An endemic hotspot: The Asir Mountains
This article is part of series of “protect our species” articles being published by Health, Safety and Environment Department as part of 2019 Earth Day celebrations with a focus on the wildlife found in Saudi Arabia and/or at KAUST.
The Asir Mountains of south-west Saudi Arabia and western Yemen are an important endemic bird area. 12 species of bird are only found in this unique region of the world, with only the Arabian Accentor (prunella fagani) being confined to Yemen. These impressive mountains, reach a height of over 2500 meters in several places before dropping sharply on to the Tihnamah plain on the Red Sea coast.
The Raydah Escarpment, near Abha, is one excellent place to try to locate some of these birds. The two endemic partridges, the Arabian and Philby’s, are often found on the road at the start of the steep descent. Other species are more widespread including the Arabian Wheatear, the Yemen Warbler and the Yemen Linnet.
Perhaps the most elusive of the endemics is the Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak which is usually confined to areas of juniper forest. It has been found along the Asir range as far north as Taif, but its numbers are very low and it never seems to be in one location for very long.
Another bird unique to the area is the Asir Magpie. Although still classified as a sub-species of the Eurasian Magpie it is so distinct that it is likely to be declared a full species in the near future.
As well as the endemic birds many other species are found in the area. In places like Tanumah, the escarpment drops steeply. Here it is possible to stand near the edge and watch, such species as Griffon Vultures, soar in wide-ranging circles below, an unforgettable birding experience.
In the summer months the area’s birds are supplemented by a number of other species which are only found here outside their native Africa. These include the Grey Hornbill, Abyssinian Roller and the Diederik Cuckoo.
The Arabian endemics found in the Asir Mountains:
- Philby’s Partridge (Alectoris philbyi):
- Arabian Partridge (Alectoris melanocephala):
- Arabian Woodpecker (Dendrocopos dorae):
- Yemen Warbler (Sylvia buryi):
- Yemen Thrush (Turdus menachensis):
- Arabian Wheatear (Oenanthe lugentoides):
- Arabian Waxbill (Estrilda rubibarba):
- Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak (Rhynchostruthus percivali):
- Arabian Serin (Serinus rothschildi):
- Yemen Serin (Serinus menachensis):
- Yemen Linnet (Carduelis yemenensis):
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