Whilst birding the Tanoumah area I saw plenty of
Arabian Wheatears at many different sites. The Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugentoides is a rather scarce
resident of the south-west highlands, but is also found in Oman, Palestine and
Yemen, mainly in rocky, bushy sites. It is widespread on the Jebal Souda
plateau, Raydah Escarpment, Wadi Talea’a and Tanoumah as well as the Taif area.
It was previously recorded more frequently than present so the species has
probably declined slightly, with disturbance not thought likely to be the
reason as it is often associated with gardens and regularly breeds near human
sites. They nest in holes in terrace walls and feed largely on insects.
