Phenology and diurnal behavior of marbled duck Marmaronetta angustirostris in the eco-complex of wetlands of Guerbes Sahhadja North-east of Algeria

Abstract

Marbled duck, also called Marbled Teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris, is classified as “ vulnerable” on the red list of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. It has this status in Algeria and throughout the western Palearctic. During three consecutive winter seasons (from August to November) of 2012, 2013 and 2014, Marbled duck numbers were less important than other duck species wintering in Gareat Hadj Tahar (wetland complex of Guerbes-Sanhadja north east of Algeria). The highest number of 38 individuals was observed during the second fortnight of September 2014. This number represents a record for all Algerian north eastern coastal wetlands. The marbled duck shows a gregarious behavior and concentrates in a single group which is easily observed in the center of water body. Diurnal behavior shows that feeding dominates daytime activities with 34.97% of the time. This activity is followed by sleeping (30.18%), swimming (19.47%), feather maintenance (9.28%) and finally flying (6.01%).

Phenology and Diurnal Behaviour of Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea at Oglat Eddaira (Ain Ben Khlil) Wetland, Southwest of Algeria

“…Th is activity is oft en observed at mid-day associated with the activity of swimming. Unlike other Anatidae, where sleeping is an essential activity (Tamisier, Dehorter, 1999;Houhamdi, 2001Houhamdi, , 2003Houhamdi, , 2007Houhamdi et al, 2008Houhamdi et al, , 2009Merzoug et al, 2014;Charchar et al, 2016Charchar et al, , 2019Bouchaala et al, 2017), this activity occupied the fi ft h position in the diurnal budget time of ruddy shelduck at Oglat Eddaira with a rate of 4.67%. Th e evolution rates of this activity over time and throughout the study period show a sawtooth pace, exhibiting several peaks (Fig.…”

“…It was carried out every hour from 8 am to 5 pm during all the observation times on 80%-100% of the individuals present in the site using the scan method, instantaneous scan sampling, which is very suitable for this type of terrain (large, open and little disturbed) (Altmann, 1974) and was corrected and improved by Baldassare et al (1988) and Losito et al (1989). Th us, once a week, from August 2007 to July 2020, we carried out scans of the majority of individuals whose behaviours were easy to observe (Houhamdi, Samraoui, 2001, 2003, 2007Amorabda et al, 2015;Merzoug et al, 2015;Charchar et al, 2019). Th e activities measured are: sleep, feeding in the water and on the banks, grooming, swimming and fl ying.…”

Phenology and diurnal behavior of common  shelduck Tadorna tadorna at Sebkhet Bazer (El-Eulma, Nouth-East of Hauts Plateaux, Algeria)

“…It was organized every hour from 8 AM to 5 PM during all the observation time on 80 to 100% of the individuals present in the site using the instantaneous scan sampling method, which is very suitable for this type of terrain (large, open, and little disturbed) (Altmann, 1974), corrected and improved by Baldassare (1988) and Losito (1989). Thus, we carried out once a week, from August 2007 to July 2020, scans of the majority of individuals whose behaviors were easy to observe (Houhamdi&Samraoui, 2001, 2003, 2008Amorabda et al, 2015;Merzoug et al, 2015;Charchar et al, 2019). The activities measured are water surface feeding, feeding by tipping, feeding on the banks, preening, sleeping, swimming, flying, agonistic behavior, and courtship.…”

“…Conversely, other Anatidae, where sleeping is an essential activity (Tamisier, Dehorter 1999;Houhamdi, 2001Houhamdi, , 2003Houhamdi, , 2008Houhamdi et al, 2008Houhamdi et al, , 2009Merzoug et al, 2014, Charchar et al 2016Bouchaala et al 2017;Charchar et al 2019), this activity occupying the fifth position in a diurnal budget time of common shelduck at Sebkhet Bazer with a rate of 2,38%. The evolution curve of this activity over time displayed several fluctuations and exhibiting several peaks (Fig.…”

Biodiversity and phenological status of the waterbirds of the Lac des Oiseaux (Northeast of Algeria)

“…, 2017,Bouchaala et al, 2017, Oudihat et al, 2017, Khemis et al, 2017a, 2017b, Charchar et al, 2019, Bezzala et al, 2019a, 2019b and in the lake(Figure 4). The Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca and the Whiteheaded Duck Oxyura leucocephala, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, are regular sedentary nesting species in the Lac des Oiseaux.…”