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02 April 2016

Rueppell’s Weaver in Qatif – Bird records by Mohammed Alruqaya

Mohammed Alruqaya found some Rueppell’s Weaver Ploceus galbula in Qatif whilst birding in mid-March. This is a species that does not occur in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom but one that I have seen once in Dhahran Camp in 2014, so these are very interesting records and it will be interesting to see if they start breeding there. These birds are probably from escaped or released cage birds as is the case with the speices in Riyadh the nearest area where they occur. In Saudi Arabia Rueppell’s Weaver is a common and widespread breeding resident species in the southwest of the Kingdom occurring north to north of Jeddah. Apparently it is only a summer breeding visitor to Hejaz and Asir mountains preferring to spend the winter at lower elevations and is not found on summits or in juniper and is less common here than in the lowlands. It has been introduced into the Riyadh area where it has bred but remains uncommon. I would like to thank Mohammed for allowing me to use his excellent photos on my website some of which are shown below,
Rueppell’s Weaver

Rueppell’s Weaver

Rueppell’s Weaver

Rueppell’s Weaver

Rueppell’s Weaver

Rueppell’s Weaver

Rueppell’s Weaver