Avifaunistic Diversity of Merine Forest, North-West Algeria

Abstract

This study is an avifaunistic diversity assessment was carried out in the Merine forest, Sidi Bel Abbes (Northwest Algeria). During three years (2019-2021). The major objective of our investigation is to inventory avian species and to define their phenological categories. Among the important results is a record of, 71 species of bird, belonging to 17 orders and 28 families. The Passeriformes are the most noted with 43 species, distributed across 15 families, of which the Muscicapidae is the most represented with 10 species. The phenological categories indicates that the majority of this species are resident breeders (65 %), 21% are migrant breeders and 14% are passing visitors. Depending on trophic status, 32% are polyphagous, 27% insectivorous, 17% carnivorous, 15% granivorous and 8% omnivorous. In addition, we noted that, 31 species are protected by Flat 12-235 in Algeria, with one species (Falco naumanni) protected by the Ordinance 06-05. Internationally and one species protected according of the IUCN red list (Streptopelia turtur). The Merine forest is shelter to five species endemic to North Africa: Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara), Levaillant's Woodpecker (Picus vaillantii), Moussier's Redstart (Phoenicurus moussieri), Tristram's Warbler (Sylvia deserticola), African Blue Tit (Cyanistes teneriffae).

Large-Scale Monitoring of Bird Communities along an Altitudinal Gradient in Two Central High Atlas Valleys

“…In fact, 131 bird species were recorded in both studied valleys of Aït Bouguemmaz and Oued Ahançal, which represents nearly 23% of the total recorded species in the entire Morocco. Tis diversity is very similar to that mentioned in Moulouya valley between High Atlas and Middle Atlas of Morocco with 130 species [36] but higher compared to the 85 bird species recorded in the valley of Oued Bouhellou in the Eastern Middle Atlas [64], and 90 species recorded in Sefrou Mountains [65] and in other regions in Algeria: 78 species in Machroha Forest northeastern part and 71 species in Merine forest, north-west of the country [66,67]. However, it is still lower than the Te most relevant fndings are the records of the globally threatened species, such as the vulnerable Streptopelia turtur and Aythya ferina and the near-threatened Lanius senator and Turdus iliacus.…”

A new locality of Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris (Scopoli, 1769) in Algeria (Aves: Prunellidae)

“…Our observation is considered to be a recent one in Western Algeria with a new locality, where it has never been mentioned before [3, 8, 9,], except for a single isolated observation in Tlemcen on November 27, 1979 which was not spotted in the recent observations [4,5]. In the same region in Sidi Bel Abbès, an avifaunistic study was carried out between 2019 and 2021 in the Merine forest, where 71 species belonging to 17 orders and 28 families were counted, but the presence of Prunella collaris in the list of birds is not addressed [10].…”

New distribution and breeding location of the Stock Dove Columba oenas in Algeria

“…These regions are ecologically significant due to the diversity of ecosystems and their presence on migration routes, which has resulted in important avifaunistic biodiversity. More precisely, they are host to several species of migratory waterbirds and land birds, which makes them an important nesting and wintering area (El Bouhissi et al 2021.…”

“…The winter increase in the number of birds can be attributed to the presence of resident populations that are supplemented by migrant birds for the duration of the season. This is particularly significant given that this area is considered an essential stopover site for migrating birds and an important wintering and breeding ground (El Bouhissi et al 2021Bouhissi et al , 2023. As is the case with the Kabylie region, where its population increases significantly during the winter months (Isenmann & Moali 2000).…”