On the Birds Adorning the Courtyards of the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in Al-Quds (Jerusalem), Palestine, with a Special Focus on Rock and Feral Pigeons

Abstract

The blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in the city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem), Palestine, which extends over an area of 144 thousand square meters (144 dunums), is of great importance to Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims. Despite numerous studies examining the unique features of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, the birds that adorn its courtyards appear to have been subjected to significant neglect. Accordingly, the current study aims to identify the bird species that adorn the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, with a particular focus on the Rock and Feral Pigeons found there. The study relied on field visits and continuous monitoring, the use of guidebooks to identify birds, and occasional photography for documentation and verification purposes. Statistical data were analyzed and graphics were drawn using Microsoft Excel 2010. A total of 78 bird species have been recorded in the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, belonging to 16 orders and 33 families. Order Passeriformes represents the largest order (57.7%), while other non-passerine orders represent 42.3%. Muscicapidae, Accipitridae, Sylviidae and Fringillidae, and Columbidae are the prominent families. Aquatic birds are represented by only five species: the Cattle Egret ( Bubulcus ibis Linnaeus, 1758), the White Stork ( Ciconia ciconia Linnaeus, 1758), the Black Stork ( Ciconia nigra Linnaeus, 1758), the Common Crane ( Gr us gru s Linnaeus, 1758), and the White-breasted Kingfisher ( Halcy on smyrnensis Linnaeus, 1758). Although the European Turtle Dove ( S treptopelia turtur Linnaeus, 1758) is classified as vulnerable (VU), the rest of the species are considered of least concern (LC). Three species of exotic birds were found: The Indian Myna ( Acridotheres tristis Linnaeus, 1766), the Ring-necked Parakeet ( Psittacula k rameri Scopoli, 1769), and the Monk Parakeet ( Myiopsitta monachus Boddaert, 1783). Flocks of Rock and Feral Pigeons ( Columba livia Gmelin, JF, 1789) are a familiar and beloved sight in the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and these birds are often fed and cared for by Jerusalemites, worshippers, and visitors. Domestic cats ( Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) are potential predators of pigeons and other bird species at this sacred site in Palestine, as they are at the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Enhancing the vegetation cover in the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and managing it sustainably contributes to attracting birds, which add splendor and beauty to the holy site.