No abstract

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.

Investigations of niche splitting in the European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) have primarily addressed feeding habitats and foraging features and been limited to conspecific species, counting laughing dove and wood pigeon. The recent degradation of natural and suitable habitats for turtle doves, particularly in North Africa, would push this species to refuge in wetlands with a variety of other bird species. The understanding of potential cohabitation between doves and other species in these less disturbed ecosystems would help in the conservation measures of this declining game. This study, conducted from early March to September between 2015 and 2017, attempted to determine which species cohabit with turtle doves in three Northwest African wetlands in Morocco and how these species select nesting sites and trees. We used detrended corresponding analysis (DCA) to test the relevance of nest site and nesting tree variables in the nest distribution of the breeding species. The obtained results show a wide sharing of nest-niche between turtle doves and 7 breeding species, especially at the intermediate zone and downstream of the rivers. The lack of competition for food resources with neighbouring species may help in this harmonious sharing of both nesting sites and nesting trees. We further suggest guidelines for future research that seek to understand the spatiotemporal dynamics of species coexisting with turtle dove in the same habitats.

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.

The current study was intended to investigate the breeding habitats and ecology of the Eurasian coot Fulica atra in Fez region Morocco. To achieve our goals, nests were monitored in three wetlands Oued Al Jawahir river, Mahraz and El Gaada dams. In addition, nesting vegetation and nest's dimensions were analysed to characterise the Eurasian coot nests. As results, 46 nests (74%) were found in Oued al Jawahir, compared with 15 nests (24%) in Mahraz dam. In El Gaada dam only 2 nests were built by the Eurasian coots. On the other hand, all nests were built on the riparian vegetation of the river and dams. Besides, nests were located in the periphery of the river stream. Many plants were used entirely or special parts, such as stems and roots in nesting activity. Typha angustifolia is used in 45.3% of nests and J. acutus in 38.6% of nests. Other plants are found with a minor presentation in nests, including P. stratiotes (9.6 %) of nests, Phragmites australis (5.6%), and Tamaris sp. (0.9%). These plants form the structure of nests and support. Besides nesting in river's periphery, the nests were constructed at an average height of 14.5 ± 0.05 away from the stream of water. Concerning nest success, nest predation ranged from 57% (2018) to 60% (2019). Nests were lost due to water stream and human disturbance. Finally, Eurasian coots build its nests in the periphery of water ecosystems and in an important high to avoid flooding periods and human disturbances.