07 June 2020

Streaked Scrub Warbler - Abha

Whilst birding the Talea Valley recently I saw a pair of Streaked Scrub-warbler Scotocerca inquieta on some rocks alongside a quite deep wadi. They are a common breeding resident of the western part of Saudi Arabia. There are two subspecies that are endemic to Arabia: S. i. buryi is found in southwestern Saudi Arabia and western Yemen (which this one is) and S. i. grisea is found in western Saudi Arabia, eastern Yemen and Oman. They mainly occur in rocky and mountainous areas where they often occur on rocky wadi hillsides with bushes. They are seen in pairs or small family groups and are active during the daylight hours catching their favoured insect prey.
Streaked Scrub Warbler