New Data on Migration Time, Breeding Phenology, and Breeding Success of European Turtle Doves in Their Highest Breeding Habitats in North Africa

The migration dates, breeding phenology, and reproductive success of the European turtle doves were studied in the highest breeding habitats at Midelt (1400 to 1600 m), Morocco. Data were recorded from March to October between 2015 and 2018, using the Common Bird Census methodology. Results showed t...

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Main Authors: Ismail Mansouri, Driss Ousaaid, Wafae Squalli, Abdelbari El Agy, Abderahim EL-Hassani, Mohamed Mounir, Lahsen Elghadraoui, Mohamed Dakki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:International Journal of Zoology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6629285
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author Ismail Mansouri
Driss Ousaaid
Wafae Squalli
Abdelbari El Agy
Abderahim EL-Hassani
Mohamed Mounir
Lahsen Elghadraoui
Mohamed Dakki
author_facet Ismail Mansouri
Driss Ousaaid
Wafae Squalli
Abdelbari El Agy
Abderahim EL-Hassani
Mohamed Mounir
Lahsen Elghadraoui
Mohamed Dakki
author_sort Ismail Mansouri
collection DOAJ
description The migration dates, breeding phenology, and reproductive success of the European turtle doves were studied in the highest breeding habitats at Midelt (1400 to 1600 m), Morocco. Data were recorded from March to October between 2015 and 2018, using the Common Bird Census methodology. Results showed that, at high-altitude breeding sites (n = 20), turtle doves arrived on 28.25 ± 2.05 March, while departure dates were on 28.00 ± 1.47 September. On the other hand, nesting activity began on 26.5 ± 0.64 April, and laying dates were only two days after the nest construction date on 28.00 ± 0.7 April. First fledged chicks were 17.50 ± 2.72 May, and chicks started flying on 3.50 ± 2.33 June. In addition, breeding chronology, including nesting and chick’s flight, was influenced by altitude and rainfall and more particularly controlled by temperature. For breeding success, among the 467 monitored nests, 73.87% survived during the nesting period and 71.16% of eggs have survived during incubation. Chicks' survival rate was higher with 79.56%. Failure factors during breeding success were diverse. Predation caused the loss of 18.89% of eggs during incubation periods and 10.54% of chicks during the nestling phase. A few portions, including 4.41% of eggs and 4.39% of chicks, were deserted by their dove parents. Finally, our study highlights that the turtle dove breeds in high-altitude habitats with late and shorter breeding periods, which might allow this bird to avoid the vigorous climate conditions at mountains and their effect on reproductive success.
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spelling doaj-art-a876692b75a94a1ca6f0a9079d1187c72025-08-20T03:38:54ZengWileyInternational Journal of Zoology1687-84771687-84852021-01-01202110.1155/2021/66292856629285New Data on Migration Time, Breeding Phenology, and Breeding Success of European Turtle Doves in Their Highest Breeding Habitats in North AfricaIsmail Mansouri0Driss Ousaaid1Wafae Squalli2Abdelbari El Agy3Abderahim EL-Hassani4Mohamed Mounir5Lahsen Elghadraoui6Mohamed Dakki7Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 2202, Imouzzer Street, Fez, MoroccoLaboratory of Pharmacology and Environmental Health, Faculty of Science Dhar El Mahraz, USMBA Fez, B.P. 1796, Fez-Atlas 30003, MoroccoLaboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 2202, Imouzzer Street, Fez, MoroccoLaboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 2202, Imouzzer Street, Fez, MoroccoLaboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 2202, Imouzzer Street, Fez, MoroccoLaboratory of Biotechnology and Valorisation of Phytogenetic Ressources, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, Sultan Moulay Sliman University, Beni Mellal, MoroccoLaboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 2202, Imouzzer Street, Fez, MoroccoLaboratoire de Géo-biodiversité et Patrimoine Naturel, Scientific Institute, Mohamed V University, Av. Ibn Battota, 10 BP 703, Rabat, MoroccoThe migration dates, breeding phenology, and reproductive success of the European turtle doves were studied in the highest breeding habitats at Midelt (1400 to 1600 m), Morocco. Data were recorded from March to October between 2015 and 2018, using the Common Bird Census methodology. Results showed that, at high-altitude breeding sites (n = 20), turtle doves arrived on 28.25 ± 2.05 March, while departure dates were on 28.00 ± 1.47 September. On the other hand, nesting activity began on 26.5 ± 0.64 April, and laying dates were only two days after the nest construction date on 28.00 ± 0.7 April. First fledged chicks were 17.50 ± 2.72 May, and chicks started flying on 3.50 ± 2.33 June. In addition, breeding chronology, including nesting and chick’s flight, was influenced by altitude and rainfall and more particularly controlled by temperature. For breeding success, among the 467 monitored nests, 73.87% survived during the nesting period and 71.16% of eggs have survived during incubation. Chicks' survival rate was higher with 79.56%. Failure factors during breeding success were diverse. Predation caused the loss of 18.89% of eggs during incubation periods and 10.54% of chicks during the nestling phase. A few portions, including 4.41% of eggs and 4.39% of chicks, were deserted by their dove parents. Finally, our study highlights that the turtle dove breeds in high-altitude habitats with late and shorter breeding periods, which might allow this bird to avoid the vigorous climate conditions at mountains and their effect on reproductive success.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6629285
spellingShingle Ismail Mansouri
Driss Ousaaid
Wafae Squalli
Abdelbari El Agy
Abderahim EL-Hassani
Mohamed Mounir
Lahsen Elghadraoui
Mohamed Dakki
New Data on Migration Time, Breeding Phenology, and Breeding Success of European Turtle Doves in Their Highest Breeding Habitats in North Africa
International Journal of Zoology
title New Data on Migration Time, Breeding Phenology, and Breeding Success of European Turtle Doves in Their Highest Breeding Habitats in North Africa
title_full New Data on Migration Time, Breeding Phenology, and Breeding Success of European Turtle Doves in Their Highest Breeding Habitats in North Africa
title_fullStr New Data on Migration Time, Breeding Phenology, and Breeding Success of European Turtle Doves in Their Highest Breeding Habitats in North Africa
title_full_unstemmed New Data on Migration Time, Breeding Phenology, and Breeding Success of European Turtle Doves in Their Highest Breeding Habitats in North Africa
title_short New Data on Migration Time, Breeding Phenology, and Breeding Success of European Turtle Doves in Their Highest Breeding Habitats in North Africa
title_sort new data on migration time breeding phenology and breeding success of european turtle doves in their highest breeding habitats in north africa
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6629285
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