Birds of Oman - page structureThe pages on individual bird species presented here are usually structured in the following way (note that there are 26 family groups, all species of which observed by us are included in family group tables reachable via the second-tier subheader). HeadersEach page has a top-level header, a bird pages subheader and the page's own header (see above). The top-level header leads to each of the main sections of this web site. Here a screen capture (not clickable; use the real header, at the top of the page, to test this):
The second-tier header allows for easy navigation between different bird pages, including some high-level pages (top row) and family group tables 1-26. Here a screen capture (not clickable; use the real header to test this):
The headers of individual pages have the number of the family group on the left (as a clickable link to go to the table), name, alternative (and aboriginal) names and size and weight of the bird species at the centre and a drop-down menu on the right. The drop-down menu offers the possibility to jump directly between pages for different bird species in one family group. Here an example (not clickable; use a real page header to test this):
Page contentsThe page contents themselves are structured in various layers (only items on which we have information are included in a given page).
-. Similar species (if any) A lower-level navigation help holds links to existing page sections:
Short physical description of the species, usually focusing on typical features such as plumage, dimorphism, eyes, eye rings, bills, legs, (webbed) feet, etc.
Clickable thumbnail images of species similar to the one shown on the page.
We make no attempt here to
establish the correct taxonomy and classification of species.
A link is provided to Wikipedia
Range and habitat information is generic and we make no claim that this is either accurate or up-to-date.
Sightings are subdivided by race/subspecies; they are usually listed roughly chronologically; for a given location/area entries are also in chronological order.
Photos are sorted again according to a few basic rules: If there are different races (=subspecies), these will form the highest-level subdivision. For race of any species, the subdivision is always by:
If there are different breeding and non-breeding
plumages,
the order is always:
Any of these sections can be subdivided again into:
1. frontal
Each photo has a caption; many small photos hold links to
larger versions of the same shot. The
For bird species of which we have obtained photos of a nest (or entrance to a nesting hollow) and/or eggs, or have been able to observe their breeding behaviour, we offer a summary of their breeding seasons etc., nest type and egg characteristics. There are the following subsections.
Nests are only shown if accessible without disturbance. In the case of parrots, for example, who nest in hollows, only the entrance is shown.
Eggs, again, are only shown if accessible without disturbance. No eggs in nesting hollows or other inaccessible locations are shown on this web site.
We observe and attempt to document certain behavioural patterns, but do not have any systematic knowledge of bird species' behaviour. Where known, a basic summary of key behavioural patterns is now given in a table.
As far as known to us, information on bird species' food sources in the wild is provided.
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own;
comments and suggestions for improvement Where possible, typical calls are being recorded and included on the pages for individual species. We have chosen to present versions of the recordings from which background noise and other bird calls have been removed wherever possible. FootersThe footers (both the generic one at the bottom and the one regarding bird pages) state the limitations of what the information presented here can, or is supposed to, do - see below. |