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This study was focused on the ecology and behavior of the White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) at Garaet Hadj Tahar (Guerbes-Sanhadja, North East of Algeria). Sampling was carried out during two wintering seasons (2017-2018 and 2018-2019). High number of this duck was recorded in 2018/19 (350 individuals). We observed two Oxyura population, the first sedentary, and the second, hosted the Garaet during the wintering season. Diurnal time budget was dominated by the comfort activities the sleeping with a rate of 39.13%. Following by swimming (37.76%), feeding (17.59%) grooming (4.58%), courtship ritual (0.56%) and flying (0.38%). The feeding of white-headed duck is done exclusively by diving. Beside, this waterbird associated between Feeding by diving and grooming in order to minimized energy. The accessory activities such as: courtship ritual, flying were done by this duck at the end of wintering. This results confirm that Garaet Hadj Tahar is considered as wintering site for this threatened species. Biological Conservation plan (BCP) must be applied at level of this wetland in order to manage bioressources and threatened waterbirds.

Animal-vehicle collisions (AVCs) are considered a major cause of wildlife mortality. This study identified carcasses of AVC-killed animals along a road network located south of Algiers. The results showed that different types of wild and domestic animals were killed by vehicles, mostly mammals. In terms of diversity, wild animals are more subjected to AVC than domestic ones. But, dogs were the most commonly reported. Hyaena hyaena, declared a threatened species, was also reported in this AVC study. Moreover, the road types' diversity and seasonal variation also affected the AVC-affected animals. More collaboration between fauna conservationists and road authorities seems to be urgent to reduce AVC in Algeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this current study, we examine the abundances and breeding phenology of three sympatric grebes (little, great crested and black-necked grebes) in Dayet El Ferd. These grebes were observed during all the period (2011-2018) in this wetland, except in September when the great crested grebe leaves the region. The abundances of these three grebes show a significant difference. In 2017, the total number of 71 nests was measured. The mean clutch size was 5.23 ± 1.49 eggs per nest. The highest number of eggs per nest was ten eggs, and most nests contained three eggs (N=18).

The rapid spread of the non-native species Harmonia axyridis in Algeria has the potential to harm local biodiversity, create new challenges for natural resources management, and impact economies. Through an investigation on social media and a citizen science platform, three new occurrences of this species have been discovered in different parts of the country, with one location being over 400km away from the first record. This highlights the important role of citizen science in the detection and for the spread monitoring of invasive species in developing countries where funding for research in this field is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Since antiquity, the keeping of finches as pets has been common throughout the Mediterranean countries and it remains a widespread hobby to the present day. Since most finches are sourced from the wild this hobby can have implications for their conservation, especially for already imperilled species. We conducted a survey of 257 households in the city of Guelma, in the north-east of Algeria, and of 70 participants to a European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis show contest in Algiers, to understand the owners' motives for keeping cage birds and find solutions to mitigate any negative effects on the trade. Keeping and showing finches in Algeria is a male-dominated hobby, especially for the 30–40 year age bracket. Our surveys indicate that almost 60% of households had a cage bird, with the European Goldfinch being the most popular species. With a mean of 0.75 goldfinches per household we estimate that in Guelma alone some 17,000 are kept in captivity. Between 70% and 90% of the owners indicated that their birds were indeed wild-sourced, and over 85% of them were aware of the protected status of the European Goldfinch in Algeria. Our findings underline the need for strict enforcement of existing laws and better targeted awareness campaigns to influence the behaviour of owners in order to reduce the demand for wild specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin de la Societe Zoologique de France is the property of Societe Zoologique de France and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Water birds have traditionally been used as ecological indicators to monitor natural habitats and wetland changes. Climate is widely recognized as a major predictor of bird abundance and richness along largescale environmental gradients, but mechanisms by which climate influences the bird abundance are still unknown. We analyzed seasonal variations on the bird community structure of Rallidae and Anatidae families in the northeastern Algerian Garaet Hadj Tahar for three consecutive years (September 2012 to August 2015). We studied the effect of air temperature and water depth on bird abundance and two ecological diversity indices (Shannon and Shannon E). Significant inter-annual fluctuations in bird abundance were recorded. Maximum values were always recorded during autumn. Water depth correlated positively with bird abundance and Shannon index. Field samplings indicated that bird abundance was frequently higher than 1000 individuals, which suggests that this site is an important refuge of water birds in the Guerbes-Sanhadja wetlands complex. Two key conservation species were observed regularly in the Garaet: near threatened Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) and endangered White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala). Our results highlight the importance of preserving the Garaet Hadj Tahar as a water bird refuge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin de la Societe Zoologique de France is the property of Societe Zoologique de France and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This current study is focused on the trophic menu of the Algerian Nuthatch Sitta ledanti in the Guerrouch forest (Algeria). The sampling was done during the breeding season (from March to June 2018) of this bird. The results exposed the importance of Lepidopteran larvae on the diet of the Nuthatch. This taxa was the most diversified and abundant order with 20 species. The available prey associated with the Algerian Oak is more abundant during the incubation and the feeding young phases. These preys are much less present during the pre-laying and post-flight phases. During egg incubation and feeding, periods when the nuthatches' food and energy requirements are at their peak. The average size of prey available during the nesting period is 14.05±7mm. Potential prey sizes for Nuthatches, on average, are higher, more in advance of the breeding period. Geometridae are dominant during the incubation phase of the brood, represented mainly by the species Operophtera brumata. Caterpillars with a dominant green color are the most available for Nuthatches with a rate of 80 %. Short-haired Caterpillars make up the majority of the available caterpillar stock at 81.07%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]