34 New Bird Species Recorded at King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve
The total bird list reached 225 during the first half of 2026, a 15% increase, the reserve authority said.
The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority recorded 34 bird species for the first time during the first half of 2026, increasing the reserve's documented avian diversity to 225 species.
According to the authority, the new findings represent a 15% increase in the reserve's bird list and reflect improvements in field monitoring and expanded coverage across the protected area.
Authority spokesperson Abdulaziz Al-Furaih said the discoveries point to the effectiveness of the reserve's environmental monitoring programmes and serve as an indicator of ecosystem health and habitat quality. He added that the reserve plays an important role in supporting biodiversity and migratory bird routes in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.
Among the species recorded for the first time were Rüppell's Vulture, the Red Phalarope and the Pectoral Sandpiper. Other notable sightings included migratory and rare species such as the Rose-colored Starling, Yellow Wagtail, Eurasian Skylark and Song Thrush.
The authority said the new observations reinforce the reserve's importance as a site for scientific research and biodiversity monitoring.
The latest survey also documented several species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. These include the African Vulture, which is classified as critically endangered, as well as near-threatened species such as the Western Orphean Warbler and the White-winged Lark.
