Rapid increase in numbers and change of land-use in two expanding Columbidae species (Columba palumbus and Streptopelia decaocto) in Algeria

Bendjoudi, D., Voisin, J.-F., Doumandji, S., Merabet, A., Benyounes, N. & Chenchouni, H. (2015). Rapid increase in numbers and change of land-use in two expanding Columbidae species (Columba palumbus and Streptopelia decaocto) in Algeria. Avian Research 6(1): 18.
doi: 10.1186/s40657-015-0027-9 (Open Access)

Background:

Investigating population ecology of urban bird species, particularly the invasive and expending species, is the key for the success of urban management and planning strategies.

Methods:

Populations of two Columbidae species, the Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) and the Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), were monitored from 1992 to 2010 in the Algiers Sahel, the Mitidja Plain and surrounding areas (Northern Algeria). Monitoring of species densities was performed by the mapping-plot method. The foraging flight routes of Woodpigeon and the distribution of Eurasian Collared Dove were assessed by systematic observations.

Results:

The number of counted birds was statistically constant at first years of the survey, and then increased significantly, beginning from low numbers, their densities accelerated sharply between 2001 and 2006, then reached to an equilibrium state. The significant increase in Woodpigeon’s population could be explained by the reduced hunting pressure and by species adaptation to new food resources provided by nearby agriculture. Indeed, monitoring of flight directions of the species revealed the use of agricultural landscapes and habitats, which is a good indicator explaining adaptation and trophic niche of the species. The occurrence of the Eurasian Collared Dove in Algiers began in 2000. Its density experienced a rapid increase with similar trend pattern as that of Woodpigeon. Its distributional range is confined mainly in suburban environments of the Mitidja Plain.

Conclusion:

The modifications of habitats, urbanization increase and the lessening of hunting in the Mitidja Plain facilitated the rapid expansion of the Eurasian Collared Dove and Woodpigeon as well contributed to the increase in their numbers over time.

Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), Lakhdaria, Bouira, Algeria (Abdelaziz Mazouz, flickr)

Dynamics of invasive and expanding species in the Mitidja Plain, Northern Algeria

Bendjoudi, D., Chenchouni, H., Doumandji, S., & Voisin, J.-F. 2013. Bird Species Diversity of the Mitidja Plain (Northern Algeria) with Emphasis on the Dynamics of Invasive and Expanding Species. Acrocephalus 34: 13–26.
doi: 10.2478/acro-2013-0002

Abstract & full text (Open Access):

This treatise investigates the poorly studied bird fauna of Mitidja Plain (Northern Algeria), with particular notes on the occurrence and expansion of new and alien species. Direct observations, supported by ornithological surveys carried out by Progressive Frequential Sampling (PFS), a version of a point count method, have allowed us to identify 125 bird species. These represent 31% of all species known from Algeria. The species recorded belong to 14 orders, 39 families and 37 genera. According to their biogeographic origins, 36 are Mediterranean, 32 Palearctic, 24 Holarctic, 17 European and 16 of European-Turkestani origin. The Mitidja Plain holds 60 resident-breeder species (48% of all registered species) and is a transit zone for many migratory species (summer and winter migrants constituting 20% and 14% of the total, respectively) and occasional visitors (RA = 12%). Among recently expanding species (introduced or local), the Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto and Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus, sampled by the spot-mapping method, experienced a very rapid population growth. The first observations of the former were made in 1996 in Algiers. Its numbers experienced a steep increase after 2002, starting from 5.75 pairs/10 ha to reach up to 31.5 pairs/10 ha in 2006. The same applies for the Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri, surveyed by direct-count at roosting sites. This species has been able to increase and reproduce since its first introduction into the wild in 1996. The increase in study species populations, especially the Rose-ringed Parakeet, may derive from good weather conditions that favoured the species through providing better feeding conditions, thus high reproduction outcomes.

Rose-ringed Parakeet – Perruche à collier (Psittacula krameri), northern Algeria (Mohamed Missoum‎)

Population growth of Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) in Mitidja Plain and surrounding areas of Algiers, based on the counts of individuals on roost-sites (Bendjoudi et al.)

Importance des reboisements en pins pour les oiseaux forestiers nicheurs: cas du Pigeon ramier

Hanane, S. (2013). Importance des reboisements en pins pour les oiseaux forestiers nicheurs: Cas du Pigeon ramier dans une plantation de pin d’Alep au Moyen Atlas central (Maroc). Forêt méditerranéenne 34(3): 209–214.

The importance of reforestation with pine for birds nesting in woodlands – Case of the Woodpigeon in an Aleppo pine plantation in the Central Middle Atlas area (Morocco).

Résumé :

Le Maroc s’est employé à intensifier et étendre les plantations à but de production de bois ; une nécessité vitale pour l’économie nationale. Le Plan directeur des reboisements (PDR) a prévu donc le reboisement de près de 500 000 ha en dix ans. Conciliant production et naturalité, la plantation de pin d’Alep (Pinus halepensis) de Tighboula, joue un important rôle environnemental au Moyen Atlas central, en prodiguant des sites favorables pour la nidification d’un oiseau gibier, le pigeon ramier (Columba palumbus). Les paramètres de reproduction récoltés [densité des nids: 3,4 ± 0,20 nids/ha, densité des couples: 21 ± 1 couples/5 ha, taille de ponte: 2,09 ± 0,31 œufs/nid et succès de reproduction: 61,7%] affichent des valeurs assez grandes, témoignant de la qualité de ce milieu artificiel forestier. L’initiation d’autres études sur d’autres périmètres de reboisement en pins est primordiale pour évaluer leur importance à une échelle spatiale beaucoup plus grande.

Related articles:

Effects of human disturbance on nest placement of the Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus): A case study from the Middle Atlas, Morocco.

Pigeon ramier (Columba palumbus)

Effects of human disturbance on nest placement of the Woodpigeon in Morocco

Hanane, S. 2014. Effects of human disturbance on nest placement of the woodpigeon (Columba palumbus): a case study from the Middle Atlas, Morocco. Integrative Zoology 9: 349–359.  doi: 10.1111/1749-4877.12078

Abstract:

The Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) is a common and widespread bird in Morocco (North Africa). I examined, over two years (2010 and 2011), the breeding density and nest placement of this game species in relation to nest-site habitat and degree of human disturbance. The study area was in the Middle Atlas Tighboula mountain forest, Morocco, in a disturbed and an undisturbed site. Using data collected in the two study sites, I aimed to identify the factors influencing the placement of nests within Holm oak trees (Quercus rotundifolia) and their densities. I found that habitat structures, influenced by grazing disturbance, have affected nesting density and location of nests of this species. Woodpigeons place their nests in a higher position (3.42 ± 0.19 m) when disturbance intensity is high and lower (1.68 ± 0.1 m) when it is low and showed higher nesting density in less disturbed zone (3.1 ± 0.4 nests/ha) than in high disturbed one (1.4 ± 0.2 nests/ha). Grazing disturbance could pose a threat to population persistence at a broader scale and could potentially contribute to reduce the abundance of this species by altering the composition and the structure of the forest nesting habitat. Further multi-scale studies are needed to assess the effects of different levels of grazing disturbance on Woodpigeon nest density and placement and to enhance our knowledge on breeding behaviour of this game species under variable environments.

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus. (Photo by flickr member gynti_46, licence CC-by-nc-sa)