The first documented record of the Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis) in Libya has been published, based on observations from the Al-Jaghbub Oasis in eastern Libya.

The record is documented in a recently published scientific study entitled:

“First Record of Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis Linnaeus, 1766) in Libya”

The study was published in the Libyan Journal of Ecological & Environmental Sciences and Technology (LJEEST), Volume 8, Issue 2, August 2026.

The study documents the observation of an adult male on 9 May 2026 in Al-Jaghbub Oasis. The bird was observed perched on electrical wires, near old buildings, and in open areas, with observations continuing for three consecutive days.

The study also indicates that the species had been observed at the same location in September 2024 and 2025. However, those earlier observations were not supported by photographic evidence. Photographic documentation obtained in 2026 subsequently provided confirmation of the species’ presence in Libya.

The Libyan Birds Society extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to Mr. Ahmida Bellah for sharing the information and photographs, which contributed to documenting this record and its subsequent publication in the scientific literature.

The full study is available in the “Scientific Publications” section.