QA005
Khor al-Udeid


Site description (1994 baseline):

Site location and context
A very large tidal inlet with sandy islands, in the south-east corner of Qatar.



Key biodiversity
Breeding species include Pandion haliaetus and Sterna caspia (1 pair, October 1981). In winter, large concentrations of Phoenicopterus ruber are reported to occur, and significant numbers of other waterbirds may also occur, including Phalacrocorax carbo, P. nigrogularis, waders and gulls Larus and terns Sterna.

Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: unidentified whales recorded, possibly Balaenoptera edeni (K). The area may be an important feeding ground for dolphins. Reptiles: the site may be an important feeding ground for sea-turtles (globally threatened).



Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Commercial fishing was banned in 1993. The southern shores are now controlled by Saudi Arabia. There is some recreational disturbance by campers and four-wheel drive vehicles, but otherwise there are no obvious threats apart from major oil pollution.



Acknowledgements
Information compiled by M. I. Evans.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Khor al-Udeid (Qatar). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/khor-al-udeid-iba-qatar on 23/12/2024.