Nesting success and productivity of a declining European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) population in western France

Abstract

The European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur is a trans-Saharan migratory species that has been declining for decades. This study reports nesting habitat, nest-site characteristics, nesting success (38.6%) and productivity (2.40 young per pair per season) of European Turtle Doves radiotracked in a deciduous forest of western France. A matrix population model based on our results suggests that the average productivity reported would need to be increased by about 0.18 additional young per pair to achieve a population growth rate equal to one. However, elasticity analysis suggests that increasing adult survival would have the highest impact on population growth compared with increased productivity or firstyear survival.