A A New Record of Namaqua Dove Oena capensis (Linnaeus, 1766) (Columbidae) in Syria (First Record in the Syrian Coast)

Abstract

There are about 400 bird species in Syria from different families such as columbidae. Seven bird species belong to this family; one of them is Namaqua dove (locally is called Humhuma)Oena capnesis. There are no confirmed records of Oena capensis in Syria before the year 2000, andthe first confirmed sightings in Syria was recorded in 2003 (Palmyra in the Syrian desert). It is resident and common in most sub-Saharan Africa, and less common in the middle east. Its geographical range has been expanded to the middle east since 1980s, and it was recoded from many middle east countries. In this study, this species was recoded from the Syrian coast (part from Mediterranean coast) (Latakia- Syria) in 2023-2024. Field trips were carried out in rate of twice a month and birds were observedin early morning. Four individuals (two females and two males) were recorded from two position of Latakia governorate: Burj Islam and Shabatliyah. This refers to the continuous expansion of the original geographical range of O.capensis towards the north.