In the UAE, this species is most often found at estuaries, ponds, reservoirs, creeks, lagoons and water treatment plants (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It requires water less than 1 m deep for foraging (Snow and Perrins 1998). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE. In general, the species is omnivorous and opportunistic, feeding by dabbling in water and by grazing on the land (del Hoyo et al. 1992, Snow and Perrins 1998). Elsewhere, its diet consists of seeds and the vegetative parts of aquatic and terrestrial plants, as well as terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates such as insects, molluscs, crustaceans, worms and occasionally amphibians and fish (del Hoyo et al. 1992). The non-breeding population native to the UAE is migratory, leaving its breeding grounds in the western Palaeartic in September/October and returning in February/March (Richardson 1990). During migration and in winter, the species can be found in small to very large flocks numbering up to several hundred of individuals (Madge and Burn 1988, Richardson 1990, Richardson and Aspinall 1998, Snow and Perrins 1998). The species may also roost both nocturnally and diurnally in communal groups when not breeding (Brown et al. 1982).An introduced population breeds in early spring in various locations near human sites in Dubai and Abu Dhabi emirates (Richardson 1990, Richardson and Aspinall 1998, Jennings 2010), and chicks are present from late March on (Richardson 1990). While there is not much known about the breeding behaviour of the introduced population (Jennings 2010), usually the nest is a shallow depression or bowl of vegetation that can be situated in many different locations such as within vegetation on the ground, in natural tree cavities, under fallen dead wood, on tree stumps, under bushes and even in abandoned nests of other species (e.g. herons or crows) (Brown et al. 1982, Flint et al. 1984, del Hoyo et al. 1992, Snow and Perrins 1998). Nests are generally placed close to water (Kear 2005).

This species prefers sandy or muddy coasts, where its is found in brackish or freshwater lakes and marshes, as well as along tidal creeks (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It also occurs near water treatment plants or ponds further inland (Richardson 1990). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE. Elsewhere, it feeds predominantly on salt-water molluscs as well as other aquatic invertebrates (e.g. insects, crustaceans and worms), small fish, fish spawn and plant material (e.g. algae, seeds and agricultural grain) (del Hoyo et al. 1992, Kear 2005). Individuals occurring in the UAE are migratory and breed mainly in southern central Asia. Especially during the non-breeding season, the species is gregarious and occurs in small groups (Richardson 1990, Kear 2005).

This species occurs on arid and semi-arid rocky slopes and hillsides with low vegetation cover and occasional stunted trees and bushes (Watson 1962, Papaevangelou 1980, Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It is found mainly between 500 and 1,500 m, but ranges down to 200 m during foraging trips, when it also occurs on agricultural land (Pantelis 1980, Papaevangelou 1980, Serez 1992, Khan et al. 2009, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is little known about the diet of the species in the UAE, but individuals in Musandam (Oman) have been observed feeding on berries (Jennings 2010). Elsewhere in the Middle East, the species also takes seeds of grasses and weeds, leaves and insects (Jennings 2010). Availability of water influences population density, even though birds will move up to 10 km to access water (Watson 1962), and likely limits a range expansion in eastern Arabia (Jennings 2010). There is no information available on the breeding behaviour of the species in the UAE. In Musandam (Oman), nests were made of twigs and placed in shallow depressions on gravelly ground, hidden under bushes at the edge of cultivated or grassy fields (Jennings 2010). These nests contained eggs in February and March, while juveniles were recorded in June (Jennings 2010). It is unclear if there is competition for feeding sources and nesting sites with Sand Partridge Ammoperdix heyi (Jennings 2010).

This species occurs in arid environments on desolate rocky and stony hillsides, in wadis and cliffs (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It requires some vegetation cover and is thus rarely found in sandy places (Jennings 2010). While it is able to persist without water for long periods, it readily visits water sources when available, where flocks of up to 70 individuals may congregate (Jennings 2010). During the hottest time of the day, it hides in shady places under rocks and vegetation, and is only active around sunrise and sunset (Jennings 2010). The species is intolerant of any disturbance and very shy; thus it generally avoids proximity to humans and only occasionally visits open, cultivated landscapes for foraging (Jennings 2010). It feeds mainly on insects, but may also take leaves, fruits and even human food scraps (Jennings 2010). There is not much known about its breeding biology. In spring, males occupy and aggressively defend territories, and pairs are forming (Jennings 2010). It is assumed that nests are hidden in rock crevices, and clutches contain up to 15 eggs (Jennings 2010). While in central Arabia, adults with chicks have mostly been observed from March to July, records of small chicks from Oman in August suggest that also the population in the UAE might breed fairly late (Jennings 2010). It is likely that males and females raise separate broods (Jennings 2010).

This species can be found growing in rock and gravel plains, in addition to rocky areas at high altitude (Ghazanfar and Fisher 1998, MEW 2010). In general, it favours dry steppe habitats (Ghasemkhani et al. 2008). Its growth form is a dwarf shrub (Ghazanfar and Fisher 1998).

This perennial shrub or small tree species can grow up to 4 m (Western 1992, Fawzi and Ksiksi 2012). It produces white and purple flowers between January and April and grows on hillsides and Wadi banks (Jongbloed et al. 2003).When damaged, this species produces a milky white sap (latex) characteristic of the Asclepiadaceae family (Jongbloed et al. 2003). The species is utilised as the food plant for the Desert White Butterfly (Pontia glauconome; Jongbloed et al. 2003).

This species is a perennial twining herb, typically free standing, that grows up to 2 m in height (Western 1992). It produces small red-brown flowers between February - April and September - October (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Karim and Dakheel 2006). It grows in sand and gravel plains, in addition to disturbed areas (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Feulner 2011, 2016), and is classed as a xerophyte (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Böer and Saenger 2006). This species is utilised as a food plant by Danaus chrysippus caterpillars (Jongbloed et al. 2003).

All specimens held by RBGE were collected from roadside verges.

The species appears to be restricted to rural gardens and plantations in the UAE (MEW 2010), in addition to wadi environments.