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Birds of the Middle East

Richard Porter and Simon Aspinall

Helm Field Guides

Christopher Helm

2010

"This is a completely revised second edition of the bestselling field guide to the birds of the Middle East. For the first time, the text and maps appear opposite the plates, and as a consequence there are fewer species per plate than before. The text and maps have been fully revised and many new artworks have been painted. There are more than 100 new species in this new edition, which features more than 810 species in total. It will be the essential field guide for anyone visiting the Middle East."

Birds of the Middle East

Richard Porter and Simon Aspinall

Princeton Field Guides

Princeton University Press

2nd edition

2010

"Birds of the Middle East is now the most field-ready and comprehensive guide to the fantastic birds of this region. This fully revised and updated second edition covers all species - including vagrants - found in the Arabian Peninsula (including Socotra), Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Cyprus. It features 176 superb color plates depicting more than 800 species, as well as 820 color distribution maps that show the breeding range for almost every species. In this upgraded edition, maps and detailed species accounts are now located opposite the plates, making this stunningly illustrated field guide easier to use than ever."

A Checklist of the Birds of Syria

Sandgrouse: Supplement 2: 2008

D.A. Murdoch & K.F. Betton

Editor: Peter Cowan

2008

Sandgrouse is the journal of the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

This checklist was published in a supplement to the journal. The contents are:

• Introduction
• The Syrian list
• Future developments: data collection, survey and conservation priorities
• Species Checklist
• Species notes 1. Red Data Book (RDB) species
• Species notes 2. New species for the Syrian list
• Species notes 3. New breeding species since BOS, excluding RDB or species new to Syria
• Species notes 4. Significant change in Syrian status
• Species notes 5. No recent reports
• Species notes 6. Incomplete reports of species not previously recorded from Syria
• Species notes 7. Species not yet reported from Syria
• Acknowledgements
• References
• Appendix 1. Gazetteer of sites mentioned in text, arranged by province

Syrian Sociable Lapwing Survey

Remco Hofland and Guido Keijl

Foundation Working Group International Wader and Waterfowl Research

2008

"Until recently, there was scant information on the surviving numbers of Sociable Lapwings, their preferred habitat, migration routes and on the main threats to their survival. The species is currently classified as Critically Endangered by BirdLife International: the world population was estimated to number only 1200 individuals (Delany & Scott 2006). Between 18 February - 5 March 2007 a team consisting of Dutch and Syrian birdwatchers surveyed wetlands and fields in approximately the northern half of Syria on the presence of this species. Here, many hundreds were found. After this date, two team members stayed in the area holding the highest numbers until 26 March, when all Sociable Lapwings had left. Sociable Lapwings were encountered in four natural steppe areas in northern Syria: three situated in the central-northern agricultural area (Eiwa, Al Aumair and Ar Ruweira) and one further south (Al Fedha), between Deir ez-Zor and Palmyra. Altogether, 1579 Sociable Lapwings were counted prior to 5 March, while a week later, on 8-9 March, the highest estimate numbered 2000 birds. None of the birds checked were colour-ringed. Information was collected on numbers, behaviour, plumage and diet. All birds were exclusively seen in natural steppe habitat, except for a small flock that left the steppe to rest in an arable field. No birds were observed near water, with the exception of 12 Sociable Lapwings that briefly stayed near a sabkha (temporary pool) near Eiwa."

Birds of the Middle East

Richard Porter, S Christensen and P Schiermacker-Hansen

Christopher Helm

2004

"This guide covers all the species, including vagrants, found in the Arabian peninsula (including Socotra), Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Cyprus. Over 700 species are described in concise text with full details of pulmage and voice. Distribution maps appear opposite the plates and are annotated with each species' status and preferred habitat. This authoritative book will not only be an indispensable guide to the visiting birder, but also a vital tool for those engaged in work to conserve and study the avifauna of this region, which is of such importance to both the indigenous species and those which pass through on migration."

Birds of Syria

Wolfgang Baumgart

2003

This is an English translation of a book that was first published in German (Die Vögel Syriens) in 1995.

Important Bird Areas in the Middle East

Editors: M.I. Evans

BirdLife International

1994

"The Middle East contains some of the largest wetland, steppe desert and marine ecosystems in the world, providing habitats for more than 800 species of bird, of which more than 60 are endemic. This book identifies and describes the 391 sites most important for the conservation of these birds and other biodiversity. Maps, tables and line drawings show site locations, species and population data. The whole Middle East is covered, from the Levant and Arabia to the West Himalayas. The only book of its kind, "Important Bird Areas in the Middle East" is currently being used by conservationists developing systems of site protection in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Birds of the Middle East and North Africa

P.A.D. Hollom, R.F. Porter, S. Christensen, I. Willis

Poyser

1988

"A field guide to the birds of the Middle East and North Africa from Morocco to Iran. It covers 700 breeding, wintering, migratory and vagrant species, with over 350 illustrated in colour and the distribution of 510 shown in distribution maps."