Contribution à l’étude de la tourterelle des bois (Streptopelia turtur) : Biologie, Ecologie de la reproduction et utilisation de l’habitat dans la région de Constantine

Abstract

The breeding biology and ecology of the turtle dove Streptopelia turtur were studied in Hamma Bouziane in the Constantine region (north-east of Algeria) from 2017 to 2018 in three types of nesting trees (apple trees, cherry trees, nectarine trees). Monitoring the reproduction of this species allowed us to understand its main life history traits, to determine the different factors that may affect the choice of the location of nests in trees, as well as the importance of agricultural land in the region for reproduction, for a better conservation of this species. A total of 149 dove nests were monitored in these artificial agro-systems. The following characteristics present the averages of the monitored nests: external diameter of 13.24±1.64 cm, internal diameter of 5.41±1.64 cm, tree height of 3.60±0.58 m, height from the ground of 1.97±0.45 m, vertical distance to the lower part of the foliage of 1.13±0.34 m and horizontal distance to the trunk of 0.83±0.31 m. During the study period, a breeding success rate of 61.28%± 6.3% was recorded.The arrival of the birds from the prenuptial migration began in mid-March. The construction of the nests started at the end of March and at beginning of April. Egg laying took place from the beginning of May until mid-August. Oviposition began later in cherry trees and stopped earlier in nectarine trees. Hatching occurred from the second half of May to the end of August. The breeding season lasted for about five and a half months, from the first egg laying until the last chicks fledged. Nest density was highest in apple orchards. Nests were located higher up in nectarine trees. Nest sizes were similar in all three orchards. Northeast orientation was the dominant orientation in all orchards. The reproductive success rate in the studied habitats was higher than that recorded in natural and artificial habitats in North Africa. The species is well adapted to orchard conditions as well as to constraints due to anthropogenic activities. Apple orchards are the preferred breeding area for turtle doves in this region.The arrival of the birds from the prenuptial migration began in mid-March. The construction of the nests started at the end of March and at the beginning of April. Egg laying took place from the beginning of May until mid-August. Oviposition began later in cherry trees and stopped earlier in nectarine trees. Hatching occurred from the second half of May to the end of August. The breeding season lasted about five and a half months, from the first egg laying until the last chicks fledged. Nest density was highest in apple orchards. Nests were located higher up in nectarine trees. Nest sizes were similar in all three orchards. Northeast orientation was the dominant orientation in all orchards. The reproductive success rate in the studied habitats was higher than that recorded in natural and artificial habitats in North Africa. The species is well adapted to orchard conditions as well as to constraints due to anthropogenic activities. Apple orchards are the preferred breeding area for turtle doves in this region.Egg desertion was the major factor in reproductive failure during the incubation period. However, harvest, predation, and natural factors (hail, thunderstorms, and winds), contributed slightly. In the studied area, departures of post-nuptial migration populations to wintering areas were observed from August through the end of September. However, birds were observed during October.