Research Interests:
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... more
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 obt...
Research Interests:
Urban expansion leads to modifications of habitat features, organization, and resources. Bird assemblages are known to respond by escaping destructive changes and adapting to sustainable ones. In this study, we investigated for the first... more
Urban expansion leads to modifications of habitat features, organization, and resources. Bird assemblages are known to respond by escaping destructive changes and adapting to sustainable ones. In this study, we investigated for the first time the avian diversity and its variation following the rural-urban gradient in Beni Mellal (Morocco) from 2018 to 2021. We used the line-transect method and multivariate analysis to demonstrate the selection of breeding habitats. Our result revealed a total of 84 species divided into resident breeders (64.28%), passage migrants (17.85%), breeding migrants (26.19%), winter visitors (32.18%) and accidental visitors (1.19%). Two globally vulnerable species counting the European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur and the European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis were recorded. Breeding populations were concentrated in green spaces (9 species) located in the urban zone, compared with farmlands (7 species), peri-urban (3 species), and rural areas (3 species)....
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.... more
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 i...
Research Interests:
In this study, we investigated the avian diversity and threatening factors in five peri-urban sites around Fez city (Morocco) for 2 years (2018–2019). The study hosted 131 avian species, including 64.88% breeding species, 19.84% migrant... more
In this study, we investigated the avian diversity and threatening factors in five peri-urban sites around Fez city (Morocco) for 2 years (2018–2019). The study hosted 131 avian species, including 64.88% breeding species, 19.84% migrant winterers, and 11.45% migrant breeders. Five species of conservation concern such as the vulnerable European turtle dove and the European goldfinch, the near-threatened ferruginous duck and bar-tailed godwit, and the endangered white-headed duck were recorded. Most bird species were recorded at the Oued Fez River (26.89%) and the El Mehraz dam (25%), followed by the El Gaada dam (17.4%), the Ain Bida garbage dump (15.5%), and the Ain Chkef Forest (15.18%). About 44.44% of the breeding species were found at Oued Fez, along with 33.33% at the El Mehraz dam, while El Gâada, Ain Chkef, and Ain Bida hosted only 7.40% of species. An important breeding population of the endangered white-headed duck was recorded at El Mehraz and Oued Fez. The extension of fa...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
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... more
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 st...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The European Blackbird (Turdus merula) is a widespread species. In Morocco, available knowledge on this species is limited to a few descriptive pieces of information with no detailed data provided. With climate change and the... more
The European Blackbird (Turdus merula) is a widespread species. In Morocco, available knowledge on this species is limited to a few descriptive pieces of information with no detailed data provided. With climate change and the intensification of agricultural activities, the study of the breeding performances of this species is indispensable for management purposes. This study investigates breeding biology, nesting habitats, breeding chronology, and reproductive success of the European Blackbird in both apple orchards and surrounding woody vegetation at Ait Ayach (Morocco) between March and August 2016. We monitored weekly nest status, nesting sites, breeding dates, and failure factors. Results showed that the European Blackbird nests mainly in apple orchards, on Golden Delicious and Starkrimson Delicious trees. Nest height above the ground was 214.15 ± 0.09 cm. Blackbird nests were cup-shaped with medium size dimensions and built from twigs, including dry leaves, stems, and roots wal...
Research Interests:
This study attempts to document the breeding bio-ecology of the Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata) in two North-African mountainous wetlands. Data were collected weekly in the Zerrouka and Hachlaf lakes in Morocco during the breading... more
This study attempts to document the breeding bio-ecology of the Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata) in two North-African mountainous wetlands. Data were collected weekly in the Zerrouka and Hachlaf lakes in Morocco during the breading seasons of 2018 and 2019. Field visits were carried out between February and August. The obtained results showed that important breeding populations colonized the two sites. Nesting sites were selected on the emerging vegetation at the Zerrouka site, while at Lake Hachlaf nests were located in open waters. During the two years, the breeding season was different in the two sites and from year to year: in 2018, it was from mid-March to the end of July in Zerrouka and between April and mid-August in Hachlaf. In 2019, the breeding activity took place between January and mid-July in Zerrouka and between the end of February and the end of August at Hachlaf. Nests and eggs were relatively larger in Zerrouka than in Hachlaf, while the breeding success was much ...
In this study, we surveyed and documented diversity and nesting of avian species and their foraging and breeding resources along the Oued Bouhellou watershed (North-Eastern Morocco). A total of 120 field visits were conducted between 2018... more
In this study, we surveyed and documented diversity and nesting of avian species and their foraging and breeding resources along the Oued Bouhellou watershed (North-Eastern Morocco). A total of 120 field visits were conducted between 2018 and 2022. We recorded 85 avian species of migrants and residents, belonging to 25 families and 8 orders. The families of Accipitridae (12 species) and Muscicapidae (10 species) were the most abundant, while the observed families of Corvidae, Sturnidae, Prunellidae, Caprimulgidae, and Ciconiidae were represented less abundantly, i.e., by one species each. Equally, nests of 17 breeding species were recorded and mapped along the watershed, breeding counts of the globally endangered Egyptian vulture and the globally vulnerable Turtle Dove pairs were done, and the first breeding cases of the Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Woodchat Shrike, Great Grey Shrike, Common Nightingale, Black Kite, and the North African Long-legged Buzzard were confirmed. The nesting...
Research Interests:
Analysis of biological diversity in woody habitats is crucial for the implementation of suitable conservation policies. We carried out monthly field visits using the point count method for avian species and walked-transect surveys for... more
Analysis of biological diversity in woody habitats is crucial for the implementation of suitable conservation policies. We carried out monthly field visits using the point count method for avian species and walked-transect surveys for mammals and reptiles from January 2018 to December 2021 in Fez, El Hajeb and Sefrou, central Morocco. The studied sites were steppes dominated by Chamaerops humilis. A total of 90 bird, 12 mammal and 8 reptile species were documented. Furthermore, two species of conservation concern, i.e., the vulnerable European turtle dove Streptopelia turtur, and the endangered Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus were recorded. The documented species use Chamaerops humilis for breeding (support for nesting birds), foraging (via fruits) and wintering purposes. These findings are the first results related to animal biodiversity in Chamaerops humilis shrublands in Morocco. However, other aspects, including the nutritive quality of Chamaerops humilis fruits for winte...
Research Interests:
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... more
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 pe...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The analysis of biological diversity at a regional scale is the first step to understand and classify the biological importance of a specific region and therefore the adoption of implementing conservation strategies. We conducted weekly... more
The analysis of biological diversity at a regional scale is the first step to understand and classify the biological importance of a specific region and therefore the adoption of implementing conservation strategies. We conducted weekly bird counts by using the point count method from January 2015 to December 2017 in Midelt province, Morocco. A total of 130 bird species were observed, among breeding, migrant, and wintering species belonging to 42 families. Accipitridae (15 species), Muscicapidae (9 species), and Alaudidae (9 species) were the most observed families. Order of Passeriformes was the dominant order represented with 16 families and 68 species. Moreover, five species of conservation concern were recorded such as the vulnerable European turtle dove, houbara bustard, and Dupont’s lark; the near threatened ferruginous duck and bearded vulture; and the endangered Egyptian vulture. On the other hand, the results of the diversity analysis (Margalef index, Shannon–Wiener index, ...
Research Interests:
Studies of niche segregation among avian species have mostly addressed food sites and foraging behavior, while partitioning relative to nesting sites differentiation has been little analyzed. The recent degradation and loss of suitable... more
Studies of niche segregation among avian species have mostly addressed food sites and foraging behavior, while partitioning relative to nesting sites differentiation has been little analyzed. The recent degradation and loss of suitable habitats have upraised concerns toward their effects on the distribution and evolution of ecological niches, particularly in threatened species. This study, conducted in Midelt from February to September, between 2015 and 2018, attempted to identify any potential differentiation in nesting habitats and feeding sites among wood pigeon, rock pigeon, turtle dove, collared dove, and barbary partridge as a game species mostly hunted in Morocco and Northwest Africa. Also, this study aimed to evaluate any possible sharing of habitats, principally with heavy loss of suitable habitats remarked recently. We analyzed breeding and feeding sites and diet composition with multivariate analysis to test the relevance of nest site and feeding site variables in the distribution of studied species. The results showed substantial segregation in nesting and feeding sites selected by studied species. Observed nesting sites and feeding features partitioning may reduce the potential competition between these species and enhance opportunities for their coexistence. While, the common use of feeding habitats and diet composition by turtle dove and rock pigeon is suggested to be controlled by the loss of available resources, which forces these species to use jointly the offered food resources. Finally, our data provide the primer and only comprehensive data on the partitioning of breeding and foraging resources among game species in their entire Northwest Africa. Information collected from this research provides valuable data for conservation measures of these highly appreciated games, mainly the vulnerable turtle dove. Moreover, these data provide a new window of large-scale comparative studies of the ecological niche of the game birds.
Research Interests:
The European serin (Serinus serinus) is one of the best examples of a species in the western Palaearctic that has expanded its distribution ranges in current periods. However, the breeding features of serin are not well known and were... more
The European serin (Serinus serinus) is one of the best examples of a species in the western Palaearctic that has expanded its distribution ranges in current periods. However, the breeding features of serin are not well known and were restricted for some localities, as well as there have not been any deep and comparable studies on its mortality and menacing factors. This study investigates breeding biology, including breeding chronology, nesting strategies, and reproductive success of the European serin in farmland and woodland habitats at Moulouya high plain (Morocco), during 2016. Results showed that, at high-altitude breeding habitats, the European serin started breeding activity lately by 25 April (construction of the first nest) and continued until 19 July (last fledging date). Moreover, most nests (96.42%) were found in farmlands, mainly in apple orchards. Two broods were recorded between April-May and June-July, and the clutch size was an average of 3.04 ± 0.13 eggs/nest. For...
Research Interests:
The control of Parlatoria pergandii (Comstock, 1881) was studied in citrus orchards at Belksiri (Gharb area), Morocco. Three concentrations of Spirotetramat (T0 = 0 L/Ha, T1 = 0.625 L/Ha, T2 = 0.755 L/Ha, and T3 = 1 L/Ha) were applied to... more
The control of Parlatoria pergandii (Comstock, 1881) was studied in citrus orchards at Belksiri (Gharb area), Morocco. Three concentrations of Spirotetramat (T0 = 0 L/Ha, T1 = 0.625 L/Ha, T2 = 0.755 L/Ha, and T3 = 1 L/Ha) were applied to 4 ha of Valencia late orchard (each dose for 1 ha of citrus). The insecticidal of Spirotetramat was evaluated on two stages of larvae (L1 and L2) of P. pergandii and three stages of females, F1, F2, and F3. Similarly, the rates of parasitism by Aphytis hispanicus on the females of three different stages were monitored to evaluate the impact of Spirotetramat on this natural enemy. Results showed that Spirotetramat was more effective on larvae than females. Of the females, 26.04% were parasitized, 65.81% were inhibited, and only 8.15% were intact after the treatment period. Of the larvae, 79.73% were inhibited, and only 20.27% survived after the treatment period. Finally, our study highlights that all the tested concentrations of this product were eff...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
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... more
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...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The European turtle dove Streptopelia turtur breeds in both farmlands and woodlands, and it is important to explore the difference in breeding ecology of this threatened game in these two ecosystem types. This study, carried out during... more
The European turtle dove Streptopelia turtur breeds in both farmlands and woodlands, and it is important to explore the difference in breeding ecology of this threatened game in these two ecosystem types. This study, carried out during four years (2015–2018), compares nesting features of this species and its breeding success between apple orchards and riparian vegetation in Midelt Province, Morocco. The main result revealed that the nest placement, including nesting-tree height and nest height, is similar between orchards and riparian trees. However, the nest dimensions (big and small diameters) were larger in orchards. Correlations were variable among nest placement parameters and dimensions. On the contrary, in four breeding seasons, where 566 nests were monitored (467 in orchards and 99 in riparian sites), the average breeding success was different (57% of chicks in apple farms and 53% in riparian vegetation). Moreover, in apple orchards, clutches’ failure is due to both predatio...