, salt flats (sabkha) 7 km 
from Amq 7 February 1992. Up to 50 
estimated in the backwaters of Malaki Dam 
8-9 February 1992; seen on every part of the 
reservoir. 
WIGEON Anas penelope U Seven at a 
stagnant pool in Wadi Dahaban 13 March 
1989, 10-12 in Wadi Rim 8 January 1992 and 
nine in a temporary pool near Kiyad town 
4 February 1992. Four pairs in the 
backwaters of Malaki Dam 9 February 1992, 
probably more as the whole area could not 
be surveyed. 
COMMON TEAL Anas crecca C Fairly 
common in Alahssahbah 6 January 1992; 6 
to lOin Al Kufferah December 1991-January 
1992, and more than 50 on Malaki Dam 8-9 
February 1 992, perhaps many more because 
the whole backwater of the dam could not 
be surveyed. 
MALLARD A nas pla tyrhynchos C Regularly 
seen solitarily, in pairs or small flocks at 
many waterbodies. Seven (two males, five 
females) in Alahssahbah 8 March 1989. One 
female on a pool near the coast 3 1 December 
1991, and another female in Al Kufferah 9 
January 1992. 
PINTAIL Anas acuta C One of the most 
common ducks in Arabia. More than 1000 
in Alahssahbah 6 January 1992, and similar 
numbers onMalaki Dam 8-9 February 1992. 
Small flocks on other waterbodies. 
G ARGANEY Anas querquedula U Records 
from three sites: four birds found in all five 
visits to Al Kufferah between December 
1991 and February 1992; one pair on a 
temporary pool close to Kiyad in Wadi Hali 
4 February 1992; and up to ten, perhaps 
more, at Malaki Dam 9 February 1992. 
SHOVELER Anas dypeata C Occurs on 
both fresh and brackish waters. More than 
50 sightings. About 100 scattered over the 
backwaters of Malaki Dam 8-9 February 
1992. Up to 50 coming to roost in brackish 
pool adjoining sea wall in Jizan 9 February 
1992; many more with Greater Flamingo in 
shallow seawater. 
POCHARD Ayihya ferina U Irregular 
winter visitor. One male and two females 
seen five times in December 1991 and 
January 1992 at Al Kufferah and five at 
Malaki Dam 9 February 1992. Stagg (1985) 
recorded this species only in December and 
Brooks et al. (1987) recorded it in January- 
February in Yemen Tihamah. 
FERRUGINOUS DUCK Aythya nyroca R 
Our only sighting was of two in Wadi 
Dahaban 13 March 1989. Symens (1987) 
saw 64 on 2 November 1987 at Malaki Dam. 
