Enchanting Sooty Gulls captivate bird enthusiasts
Published: 05:06 PM,Jun 10,2023 | EDITED : 09:06 PM,Jun 10,2023
It is a common sight to see Sooty Gulls during its breeding season at the Daymaniyat Islands. Perched on rocky cliffs or resting on the floor of stone cliff to protect their eggs, Sooty Gulls attract bird enthusiasts with their beautiful colours of red, grey, and yellow. Their beaks are yet another attraction to bird lovers.
The bird is commonly found on the islands and near coastal areas, particularly in the Daymaniyat Islands Reserve, which is a 45-minute boat ride from the coast of Muscat. Upon reaching the islands, visitors are drawn to the large number of sooty gulls nesting in close proximity.
During this time, the islands and other spots in Oman are filled with these birds. They lay their eggs in rock formations and take care of their young. The adult birds work hard to provide food and ensure the survival of their offspring, protecting them from birds of prey and foxes that inhabit the Islands. Predators may include the sooty falcon, vultures, and herons.
Their species can be found in various countries, including Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Iran, and Pakistan. Vagrant populations of Sooty Gulls are also observed in India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
The bird has dark upper parts and white underparts. The head, back, rump, breast, and tail are dark grey, while juveniles have a paler head with a speckled white neck. Their long legs are gray, and their irises are blackish.
Studies on bird life indicate that adult Sooty Gulls have a long bill with a red tip followed by a narrow blackish band, while the rest of the bill is pale or bluish-gray. Juveniles have a bluish base without the red tip. Their call is a repeated 'gar gar' sound, serving as a warning to potential threats approaching the nesting areas.
Sooty Gulls inhabit various natural ecosystems, including tropical and subtropical mangrove vegetation, sea cliffs, offshore islands, intertidal mud flats, rocky, pebbly, shingle, and sandy shorelines, beaches, tide pools, lagoons, estuaries, coral reefs, and shallow seas with microalgae like kelp and sea grass.
The diet of these gulls mainly consists of dead, small fish and offal. They forage in harbours, ports, inshore islands, and intertidal zones. The breeding season of the Sooty Gull begins in June and ends in September. Nesting sites are located on inshore coral islands with rocks, sand, and sparse vegetation.
The Environment Authority in Oman plays a crucial role in preserving the reserve's natural resources. Specialised observers monitor the natural resources and ensure the safety of tourists while emphasising the importance of adhering to environmental requirements. Safe waste disposal containers are provided, and educational boards are placed to raise awareness.
The Authority also organises annual cleaning campaigns involving official authorities and volunteer teams from across the Sultanate of Oman. These campaigns aim to protect the marine life in their natural habitats.
TEXT & PHOTOS BY: YAHYA AL SALMANI
The bird is commonly found on the islands and near coastal areas, particularly in the Daymaniyat Islands Reserve, which is a 45-minute boat ride from the coast of Muscat. Upon reaching the islands, visitors are drawn to the large number of sooty gulls nesting in close proximity.
During this time, the islands and other spots in Oman are filled with these birds. They lay their eggs in rock formations and take care of their young. The adult birds work hard to provide food and ensure the survival of their offspring, protecting them from birds of prey and foxes that inhabit the Islands. Predators may include the sooty falcon, vultures, and herons.
Their species can be found in various countries, including Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Iran, and Pakistan. Vagrant populations of Sooty Gulls are also observed in India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
The bird has dark upper parts and white underparts. The head, back, rump, breast, and tail are dark grey, while juveniles have a paler head with a speckled white neck. Their long legs are gray, and their irises are blackish.
Studies on bird life indicate that adult Sooty Gulls have a long bill with a red tip followed by a narrow blackish band, while the rest of the bill is pale or bluish-gray. Juveniles have a bluish base without the red tip. Their call is a repeated 'gar gar' sound, serving as a warning to potential threats approaching the nesting areas.
Sooty Gulls inhabit various natural ecosystems, including tropical and subtropical mangrove vegetation, sea cliffs, offshore islands, intertidal mud flats, rocky, pebbly, shingle, and sandy shorelines, beaches, tide pools, lagoons, estuaries, coral reefs, and shallow seas with microalgae like kelp and sea grass.
The diet of these gulls mainly consists of dead, small fish and offal. They forage in harbours, ports, inshore islands, and intertidal zones. The breeding season of the Sooty Gull begins in June and ends in September. Nesting sites are located on inshore coral islands with rocks, sand, and sparse vegetation.
The Environment Authority in Oman plays a crucial role in preserving the reserve's natural resources. Specialised observers monitor the natural resources and ensure the safety of tourists while emphasising the importance of adhering to environmental requirements. Safe waste disposal containers are provided, and educational boards are placed to raise awareness.
The Authority also organises annual cleaning campaigns involving official authorities and volunteer teams from across the Sultanate of Oman. These campaigns aim to protect the marine life in their natural habitats.
TEXT & PHOTOS BY: YAHYA AL SALMANI