JBW Reports

Common Myna or Indian Myna in Jordan

The following is a list of titles of unpublished reports prepared by JBW as part of their projects supported by sGEF and GGF. (please contact us if you require more information about the subjects covered in the reports)

JBW (2020)

Unpublished report by Jordan BirdWatch, about the economic benefits of harvesting the invasive mesquite shrub in Jordan as means of controlling it spread.

JBW (2022)

  • Towards the protection of threatened birds in Jordan: Assessing the current status of the near endemic Syrian Serin Serinus syriacus in Jordan. 

Unpublished report by Jordan BirdWatch including status, threats and results of a workshop with local authorities and groups of interest to develop an action plan for saving the breeding population of Syrian Serin at Dana.

JBW (2023)

  • Using Prosopis juliflora pods as feed supplements for small ruminants at Wadi Gharaba (Jordan Valley). 

Unpublished report by Jordan BirdWatch on how to harvest and use the pods of alien invasive mesquite as supplementary fodder, as one of the means of controlling its spread.

JBW (2023)

  • Report on the impacts of the Common Myna Acridotheres tristis on agriculture and wild birds, and results of monitoring invasive species in Wadi Gharba (Jordan Valley). 

Unpublished report of the first study about the impacts of  invasive common myna in Jordan, by Jordan BirdWatch, Amman.

Control of invasive species

Mesquite shrub (Prosopis juliflora), alian invasive species

Implementing measures to control invasive alien species in Wadi Gharaba Special Conservation Area

وضع اجراءات للحد من الا نواع الغازیة في منطقة وادي غربة الھامة بیئیا

Supported by the GEF Small Grants programme in Jordan

This project was carried out succesfully during 2022-2023 and included field work and a training workshop in cooperation with local groups of interest, and preparing technical reports. The project demonstrated the economic benefits and means of controlling invasive mesquite Prosopis juliflora.

Common myna (Acridotheres tristis), alian invasive species
Common myna (Acridotheres tristis), alian invasive species


The project also included studying the impacts of invasive common myna on farms and on native bird spcies. Further activities included maintenance of the signs around Wadi Gharaba SCA and means of restoring the wetland ecosystem. These are the final activities of the current management plan for protecting the bird habitats along Wadi Gharaba SCA. which was completely implemented by Jordan BirdWatch during the previous five years (2019-2023). The management plan for the next five years is currently being up-dated to continue efforts for saving the remnant marsh-like bird habitat, according to previous acheivements and lessons learned.

Bilboard in Wadi Gharaba, March 2020
Bilboard in Wadi Gharaba, March 2020

Demonstrating means of controlling invasive mesquite Prosopis juliflora

Prosopis juliflora is one of the worst invasive plants worldwide and in the Jordan Valley, it is spreading rapidly due to livestock grazing and is an indicator of intensive disturbances. Once it dominates, it causes further deterioration of ecosystem functions, by competing with native trees and consuming large amounts of ground water. Different approaches were used to control the growth of this invasive plant in Wadi Gharaba. The utilization of
P. juliflora pods as alternative feed is one of these approaches. The other is harvesting the trees for their wood.

Harvested and ground dry pods of Prosopis juliflora
Harvested and ground dry pods of Prosopis juliflora




As conclusion of this project’s activities

P. juliflora pods are a valuable source of nutrition for ruminants, providing a range of nutrients that can help to improve animal growth and health.
Our studies show that fattening Awassi lambs’ diets containing P. juliflora pods did not adversely affect animal health or nutrient intakes. In addition, boy weight of weaning lambs increased due to partial replacement of barley grain by P. juliflora pods. It is thus rational to consider the ground pods as suitable supplement fodder that enhances production and profitability in arid and semi-arid areas where P. julifora shrubs have become invasive and abundant.

Introducing the use of the mesquite pods as an alternative feed to local communities will
encourage them to adopt this technology and help to control the spread of invasive P. juliflora. It is important to note while introducing this technology to local communities, that
mesquite pods must be ground to make sure the partially digested whole seeds do not spread through animal dropping.

In conclusion, feeding the ground pods as part of a fodder mixture to ruminants can provide a number of benefits:

  • Benefit as nutritious feed for livestock The pods are a good source of protein, fiber, and minerals, which can help to improve animal growth and health.
  • Feeding the pods can help to reduce the cost of feed, particularly in areas where other feed ingredients are scarce or expensive.
  • Using ground pods as supplementary fodder can help to control the spread of the invasive P. juliflora in Jordan Valley and Wadi Gharaba. The environmental benefits would be releasing the grazing pressure on native plants and minimizing spread by decreasing the number of invasive mesquite pods.

Impacts of Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis

The interaction between common myna and hole-nesting birds like bee-eaters, king-fishers and little owls was observed at Wadi Gharaba SCA during the previous years. Although two pairs of myna occur along the edges of the wadi, no interactions such as competition for nesting sites were observed. The mynas used man-made structures for nesting and often crossed the wadi without utilizing the natural habitat there. Its negative impact on native birds in this area is still considered very low or absent.

Farmers stated that physical factors like lack of water, high salinity of water and soil, and weather conditions (like prolonged heat) during the planting seasons were the most important factors affecting agricultural production in the south Shuna area. Pests and adverse weather were considered most important causes for the losses they experienced, followed by other causes like animals, mainly stray dogs, wild boars and birds. Common mynas have no or in some farms only a marginal effect on agriculture in the south Shuna area. Thus, we recommend further studies in different parts of western Jordan where mynas inhabit agricultural areas with different types of crop. We also recommend continuous monitoring as (a) habitat, crops and other environmental conditions may change, thus changing the myna’s diet and feeding behavior, and (b) farmers may become more aware of the possible impacts of mynas, given that over 75% of the interviewed farmers hardly see the myna inside the cultivated lands and/or are unable to disinguish the common myna from other bird species.

See post on common Myna…

Owls in Jordan

Jordan BirdWatch Owl in Jordan
By Gheed Fawaz

“Owls are known for symbolizing wisdom and self-actualization among human beings, and nobody can deny that they are truly unique to their class. Whether you are a lover of nature or a birdwatcher, you’ll find yourself mesmerized and lost in their beauty. 

Owls and biodiversity

In addition, owls possess a positive impact on biodiversity and perform many functions that benefit their surrounding ecosystems. They are considered natural pest controllers as they keep the number of mice and other rodents at bay. Furthermore, owls act as indicators of biodiversity and determine the health of the ecosystem they inhabit. 

Despite being a small country, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has a unique location at the intersection of three continents, endowing it with a variety of contrasting topographies and temperatures. This variety in physical environments makes Jordan home to a large variety of fauna and flora. 

Owls in danger

Regrettably, owls are globally and locally threatened by anthropogenic activities such as intensive agriculture, mining, urbanization, and cruel persecution. They are also being illegally collected from their nesting sites and sold on social media platforms.   

Ornithological studies

Collecting data on the distribution of species is considered crucial for conservation planning and provides vital information for environmental assessments. Consequently, a group of ornithologists in 2021 embarked on a journey to study the distribution of owls in Jordan. 

Western Barn Owl

The spatial distribution of nine owl species was surveyed, including the Western Barn Owl, which had a liking for agricultural fields and is considered a resident in the Jordan Valley, and the northern steppes like Irbid, Mafraq, Zarqa, and Madaba.

Eurasian Scops Owl

The Eurasian Scops Owl has a restricted distribution. However, it is present in different bioclimatic zones like the Mediterranean and the Sudanian regions. You can observe the Eurasian Scops Owl in the northern Rift margins and Highlands, and around Dana in the southern Rift margins.

Single Pallid scops Owl

Single Pallid Scops Owls have been observed in Azraq during the spring and summer, and they breed in mature palm plantations in the Jordan Valley.

The Little Owl

Considered to be the most common owl species in Jordan – the Little Owl is well-adapted to hilly areas, mountain slopes with rocky outcrops, and occasionally flat areas like in the Jordan Valley. They are also fairly common in the open woods of Aluk and Bereen. Conversely, the Little Owl is scarcely observed in the central and north-eastern desert. It is also rare or missing in eastern and southern parts of the country such as the Rum desert, Aqaba mountains, and most of Wadi Araba- where it can be found occasionally along the rocky banks of wadis and in ruins.

Eurasian Eagle Owl and Pharaoh Eagle Owl

The Eurasian Eagle Owl is a thinly distributed species found in wooded and steppe-like habitats in the Northern Highlands and Rift margins. The southern limit of the Eurasian Eagle Owl appears to be at the northern Dead Sea margins, where it is replaced by the closely related Pharaoh Eagle Owl- which is a resident in arid and semi-arid regions like the Dead Sea, southern Rift margins, and the Rum desert. It is known for occurring at contrasting elevations from 330 m below sea level to 1500m above sea level. What makes Jordan so special is that you can observe  more than two species of  owls in the same habitats and locations – if you are lucky!

Desert Owl and Pharaoh Eagle Owl

True to its name, the Desert Owl is a resident of desert mountains along the Dead Sea, southern Rift margins, and the Rum desert. Desert Owls are strictly nocturnal, making them really difficult to be noticed. You can also observe the Desert Owl alongside the Pharaoh Eagle Owl as their ranges overlap. Unlike the closely related Desert Owl; the Tawny Owl favors densely wooded areas dominated by the Quercus and Pinus trees of northern highlands with a sub-humid Mediterranean climate, especially around Ajlun.

Long-Eared Owl

Well adapted to being around human activities, the Long-Eared Owl favors semi-agricultural areas and open woodlands where they breed in farms with high trees. They also breed in crowded neighbourhoods of the cities where they find suitable roosting and nesting sites. 

In conclusion, we call for the protection and conservation of owls in Jordan; as some of them – like the Eurasian Eagle Owl and the Tawny Owl – are faced with many threats such as the degradation of their natural habitats due to the rapidly increasing human population in Jordan. Owls belong to the wild and are not suitable to keep as pets. To trade with owls and keep them in captivity is neither ethical nor is it legal in Jordan”.

Reference: Fares Khoury et al.(2023)"Distribution and status of owls in Jordan", Sandgrouse, Volume 45, 2-18.

Jordan BirdWatch carried out the first national survey of resident and breeding owls in Jordan, and the results were published in 2023, Sandgrouse, volume 45.  The aim of the study was to address the lack of a documented account of the distribution of resident and breeding owls in Jordan. A national survey was carried out mainly in the western half of Jordan, where most species are expected to occur. Furthermore, occurrence data from all available sources were used to produce distribution maps. The distribution of all nine breeding species was assessed. For some species, distribution maps are considered incomplete or provisional, because it was not possible to study all areas in Jordan for various reasons, whereas for others which appear to be habitat specialists, eg Tawny and Desert Owls, the distribution was thought to be mapped quite accurately. This study reveals that most species of owls have a restricted distribution and are rare and/or thinly distributed in Jordan, making them very vulnerable to various threats especially habitat destruction.

See our page: The Jordan Bird Records Committee (JBRC)

The Royal Botanic Garden and Jordan BirdWatch sign an MoU

The Royal Botanic Garden and Jordan BirdWatch sign an MoU

Both parties, RBG and JBW, agreed to cooperate at the Royal Botanic Garden (RBG) at Tal Er-Rumman, located on the slopes overseeing the King Tala Dam between Amman and Jerash.

The site attracts big numbers of passage migrants and winter visitors every year, such as Great cormorants, White Storks, Night Herons, Great and little Egrets. Breeding species include Jackdaws, Greater Spotted Cuckoo, Hobby, Great Tit and Sardinian Warbler. 

  • JBW bird surveys at the Royal Botanic Garden
  • Passage migrants and winter visitors, here Great Cormorants
  • JBW organizing birding trips at the RBG
  • Passage migrants and winter visitors, here White storks

Activities agreed upon will inlude bird surveys, developing the site for birding (e.g. bird hides, trails, prensentation boards, and other printed material), and organizing birding trips (see page…).

The Director of the Royal Botanic Garden, senior staff of RBG, the chair of the board and vice chairman of Jordan BirdWatch all attended the meeting for signing the agreement.

Workshop Wadi Gharaba

workshop Wadi Gharaba 2023

as part of the project “Implementing measures to control invasive alien species in Wadi Gharaba Special Conservation Area

A workshop to raise awareness, enhance cooperation among parties of concern and practical training, was carried out in June 2023 in Beit Sweimeh as part of the project “Implementing measures to control invasive alien species in Wadi Gharaba Special Conservation Area”, which is implemented by Jordan BirdWatch in cooperation with the a local cooperative “Society for the Development of the Jordan Valley”. Participants included the Forestry Department in South Shuna, The Rangers-Royal Department for Environmental Protection, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and local livestock and land owners. The project is supported by sGEF/UNDP.

Mesquite shrub (Prosopis juliflora), alian invasive species
Mesquite shrub (Prosopis juliflora), alien invasive species

Protecting the wetland habitat of Wadi Gharaba

In the introduction presented by Ornithologist and ecologist Dr Fares Khoury, the achievements and cooperation of institutions in protecting the wetland habitat of Wadi Gharaba was reviewed. Current threats and challenges were also discussed like overgrazing due to lack of regulatory action, illegal hunting due to lack of follow up by rangers, and pollution of the stream by waste water apparently originating from the hotels at the Dead Sea. Results of recent studies were also presented and these showed a dramatic decrease in the number of nesting Dead Sea Sparrows due to camel grazing that is destroying the Tamarisk shrubs. Overgrazing is generally degrading the wetland habitat and is causing the spread of the alien, invasive mesquite Prosopis julifora which is not just an indicator of severe disturbances, but once it dominates, a tipping point is achieved and the mesquite shrubs start affecting biodiversity, hydrology and ecosystem functions and services.

Common myna (Acridotheres tristis), alian invasive species
Common myna (Acridotheres tristis), alien invasive species

Invasive alien species

Invasive, alien species are animals, plants or other organisms that are introduced by humans, either intentionally or accidentally, into places outside of their natural range, negatively impacting native biodiversity, ecosystem services or human economy and well-being. Invasive alien species are one of the biggest drivers of biodiversity loss and species extinctions. Biological invasions also put human health, food security and livelihoods at risk, as highlighted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15.

Two alien, invasive species are spreading rapidly in the Jordan Valley and other parts of Jordan: the Mesquite shrub (Prosopis juliflora) and the Common myna (Acridotheres tristis).

How to control invasive species, a solution amongst many other

After the introductory part, the agricultural expert Mr Rawad Sweidan presented the ecological benefits and feasibility of harvesting both mesquite wood and pods. e.g. by collecting the dry pods and using them after grinding as supplementary fodder. Livestock owners who were trained during this workshop, can thus contribute to the control of the invasive shrub by collecting and grinding the dry pods and then using the product in their fodder mixtures, which saves feeding costs and releases grazing pressure. (see post…)

collecting the dry pods and using them after grinding as supplementary fodder
…collecting the dry pods and using them after grinding as supplementary fodder…

Common Myna is one of the most invasive bird species worldwide. It was first recorded in the Jordan Valley and then spread rapidly into other parts of Jordan. Although no effects on human economy or health has been reported in Jordan till now, the impacts on biodiversity is still poorly understood and not yet supported by strong evidence. In the Jordan Valley, it may compete with cavity – nesting birds such as bee-eaters and kingfishers. Participants agreed that common myna and the alien mesquite shrub should be controlled locally once it invades natural habitats and nature reserves using appropriate measures. However, eradication or even control is not possible in the long run if the causes for their spread are not being tackled.

For the Arabic version see:

https://web.facebook.com/Jordan.Birdwatch.Association

Wadi Gharaba Special Conservation Area

Controling invasive species

Jordan BirdWatch, supported by UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme in Jordan, is implementing measures to control invasive alien species in “Wadi Gharaba A Special Conservation Area“.

Wadi Gharaba bird habitat
Wadi Gharaba bird habitat


Jordan BirdWatch is continuing its attempts to restore the remnant wetland and bird habitat at Wadi Gharaba in the Jordan Valley. The current project focusses on invasive alien species, the spread of which indicates man-made disturbances to ecosystem function and habitat degradation.

Wadi Gharaba Special Conservation Area and invasive species
Wadi Gharaba Special Conservation Area and invasive species

Two widespread invasive species are the mesquite Prosopis juliflora shrubs and the common myna Acridotheres tristis . Activities include Implementing at a small scale control measures of Prosopis juliflora by harvesting dry pods and grinding them to be used as alternative, supplementary animal fodder  and also use the mesquite wood for various purposes.

Harvested and ground dry pods of Prosopis juliflora
Harvested and ground dry pods of Prosopis juliflora

In addition, the impacts of the common myna bird on crops and hole-nesting birds in the Wadi Gharaba SCA and its surroundings is being studied in Jordan for the first time.

Common Myna studies in Wadi Gharaba
Common Myna studies in Wadi Gharaba
Common Myna or Indian Myna in Jordan
Common Myna or Indian Myna in Jordan

JBW is working together with local stakeholders including the livestock owners and forestry department, together we are implementing various activities with the local cooperative “Beit Sweimeh”.

Fort further information see video on our Facebook page:

Or through the link below:

Improvement of Green Infrastructure in Jordan through Labour-intensive Measures

Syrian Serin in Jordan

Syrian serin reported vulnerable IUCN
Syrian serin shrub land habitat, JBW
Syrian serin habitat, south-west of Jordan

English name: Syrian Serin

Scientific name: Serinus syriacus

The Syrian Serin, a small passerine bird belonging to the finch family, is endemic to parts of the Levant, namely in southwestern Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.   It breeds in semi-arid, rocky slopes at high altitudes above 900 m a.s.l. with open woodland containing a mix of conifers (e.g. junipers and/or cedars) and evergreen oak and other shrubs, which are important for nesting and roosting.   

It frequents during autumn and winter more open steppe habitats (usually Artemisia steppe) with scattered trees or shrubs. Observations of Syrian Serins apparently migrating and overwintering in northwestern Jordan indicate that some populations (e.g. those breeding in Syria and Lebanon) are short-distance migrants, moving to lower areas for the winter.

The Syrian Serin is a rare species with a restricted geographical range; In Jordan, it breeds solely in the Dana Nature Reserve ( See Dana Biosphere Reserve… ). In 2022, Jordan Birdwatch researchers estimated around 450-490 pairs still remaining in part of the reserve, in an area not larger than 12 sq.km.   The population and breeding area thus decreased by c. 30% during the last decades due to habitat destruction and degradation caused by a combination of overgrazing, prolonged drought, unregulated picnicking and wood cutting. Other recent threats include wind farm developments and plans to mine copper and other metals at or near its habitats.

Syrian serin in Dhana, Jordan
Syrian serin in Dhana, Jordan

Jordan BirdWatch made a recent assessment of the Syrian Serin in Jordan, and recommends upgrading the species category to “Critically Endangered” according to IUCN / Redlist criteria* (Criteria B1a, B1b) at the national level, and to “Endangered” at the global level (B2a, B2b).  

In an attempt to raise awareness among decision makers and stakeholders, meetings and a workshop are being held to discuss the management of the threatened woodland where the species breeds. Posters were also printed and distributed to schools. The activities on Syrian Serin in 2022 in Jordan were supported by Global Greengrants Fund.

Syrian serin communication
Posters for communication and workshops
Jordan BirdWatch, JBW
Global Green Grants Fund
Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature

Dana Biosphere Reserve

Dhana village, Jordan, Dana Biosphere Reserve. Photo: Fares Khoury

Contents

  • Jordan Birdwatch’s call
  • Jordan Birdwatch’s statement issued on the 19th of August 2021
  • Further links

Does a copper mine have priority over nature and world heritage?

The Dana Nature Reserve is one of the most diverse and important bird areas in the Middle East with breeding populations of globally threatened species like Sooty Falcon and Syrian Serin.

Dana Biosphere Reserve, Red Sand Habitat, south Jordan. Photo: Fares Khoury
Red Sand Habitat, south Jordan. Photo: Fares Khoury

The habitats in the reserve have been suffering locally from droughts and local overgrazing by livestock and woodcutting. However this is nothing compared to the destruction expected from the copper mining being planned in the western side of the Reserve. We urge all who care and who are working in the fields of nature conservation, education and (eco-)tourism to raise awareness about this case.

Syrian serin, Dhana, Jordan. Photo: Fares Khoury
Syrian serin, Dhana, Jordan. Photo: Fares Khoury

The reserve is located along the southern rift margins of Jordan with an altitudinal range of 60 below sea level to around 1500 above sea level, and being at the crossroad of three continents, it is no wonder that this reserve holds so much diversity, ranging from deserts and arid acacia stands in the lowlands to mountain steppe and open juniper and evergreen oak woodlands.

Dhana village, Jordan, Dana Biosphere Reserve. Photo: Fares Khoury
Dhana village, Jordan, Dana Biosphere Reserve. Photo: Fares Khoury

We urge all who care and who are working in the fields of nature conservation, education and (eco-)tourism to raise awareness about this case.

Statement issued by Jordan BirdWatch, dated 08/19/2021

Subject: Decision to remove part of the Dana Nature Reserve for mining purposes

The Dana Biosphere Reserve is considered one of the most important areas for biodiversity in the Middle East due to its geographical location between three continents, and the great variation in terrain, climate and habitats within a relatively small area.

It is characterized by a heterogeneous landscape and a great diversity of plant species and resident and migratory birds. 

The area of ​​Dana and Feinan is also globally famous for its distinctive archeological sites and historical importance, displaying the development of human civilization that began in the Stone Ages. 

The area contains beautiful archaeological and natural sites visited by a large number of tourists. There is still great potential of developing Feinan and its surroundings in a sustainable manner as tourist destination, and to be a source of continuous income for local communities and for future generations. 
In fact, the reserve area including the village of Dana were almost deserted before the establishment of the reserve in 1994, but many of the original inhabitants came back, indicating the importance of this reserve from an economic point of view for the local communities.

All activities related to copper exploration and mining in the Dana Reserve will have devastating effects on the natural environment, heritage and the economy of local communities. The previous and current efforts to protect and sustainably develop the area will be totally lost. The decision of the government to change the borders of the reserve, and promises of the authorities to the public about great profits and new job opportunities in copper mines is currently based on assumptions, and not supported by published, professional assessments or scientific studies.

Assessments of the direct and accumulated negative effects on the environment and economic feasibility studies are not known to exist or to have been published. 

The decision contradicts the goals of sustainable development and principles of environmental protection, and it also violates some international treaties (Rio conventions) to which Jordan is a signatory. The Dana Nature Reserve will probably lose its title of “Biosphere Reserve” granted by UNESCO if the borders are significantly shifted and the area reduced by a quarter.

Jordan BirdWatch is a specialized environmental society which develops and implements its programs based on scientific knowledge. Accordingly, we would like to inform first and foremost the Ministry of Environment, of our position, refusing to exclude any part of the Dana Nature Reserve, due to the expected detrimental effects of mining activities. We also recommend to strengthen and improve the management system for all nature reserves in Jordan.

We all as members of the Jordanian society bear the responsibility of protecting and preserving the environment for future generations.
  • Letter to the ministry of Antiquities, undersigned by members of the community of international and Jordanian archaeologists:

CONTACT JBW

Supporting traditional farming and protecting local biodiversity

Blue tit in Northern Jordan

Rasoun and Irjan, in the highlands of Ajlun, Northern Jordan

Jordan BirdWatch started implementing a project in May 2021 with the aim of sustaining traditional farming as part of the diverse landscape of Ajlun in northern Jordan.

The activities of this project include training in the packaging and marketing of local products while maintaining the traditional processing ways, and promoting improved practices in agriculture such as integrated pest management.

Additionally, JBW will develop a walking trail crossing both the Fig and Pomegranate orchards, along the Wadi Irjan stream and the surrounding slopes with natural woodland, dominated by evergreen oak shrubs.

The aim is also to make the area more suitable and attractive for visitors including birdwatchers and to diversify income generation in a sustainable way, making local communities more resilient to environmental or other changes.

JBW along with local partners will attempt to raise the level of protection for the remnant natural habitats and maintain ecological connectivity.

Local CBOs will develop the professional capacity to sustain traditional and more sustainable farming, and play a vital role in conserving natural habitats as part of the diverse Mediterranean landscape.

The area is of great importance for threatened plants, e.g. Nazareth Iris, and for a variety of reptiles, birds and mammals which have a limited distribution in Jordan, for instance the Persian Squirrel. Typical breeding birds include Short-toed Eagle, Tawny Owl, Eurasian Turtle Dove, Syrian Woodpecker, Sardinian and Orphean Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat, Great and Blue Tits, Masked and Woodchat Shrikes, Spectacled Bulbul, Palestine Sunbird and Cretzschmar’s Bunting.

JBW is carrying out surveys to establish biodiversity in the area and always welcomes volunteers from Jordan and abroad to participate in its activities. This project is supported by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and will continue until the summer of 2022. Please contact us for more information.

… read the latest in our post … Supporting Traditional Farming, Protecting Local Diversity

Contact

The rapid spread of Common Myna in Jordan

Common Myna or Indian Myna in Jordan

and the impact on native species

The impacts of introduced birds on native species and human economy and health are generally considered weak; however, these impacts e.g. on agricultural crops and on native birds by competing for nest sites or predation of nests, may vary according to the alien species itself and various factors in the area being invaded.

One of the most harmful invasive bird species at the global level is the common myna (Acridotheres tristis Linnaeus, 1766) that is originally native to Central and Eastern Asia (Lowe et al. 2000).

Researchers from Jordan BirdWatch, and the Biology Departments of the American University of Madaba (Jordan) and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (Saudi Arabia), are carrying out joint studies on the spread and impacts of invasive species in the region. The results of the first detailed study on the spread and potential distribution of common myna in Jordan is published in the scientific journal “Management of Biological Invasions” (Khoury et al. 2021; https://doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2021.12.3.08).

The common myna spread into the Jordan Valley around 2010, as a result of secondary expansion of an invasive population from a neighboring country. Consequently, the myna expanded throughout many parts of Jordan, driven mainly by anthropogenic factors.

The Common myna, also called Indian Myna, can be seen nowadays in the hotel areas of the Dead Sea and Aqaba, in the streets of most Jordanian cities, in agricultural and semi-urbanized landscapes of the Jordan Valley and NW Jordan including the ruins of Jerash and Um-Qais, desert towns and other facilities along major highways.

Similarly in the case of the highly invasive mesquite shrub Prosopis juliflora which was subject to recent projects and studies by JBW in the Jordan Valley, the rapid expansion of alien invasive species indicate serious ecological disturbance caused by random and extensive urbanization, spread of various infrastructure in the landscape and in some cases (e.g. mesquite) overgrazing by livestock.

The study provides a nationwide baseline about the distribution of the invasive common myna, and potential for further spread, as a baseline for monitoring and prioritizing actions to control spread and impacts.

JBRC
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