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Richness and variety Three of the world’s great biological regions meet here.
In addition, the Sanctuary lies on many migration
routes. The result is a remarkably rich and varied
birdlife. |
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Desert birds
To live in the desert, birds must be adapted to the extreme
heat and lack of water and cover. They are usually paler
than related species elsewhere. A relatively common
Sanctuary bird, the spotted thick-knee, is almost impossible
to see when still and is mainly active at night-time,
escaping the worst of the heat.
Residents Thirty different kinds of bird live all year round in the
Sanctuary. One resident, the cream-coloured courser or
‘desert runner’, prefers to remain on the ground where it is
well camouflaged. It only flies as a last resort, the black
wingtips making it clearly seen in the air.
Water Some desert birds do not need to drink if there is enough
water in their food. Others, such as sand grouse, must drink
regularly and fly up to 70km to a water source. This male
coroneted sandgrouse is collecting water in special belly
feathers to carry to its young.
Migration crossroads The Sanctuary lies on the path of many birds’ migration
routes between Africa, and Europe and Central Asia. In
spring, large numbers of brightly coloured birds like this
European roller pass through the Sanctuary. Many return
south in the autumn by a different route.
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