First Record of Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha in Lebanon 2021

Abstract

The Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha is a small insectivorous passerine (L 15 ½ - 17 cm) that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae. It has an extremely large range and a population that is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats. It’s a resident breeder in unvegetated desert from eastern Egypt through the Arabian peninsula (it used to be in UAE and Oman a scarce breeder in Hajar mountains) to Iran and Pakistan. It occurs at elevations from sea-level to around 1,400 meters. This species is named for the distinctive white plumage on the top of the head and the back of neck, which resembles a hood. It also has a long thinnish beak, a large head and short legs. This bird was seen for the first time in Lebanon on the 17th of April 2021, in Hilan, Zgharta District, North Lebanon on an altitude of 400 meters, during a routine bird conservation patrol shift in the area.