First Case of Leucism in the House Bunting Emberiza Sahari in Algeria

Continue to monitor the bioecology of the House bunting in Algeria and mentioned the birds that carry abnormalities and genetic mutation (Albinism and leucism), including passerines species. A male House bunting Emberiza sahari with leucism (partial albinism) was recorded on December 6, 2021, in the city center of the M\u27Zab Valley at Ghardaïa (Algerian Sahara)

Effects of Temperatures and Rainfall Variability on the Abundance and Diversity of Caelifera (Insecta, Orthoptera) in Three Natural Environments in the Mzab Valley, Septentrional Sahara (Algeria)

The climatic condition is assumed as the main factor responsible for development and survival of insects; this investigation was conducted to study the responses of Caelifera to temperatures and precipitation variations during 2017 in three natural environments of Mzab Valley, Ghardaïa, Algeria. A total of 22 grasshopper species were collected, representing four families and eight subfamilies. The subfamily Oedipodinae was the dominant, followed by Pyrgomorphinae and Thrinchinae. Two species: Sphingonotus rubescens and Sphingonotus savignyi occurred frequently in the three sites. However, only one accidental species, Eunapiodes sp. was found. According to our observations, it is clear that the grasshopper diversity was higher in July and August coinciding with the increase in temperature. In such conditions, the precipitation has less influence on species diversit

Seasonal variation of the diet of the Little Owl (Athene noctua) (Scopoli, 1769) in the extreme South-East of the Algerian Sahara (Djanet, Algeria)

From the autumn 2007 to the spring 2008, we studied the diet of the Little Owl Athene noctua in the area of Djanet, situated in the extreme South-East of Algeria. The analysis of 128 pellets enabled us to identify 80 species belonging to 6 classes, 12 orders and 32 families, preyed upon by this raptor. Considering the number of preys, insects (relative abundance, AR = 70.1 %) were dominant, followed by rodents (AR = 17.1 %) ; the most selected ones were Mesostena angustata (AR = 18.4 %) and Brachytrypes megacephalus (AR = 17.4 %). Insects dominated whatever the season (AR = 47 % in autumn, 79 % in winter, 63.6 % in spring). In terms of biomass, rodents were dominant with 9 species, two of them being new for the area. The Little Owl exihibit a diversified diet (E = 0.7) in this Algerian area of Central SaharaNous avons étudié de l'automne 2007 au printemps 2008 le régime alimentaire de la Chevêche d'Athéna (Athene noctua) dans la région de Djanet, située dans l'extrême sud-est de l'Algérie. L'analyse de 128 pelotes de réjection nous a permis de reconnaître 80 espèces-proies réparties en 6 clas-ses, 12 ordres et 32 familles. En nombre de proies, les Insectes (abondance relative, AR = 70,1 %) se sont avérés le plus consommés, suivis par les Rongeurs (AR = 17,1 %) ; les plus sélectionnés étaient Mesostena angustata (AR = 18,4 %) et Brachytrypes megacephalus (AR = 17,4 %). Les insectes dominèrent quelle que soit la saison (AR=47 % en automne, 79 % en hiver, 63,6 % au printemps). En termes de biomasse, les rongeurs dominaient avec 9 espèces dont deux nouvelles pour la région. La Chevêche d'Athéna a un régime alimentaire diversifié (E =0,7) dans cette région algérienne du Sahara central

Breeding Biology in Hybrid Sparrow (Passer domesticus × P. hispaniolensis) in Northern Algerian Sahara: Case Study of Biskra Date Palm-Grove

The Hybrid Sparrow’s reproduction was monitored in two stations, in the Filiach region at 5 km from Biskra (5°45'E, 34°50'N), on the one hand in a suburban (Tahraoui) and secondly date-palm-grove (Khireddine). To this end, we identified 327 nests of Passer domesticus × P. hispaniolensis with 221 nests placed in holes on walls and in the hangar roof of the Tahraoui’s farm. A set of 106 nests was installed in a livestock hangar in the date palm-grove of Khireddine. A sample of 52 nests was considered (27 nests in Tahraoui and 25 in Khireddine). On these 52 nests were followed on three consecutive clutches. The height of the nest location is between 2.4 and 5.5 m in Tahraoui’s farm where the clutch size varies between 1 and 5 eggs with a mean of 4.15 ± 1.14 during the first clutch, 3 to 6 eggs (mean = 4.9 ± 0.99) during the second clutch and 2 to 4 eggs (mean = 3 ± 0.82) for the third clutch. The most common clutch size is five eggs (AR% = 37.0%). In the palm-grove of Khireddine, the height of nest location varies between 2.7 to 3.4 m; where in a hutch size of 3 to 5 eggs (mean = 4.4 ± 0.89) was noted during the first clutch, 1 to 6 eggs (mean = 3.93 ± 1.38) during the second clutch and 2 to 4 eggs (mean = 3.5 ± 0.84) during the third clutch. The common clutch size is four eggs (AR% = 44%). Over the three clutches, the representative hatching rate is the third clutch with 93.8% in the first farm and 90.5% in the second

Disclosing the determinants, drivers and predictors of bird depredation on date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) production

Bird intake and damage to fruits of Phoenix dactylifera is a common problem in date palm cultivation regions. Though plant vegetative characteristics and fruit nutritional values influence frugivory behavior in passerines, there is little knowledge about these parameters for sparrows feeding on dates, as most previous studies have focused on the impact of farm organization and location on the feeding choice made by sparrows. This study aimed to examine the effects of date palm tree traits and its fruit morphology and biochemical traits on the level of damage caused by hybrid sparrows to date fruits of three different date palm cultivars. In a traditional date palm plantation, three date varieties (Degla-Beida, Deglet-Nour and Ghars) were analyzed. The estimates of date production loss were correlated to several tree morphometrics and fruit morphological and biochemical traits, including the number of bunches/tree, bunch height, number of pedicels/bunch, number of dates per strand, total production/tree, and date fruit traits (length, width, weight, volume, pulp weight, ratio pulp weight/date weight, sugar content, water content and pH). We demonstrated that sparrows were attracted to bunches with low height and high fruit density, but they showed no interest to number of bunches per tree, number of pedicels per bunch, total number of dates and production per tree. Regarding date morphology, large and heavy dates were more likely to be selected by sparrows, although an unclear relationship was found between production loss per tree and date length, width and volume. In terms of fruit biochemical traits, sparrows damage rates increased with the increase in fruit pH, moisture, and total and reducing sugars. The average rate of lost dates per tree was 9.2 ± 7.66%, 8.4 ± 5.16%, and 3.9 ± 1.71% for Ghars, Deglet-Nour, and Degla-Beida, respectively. Significant differences were observed between cultivars in the amounts of damaged dates still on bunches or fallen on the ground. The hierarchical choice of dates by sparrows was also confirmed. Our results showed that soft dates were more preferred by sparrows than semi-soft and dry ones. The findings of this study indicated that it is necessary to provide extensive protection for highly attacked cultivars in palm groves

A comprehensive monograph on the ecology and distribution of the House bunting (Emberiza sahari) in Algeria

The House bunting (Emberiza sahari Levaillant, 1850) is a human commensal passerine bird species, characteristic of urban environments in the Sahara Desert of Algeria. Its distribution in Algeria, with particular emphasis in Ghardaïa, was investigated using two sampling methods: progressive frequency sampling and point abundance index, with ecological field data collected during 2017-2019. Morphological biometric measurements were carried out on free-living individuals for each sex. Reproduction phenology and success were surveyed through the breeding season (February‒September) during 2018‒2019. Trophic behavior was studied by direct observations of foraging individuals. Results showed that the species range in Algeria is larger than shown by data from the literature, with expansion northwards within the country. At a finer scale, in Saharan cities, the species prefers old and traditional urban environments, where its densities are higher than within modern urban habitats. At a national scale, we found that the species range is not restricted to desert climates, but extends towards the north of Algeria, including the semi-arid steppe rangelands of the Hauts-Plateaux region. Range changes are attributed to changes in building practices and climate change. Adult females were heavier and slightly larger than males, whose head plumage had different coloration patterns compared to females. Nests weighed 82.03 ± 20.77 g (mean ± standard deviation) and consisted of 72% plant materials, 19% animal-origin materials and 9% inert constituents. The nest cups were oval in form, top-lined and stuffed with diverse material. House buntings nest under the roofs of uninhabited houses, in stairwells, traditional water wells, and holes within walls. Nesting height averaged 2.14 ± 0.8 m. In Ghardaia, courtship and pair formation began mid-February. Females can raise up to three successive broods (March-September), with 31‒34 days/brood including 14‒15 days for egg incubation. Clutch size is typically 2‒3 eggs. The diet of the House bunting included seeds of annual grasses dominated by Poaceae species. The species also fed on anthropogenic food remains, and sometimes on insects, especially during the breeding period

A comprehensive monograph on the ecology and distribution of the House bunting (Emberiza sahari) in Algeria

The House bunting (Emberiza sahari Levaillant, 1850) is a human commensal passerine bird species, characteristic of urban environments in the Sahara Desert of Algeria. Its distribution in Algeria, with particular emphasis in Ghardaïa, was investigated using two sampling methods: progressive frequency sampling and point abundance index, with ecological field data collected during 2017-2019. Morphological biometric measurements were carried out on free-living individuals for each sex. Reproduction phenology and success were surveyed through the breeding season (February‒September) during 2018‒2019. Trophic behavior was studied by direct observations of foraging individuals. Results showed that the species range in Algeria is larger than shown by data from the literature, with expansion northwards within the country. At a finer scale, in Saharan cities, the species prefers old and traditional urban environments, where its densities are higher than within modern urban habitats. At a national scale, we found that the species range is not restricted to desert climates, but extends towards the north of Algeria, including the semi-arid steppe rangelands of the Hauts-Plateaux region. Range changes are attributed to changes in building practices and climate change. Adult females were heavier and slightly larger than males, whose head plumage had different coloration patterns compared to females. Nests weighed 82.03 ± 20.77 g (mean ± standard deviation) and consisted of 72% plant materials, 19% animal-origin materials and 9% inert constituents. The nest cups were oval in form, top-lined and stuffed with diverse material. House buntings nest under the roofs of uninhabited houses, in stairwells, traditional water wells, and holes within walls. Nesting height averaged 2.14 ± 0.8 m. In Ghardaia, courtship and pair formation began mid-February. Females can raise up to three successive broods (March-September), with 31‒34 days/brood including 14‒15 days for egg incubation. Clutch size is typically 2‒3 eggs. The diet of the House bunting included seeds of annual grasses dominated by Poaceae species. The species also fed on anthropogenic food remains, and sometimes on insects, especially during the breeding period

Variation saisonnière du régime alimentaire de la Chouette chevêche (Athene noctua) (Scopoli, 1769) dans l’extrême Sud-Est du Sahara algérien (Djanet, Algérie)

Seasonal variation of the diet of the Little Owl (Athene noctua) (Scopoli, 1769) in the extreme South-East of the Algerian Sahara (Djanet, Algeria). From the autumn 2007 to the spring 2008, we studied the diet of the Little Owl Athene noctua in the area of Djanet, situated in the extreme South-East of Algeria. The analysis of 128 pellets enabled us to identify 80 species belonging to 6 classes, 12 orders and 32 families, preyed upon by this raptor. Considering the number of preys, insects (relative abundance, AR = 70.1 %) were dominant, followed by rodents (AR = 17.1 %) ; the most selected ones were Mesostena angustata (AR = 18.4 %) and Brachytrypes megacephalus (AR = 17.4 %). Insects dominated whatever the season (AR = 47 % in autumn, 79 % in winter, 63.6 % in spring). In terms of biomass, rodents were dominantwith 9 species, two of them being new for the area. The Little Owl exihibit a diversified diet (E = 0.7) in this Algerian area of Central Sahara.Nous avons étudié de l’automne 2007 au printemps 2008 le régime alimentaire de la Chevêche d’Athéna (Athene noctua) dans la région de Djanet, située dans l’extrême sud-est de l’Algérie. L’analyse de 128 pelotes de réjection nous a permis de reconnaître 80 espèces-proies réparties en 6 classes, 12 ordres et 32 familles. En nombre de proies, les Insectes (abondance relative, AR = 70,1 %) se sont avérés le plus consommés, suivis par les Rongeurs (AR = 17,1 %) ; les plus sélectionnés étaient Mesostena angustata (AR = 18,4 %) et Brachytrypes megacephalus (AR = 17,4 %). Les insectes dominèrent quelle que soit la saison (AR = 47 % en automne, 79 % en hiver, 63,6 % au printemps). En termes de biomasse, les rongeurs dominaient avec 9 espèces dont deux nouvelles pour la région. La Chevêche d’Athéna a un régime alimentaire diversifié (E = 0,7) dans cette région algérienne du Sahara central.Sekour Makhlouf, Beddiaf Rahma, Souttou Karim, Denys Christiane, Doumandji Salaheddine, Guezoul Omar. Variation saisonnière du régime alimentaire de la Chouette chevêche (Athene noctua) (Scopoli, 1769) dans l’extrême Sud-Est du Sahara algérien (Djanet, Algérie). In: Revue d'Écologie (La Terre et La Vie), tome 66, n°1, 2011. pp. 79-91