Mangrove swamps

Mangroves are an ecologically important and conspicuous component of the shoreline of the United Arab Emirates, and impressive stands can be observed at a number of localities, including Abu Dhabi Island.

A major plantation programme has recently been undertaken, taking into account the importance of mangroves in reducing coastal erosion and providing habitat for numerous terrestrial and marine organisms…

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Species 1 - 48 of 48

Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria)
A magnificently vibrant green, red and pink bird, the Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria) is native to south and south-east Asia, but... More 9 Images 2 Videos
Arabian cicada (Platypleura arabica)
A common sight on trees and bushes in summer months, the Arabian cicada (Platypleura arabica) is also well known throughout its range for... More 2 Images 0 videos
Ashy drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus)
A magnificent flier, the ashy drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus) is an agile and highly mobile bird, executing remarkable twists and turns in the... More 8 Images 0 videos
Bank myna (Acridotheres ginginianus)
A bold and confident bird, the bank myna has a close association with human habitation in many towns across South Asia. This familiar urban... More 5 Images 2 Videos
Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica)
The bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica) is a distinctive wading bird with conspicuous blue-grey legs and a long, dark, slightly upturned... More 39 Images 0 videos
Black stork (Ciconia nigra)
The black stork is a large but fairly secretive bird. The black head, upperparts, wings, tail and long neck have a conspicuous green or... More 28 Images 3 Videos
Black tern (Chlidonias niger)
A small, graceful tern species, the black tern is unmistakable during the breeding season, when it displays the distinctive dark plumage for... More 19 Images 4 Videos
Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
A globally widespread wading bird, the black-winged stilt is characterised by its extremely long, red legs, white stomach and, true to its... More 35 Images 3 Videos
Blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)
The blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is a large, stout shark, with a long, pointed snout and small eyes. Its torpedo-shaped body, grey... More 14 Images 1 Video
Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus)
With its sharply contrasting plumage, the widespread Brahminy kite is an unmistakeable bird of prey. While its head, neck, throat, upper... More 10 Images 2 Videos
Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis)
The only species in its genus, the cattle egret gains its common name from its habit of commonly wandering alongside herds of cattle. It is... More 33 Images 10 Videos
Clamorous reed-warbler (Acrocephalus stentoreus)
A rather plain, inconspicuous warbler more often heard than seen, the clamorous reed-warbler is a skulking bird that stays out of sight in... More 6 Images 0 videos
Cobia (Rachycentron canadum)
With a broad, depressed head, elongated body, and powerful tail fin, the cobia (Rachycentron canadum) is often mistaken for a shark, but it... More 8 Images 0 videos
Collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)
A striking, small, blue-green kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris), the collared kingfisher has a blue head, back and rump, with a wash of... More 7 Images 2 Videos
Common myna (Acridotheres tristis)
An aggressive and confident bird, the common myna has adapted well to the urban environment, making it one of the most abundant and familiar... More 21 Images 3 Videos
Common redshank (Tringa totanus)
Information on the common redshank is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 29 Images 0 videos
Forest wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus)
The only species within its genus, the forest wagtail (Dendroanthus indicus) is an unusual bird that is distinguished from other wagtails by... More 6 Images 0 videos
Graceful prinia (Prinia gracilis)
Information on the graceful prinia is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 10 Images 0 videos
Greater painted-snipe (Rostratula benghalensis)
A medium-sized, attractive water bird, the greater painted-snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) is unusual amongst birds because the female is... More 19 Images 1 Video
Halopyrum (Halopyrum mucronatum)
Information on Halopyrum mucronatum is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 4 Images 0 videos
Hooded oyster (Saccostrea cucullata)
Information on the hooded oyster is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 5 Images 0 videos
Indian pond-heron (Ardeola grayii)
The Indian pond-heron is an elegant bird with white-grey plumage, a brown stripe on its back, and a yellow beak with a black tip... More 22 Images 1 Video
Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides)
As its name suggests, the Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) lacks a dorsal fin, and instead has a ridge that runs... More 6 Images 1 Video
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis)
The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin has a typically streamlined body and a long slender beak. Populations differ in both shape and colour... More 18 Images 1 Video
Intermediate egret (Mesophoyx intermedia)
A medium-sized heron with striking white plumage, the intermediate egret (Mesophoyx intermedia) is most attractive during the breeding... More 28 Images 1 Video
Jarbua terapon (Terapon jarbua)
A boldly patterned, small fish, the jarbua terapon (Terapon jarbua) is characterised by the curved, dark brown bands that run along the... More 1 Image 1 Video
Long-rayed silver biddy (Gerres filamentosus)
Information on the long-rayed silver biddy is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 1 Image 0 videos
Long-tailed blue (Lampides boeticus)
Information on the long-tailed blue is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 7 Images 0 videos
Long-toed stint (Calidris subminuta)
Information on the long-toed stint is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 4 Images 0 videos
Nodding broomrape (Orobanche cernua)
Information on the nodding broomrape (Orobanche cernua) is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 3 Images 0 videos
Orbicular batfish (Platax orbicularis)
Information on the orbicular batfish is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 4 Images 0 videos
Pintail snipe (Gallinago stenura)
The pintail snipe has beautifully mottled black, brown and reddish-brown plumage, providing the bird with superb camouflage. The plumage on... More 6 Images 0 videos
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea)
Despite its English common name, the purple heron actually has a chestnut-red head and neck with striking vertical black stripes, grey... More 38 Images 3 Videos
Savi's warbler (Locustella luscinioides)
Information on Savi's warbler (Locustella luscinioides) is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 7 Images 0 videos
Sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)
Information on the sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) is currently being researched and written and will appear here... More 26 Images 2 Videos
Shore crab (Metopograpsus messor)
Information on Metopograpsus messor is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 3 Images 0 videos
Spangled emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus)
Information on the spangled emperor is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 3 Images 0 videos
Striated heron (Butorides striata)
Also known as the little heron due to its small size, the striated heron has a dark grey back, a thick grey to reddish-brown neck, a large... More 26 Images 2 Videos
Sykes’s warbler (Hippolais rama)
Information on the Sykes's warbler is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 3 Images 0 videos
Thrush nightingale (Luscinia luscinia)
Information on the thrush nightingale is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 8 Images 1 Video
Vagrant emperor (Anax ephippiger)
Information on the vagrant emperor is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 8 Images 0 videos
Wandering glider (Pantala flavescens)
Information on the wandering glider is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 3 Images 0 videos
Water rail (Rallus aquaticus)
Information on the water rail (Rallus aquaticus) is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 25 Images 0 videos
Western pygmy blue (Brephidium exile)
The smallest butterfly in the USA, the tiny western pygmy blue (Brephidium exile) is notoriously difficult to find, but is certainly worth... More 6 Images 0 videos
Western reef-egret (Egretta gularis)
Western reef-egret is the name given to two former subspecies of the little egret (Egretta garzetta), now treated somewhat contentiously as... More 18 Images 1 Video
Whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybrida)
A more slender bird than many other tern species, this fork-tailed, marsh-dwelling bird has two distinct plumages. In breeding or summer... More 27 Images 5 Videos
White-winged tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)
The white-winged tern (also known as the white-winged black tern) undergoes fascinating aesthetic alterations in its plumage, ranging from... More 18 Images 2 Videos
Whitespotted grouper (Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus)
Information on the whitespotted grouper is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 1 Image 0 videos