This species uses a wide variety of habitats from wadis and hills, even in dry desert areas, but also occupies to grassland and scrub, cultivated land, palm groves and gardens (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It tolerates hot, dry conditions (Jennings 2010). The home range spans at least 3 km², but is likely larger in rural populations (Jennings 2010). It forages in flocks, mainly taking seeds of reed (Phragmites sp.) and grass (Panicum turgidum, Pennisetum divisum) and in urban areas also visits bird tables (Jennings 2010). Occasionally, it forms mixed flocks with House Sparrow Passer domesticus and Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis (Jennings 2010). Nesting activity has been observed year-round (Jennings 2010), but seems to peak in January/February (Richardson 1990). Nests are ball-like structures consisting of grass, plant fibers and leaves, which are placed in a bush or tree (Jennings 2010). Occasionally, pairs occupy abandoned nests of other species (Jennings 2010). There is no information on clutch size in the UAE; elsewhere clutches contain three to eight eggs (Payne 2019). The species is a popular cagebird; some isolated populations likely originate from escaped or released cagebirds (Richardson 1990). Some individuals in these colonies had been colour-dyed, which is a common practice to make them more attractive for the pet trade (Jennings 2010).

This species occurs in a variety of open habitats, including lowland grasslands, large open gardens, wetlands, lakesides, sewage works and water treatment plants (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere it feeds mainly on invertebrates but also takes some plant material. The species is a short-distance migrant and breeds between late April and early July on mountain slopes and pastures in south-central Eurasia.

This species occurs in humid areas and usually near water, favouring marshes, damp grassland, wet hollows, surface water margins and cultivations (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). During winter, the species forms small flocks at its preferred locations (Richardson 1990). There is no information available about its feeding habits in the UAE; elsewhere it forages on the ground and its prey is mainly insects but also other invertebrates, and some vegetable matter (Tyler 2016). The species is migratory and breeds between late May and July in the arctic tundra.

This species inhabits a wide variety of open country, including sparsely vegetated plains, grassland, desert scrub, cultivations, parks and rubbish dumps (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere it mainly feeds on insects, although other invertebrates and seeds are also taken, as well as rarely small vertebrates (Tyler and Christie 2016). The species often occurs in groups (Richardson 1990). It is migratory and breeds between mid-April and mid-August.

This species occurs on inland freshwater sites, including wooded streams, mountain wadis near rivers, pools and pool margins, sewage treatment plants and wet grassland (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere it feeds mainly on insects, but also takes freshwater shrimps (Gammarus), terrestrial snails and spiders. The species is migratory and breeds between late March and August near watercourses in Eurasia.

This species occurs near waterbodies or wet areas, including swampy and damp meadows or fields, marshes, exposed pond edges, river and lake margins, public parks, golf courses, lagoons, sewage ponds and water treatment plants (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere the diet includes a wide variety of invertebrates, often aquatic, and their larvae. The species is migratory and breeds from April to June in central Eurasian grasslands.

This species inhabits a wide variety of non-forested, open habitats, including parks, large gardens, cultivations, livestock enclosures, damp grassland, sewage treatment plants, roadsides and roundabouts (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere it feeds on a wide range of small invertebrates, as well as fish fry, crumbs and other household scraps. At dusk, the species forms flocks to roost (Richardson 1990). The species is migratory and breeds between early April and August.

This species is found in open dry woodland, but sometimes also in cultivated areas with scattered trees or hedgerows, generally avoiding sandy desert (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011, Summers-Smith 2019). It has a strong preference for Ghaf (Prosopis cineraria) and acacia trees; however, during passage, almost any type of woodland is utilised, including mangroves, parks and large gardens (Jennings 2010). During the breeding season, the diet mainly consists of insects, in particular Orthoptera and Cicadidae, which are collected in the canopy of trees (Jennings 2010). Individuals on passage take nectar from flowering Eucalyptus and probably also Ghaf trees (Jennings 2010). Individuals arrive to the breeding grounds within the UAE from late March to April, when territories are established and males start singing. The breeding period is not known exactly, but it is assumed that three to four eggs are laid in April/May, which are incubated by the female, and juveniles fledge between mid-May and early July (Jennings 2010). Nests have not been described for the UAE. Elsewhere, they consist of; dry grass, wool and hair, lined with feathers. They are usually placed in a crevice in a tree or shrub in more than 2 m height. There might be competition for nest sites with other hole-breeders, including Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) and Pallid Scops-owl (Otus brucei) (Jennings 2010).

In general, this species is found mainly in moist, humid areas near water with trees and shrubs and is normally associated with cultivation, extending in villages, farmland, plantations, date groves or reed beds (Jennings 2010). During winter, it is highly gregarious, with flocks ranging far into the desert during foraging trips. It feeds on the ground, mostly on vegetable matter, especially seeds of grasses, crops and low herbs, but it also takes invertebrates throughout year (Jennings 2010, Summers-Smith 2015). Breeding occurs in colonies and is highly synchronised (Jennings 2010). The nest is a loosely woven, roughly spherical structure 15-“30 cm in diameter and made of grass and other plant stems, lined with finer grasses and feathers. It is preferably attached to branches of tall trees more than 15-20 m high, e.g. Ghaf (Prosopis cinearia), but also placed in lower bushes if trees are absent (Jennings 2010). There is no information on clutch size in the UAE, but elsewhere clutches of two to six eggs have been reported (Summers-Smith 2015).

This species occurs in a wide variety of habitats, only avoiding the most arid zones. It is found in coastal dunes and salt flats, in mountains, wadis and sandy deserts, thorn scrub and dry forest, but also in gardens and cultivations (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It feeds only on nectar, preferring the desert bush Calotropis procera. This plant's adaptation to arid conditions enable Purple Sunbird to survive even several years of drought (Jennings 2010). The species is nomadic in summer, when it leaves the breeding areas in response to declines in food availability (Jennings 2010). Between July and September, it is not found in urban and suburban parks and gardens (Jennings 2010). It has been hypothesized that the species is undergoing seasonal altitudinal migrations, moving from below 500 m, where the density of its preferred feeding bushes is highest, uphill to breed (Jennings 2010). The breeding season starts in March. The nest is a bottle-shaped construction the size of a tennis ball, made from grasses, spider's webs, and pieces of paper and plastic. It is attached to a branch using palm or nylon fibers (Jennings 2010). The clutch consists of two to three eggs, which are mainly incubated by the female (Jennings 2010). A pair may breed two or three times per breeding season (Jennings 2010).