The Red List

Short-toed Snake Eagle, jbw

of Breeding Birds in Jordan

القائمة الحمراء للطيور المعششة في الأردن

Threatened species in Jordan
Threatened species in Jordan

The publication of “The Red-list of Breeding Birds in Jordan 2026” by Jordan BirdWatch is a practical and foundational step forward for local wildlife conservation. By applying the standard IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria to a national level, this book provides a clearer, updated picture of the specific challenges facing birds that nest within the country’s borders.

The breeding populations of 168 bird species were assessed in Jordan. The best estimate of the proportion of Jordan’s threatened breeding bird species is 47.5%. This means that the risk of extinction for breeding bird populations in Jordan is high and requires urgent action.

Raptors are among the most imperiled because of persistent persecution, poisoning, disturbance, and the destruction of nesting sites, as well as habitat degradation that reduces prey availability.

Wetland-dependent breeding species are also highly vulnerable, particularly those reliant on marshes, reedbeds, and other well-vegetated aquatic habitats. Woodland and shrubland species in western Jordan are also among the most threatened, as their habitats are diminishing rapidly.

Illegal hunting continues to exert strong pressure on bustards, partridges, sandgrouse, and other game species, several of which are threatened or regionally extinct as breeders.

The highest concentrations of threatened and regionally extinct species in Jordan are in the western region, specifically within the Northern Rift Margins, Dead Sea Rift Margins, Southern Rift Margins, and Jordan Valley. Despite supporting high biodiversity, these areas are ecologically sensitive due to their complex mix of Mediterranean-type woodlands, shrublands, and cliffs. In contrast, the extensive deserts of central, eastern, and parts of southern Jordan generally experience lower threat intensity.

Red-rumped Wheatear
Red-rumped Wheatear

إن إصدار كتاب “القائمة الحمراء للطيور المعششة في الأردن 2026” من قِبل الجمعية الاردنية لمراقبة الطيور يُعد خطوة عملية وتأسيسية لحماية الحياة البرية الوطنية. فمن خلال تطبيق فئات ومعايير القائمة الحمراء للاتحاد الدولي لحفظ الطبيعة (IUCN) على المستوى الوطني، يقدم هذا الكتاب صورة أوضح وأكثر حداثة للتحديات التي تواجهها الطيور المعششة ضمن حدود الأردن.

تم تقييم 168 نوعًا من الطيور المُتكاثرة في الأردن. وتشير التقديرات إلى أن نسبة أنواع الطيور المُتكاثرة المُهددة في الأردن تبلغ 47.5% وهذا يعني أن خطر انقراض الطيور المُتكاثرة في الأردن مرتفع، ويتطلب اتخاذ إجراءات عاجلة.

تُعدّ الطيور الجارحة من بين أكثر الأنواع المُهددة بالانقراض بسبب الاضطهاد المُستمر، والتسمم، والإزعاج، وتدمير مواقع التعشيش، فضلًا عن تدهور الموائل الذي يُقلل من توافر الفرائس.

Syrian serin (serinus syriacus), a threatened bird in Jordan - photo © Ray Galea
Syrian serin (serinus syriacus), a threatened bird in Jordan – photo © Ray Galea

Birdwatching and Ornithology

Discover the rich Avifauna of Jordan through a series of courses & birdwatching field-trips this Spring.

JBW proposes structured classroom lessons blend in with hands-on field experience!

You can reserve through our contact page before the 19th of March 2026, please fill the form with name and contact information, also add your previous experience in Birdwatching or Ornithology. Beginners are welcome.

For more information, please click here for the contact form!

JBW's Spring Birdwatching and Basic Ornithology Workshop
JBW’s Spring Birdwatching and Basic Ornithology Workshop

A JBW announcement

Raed Omar Salim
Ra’ed Omar Salim

Jordan Birdwatch announces with great regret the loss of one of its most devoted members and founders

Ra’ed Omar Salim passed away on Thursday, the 13th of March 2025.

Ra’ed was a key person in our team; he was the treasurer of JBW, and we owe him for his contributions in the protection of nature, cultural heritage, and tourism in Jordan.

He will be missed by all those who got the opportunity to work by his side.

On behalf of JBW’s entire team, I express herewith my deepest sympathies to the family.

Dr. Fares Khoury

JBW’s annual general assembly 2025

Jordan Birdwatch is holding its annual general assembly meeting on the 15th of February 2025 at 15:00 hrs.

JBW's general assembly
JBW’s general assembly

JBW’s annual general assembly 2025

15:00 to 16:30 hours:

The event will start with a presentation and discussions related to birds and birding activities in Jordan.

16:30 to 17:00 hours:

The official assembly meeting – administrative and financial reports,…

Members and anyone interested in joining JBW are welcome!

Location of the GAM:

Jabal Al-Weibdeh, Al-Khodr Al-Shanqiti St. 34, 11191 Amman, Jordan.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/U8uMJShKDCuSkbfq5?g_st=iw

For more information, contact us.

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.

Clean-Up event and bird watching

Wadi Gharaba, a special conservation and important bird area in Jordan

Jordan BirdWatch together with Jordan Green Building Council and Ahl El-Balad initiative…

… are carrying out a clean-up event in Wadi Gharaba Special Conservation Area, which is located in Ghor Rama north of the Dead Sea on Saturday 7th December 2019.

Everyone is welcome to participate. There will also be a birdwatching event in the early morning.

There will be two groups:

  1. Bird-watching group leaves earlier: meeting at 6:15 am; 7th circle; private vehicles; this group will meet the second on site at around 10 am.
  2. Second group meets at 8:30 am at the 4th circle (Green building council) where a bus will be available for volunteers.

Expected return to Amman 1:00 pm.

For more info please call Leen 0797343617.

Ahl el-Balad
Ahl el-Balad

For more information on the Wadi Gharaba site and Jordan BirdWatch go to our post Special Conservation Area.

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