White-tailed Eagle Spotted in Saudi Arabia After 20-Year Absence, Marking a Remarkable Rediscovery in the Kingdom’s Wildlife Scene.
An extremely rare sighting of a juvenile, migratory White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) has been documented at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve — the first confirmed record of this species in Saudi Arabia in over two decades.
Vision 2030 environmental objectives to protect 30% of land and sea
The eagle was observed and photographed at Wadi Thalbah Wetland, one of the Reserve’s key vegetated marshland sanctuaries, by Biodiversity Monitoring and Research Manager Ali AlFaqih. Its presence underscores the Reserve’s growing significance as a refuge for migratory birdlife. This sighting reflects the progress of its habitat-wide restoration strategy, supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 environmental objectives to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030, restore ecosystems, and enhance biodiversity.
Keen bird watcher and the Reserve’s Biodiversity Monitoring and Research Manager Ali AlFaqih said, “I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw a large raptor flying heavily after drinking. I gazed intently at this magnificent bird and realized I was looking at an unfamiliar species that I had never seen before. Observing a rare bird in the Reserve indicates to me that we are seeing improving habitat quality and providing migratory birds with a safe and productive environment to rest and feed during their long journeys.”
The 24,500 km2 marine and terrestrial Reserve is home to fifteen distinct ecosystems and an exceptional level of biodiversity. More than 50% of all recorded species in the Kingdom have been documented within its boundaries.
Since 2021, the Reserve has conducted six multi-season biodiversity studies with experts from Saudi Arabia and five other countries. To date, these studies have recorded 247 bird species, including seven new global range extensions. This represents 49% of all bird species documented in the Kingdom, a number that continues to grow through ongoing research.
The presence of the White-tailed eagle, outside its usual range across the northern hemisphere, highlights the importance of regular monitoring during migratory seasons. This data is critical not only to informing the Reserve’s conservation strategies but also to supporting national and regional biodiversity initiatives.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve
One of eight Royal Reserves, the 24,500 km² Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve stretches from the lava plains of the Harrats to the deep Red Sea in the west, connecting NEOM, Red Sea Global, and AlUla. It is home to PIF’s Wadi Al Disah project and Red Sea Global’s Destination AMAALA.
The Reserve encompasses 15 distinct ecosystems. At just 1% of the Kingdom’s terrestrial area and 1.8% of its marine area, it boasts over 50% of the Kingdom’s species, making it one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East.
The Reserve is committed to restoring and conserving the natural and cultural environment. This includes the reintroduction of 23 historically occurring native species, 11 of which have already been reintroduced including the Arabian oryx, Persian Onager, Sand gazelle and Mountain gazelle, as part of a wide-ranging rewilding program.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is one of eight royal reserves established by royal decree and overseen by the Royal Reserves Council chaired by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The Reserve’s program is integrated with Saudi Arabia’s wider sustainability and conservation programs, including the Saudi Green and Middle East Green Initiatives.
For more information about Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve:
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