Wings Over Arabia
A desert eagle owl chick seeks shelter under its mother between the rocks. Courtesy of Faisal Hajwal.
Saudi Arabia enjoys rich biological diversity, and birds are among the most prominent elements of its wildlife. This diversity is due to the many different environments it contains, from the long coastlines on the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf and the mountains in the north and south, to the dense forests and vast deserts in between.
Much of this environment remains in its natural state, and the government is keen on preserving wildlife throughout the Kingdom, striving to protect any and all endangered species. One effective method is increasing awareness of the importance of the environment and fostering a culture of caring for animal and plant diversity.
Creators, including painters, writers, and photographers, play an important role in documenting these environments, their creatures, and their aesthetics, as well as in enhancing social responsibility to protect them.
At Ithraeyat, we are honored to present the works of one of the country’s artists: the photographer Faisal Hajwal from the Eastern Province, who has launched his latest collection: Birds and Wildlife of Saudi Arabia, which is the first of its kind in the region. The artist owns several books, including Wheatears in the Arabian Peninsula, Wading Birds, and Birds of Saudi Arabia (From the Birds of Saudi Arabia), the latter of which we have attached.
Faisal Ali Hajwal, born in 1983 in Al-Qatif, is married and a father of three children, and works at the Ministry of Sports. He started photography in 2008, and later in 2011 he found his passion in the field of bird photography.
He has participated in several photography exhibitions and published four scientific research papers related to birds. He has many photos published on specialized sites and in magazines, including National Geographic.
Lime Butterfly, despite its beauty as a fully grown insect, its larvae are considered a pest. Courtesy of Faisal Hajwal.
The artist expressed his reasons for loving nature and birds with interest: "I am fascinated by their unchanging instincts. For example, migratory birds have migrated since ancient times and still migrate at the same time and place every year. I am also intrigued by contrasts, harshness, mercy, and struggle. They can all exist at the same moment for the sake of survival. Every behavior in nature in general, and animals in particular, is a lesson and a source of inspiration for us humans."
The photographer Faisal Hajwal told us about his favorite photos: "A mother hedgehog carrying her young to move it from one area to another, enduring the pain of the quills that pricked her. This happened at sunrise, and the scene was truly astonishing, as the maternal instinct was manifested in its most beautiful form."
A mother hedgehog attempting to move her young to a safer area, enduring the pain of the surrounding quills. Courtesy of Faisal Hajwal.
He also added: "Another one of my favorite photos is of a weaver bird, as he put the final touches on his nest, which one of the females had finally accepted after building dozens of nests and making countless attempts to persuade a mate to accept both him and his nest as a home. This moment came after more than a month of closely observing the same male."
A male weaver bird, brilliant at constructing his nest with remarkable skill. Courtesy of Faisal Hajwal.
The artist recalled a harrowing encounter he faced while photographing: "A particularly unnerving moment occurred when a Black Desert Cobra suddenly appeared among the grass. Looking back, ignorance can sometimes be a blessing. Had I known beforehand that it was the most venomous snake in the Kingdom, its bite capable of taking a life in mere moments, I would never have dared to get so close for a picture! Not only that, but imagine this: in my ignorance, I even brought my hand close to it to move a small plant, the very one it had been hiding under, just to get a clearer shot!"
The Black Desert Cobra is one of the most dangerous and venomous snakes. Courtesy of Faisal Hajwal.
Faisal hopes that nature will be respected by humans and that society will develop a deep awareness of the value of every living being on this Earth. He believes that public awareness, combined with the tremendous efforts undertaken by state agencies dedicated to environmental protection, is essential to maintaining and sustaining the balance of nature.
When asked about the Bird Monitoring Group he founded in 2011, the artist explained: "We established a bird-watching group of about 50 members who share a passion for birds, whether through photography or observation. This group became the perfect place for me to channel my energy into seeking knowledge and information for at least ten years before the experience became more mature and refined. Over time, I gained the essential tools to explore other aspects of wildlife, including reptiles, insects, and mammals.
He further added: "Our newly created Wildlife Group is still in its infancy. I started it with my friend and observer, Abdulaziz Al-Yousef, and our first practical step was launching a website for it. Who knows? Perhaps it will continue to grow and evolve."
The artist concluded the conversation with a thought-provoking remark: "Far from the noise of life and the bustle of cities, there is a creative pulse in nature waiting for us to sense it and harmonize with it."
A copy of the book Birds of Saudi Arabia.
An Egyptian Nightjar, captured alongside an unhatched egg and a newly hatched chick nestled between the egg and its mother. This marks the first documented record of this bird's breeding in Saudi Arabia. Courtesy of Faisal Hajwal.
Now enjoy watching the flamingos dancing in Dammam Corniche — Videographed by Ahmed Bin Hadi.
Videographed on Jan 17th 2025 by Ahmed Bin Hadi.
