The Breeding Status of the Glossy Ibis in the Lebna Dam in Cap Bon, Tunisia

Nefla, A., Ouni, R., & Nouira, S. (2012). The Breeding Status of the Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus in the Lebna Dam in Cap Bon, Tunisia. Journal of Life Sciences 6: 776–782.   PDF

Abstract:

The study of the reproduction of the Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) in Tunisia was undertaken from 2008 to 2010. Until the discovery of nesting in 2008, this species had only been considered as wintering in Tunisia. The Tunisian breeding population resides in the Lebna Dam in the north east of the country where it forms a mixed nesting colony with other species of the family Ardeidae ((Bubulcus ibis (Bi): 388 pairs, Ardeola ralloides (Ar): 17 pairs, Egretta garzetta (Eg): 27 pairs), (Bi: 300 pairs, Ar: 25 pairs, Eg: 40 pairs) and (Bi: 400 pairs, Ar: 30 pairs, Eg: 10 pairs) recorded in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively). All nests were constructed on Acacia horrida. Laying began in early May. The average clutch size over the three years of the study was 3.44 ± 0.73 eggs (N = 29 nests). Hatching success was 83 % (2.86 ± 1.18 eggs hatched/nest) and 2.65 ± 1.17 hatchlings/nest survived until the age of 10 to 12 days. Egg mortality was 17% during the incubation phase and chick mortality was .2%. No interannual variation was detected in these parameters.

Heronry of Lebna dam in Cap Bon, Tunisia
Heronry of Lebna dam in Cap Bon, Tunisia

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