This perennial grass species can grow up to 0.8 m in height (Jongbloed et al. 2003). The plant has linear leaves and inflorescence spikelets (Jongbloed et al. 2003). It grows in sand, gravel and plantations (Jongbloed et al. 2003). This species is a crop wild relative of pearl millet, Pennisetum galucum (Kameswara Rao 2013).

This is an annual plant that grows up to 0.4 m in height, found in sands and stable sand sheets, in plantations and in gardens (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Al Mehairbi et al. 2019).

Little is known about this species' habitats, but it is presumed to occur over soft substrates. A male was mature at 50 cm total length (TL) and three adult females were 58-60 cm TL (Last et al. 2016a), indicating this is a small species. There are no reproductive or age data available. Generation length is inferred to be 5 years from the Lesser Guitarfish (Acroteriobatus annulatus) from southern Africa (Compagno et al. 1989).

This species is very common in shallow and intertidal waters over soft substrates mostly to 30 m, but occasionally 40 m (K.V. Akhilesh pers. comm. 05/02/2017). It is a very small species, only growing to 32 cm disc width (DW). Data from the H. imbricata form show that males mature about 18 cm DW and females by at least 23 cm DW (Moore et al. 2012). It is born at 7-10 cm DW (Last et al. 2016). No data on litter size is available, but given the small size, it is likely to be low. Similarly, no data on frequency of breeding or on ageing are available. Generation length is estimated from the similar-sized Speckled Maskray (Neotrygon picta) from Australia that matures at 3-4 years and reaches a maximum age of 18 years, yielding a generation length of ~11 years (Jacobsen and Bennett 2010).

The biology of the Ocellate Eagle Ray is poorly known, but it likely inhabits inshore areas over soft bottoms to depths of 90 m (Last et al. 2016, Weigmann 2016). This eagle ray displays aggregating behaviour. It reaches a maximum size of 123 cm disc width (DW), and males mature at 50 cm DW (R.W. Jabado pers. comm. 09/02/2017). Female maturity and size at birth are unknown. The species is suspected to have low fecundity similar to other eagle rays, which bear litters of up to four offspring (Compagno and Last 1999, Last and Stevens 2009). As there is no information on this species' maximum age and age at maturity, generation length was inferred as ~15 years based on data for the Bat Ray (Myliobatis californicus) which are reported to have a maximum age of 24 years and an age at maturity of five years (Martin and Cailliet 1988). However, it is noted that the Ocellate Eagle Ray reaches a smaller maximum size than this species.

This species occurs on open plains of sand or gravel, covered with a dense layer of grasses and herbs (Jennings 2010). It is often found on cultivated areas, near rain pools and on saltflats (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It avoids areas with dense vegetation of bushes and trees, and is rare in rocky deserts and on hillsides (Jennings 2010). It is often found in association with other larks, especially the Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla (Jennings 2010). In winter, the species can form flocks of up to several thousand individuals (Jennings 2010). There is no information available on its diet in the UAE. Elsewhere, the diet varies seasonally between invertebrates and seeds. In the spring it feeds mostly on invertebrates and in winter mostly seeds with a mix of the two consumed in summer. Fruits and bulbs are also taken. The breeding season lasts from February to August. The nest is a small scrape on the ground beside a small shrub or tuft, or in the open and lined with vegetation. Normally four to five eggs are laid.

This species inhabits a variety of arid, sparsely vegetated habitats, including desert, semi-desert, gravel plains, scrubland, hillsides with low scattered bushes, scrubby saltflats and coastal dunes (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It avoids wooded areas (Aspinall and Porter 2011). The diet is thought to consist mostly of small insects (e.g. grasshoppers, moths), seeds and berries. The species is migratory. The breeding season starts in late April.

This species inhabits rocky hills, slopes and terraced fields in the highlands (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It favours areas with bushes, sparse trees and a dense vegetation cover on the ground (Jennings 2010). Its diet includes invertebrates (grasshoppers and other insects), which it takes from the ground, sometimes even by running and chasing (Jennings 2010). Within the UAE, it breeds above c. 500 m, ranging to he highest elevations (Jennings 2010). During winter, highland birds migrate to lower elevations (Jennings 2010). In general, the breeding season of this species varies across regions and the onset of breeding in the UAE remains largely unknown. It has been suggested that the species is double-brooded, with a first clutch produced at lower altitudes with juveniles hatching between October and April, and a second clutch produced subsequently after moving to higher altitudes from late March/April on (Jennings 2010). The nest is usually loosely constructed of grass and placed in a natural hollow on a hillside, concealed by a boulder or bush (Jennings 2010). There is the possibility that locally nests might be parasitised by the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), which is assumed to breed in Musandam (Oman) and maybe ranging into northern UAE (Jennings 2010).

This species inhabits grassland, irrigated grassland, marshes, scrubland and cultivations (Richardson 1990, Richardson and Aspinall 1998, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere it is insectivorous and feeds mainly on beetles and grasshoppers (Tyler 2019). The species is a long-distance migrant and breeds between April and July in grasslands of Siberia and Kazakhstan (Tyler 2019).

This species is often associated with man, living around buildings from isolated farms to villages and urban centres, though it also colonizes isolated areas far away from human population. It has been expanding its range in Arabia by using human developments like villages, farms, plantations or even petrol stops as dispersal corridors (Jennings 2010). The availability of water is crucial for the species (Jennings 2010). The diet is mainly vegetable material, particularly seeds of grasses and green shoots, cultivated cereals and low herbs, but also fruits, such as dates and berries, and wide range of household scraps (Summers-Smith et al. 2015). It also feeds on invertebrates, such as moths, caterpillars and ants (Jennings 2010). It forages mainly on the ground or in low vegetation. It shows a wide variety of foraging techniques, from hovering flights to pick items from leaves, to running and hopping or aerial pursuits in search for insect prey (Jennings 2010). It nests colonially, sometimes together with other species (e.g. Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis, although P. hispaniolensis is now possibly extinct as a breeding species within the UAE). Nests are constructed mainly of plant stems, lined with feathers or other soft material. They can be placed almost anywhere, e.g. in a hole in a building, in a cliff or in a tree (Jennings 2010, Summers-Smith et al. 2015). While breeding has been observed year-round, the main period lasts from May to June (Jennings 2010).