^aKhuzestan Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahwaz, IRAN

Author’s Email: bbehrouzirad@yahoo.com 

The Persian Gulf is situated in south of Iran and has 34 relatively small islands at Iranian Coasts, differing in size, habitat structure and the degree of isolation. Among 34 islands, 10 islands were selected for this study. Research was carried out since January 2009 to December 2009.  11 breeding species of waterbirds were identified on 10 islands of Persian Gulf. On 5 islands large area were occupied by Tern colonies, occasionally colonies of Bridled Tern, Sterna anaethetus. Maximum breeding population was belonged to this species on Bani-Faror (32340 pairs). Minimum breeding population was belonged to Saunders’s Little Tern Sterna saundersi (three pairs on Nakhilo). 92 pairs of Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis were bred on Nakhilo and 108 pairs on other 7 islands. 6 pairs of Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus on Tiff, 982 pairs White cheeked Tern Sterna repressa, 29785 pairs Leser Crested Tern  Thalasseus bengalensis, 66015 pairs Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus, 1948 pairs Swift Tern Thalasseus bergii, 2940 pairs Crab plover  Dromas ardeola, 91 pairs Caspian Tern Sterna caspia, 5 pairs Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica and 3 pairs Suanders's Little Tern Sterna suandersi had been bred in Persian Gulf islands.7 species of waterbirds has been reported as breeders in Persian Gulf islands during 1970s, but they did not breed in 2009. Breeding of the Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus is first record for Persian Gulf Islands.

Keywords: Breeding population, Islands,Persian Gul, Water birds.