RCU Records Robust Sooty Falcon Population in Sharaan Nature Reserve

   AlUla, November 13, 2025, SPA -- The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) documented many sooty falcon (Falco concolor) breeding pairs in Sharaan Nature Reserve, reflecting the richness of the reserve’s biodiversity and its growing role as a safe natural habitat for rare and endangered species.
   The sooty falcon is listed as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with an estimated global population of between 1,149 and 1,597 breeding pairs. It is also classified among Saudi Arabia’s high-priority species for conservation.
   Field surveys conducted by RCU’s wildlife and natural environment team recorded 39 breeding pairs in the Sharaan reserve, with a total estimate of 50 to 70 pairs across AlUla, representing nearly 4% of the species' global population. This makes AlUla and Sharaan among the most important inland breeding sites for the species worldwide.
   Field observations indicate that the sooty falcon nests on high cliffs protected from ground predators, and it prefers areas rich in vegetation and prey. The findings highlight the ongoing success of RCU’s strategy to restore natural habitats and ensure effective management and protection of the reserve.
   Distinguished by its sleek gray plumage, long wings, and striking yellow eyes, the sooty falcon is one of the few species that begins its breeding season after July, a unique adaptation that allows it to take advantage of the migration season of small birds to feed its chicks.  Such behaviors were documented by RCU’s research team, led by Nature Reserves Monitoring Program Borut Rubinić at the commission.
   After fledging between mid-October and early November, young falcons migrate to southern Africa, crossing the Mozambique Channel to Madagascar, where they spend the winter before returning north.
   The discovery comes as part of RCU’s comprehensive scientific program for environmental and biodiversity monitoring across the Sharaan reserve and other protected areas in AlUla. The program includes population surveys, ecological studies, camera-trap monitoring, and research on indicator species that reflect ecosystem health. These efforts are integrated with habitat restoration and pollution-control programs to maintain ecosystem balance and sustainability.
   Sharaan Nature Reserve is listed on the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, serving as a global model for integrated management of protected areas. The reserve’s dramatic landscapes, mountains, valleys, and restored habitats, host a wide variety of wildlife, including Nubian ibex, sand and Arabian gazelles, wolves, sand cats, endangered reptiles, and more than 120 bird species.
   The RCU affirmed that the thriving sooty falcon population is a key indicator of ecosystem recovery in AlUla and a testament to its success in restoring nature and biodiversity across its reserves. The commission reiterated its commitment to prioritizing scientific research and long-term monitoring to protect this natural heritage for future generations, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s environmental sustainability goals.
   -- SPA