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.

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.