UAE lists six invasive birds for control

The UAE has classified six non-native bird species as priority threats under a national plan aimed at protecting local biodiversity, farms, public spaces and human health from the spread of invasive wildlife.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has identified the common myna, bank myna, rock pigeon, house crow, Alexandrine parakeet and rose-ringed parakeet as species requiring priority management. The move places avian invasions more firmly within the country’s biodiversity agenda, linking wildlife protection with food security, urban management and disease-risk controls.

The designation forms part of the UAE National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2026, which provides a unified framework for government agencies and emirate-level authorities to manage non-native organisms established outside their natural ranges. The strategy defines invasive alien species as plants, animals or microorganisms whose introduction and spread can cause environmental, economic, social or health damage.

The ministry has warned that invasive birds pose four main risks: high adaptability and rapid reproduction, competition with native birds for food and nesting sites, disruption of ecological balance and possible disease transmission. These traits make urban environments, ports, farms, landscaped developments and waste-rich areas especially vulnerable, as some species thrive where food sources are abundant and nesting spaces are available.

The list reflects a pattern visible across Gulf cities, where fast urban growth, dense transport links and ornamental planting have created habitats that favour adaptable birds. Mynas and parakeets can gather in large flocks, exploit discarded food and compete aggressively for nesting cavities. Rock pigeons and house crows are familiar in built-up areas, where droppings, roosting sites and improvised nests can affect buildings, parks and public facilities.

The national plan rests on five main pillars: raising public awareness, strengthening institutional capacity, preventing introduction and spread at borders, managing priority invasive species, and deepening cooperation at national, regional and international levels. Officials are seeking to align field action across the seven emirates while building stronger links with municipalities, academic institutions, conservation bodies and non-governmental organisations.

Practical measures include tighter management of waste and feeding sources, species-specific control plans, restoration work in affected habitats and periodic emergency-response exercises. The emphasis on waste is central because open rubbish, scattered grain, bird feeding and poorly managed food outlets can sustain dense bird populations and make dispersal campaigns less effective.

Agriculture is another concern. Invasive birds can damage crops and fruit in farms and gardens, adding pressure to food-production systems already shaped by heat, water scarcity and imported inputs. Public health concerns are more complex, but the strategy treats disease transmission risk as part of a wider biosecurity agenda that includes monitoring, rapid response and coordination between environment and municipal authorities.

Abu Dhabi has already moved on the operational side through guidance for managing invasive birds in urban and suburban settings. The Department of Municipalities and Transport, working with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, has advised residents, landlords, contractors and building designers to avoid favourable nesting and roosting spaces. The guidance identifies littering, scattering bird food and keeping rooftop pigeon coops as behaviours that can accelerate population growth.

The Abu Dhabi approach also signals a preference for humane and environmentally responsible dispersal methods. Visual and auditory deterrents, bird spikes and nets are considered acceptable where they do not harm other wildlife or damage the appearance of the city. Poison, electricity and projectiles are prohibited, reflecting the need to control invasive populations without creating animal welfare violations or secondary environmental hazards.