Nest building, dimension, and selection of aromatic and medicinal twigs to repel ectoparasites in the European Turtle dove

Studies incorporating the nesting behavior and ecology of parasite disease in the European turtle dove during breeding periods are rare. This research examined nest features and nesting materials in Turtle doves to characterize nest dimensions, build, and incorporate vegetation, mainly aromatic and medicinal plants. In parallel, we estimated the ectoparasite load on chicks to verify an eventual relation between odorant plants and pathogen loads. The study was carried in apple orchards at Okhaja Ait Ayach, Midelt province Morocco, during 2015 and 2016. The obtained results demonstrate that the Turtle dove constructs a medium nest, compared to its body size, using several plant species, including medicinal and aromatic species known for their toxicity against pathogens. The inhibition capacity of nesting materials is reflected in parasite loads since only 8% of chicks were infested with Columbicola columbae and Dermanyssus gallinae. Repellent materials in nests are a successful behavioral strategy for this declining game to protect nestlings against pathogens.(AU)

Nest building, dimension, and selection of aromatic and medicinal twigs to repel ectoparasites in the European turtle dove

Studies incorporating the nesting behavior and ecology of parasite disease in the European turtle dove during breeding periods are rare. This research examined nest features and nesting materials in Turtle doves to characterize nest dimensions, build, and incorporate vegetation, mainly aromatic and medicinal plants. In parallel, we estimated the ectoparasite load on chicks to verify an eventual relation between odorant plants and pathogen loads. The study was carried in apple orchards at Okhaja Ait Ayach, Midelt province Morocco, during 2015 and 2016. The obtained results demonstrate that the Turtle dove constructs a medium nest, compared to its body size, using several plant species, including medicinal and aromatic species known for their toxicity against pathogens. The inhibition capacity of nesting materials is reflected in parasite loads since only 8% of chicks were infested with Columbicola columbae and Dermanyssus gallinae. Repellent materials in nests are a successful behavioral strategy for this declining game to protect nestlings against pathogens.

Field investigation of Turtle doves courtship: vocal calls versus arc-flight

During the breeding season, many avian species produce complex expressions to attract their mates. In turtle doves Streptopelia turtur, male signals visually and acoustically during courtship. The only previous study on turtle doves song was limited to quantifying acoustic expressions and their role in the detection of turtle doves. In the present study, we defined two types of languages in turtle doves courtship display: "arc-shaped" flights and vocal "roux", with the aim to investigate, under natural conditions, their attractive role towards females. Similarly, the influence of intraspecific competitors and position of singing were analysed during two breeding seasons (2016-2017). Summarizing, results chow that male turtle doves combined acoustic and arc-flight displays to attract mates, with intense expressions between May and July. Throughout the day, vocal calls and flights are concentrated between 8:00-10:00 (morning) and 16:00-18:00 (evening). Moreover, the duration of the acoustic display is more important than flying expressions. On the other hand, turtle doves sing on trees (vertical support) more than ground, with a complex frequencies and amplitudes (sound calls) to spread out their calls toward females. However, the presence of competitors in the same field increase rate of singing and flying, in order to ensure mates attraction.(AU)

Field investigation of Turtle doves’ courtship: vocal calls versus arc-flight

During the breeding season, many avian species produce complex expressions to attract their mates. In turtle doves Streptopelia turtur, male signals visually and acoustically during courtship. The only previous study on turtle doves’ song was limited to quantifying acoustic expressions and their role in the detection of turtle doves. In the present study, we defined two types of languages in turtle dove’s courtship display: "arc-shaped" flights and vocal "roux", with the aim to investigate, under natural conditions, their attractive role towards females. Similarly, the influence of intraspecific competitors and position of singing were analysed during two breeding seasons (2016-2017). Summarizing, results chow that male turtle doves combined acoustic and arc-flight displays to attract mates, with intense expressions between May and July. Throughout the day, vocal calls and flights are concentrated between 8:00-10:00 (morning) and 16:00-18:00 (evening). Moreover, the duration of the acoustic display is more important than flying expressions. On the other hand, turtle doves sing on trees (vertical support) more than ground, with a complex frequencies and amplitudes (sound calls) to spread out their calls toward females. However, the presence of competitors in the same field increase rate of singing and flying, in order to ensure mates attraction.

The turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) in Midelt plain, Morocco: nestingpreferences and breeding success versus the impact of predation andagricultural practices

Breeding success plays a crucial role in the dynamics of bird populations and yet is the least-studied avian life-stage. Habitat quality during breeding phase may have important implications for survival and conservation, particularly for declining populations in landscapes that have undergone wide-scale human modification. The European Turtle dove is a widespread but fast declining species both in breeding and wintering zones. Reduced food availability isthought to influence breeding success of this game species, but it is not known how agriculture practices could influence breeding Doves, in its high altitude breeding zones. Here, wemonitored Turtle dove nests in apple orchards from early Marsh to the end of October 2015. Nest-tree support, breeding success, and predation were determined and analysed depending on agricultural practices. Compared to prune, cherry and other plantation, apple orchards had the highest overall Turtle doves' nests (85%). However, 60% of recorded nests were located on Golden delicious, where are noted thehighest nesting success rates (respectively 77.6% and 57.9%for eggs and chicks). However, Turtle dove showed high rate of nesting failure in the Midelt region, more especially inapple orchards, and this is mainly due to predation attacks, which caused a loss of 77.8% of broods, both among eggs and chicks. In addition, several farming practices in apple orchards influenced significantly nesting success of this species. In fact, this game bird does not breed in the orchards covered by hailnets. Similarly, tree pruning disturb doves nesting on apples.(AU)

The turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) in Midelt plain, Morocco: nestingpreferences and breeding success versus the impact of predation andagricultural practices

Breeding success plays a crucial role in the dynamics of bird populations and yet is the least-studied avian life-stage. Habitat quality during breeding phase may have important implications for survival and conservation, particularly for declining populations in landscapes that have undergone wide-scale human modification. The European Turtle dove is a widespread but fast declining species both in breeding and wintering zones. Reduced food availability isthought to influence breeding success of this game species, but it is not known how agriculture practices could influence breeding Doves, in its high altitude breeding zones. Here, wemonitored Turtle dove nests in apple orchards from early Marsh to the end of October 2015. Nest-tree support, breeding success, and predation were determined and analysed depending on agricultural practices. Compared to prune, cherry and other plantation, apple orchards had the highest overall Turtle doves' nests (85%). However, 60% of recorded nests were located on Golden delicious, where are noted thehighest nesting success rates (respectively 77.6% and 57.9%for eggs and chicks). However, Turtle dove showed high rate of nesting failure in the Midelt region, more especially inapple orchards, and this is mainly due to predation attacks, which caused a loss of 77.8% of broods, both among eggs and chicks. In addition, several farming practices in apple orchards influenced significantly nesting success of this species. In fact, this game bird does not breed in the orchards covered by hailnets. Similarly, tree pruning disturb doves nesting on apples.