Now this is where birding in Saudi Arabia starts to get really interesting. In the south of the kingdom lie the Asir Mountains. As their name suggests (Asir means 'difficult' in arabic) they rise to almost 10,000 feet and straddle the border of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. With the altitude and wet climate come the arabian endemics. Of the eleven species found only in Arabia ten can be found in this area of Saudi Arabia although none are endemic to Saudi Arabia alone.
An eleventh species (Yemen accentor) supposedly has not crossed the border from Yemen but never say never!.
The ten endemic species are...
A red-legged partridge species similar to a chukar with characteristic white throat and black crown.
Another red-legged partridge species this time with a black throat.
A small woodpecker found in acacia woodland down to sea level.
A skulking species similar to a female blackbird.
A small serin that spends most of its time in the trees moving with characteristic tail flicking.
A small serin often seen in pairs. Similar to arabian serin but paler.
Female is grey-brown. Male similar to mourning wheatear.
A large sylvia warbler similar to orphean warbler that is usually found in pairs.
A small finch-like bird with crimson stripe through the eye.
Similar to linnet but separated geographically.
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