Within UAE, Aspinall (1996) highlighted the main potential threats to this species as the loss of nesting sites (either due to tree felling or the demolition of ruins), collisions with vehicles, and persecution as the bird may be considered an ill-omen.

The species can suffer from human disturbance, particularly in colonies near human habitation (e.g. BirdLife International 2015). As for other bee-eater species within the UAE, the greatest threats to the species within UAE are likely to be development on wilderness land, and the potential for reductions in insect populations (Aspinall 1996, Fry and Boesman 2014, BirdLife International 2015). The potential for declines in invertebrate populations as a result of agricultural intensification and future declines in water availability requires further research.

Aspinall (1996) lists a range of potential threats to this species in UAE. The species is potentially incidentally caught in fishing nets (Aspinall 1996). Threats to the species's environment are also important, with loss of its mangrove habitat due to disease, pollution and clearance (e.g. for land reclamation) being particularly threatening, as well as the species being impacted by other human activities, e.g. recreation leading to species disturbance and capture for trade (see Aspinall 1996).

The most relevant threats within UAE are changes in coastal land-use and the possibility of oil pollution, but the severity of these threats towards this species is unknown.Globally, however, the species faces a very wide range of threats, which could impact upon individuals that visit UAE:It is thought that the primary factors that have led to the global decline in this species are most likely to be a combination of: (i) loss of breeding habitat in eastern Europe, and (ii) changes in water chemistry (especially from hyper-eutrophication caused by agricultural runoff). The loss of habitat is thought to primarily result from changes in land management; either the abandonment or intensification of management of lowland marshes and fish ponds (Fox et al. 2016). The abandonment of traditional lowland grazing marshes results in succession to scrub and other unsuitable habitats, whilst greater agricultural intensification leads to marshes being drained. Negative changes to fish pond management also arise from either a reduction in fish production or an intensification that leads to greater use of fish food and medication treatments, and an increase in nutrient inputs. (Fox et al. 2016).Increased predation levels may be partly related to declines in Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus colonies, with which Pochard often associate for the benefits of predator deterrence (Fox et al. 2016). Invasive carp may also provide competition for resources with this species (see Fox et al. 2016).The species may also be threatened by disturbance from hunting (del Hoyo;et al.;1992, Evans and Day 2002, Kear 2005), water-based recreation (Fox;et al.;1994, Kear 2005) and from machinery noise from urban development (Marsden 2000), as well as by habitat destruction (del Hoyo;et al.;1992) on its wintering grounds due to eutrophication (partially as a result of nutrient run-off from agricultural land) (Kear 2005, L. Raudonikis;in litt. 2015). Adults are poisoned by ingesting lead shot (Mateo et al. 1998) and drowned in freshwater fishing nets with mesh sizes greater than 5 cm (Quan et al. 2002). The species is also susceptible to avian influenza, so may be threatened by future outbreaks of the disease (Melville and Shortridge 2006). It is also hunted in numerous countries across its range (e.g. Mateo;et al. 1998, Evans and Day 2002, Balmaki and Barati 2006, Sorrenti;et al.;2006, H. Ibrahim in litt. 2016).

The most relevant threats within UAE are changes in coastal land-use and the possibility of oil pollution, but the severity of these threats towards this species is unknown. Wetland habitat loss, petroleum pollution and reclamation of coastal areas for industrial development also pose a threat to this species in other parts of its range (Scott and Rose 1996, BirdLife International 2015).Additionally, individuals of this species that visit UAE are threatened by a range of other threats that operate outside of the country. For instance, the species is threatened by wetland drainage, peat-extraction, changing wetland management practices (decreased grazing and mowing in meadows leading to scrub over-growth) and the burning and mowing of reeds in Russia (Grishanov 2006). Over-exploitation is a concern in large parts of its global range (Baldassarre and Bolen 1994, Kear 2005, Balmaki and Barati 2006, Schmidt 2006).;Pintails are predated by feral cats Felis catus and rats Rattus norvegicus on islands (del Hoyo et al. 1992), and the species is susceptible to avian botulism (Rocke 2006) and avian influenza (Melville and Shortridge 2006, Gaidet et al. 2007) so may be threatened by future outbreaks of these diseases.

Released birds pose a threat to this species through genetic contamination from non-native populations;(Panayides et al. 2011).

Information pertaining to threats to this species in UAE waters are unavailable. Generally, the Longhead Eagle Ray is highly susceptible to a variety of inshore demersal fisheries, including trawls and gill nets. In the Arabian Sea region, it occurs in areas of intense demersal trawl activity. Marine habitats in the Arabian Gulf are experiencing high levels of disturbance and quickly deteriorating due to major impacts from development activities (including dredging and reclamation), desalination plants, industrial activities, habitat destruction through the removal of shallow productive areas and major shipping lanes (Sheppard et al. 2010), which is likely to impact this species.

This species is impacted by fisheries in the UAE and forms a relatively large portion of all landed batoids. It is impacted by bycatch fisheries that are active elsewhere in its range as well. Marine habitats in the Gulf are experiencing high levels of disturbance and quickly deteriorating due to major impacts from development activities (including dredging and reclamation), desalination plants, industrial activities, habitat destruction through the removal of shallow productive areas and major shipping lanes (Sheppard et al. 2010).

Information pertaining to threats specific to the UAE are unavailable. This species is impacted by target (for fins and their valuable meat) and bycatch fisheries that are active elsewhere in its range. Marine habitats in the Arabian Gulf are experiencing high levels of disturbance and quickly deteriorating due to major impacts from development activities (including dredging and reclamation), desalination plants, industrial activities, habitat destruction through the removal of shallow productive areas and major shipping lanes (Sheppard et al. 2010).

Overfishing is a major threat to this species in the UAE (Grandcourt et al. 2014). A study conducted off Bahrain on this species found it to be susceptible to mass mortality events due to Streptococcus iniae bacterial infections (Yuasa et al. 1999). The pervasive level of coastal development within the UAE and Arabian Gulf region has degraded inshore habitats that this species utilizes. Corals in the UAE and Arabian Gulf have severely declined due to the increasing frequency of mass bleaching events caused by rising water temperatures, which is a consequence of climate change, as well as pervasive coastal development (Riegl et al. 2018, Burt et al. 2019).