Birds of Saudi Arabia: the desert is not deserted
Birds of Saudi Arabia: the desert is not deserted
Many people assume that the extreme deserts of Saudi Arabia are essentially devoid of biodiversity. But this is not the case. Precisely 500 species of bird have been recorded within the Kingdom, including 20 endemic or near endemic species. Biogeographically, Saudi Arabia lies at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and Asia, including the Indian Subcontinent, ensuring an eclectic array of birds can be found either nesting in or migrating through the desert kingdom. In this webinar, I will discuss the surprising diversity of birds in Saudi Arabia, the challenges of breeding in or migrating through the Saudi Arabian desert, and the conservation status of the birds of Saudi Arabia.
Organizer
Dr Chris Boland obtained his PhD in Ornithology at the Australian National University. His research focused on the evolutionary ecology of Rainbow Bee-eaters, but included side-projects on White-winged Choughs, Superb Fairy Wrens, Albatross, Red-tailed Tropicbirds, Emus, and Gouldian Finches. He then lectured for five years at the ANU in animal behavior, conservation, evolutionary ecology, genetics and human biology. He has since worked on numerous high-profile wildlife conservation projects in Australia: Chris was the project manager of the Yellow Crazy Ant Control Program on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, described as the most successful invasive species control program in Australia’s history (here he also conducted research on Abbotts Booby and Christmas Island Frigatebirds). He then became the Science Manager for the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, which is Australia’s largest single-species recovery program. Since 2012, Chris has worked as the head of Terrestrial Ecology with Saudi Aramco where he has continued to conduct research aimed at conserving Saudi Arabia’s biodiversity. He has published around 25 manuscripts in peer-reviewed scientific journals, primarily about birds. He is the author of two books, including his most recent book The Birds of Saudi Arabia.