This species inhabits the coastline on shingle, sandy and muddy beaches, shallow tidal mudflats, saline wetlands and lagoons (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It is occasionally found further inland at pools of brackish or freshwater, reservoirs, sewage treatment plants and near livestock enclosures (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It feeds on invertebrates like ants, bees, beetles, flies, maggots, decapod crustaceans and shrimps, which it takes from decaying algal mats or other marine detritus on the shore or from irrigated crop fields (Jennings 2010). In the UAE, the species breeds in spring and early summer, with most eggs laid in April and May; however, the breeding season may start earlier, with one record of chicks already in December (Jennings 2010). Preferred nesting sites include dry sandy or shingle patches near the coast or wetlands, where territories are established and aggressively defended (Jennings 2010). The nest is a shallow scrape in the sand or shingle, sometimes paved with small pebbles or shell and plant material arranged around it (Jennings 2010). Clutches contain usually three eggs (Jennings 2010). Eggs and nestlings suffer high rates of predation by rodents, foxes and terns (Jennings 2010).

The species inhabits fertile, well-vegetated wadis with good availability of water. It is increasingly found in open cultivated country with scattered trees, such as irrigated fields and grass meadows, but also plantations, parks, gardens and even golf courses (Jennings 2010). It mainly feeds on the rich invertebrate fauna found in these habitats, which it takes by pouncing from lookout posts (Jennings 2010). In the UAE, cases of kleptoparasitism have been recorded (Jennings 2010). Pairs are monogamous, territorial and stay together throughout the year. Territories are defended by display flights, which include almost vertical flights and high dives, which are performed by the male or the pair together (Jennings 2010). Breeding takes place between April and June. Clutches contain three to four eggs (Jennings 2010). The nest is a thin pad made of grass, twigs, rags and feathers. It is placed in a tree cavity at least 2 m above the ground, particularly on old Ghaf Prosopis cinerea trees and date palms (Jennings 2010). The species competes for nest holes with exotic species like Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri and mynas Acridotheres spp. (Jennings 2010).

This species occurs in rocky wadis with scattered acacia trees, in coastal plains and open country with trees, semi-desert, mountain sides, cultivations, parks and gardens (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It is not able to tolerate very dry environments (Jennings 2010). It feeds on aerial prey (bees, wasps, flies, locusts, moths and butterflies) by chasing them in short flights (Jennings 2010). Pairs form in winter and early spring, but pairs may stay together throughout the year (Jennings 2010). The breeding period lasts from February to July, with most activity occurring in April and May (Jennings 2010). Pairs are territorial and breed solitarily, excavating a nesting tunnel horizontally into a bank of sand, silk or earth, including artificial banks and trenches (Jennings 2010). Eggs are placed directly into a brood chamber at the end of the tunnel. In the UAE, pairs raise two to three juveniles (Jennings 2010). There is evidence that the species has two broods per season in the UAE (Jennings 2010).

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 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 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 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).

This species inhabits grassy or arid country and semi-desert, given that sufficient vegetation cover is present (Jennings 2010). It is particularly numerous near human settlements, on farmlands, gardens and cultivated areas, as well as along roadsides (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). The species generally becomes scarcer with increasing aridity and distance from human habitations (Jennings 2010). It feeds on the ground, occasionally digging into the surface with the bill (Jennings 2010). It feeds on invertebrates and plant material, such as seeds. Elsewhere, it also feeds on human food scraps, such as bread, fruits and plant shoots (Jennings 2010). The availability of drinking water is important for this species (Jennings 2010). The breeding behaviour is not well explored. In Arabia, the breeding period peaks between May and June, but nesting may already occur from January on (Jennings 2010). The species is monogamous and usually lays a clutch of one to five eggs. The nest is a depression on the ground with an untidy lining of grass or other vegetation (de Juana and Suárez 2004), which placed in the shade of a clump of grass or other plants (Jennings 2010).

This species occurs on arid hills and along sparsely vegetated stony or rocky slopes (Jennings 2010). It avoids flat and sandy landscapes. The species can survive long periods without drinking water and shows several behavioural and morphological adaptations to hot and arid conditions: It is most active around sunrise and sunset, it moves slowly, avoids long flights and pants in hot weather. Moreover, its plumage has wide bar gaps between feathers (Jennings 2010). The species feeds on seeds and invertebrates, which it takes by systematically searching rocks and vegetation. Occasionally, it visits human habitations where it picks up discarded food (Jennings 2010). The highest breeding activity in Arabia has been recorded in March (Jennings 2010). The nest is made from grass stems and other fine plant material, lined with softer material and with a rampart of small stones on the exposed side, or surrounded by small stones when in an open site. It is always placed on the ground in the shade of a rock or plant (Jennings 2010). Clutches mostly contain three eggs (Jennings 2010).