Current view: Text account
Site description (1994 baseline):
Site location and context
A sand-gravel plain with scattered flat-topped outcrops in the extreme west of Abu Dhabi emirate, becoming purer sand and more undulating towards the south (but not forming large dunes), with sabkhah in coastal and more low-lying areas. Climate is very arid with sparse winter rainfall. Land-uses include some grazing (restricted), military training and limited hunting (perhaps two weeks per year). There are some irrigated plantations of native and non-native trees.
Very little ornithological work has been carried out in the area (and data are only available for winter), but the desert crust and vegetation are relatively intact compared to other parts of the country. Other wintering species include (with estimated mid-winter populations in some cases)
Pterocles exustus,
Athene noctua,
Alaemon alaudipes (7,000),
Calandrella rufescens (2,000),
Anthus campestris (1,500),
Oenanthe deserti (15,000),
Sylvia nana (12,000) and
Lanius excubitor (1,000).
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Gazella sp. occurs (some may be introduced). Reptiles: there is a good diversity, including relatively high numbers of Uromastyx aegyptius.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
There are no conservation measures aimed specifically at this site. Hunting is restricted to members of the ruling family and some enforcement is carried out by hunting guards (or trackers). The military use of part of the area and the private enclosure of HH Sheikh Zayed restrict access to some places. The main problems are habitat destruction through military activity, land degradation due to excessive use of vehicles (creating new tracks), and very heavy grazing by camels and goats.
Data-sheet compiled by Dr Patrick Osborne.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Al Houbara (United Arab Emirates). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/al-houbara-iba-united-arab-emirates on 21/12/2024.
