Slide 1

Although at first sight it appears to be an unremarkable 'little brown job' (LBJ) that typically skulks out of sight in dense undergrowth, the Common Nightingale has the loudest recorded song of all birds.

>> Click to hear the Nightingale's
strident yet melifluous song

Slide 2

The Willow Warbler and the Chiffchaff are almost identical in their appearance.

It was Gilbert White of Seldon (England) in the mid-1700s who famously was the first to distinguish these two diminutive species, based on their different songs. With practice, they can also be differentiated on their calls.

Songs

>> Click to hear the Willow Warbler's
delightful descending song

>> Click to hear the Chiffchaff's
rhythmic onomatopoeic song

Calls

>> Click to hear the Willow Warbler's
plaintive, almost mournful call

>> Click to hear the Chiffchaff's rather
more squeaky, cheeky little call

Slide 3

The Lilith Owlet has recently been upgraded to full species status, being the desert couterpart of the more familiar Little Owl.

It is a scarce breeder throughout Qatar.

>> Click to watch a brief movie
clip of a calling Lilith Owlet