KUWAIT: A team of Kuwaiti and international bird experts recorded the sighting of rare oceanic bird species during a recent expedition in Kuwaiti territorial waters, the Environment Public Authority’s bird monitoring and protection team member Mohammad Al-Hudhaina said on Sunday. Among the notable discoveries were the short-tailed shearwater and the arctic skua, both considered unusual sightings in the region. According to Al-Hudhaina, this marks only the fourth recorded appearance of the short-tailed shearwater in Kuwait.
The bird was previously observed in 2014, 2021, and again earlier this month during the current voyage. Al-Hudhaina noted that the short-tailed shearwater is typically found across the Pacific Ocean, ranging from the North to the South Pole. “Its presence outside its native migratory route is rare,” he said, adding that the bird is similar in size to the common gull and is distinguished by its unique and efficient hunting style.
Short-tailed shearwater
Commenting on the arctic skua, Al-Hudhaina said it appears sporadically in small numbers in Kuwait during migration periods. “It is one of the fastest and most agile seabirds in flight, capable of sharp acceleration that gives it a predatory profile,” he explained. Known for its opportunistic feeding behavior, the arctic skua often chases gulls and terns mid-air and is notably larger than the common gull, making it identifiable from a distance.
These rare observations underscore Kuwait’s role as a significant environmental station along the migratory routes of seabirds, Al-Hudhaina affirmed. He emphasized that the continued efforts of local and international experts contribute to documenting the rich biodiversity of Kuwait’s marine ecosystem. The survey team included Kuwaiti birdwatchers Abdulrahman Al-Sarhan, Omar Al-Shaheen and Hamoud Al-Shaiji, as well as European specialists Peter Alfre from England and Belgian observers Vincent Legrand and Julien Hainaut. — KUNA
