Birds · Mammals · Reptiles · Amphibians

Wildlife of the United Arab Emirates

Documented in the Field

This platform is dedicated to documenting the wildlife of the United Arab Emirates through real field encounters. Every photograph, observation, and story is based on time spent in nature without staging, baiting, or interference.

300+ species documented | Field encounters only | No staging, no baiting

  • Birds photography United Arab Emirates

    UAE Birding Collection

    A comprehensive visual guide to the birds of the United Arab Emirates, documenting resident and migratory species across deserts, wetlands, mountains, and coastlines through field photography and observation.

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  • Herping in United Arab Emirates

    UAE Herping Collection

    A comprehensive herping guide to the United Arab Emirates, featuring field observations and photography of the region’s snakes, lizards, geckos, and other reptiles and amphibians across desert, mountain, and wetland habitats.

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Unlike commercial wildlife platforms, this is an independent field-based project focused on accuracy, authenticity, and depth.

All content is captured in natural conditions - Species information is based on real observations in the UAE - Long-term field work allows rare behaviors to be documented.

This is not a collection of images — it is a growing visual record of wildlife in the region.

Guided trips

Explore the UAE with us

A pied kingfisher, red-footed booby, osprey with a fish, green bee-eater, hoopoe and little owl on driftwood and a tree stump beside the sea, with desert mountains behind at dusk. Coast · Wetland · Desert · Mountain

Birding Tours in the UAE

Private guided birding and wildlife photography trips, each outing planned around the season, tides and recent observations. Explore birding trips Desert wildlife at night under a crescent moon: a snake in a thorn tree, a hedgehog, a gecko on the sand, a gecko on a rock, a spider on its web and a black scorpion. Desert · Mountain · Wadi · After dark

Herping Tours in the UAE

Private guided reptile and nocturnal wildlife experiences across the deserts, mountains and wadis of the UAE. Explore herping trips

UAE Local Red List Assessment (Abu Dhabi) - Partial List

  • Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

    Barn Owl \ Tyto alba

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Critically Endangered

    Global Red List Assessment: 2018 Least Concern (LC)

  • Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx)

    Arabian Oryx \ Oryx leucoryx

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Vulnerable

    Global Red List Assessment: 2018 Vulnerable (VU)

  • Cream-colored Courser \ Cursorius cursor

    Cream-colored Courser (Cursorius cursor)

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Critically Endangered

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Least Concern (LC)

  • Sand Partridge (Ammoperdix heyi)

    Sand Partridge \ Ammoperdix heyi

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Vulnerable

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Least Concern (LC)

  • Arabian Gazelle

    Arabian Gazelle \ Gazella arabica

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Vulnerable

    Global Red List Assessment: 2018 Vulnerable (VU)

  • Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

    Black-tailed Godwit \ Limosa limosa

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Vulnerable

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Near threatened (NT)

  • Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

    Black-crowned Night Heron \ Nycticorax nycticorax

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Vulnerable

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Least Concern (LC)

  • Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

    Northern Pintail \ Anas acuta

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Vulnerable

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Least Concern (LC)

  • Socotra Cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis)

    Socotra Cormorant \ Phalacrocorax nigrogularis

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Endangered

    Global Red List Assessment: 2018 Vulnerable (VU)

  • Pharaoh Eagle-Owl (Bubo ascalaphus)

    Pharaoh Eagle-Owl \ Bubo ascalaphus

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Critically Endangered

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Least Concern (LC)

  • Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella marica)

    Arabian Sand Gazelle \ Gazella marica

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Vulnerable

    Global Red List Assessment: 2018 Vulnerable (VU)

  • Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)

    Egyptian Vulture \ Neophron percnopterus

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Critically Endangered

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Endangered (EN)

  • Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)

    Eurasian Spoonbill \ Platalea leucorodia

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Endangered

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Least concern (LC)

  • Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca)

    Ferruginous Duck \ Aythya nyroca

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Vulnerable

    Global Red List Assessment: 2017 Near threatened (NT)

  • Glossy Ibis \ Plegadis falcinellus

    Glossy Ibis \ Plegadis falcinellus

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Vulnerable

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Least concern (LC)

  • Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga)

    Greater Spotted Eagle \ Clanga clanga

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Critically Endangered

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Vulnerable (VU)

  • Western Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

    Western Osprey \ Pandion haliaetus

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Endangered

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Least Concern (LC)

  • Little Heron (Butorides striata)

    Little Heron \ Butorides striata

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Vulnerable

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Least Concern (LC)

  • Western Marsh-harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

    Western Marsh-harrier \ Circus aeruginosus

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Vulnerable

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Least Concern (LC)

  • Egyptian Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia)

    Egyptian Spiny-tailed Lizard \ Uromastyx aegyptia

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Vulnerable

    Global Red List Assessment: 2018 Vulnerable (VU)

  • Wonder Gecko (Teratoscincus keyserlingii)

    Wonder Gecko \ Teratoscincus keyserlingii

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Critically Endangered

    Global Red List Assessment: 2018 Critically Endangered (CR)

  • Camel Spider (Galeodes arabs)

    Camel Spider \ Galeodes arabs

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Endangered

    Global Red List Assessment: 2018 Not Evaluated (NE)

  • Arabian Black Fat-tailed Scorpion (Androctonus ammophilus)

    Fat-tailed Scorpion \ Androctonus ammophilus

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Vulnerable

    Global Red List Assessment: 2018 Not Evaluated (NE)

  • Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata)

    Bonelli’s Eagle \ Aquila fasciata

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Endangered

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Least concern (LC)

  • Crab Plover (Dromas ardeola)

    Crab Plover \ Dromas ardeola

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Vulnerable

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Least Concern (LC)

  • Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius)

    Sociable Lapwing \ Vanellus gregarius

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Critically Endangered

    Global Red List Assessment: 2018 Critically Endangered (CE)

  • Cinereous Bunting (Emberiza cineracea)

    Cinereous Bunting \ Emberiza cineracea

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Endangered

    Global Red List Assessment: 2016 Near Threatened (NT)

  • Arabian Tahr \ Arabitragus jayakari

    Arabian Tahr \ Arabitragus jayakari

    Local Red List Assessment Category: Critically Endangered

    Global Red List Assessment: 2018 Endangered (EN)

Reference - Full List
“Wildlife documentation is a cornerstone of conservation and public awareness. As a wildlife photographer, I bring an artistic vision to every project—because for me, it’s not about ticking boxes on a species checklist but embracing a true lifestyle. From the initial research and planning, to gear selection and packing the car, to the long drive, camouflage, and patient waits in the field, every moment leads up to the decisive click. Even after the shot, careful editing transforms a good image into a great one. In my experience, one powerful photograph can inspire far more action and emotion than dozens of mediocre snapshots ever could.
Beyond the gallery, we lead guided wildlife and bird photography trips across the Emirates.
Whether you’re a birder, photographer, adventurer, or simply seeking to escape the city and reconnect with nature, our trips offer the perfect balance of exploration, learning, and unforgettable memories.”
— Bachar Bouka
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