Search

Background: The turtle dove is a migratory species that has suffered a rapid decline principally across its Northern ranges, despite pronounced conservation measures. Consequently, it has been categorized as 'Near Threatened' in Europe. Degradation of breeding habitats and a decrease in food resources are listed as principal causes of this decline. Despite its importance, the productivity of the North African population is widely unknown. Here we present the first estimation of the density of the breeding population and the superior reproductively of Streptopelia turtur arenicola in Morocco and entire North Africa., Methods: This study was carried out for two seasons 2018-2019 in the Saïss plain, central Morocco. Based on previous data, doves were monitored weekly, from early March to late August, in aquatic ecosystems (two dams and one river) and farmlands (cereals and orchards). The breeding population was censused using the "point-count" method, following a walked transect of 5 km in orchards, 7 km in cereal fields, and 3 km along the river. Equally, nests were searched in natural habitats counting riparian trees, forests, and ornamental trees, and in orchards based on the Common Birds Census (CBC) methodology, in which the singing doves, mating pairs, nesting, and/or feeding behavior were the most monitored signs to discover nests. In orchards, nests were searched line-by-line based on the rows of fruit trees. For each recorded nest, we note the breeding chronology, clutch size and incubation period, success and failure factors, dimensions, and vertical placement on trees. To evaluate the predictors of doves' occurrence, we noted at each site the presence of cereals, water, human disturbance, presence of nesting trees, and predators., Results and Discussion: In total, 3,580 turtle doves (22.37 birds/ha), including 240 breeding pairs, were documented. Nesting occurred mainly in olive groves, cereals were used for forage, and aquatic ecosystems for water sources. The nesting period lasted from late April to July (last fledglings). All nests were located on olive trees at a height of 225.30 ± 48.87 cm. The clutch size was 1.98 ± 0.13 (laid eggs/built nests), the incubation period lasted 14.16 ± 1.32 days, and the rearing period lasted 16.54 ± 1.76 days. The breeding success among the 240 monitored nests accounted for 73.84% during the nesting phase and 87.42% during the incubation phase; 71.5%% of nestlings have fledged, which is the highest success rate for turtle doves in Europe and Northwest Africa. Clutches were aborted mostly due to predation from snakes (7.5% of nests, 16.12% of eggs, and 5.63% of chicks), nest desertion (9.16% of nests and 5.37% of eggs), and marginally by the destruction of nests through farming activities. These findings are important for conservation plans, to restore turtle doves' habitats in Europe, where the species is widely declining., Competing Interests: Michael Wink is an Academic and Section Editor for PeerJ., (© 2022 Squalli et al.)

This study aimed to evaluate the spatial microdistribution and temporal microdistribution of the North African subspecies of the globally threatened Turtle Doves in Morocco. From the end of February to early September, we monitored the migration dates, counting arrival and departure dates, and breeding chronology, to clarify if the breeding season is divided into sub-breeding phases or not. Equally, the spatial distribution of nests following potential breeding phases was surveyed weekly in Beni Mellal province following a map of a selected orange orchard. Doves arrived in Beni Mellal in the third week of March and left in mid-October, according to the results. The first nests occurred in the second week of April, followed by the first eggs in the third week of April and the first chicks in the first week of May. PCA analysis showed that the nesting and laying stages were achieved principally during the last two weeks of April and the first three weeks of May, the hatching stage between the fourth week of May and the second week of July, and fledging between the fourth week of July and the first week of September. Further, the breeding season was divided into two phases: the first breeding phase, from the first week of April to the first week of June, and the second phase, between the second week of June and the second week of August. The DCA analysis and orchard-created map indicated that the first wave of breeders colonized the marginal trees located on the orchard sides, surrounded by foraging cereals and legumes, and the second breeding-phase nests were constructed in flocks next to the nests of the first breeding phase. According to this strategy, the first breeders prospect the orchard and select nesting trees near foraging resources, while the second breeders' wave colonizes trees near successfully used prospector sites. These findings are of great importance for comparative investigations and habitat-scale conservation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of migration dates and wintering zones for migratory birds are key elements for the understanding of the Afro‐Palearctic migration system. From 2015 to 2022, a large‐scale survey of Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur, a vulnerable species, was established in Northwest Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. We monitored migration dates and wintering individuals using the line‐transect method. We found that Turtle Doves arrived in the last week of March and left the North African region in mid‐October. Compared with Morocco, Doves arrived significantly earlier in Algeria and Tunisia. Moreover, Doves were discovered wintering on nine Northwest African sites, from October to February, where individuals feed in groups. We found that the occurrence probability of wintering Turtle Doves decreased significantly with increasing temperature and rainfall. Birds wintered most often close to wetlands since the overwintering probability decreased with the increasing distance from the recording area to the nearest water body. These are the first and only detailed findings on the migration phenology of the globally vulnerable Turtle Dove in north western Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions between co-occurring species, including competition and predation, comprise critical processes regulating local community structure, habitat use, and diversity. We monitored nesting habitats, breeding chronology, and reproductive success rates to describe the patterns of spatiotemporal organization of three co-habiting species: the "native" turtle dove, the "invasive" collared dove, and the "predatory" Maghreb magpie. We defined nesting site parameters, breeding chronology dates, and success rates to explain how these species are dispersed in space and time. Similarly, predation attacks were evaluated. Patterns of habitat use were best explained by fear of predation and competition. Both doves selected nesting sites far away from the predatory Magpie to protect their nests. Equally, sympatric Columbidae turtle dove and collared dove were segregated horizontally and vertically only in space to reduce competition inside olive orchards. On the other side, Maghreb magpie started the breeding activity first, most probably to benefit from food abundance targeted in doves' nests (eggs and nestlings). Further, breeding success was higher in both doves, despite predation pressure exercised by the Magpie and other reptiles. Magpie nests were colonized by the great spotted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius). Finally, this study provides the first and only detailed data on nest-niche of the turtle dove co-occurring with competitor and predator species, in the entire Northwest Africa range. Additionally, our data provide an opportunity of large-scale comparative studies of the nesting niche and breeding performances of the turtle dove, collared dove, and Maghreb magpie complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of the ecological niche segregation among Columbidae birds have principally addressed feeding resources while segregating in relation to nest niche differentiation and breeding success have been little investigated. The wide extension of the invasive collared dove (S. decaocto) distribution throughout North African ecosystems has raised questions regarding its impact on native species, principally the vulnerable turtle dove (S. turtur). The study, conducted between March and September 2017–2019, attempted to determine levels of nest-niche differentiation between the two competitive dove species in the Fez's agricultural area (Morocco). We used macro-habitat parameters inside olive orchards and micro-habitat parameters on nesting olive trees to evaluate the segregation of nest-niche between the two species. The results show substantial niche partitioning in the olive orchards and nest-trees selected by both doves. Collared doves nested in the periphery of orchards where the human impact was higher, and used greater height for nest placement on the olive trees, while turtle dove nested in the centre of orchards and placed nests in the lower height. Observed nest-niche partitioning may reduce the probability of concurrence between these sympatric birds and improve breeding success, higher in the studied sites for both doves (Hanane 2017). We also recommend guidelines for future research that search to understand the use of foraging resources by collared and turtle doves in the region during breeding seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The migratory time, breeding chronology, and reproductive success of the European turtle doves (Streptopelia turtur) were studied in Midelt as a high-altitude breeding habitat and Beni Mellal as a low-altitude breeding site from 2015 to 2018 in Morocco. Migration dates, breeding phenology, and breeding success were recorded from March to October for each season. As a result, during four years, arrival dates were earlier at the low breeding site, while departure dates were earlier at the high breeding site. Similarly, breeding phenology from nest building to fledging was early at low-altitude site. On the other hand, with four breeding seasons and 893 nests (467 at Midelt and 426 at Beni Mellal), average breeding success was 57% of chicks at Midelt compared to 60.15% at Beni Mellal. Moreover, at Midelt, 18.89% of eggs and 10.54% of chicks were predated, while at Beni Mellal 21.80% of eggs and 4.65% of chicks were deserted due to human disturbance. As a response, at Midelt breeding period was shorter and shifted to hot periods to ensure better reproductive success. Finally, our results highlight that the turtle dove breeding season is later and shorter at breeding highlands, which might allow this bird to avoid the vigorous climate conditions at mountains and their effect on reproductive success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]