Kuwait emerges as crucial stop on global bird migration routes

• Talal Al-Muwaizri, a member of the bird monitoring and protection team at the KEPS, said the hoopoe is one of the first birds to appear in Kuwait during spring migration, traditionally seen as a sign that winter has ended and plants are at their peak.

Kuwait is a key stop along major bird migration routes, offering vital resting and feeding grounds, according to the Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS). As reported by Arabic daily Al Jarida, notable sites include the Jahra Nature Reserve, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) Nature Reserve in Kabd, the Abraq Houbara Bird Sanctuary, and the farms in Wafra, Sulaibiya, and Abdali.

Talal Al-Muwaizri, a member of the bird monitoring and protection team at KEPS, stated in a press release that bird migration is a natural phenomenon showcasing birds’ remarkable ability to adapt to their environment. He explained that the spring migration begins in mid-February and continues until late May, a period during which birds are at their most vibrant and colorful.

Al-Muwaizri added, “Every year, birds migrate from northern to southern regions, crossing all continents in search of milder climates and longer daylight hours, escaping the harsh cold and shorter days.”

Regarding the most notable birds that arrive in Kuwait during the spring migration, he noted that “the hoopoe is among the first migratory birds to appear, signaling the arrival of spring and the end of winter. In the past, when people saw many hoopoes, they would say, ‘When the hoopoe comes out, the plants will cry out,’ meaning the plants had reached their peak condition.”

He further explained that after the hoopoe, other birds gradually arrive, including small birds and warblers such as the thrush, yikiki, salibe, mardam, matrak, hamira ras, sweida ras, as well as species like hamroush, shola, bagalas-saman, bint al-sabbagh, qalliba, humimij, eagles, gulls, fri, and the wild pigeon turtledove family.