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Wednesday 13 August 2008

Namaqua Dove

Namaqua Dove, nr Skala Kallonis, Lesvos, 20 June 2008
© Søren Kristoffersen / http://www.pbase.com/nature_pix/lesvos_2008

During the summer news of a Namaqua Dove on the island trickled through. We eventually found out that the bird had been photographed feeding with House Sparrows at Skala Kallonis (we're awaiting for permission to use the photos).

A potential first record for Greece, Namaqua Dove is a native of Africa and the Middle East. It is a fairly sedentary species but has recently colonised Israel. Vagrant records, even from countried neighbouring the specie's native range, are rare. It is at best classed as an unlikely vagrant to Europe. It is known in the captive bird trade.

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