This species occurs over open country and wetlands, including cultivations, parks or sewage treatment plants (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its feeding habits in the UAE; elsewhere it forages approximately 15 m above ground, feeding mainly on insects and spiders (Tucker and Heath 1994, Turner 2004). The species is migratory; it breeds between late April and August in Eurasia (Tucker and Heath 1994).

During migration and winter, it is found in semi-desert plains (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). During the breeding season, it favours lush vegetation, like cultivated and irrigated zones which experienced above average rainfall during the previous winter (Jennings 2010). During migration, it can form flocks of up to 5,000 individuals, which cross the country in April and August-November (Jennings 2010, Pedersen et al. 2017). It feeds on the ground and in low vegetation. There is no information available on its diet in the UAE, but elsewhere it feeds mainly on invertebrates, supplementing them with seeds and the green parts of plants (Jennings 2010). Little is known about its breeding biology in the UAE and Arabian Peninsula. The breeding period may last from March to June (Jennings 2010). Elsewhere, the nest is built by the female, of grasses, rootlets and similar vegetation, lined with softer material and placed in a shallow scrape on the ground, usually beside a shrub or grass tuft. It often has a small rampart of sticks or stones. Clutch size is about three eggs in Arabia (Jennings 2010).

This species occurs in dry habitats with open wooded and thorn scrub areas (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). Sparse and low vegetation is an important habitat characteristic for this species (Yosef and International Shrike Working Group 2016). It generally avoids narrow, enclosed areas such as wadis and hillsides, as well as cities (Jennings 2010). It prefers the same habitat type both during the breeding and the non-breeding season (Jennings 2010). It is closely associated with acacia scrub and only occurs where acacia is present (Jennings 2010). The species is a highly opportunistic feeder; it feeds principally on large insects and on small vertebrates such as rodents, particularly voles, but also small birds, lizards, amphibians and snakes (Lefranc and Worfolk 1997, Jennings 2010). Large items are broken down to transport and to swallow (Jennings 2010). Surplus food is stored on the thorns of acacia or other thorny plants, which are used as larders (Jennings 2010). The breeding period peaks in March to May, but breeding may start as early as November (Jennings 2010). The nest is an untidy structure with a loose foundation of twigs, grass, rootlets, string, lined with rootlets, feathers and hair. It is generally placed high above ground in a fork or on a lateral branch of a thorny bush or tree with thick foliage, preferably acacia (Jennings 2010). Clutches contain three to four, occasionally up to six eggs (Jennings 2010). In the UAE, up to three broods per season have been recorded (Jennings 2010).

This species occurs in a variety of open habitats, including high and low grasslands, scrubland, cultivated fields, golf courses and large parks (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It avoids deserts (Richardson 1990). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere during winter, it is primarily herbivorous and feeds on seeds and other plant material (Donald and Garcia 2014). During winter, it forms flocks of more than 20 individuals (Richardson 1990). The species is migratory and breeds from late March to August and September throughout Eurasia.

Mahmoud et al. (2018) found the species in disturbed soil (without details). It may be tolerant of a range of conditions.

The species is found in rocky areas, hills and mountains which range from well-vegetated wadis and slopes to barren, rocky hillsides (Gardner 2013). The species is found from sea level to 1,100 m asl.It is a diurnal species whose diet includes a wide range of invertebrates. The reproductive season is spring to summer, with females laying small clutches of three to five eggs.

This pelagic species usually schools in inshore waters. It feeds mainly on crustaceans and has a maximum standard length of 7 cm (Whitehead 1985, Pillai et al. 1986). This species is short-lived (4-8 months) and spawns at 2-4 months of age (Milton et al. 1995).

It is a perennial shrub species that grows on hillsides, ravines and summit cliffs (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Feulner et al. 2014, Mahmoud et al. 2018). It can grow up to 120 cm in height, has dissected leaves with round lobes and pale lavender-blue flowers which can be seen throughout the year (Jongbloed et al. 2003). This plant is often fed on by butterflies, including Chilades trochylus (Feulner 2014). It has also previously been recorded in the wild as heavily grazed when near by to goat herds (Feulner 2011).

The species is primarily found on bedrock slopes (Feulner 2011). A perennial woody plant to 0.45 m in height (Jongbloed et al. 2003).

This annual herb species is known to grow within fields in mountain environments (Mahmoud et al. 2018). It is also recorded from rocky slopes and wadis (Feulner 2016). Its basal leaves are spoon shaped, while the stem leaves are lance-shaped (Jongbloed et al. 2003). White flowers are visible between February and April and the fruit is a cylindrical capsule with small black seeds (Jongbloed et al. 2003).