The Azraq Wetland Reserve has recently received the visit of the Turkestan Shrike, also known as the red-tailed shrike. This remarkable sighting, a rarity in Jordan, was recorded by a bird study team in collaboration with the Royal Scientific Society and Jordan BirdWatch teams.

The Turkestan Shrike, primarily native to Siberia and Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, is known for its distinct migratory patterns. The bird, which prefers giant insects, such as caterpillars, spiders, beetles, and termites, also feeds on small birds and lizards in its diet. Its presence in the Azraq Wetland Reserve is particularly notable given its status as a rare migrant visitor in Jordan.

This sighting confirms the Azraq Wetland Reserve’s tremendous biodiversity, marking it as an important bird conservation and study site. The Turkestan Shrike’s presence in the reserve highlights the ecological significance of this habitat, not just for local fauna but also for rare migratory species. The reserve’s unique environment provides a crucial refuge for these birds during their long migratory journeys, offering them a haven to rest and feed.

Thanks to RSCN’s efforts, many birds for which the Azraq Wetland Reserve was once known are coming back, and special boardwalks and bird hides have been constructed to enable visitors to observe and enjoy them. 

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