Exemple de prédation naturelle sur une population nicheuse de Quelea Q. quelea (L.) au Mali

Abstract

The predation pressure upon nine breeding colonies of Red billed Quelea (Quelea q. quelea ) has been estimated in September 1973 in Eastern Mali, Western Africa. Large numbers of predatory birds (Kites, Hawks, Ruzzards, Eagles, Falcons, Storks, Herons, Ibises, Hornbills, Crows, etc.) were found to feed upon young queleas : up to 763 predators in a colony of 28,000 nests. Details are given on feeding techniques, food preferences and average daily consumption of the most important predators. In this particular case, 32 % of the nests were destroyed between laying and hatching times. Furthermore 25 % of the nestlings appear to have been subsequently destroyed by predators. On the whole, each adult breeding pair did not produce more than 1,7 fledglings. The causes of this unusually high mortality rate are discussed