Birds
Over 275 bird species have been recorded in the Shouf Biosphere Reserve and the Ammiq Wetland (the wetland is a Ramsar site and Important Bird Area-IBA). The birdlife of the Shouf Mountains includes rare or threatened birds such as the Syrian serin, Eagle owl, Chukar partridge, Long-legged buzzard, etc. The whole area, placed strategically between Europe, Africa, and West Asia, is very important for bird migration. Each year countless storks, birds of prey, and other migrants pass over the reserve and use it as a resting, feeding and roosting site.
Muscicapidae
Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Common Redstart
Rougequeue à front blanc
General information: It is a summer visitor to Lebanon, breeds at the Cedar Forests of the Reserve and most of its food consists of winged insects.
Phasianidae
Alectoris chukar
Chukar Partridge
Perdrix chukar
General information: A common breeding bird in the Reserve, especially the rocky highlands and cedar forest.
Corvidae
Garrulus glandarius
Euroasian Jay
Geai des chênes
General information: The Jay has an important role in the natural regeneration of Cedar and Oak Forests and can be heard in wooded mountain habitats from about 500m altitude to the tree line.
Turdidae
Phoenicurus ochruros
Western Black Redstart
Rougequeue noir
General information: A real highland specialized breeding bird in rocky areas within the Cedar forest
Fringillidae
Serinus syriacus
Syrian Serin
Serin syriaque
General information: A very special bird for Lebanon as the country holds the world’s largest population of this mountainous bird.
Upupidae
Upupa epops
Euroasian Hoopoe
Huppe fasciée
General information: Instantly recognized with its black and white wings and distinctive crest, the hoopoe breeds in cedar groves and other climax forests of the mountain
Ciconiidae
Ciconia ciconia
Western White Stork
Cicogne blanche
General information: Most of Eastern Europe’s population of white Storks passes through Lebanon each spring and fall.
Hirundinidae
Hirundo rustica
Barn Swallow
Hirondelle de cheminée
General information: The Barn swallow is an attractive bird which feeds on flying insects and has therefore been welcomed by humans when it shares their buildings for nesting
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Accipitridae
Milvus migrans
Black Kite
Milan noir
General information: Black Kites are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge.
Meropidae
Merops apiaster
European Bee-eater
Guepier d’Europe
General information: The European Bee-eater migrates during fall and spring seasons over Lebanon. It is appreciated for its fondness in wasp.
Oriolidae
Oriolus oriolus
Eurasian Golden Oriole
Loriot d’Europe
General information: The orioles are a mainly tropical group, although one species (Eurasian Golden Oriole) breeds in temperate regions, namely in Lebanon.
Pelecanidae
Pelecanus onocrotalus
Great White Pelican
Pelican blanc
General information: In flight, the White Pelican is an elegant soaring bird, with the head held close to and aligned with the body by a downward bend in the neck.
Fringillidae
Carduelis chloris
European Greenfinch
Verdier d’Europe
General information: Greenfinches nest in trees or bushes, thick vegetation is favored for breeding. They lay 3 to 8 eggs and feed largely on seeds, but also take berries and insects.
Accipitridae
Pernis apivorus
European Honey Buzzard
Bondrée apivore
General information: The Honey Buzzard’s coat consists entirely of unique feathers that are capable of protecting it against wasp stings. By eating wasps the Honey Buzzards protect more bees than he eats.
Falconidae
Falco subbuteo
Eurasian Hobby Falcon
Faucon hobereau
General information: It is an elegant bird of prey, nests in old nests of crows and other birds, lays 2–4 eggs, was used in falconry, trained to hawk birds like quails, larks, hoopoes, etc.