The Tanoumah area is probably the best area in
the country for seeing the endemic species. It holds all the endemics occurring
in Saudi Arabia with the exception of Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak as well as
the three subspecies often also regarded as species, Arabian Magpie, Arabian
Spotted Eagle Owl and Arabian Green Bee-eater. I saw all the endemics and the
three subspecies with the exception of Arabian Partridge on my last visit to
the area and saw the Arabian Partridge at the Raydah Escarpment near Abha as
well. Apart from all the endemics, there are many other southwest specialities
such as Arabian Warbler, Brown Woodland Warbler, Dusky Turtle Dove, Gambaga
Flycatcher, Little Rock Thrush, Spectacled Bulbul and Tristram’s Starling. As
the area is in the high mountains at around 2000 metres above sea level, some
other interesting birds such as Alpine Swift and Rock Dove may be seen. As the
tempertures are much lower in the mountains than the nearby plains and coast it
is possible to spend the entire day birdwatching on foot making for a pleasant
and enjoyable day in the field.
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| Yemen Thrush |
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| Yemen Warbler |
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| Philby's Partridge |
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| Tanoumah |
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| Arabian Warbler |
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| Arabian Wheatear |
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| Arabian Wheatear |
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| Brown Woodland Warbler |
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| Dusky Turtle Dove |
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| Gambaga Flycatcher |
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| Little Rock Thrush |
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| White-spectacled Bulbul |
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| Rock Dove |
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| Tristram's Starling |
