Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah highlights importance

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, EPAA, in Sharjah, has underlined the importance of protecting endangered birds and animals to maintain biodiversity and nature, in line with the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the desire of the Emirate of Sharjah to create proper conditions to breed various species, reflecting the richness of the environment and nature in the United Arab Emirates.

Al Suwaidi made her comments as experts from the authority's branch in the Eastern Region provided treatment to an injured bird, a Common Kestrel, to help it fly over the Kalba Mountains.

Awatif Al Naqbi, EPAA Eastern Region Branch Manager, stated that the injured bird, which was found in a residential area in Kalba City, was in an extremely poor condition, unable to fly or move before it was treated by veterinarians from the authority.

"The bird has been treated and the concerned teams transferred it to the Bird of Prey Centre, to spend adequate time until its full recovery. The bird was released to fly again over the Kalba Mountains. This bird is usually found in rocky or stone mountains. It is a partial migrant bird that visits the UAE in winter in considerable numbers, with some of them breeding here. Breeding pairs of Common Kestrels were discovered in mountains, some rocky islands, and, very rarely, in buildings. These birds can be found in many environments, ranging from mountains to deserts, agricultural fields, parks, gardens and cities," Al Naqbi explained.

This type of falcon is very widespread in Europe, Asia and Africa. The northern species of Common Kestrel are migrant birds that spend winter in areas ranging from the Arabian Peninsula to Southeast Asia. Adult male Common Kestrels can be distinguished from other kestrels by their reddish upper parts, the absence of a broad grey-blue line, pale heads and many black spots on the upper parts of their feathers. Female kestrels are almost identical.

From a short distance, the black or sometimes ivory white claws of female kestrels can be seen. Kestrels do not live in flocks, rather, they live alone or in breeding pairs.