Jordan
Jordan is dominated by arid plateaus and desert, cut dramatically by the Jordan Rift Valley along its western edge. Here the landscape descends to the Dead Sea, more than 400 metres below sea level, before rising into rugged highlands farther east. Southern Jordan contains the sandstone mountains and desert scenery of Wadi Rum, while the eastern interior forms part of the vast Arabian Desert. Mediterranean-influenced woodland survives in some northwestern uplands, contrasting strongly with the dry steppe and desert covering most of the country. Jordan also has a short coastline on the Gulf of Aqaba.
Overview
Jordan combines Middle Eastern desert specialties with major Eurasia–Africa migration. The Aqaba area is particularly productive during migration, attracting large numbers of raptors, storks, passerines and waterbirds; the Aqaba Bird Observatory is a well-known birding site. Desert landscapes around Wadi Rum hold Sinai Rosefinch, Hooded Wheatear, Blackstart, Sand Partridge and various larks and sandgrouse. Dana Biosphere Reserve is especially diverse, spanning Mediterranean highlands to desert and supporting species such as Syrian Serin and Griffon Vulture. Jordan has established tourism infrastructure, and major birding sites can readily be combined with destinations such as Petra and Wadi Rum. Remote desert birding is easier with local knowledge or a guide, and current regional security conditions and border-area restrictions should be checked before travel.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| House Sparrow Passer domesticus | 54.0% | 43.1% | 48.3% | 56.3% | 63.1% | 63.6% | 69.3% | 63.0% | 45.2% | 54.5% | 52.9% | 49.9% | 38.3% |
| Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis | 45.0% | 38.3% | 40.9% | 45.4% | 49.9% | 47.9% | 51.8% | 50.1% | 46.1% | 49.2% | 44.2% | 44.1% | 32.4% |
| Rock Pigeon Columba livia | 39.3% | 36.5% | 37.4% | 38.2% | 36.7% | 39.2% | 44.7% | 44.2% | 36.3% | 40.9% | 40.1% | 42.4% | 34.8% |
| White-spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos | 34.6% | 36.0% | 28.6% | 33.0% | 38.8% | 36.6% | 37.7% | 33.6% | 28.6% | 32.0% | 37.4% | 41.1% | 31.9% |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto | 22.0% | 18.0% | 19.8% | 24.8% | 27.5% | 26.4% | 26.1% | 26.7% | 22.1% | 25.5% | 19.7% | 13.5% | 14.0% |
| Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula | 20.1% | 19.3% | 18.9% | 19.6% | 29.8% | 28.5% | 27.3% | 19.8% | 11.3% | 16.6% | 15.4% | 20.6% | 14.7% |
| Palestine Sunbird Cinnyris osea | 19.3% | 15.3% | 15.5% | 18.7% | 23.9% | 25.5% | 25.7% | 22.0% | 14.3% | 19.6% | 18.8% | 17.6% | 14.3% |
| Crested Lark Galerida cristata | 19.0% | 19.5% | 19.9% | 22.2% | 24.6% | 25.2% | 17.0% | 13.9% | 11.6% | 24.8% | 18.8% | 15.3% | 14.8% |
| White Wagtail Motacilla alba | 15.5% | 30.9% | 23.6% | 23.6% | 6.4% | 1.4% | 0.5% | 0.7% | 0.8% | 1.6% | 21.7% | 40.3% | 33.9% |
| Tristram's Starling Onychognathus tristramii | 15.1% | 15.3% | 15.3% | 13.7% | 17.9% | 17.1% | 16.5% | 10.5% | 14.6% | 11.1% | 19.1% | 15.3% | 15.3% |