As rare and threatened species, ecological information about common waterbirds is needed to assess priorities for wetland management. In this study, we attempt to provide information about the spatial ecology and wintering behaviour of one of the most common species of the coastal Mediterranean wetland complex of northeastern Algeria, the Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope. Over the three winters of the study the maximum number of recorded Eurasian Wigeon across all sites rose from 1,096 in 2010/11 to 1,397 in 2012/13. This represents a 27% increase over three years in the Guerbes-Sanhadja region. Among these wetland complex sites abundance varied markedly during the three wintering periods of study, being highest in Garaet Hadj-Tahar and Garaet Beni Mhamed (ranging from 300–700 individuals), and lowest in the remaining sites, which never exceeded 150 individuals. Bird abundance often peaked in January of each year and decreased as winter progressed. Wigeon have similar patterns of migration phenology among years at Garaet Hadj-Tahar and Garaet Beni Mhamed. At the remaining sites, they exhibited a different pattern. The multiple regression analysis for all seasons showed a marginally significant correlation between Wigeon abundance changes and three environmental variables of the wetland complex exclusively in the spring seasons (depth, vegetation and temporariness). A roosting area is identified as a functional role of the Guerbes-Sanhadja wetland complex for this anatid, since they spent all of the daytime sleeping, swimming (ranged from 30 to 40%), and resting (from 15 to 25%) in all winters. Despite their semi-permanent and unprotected status (apart from only three sites), these patched wetlands provide suitable conditions for this sensitive species, and therefore should receive the attention of wetland management.

Marbled duck, also called Marbled Teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris, is classified as “ vulnerable” on the red list of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. It has this status in Algeria and throughout the western Palearctic. During three consecutive winter seasons (from August to November) of 2012, 2013 and 2014, Marbled duck numbers were less important than other duck species wintering in Gareat Hadj Tahar (wetland complex of Guerbes-Sanhadja north east of Algeria). The highest number of 38 individuals was observed during the second fortnight of September 2014. This number represents a record for all Algerian north eastern coastal wetlands. The marbled duck shows a gregarious behavior and concentrates in a single group which is easily observed in the center of water body. Diurnal behavior shows that feeding dominates daytime activities with 34.97% of the time. This activity is followed by sleeping (30.18%), swimming (19.47%), feather maintenance (9.28%) and finally flying (6.01%).

This work aims to study phenology and daytime budget of common shelduck Tadorna tadorna (Anatidae) for two wintering seasons (2017/2018, 2018/2019) at Sebkhet Bazer (El-Eulma) North-East of Algeria from September to March. The obtained results show that common shelduck has the status of a wintering species. It was observed presently in the site during the study period. Common shelduck numbers begin to increase from the first decade of September to reach the maximums between late December and early January, where we had recorded the peaks of abundance 840 for the first season and 930 for the second. During our monitoring, budget time results showed that feeding is the dominant activity (surface water feeding, feeding on banks, and feeding by tipping), which take a ratio of more than 68%, the second activity is swimming with 18.71%, followed by preening which holds 9.14%, sleeping activity with a ratio of 2.38%, flight take the five range with a ratio of 0.82%. Finally, courtship and agonistic behavior recorded the lowest ratio on all budget time – 0.42% and 0.38% respectively. We can conclude that Sebkhet Bazer is a diurnal grazing ground for this Anatidae species.

The ecological study (phenology and daytime budget) of ruddy shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (Anatidae) at Lake Oglat Eddaira (Ain Ben Khlil), Southwest of Algeria, was carried out for three consecutive years from August 2017 to July 2020. While ruddy shelduck has the status of a sedentary species, it was found all year round, persisting at low numbers in mid-summer months (July–August). The numbers of ruddy shelduck began to increase from the first decade of September with the arrival of the wintering and breeding populations. High numbers of ruddy shelduck were mainly recorded between late January and early March. During our monitoring, the balance sheet of the rhythms of daytime activities was dominated by feeding in water and on banks (68%), followed by preening (16.77%), swimming (9.85%,), sleeping (4.67%) and flying (1.22%). Therefore, we can conclude that Oglat Eddaira wetland plays the role of a diurnal grazing ground for this Anatidae.