Variation in the diet of Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus(Aves, Rallidae) at Lake Réghaïa, Algeria

The diet of the Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropuswas studied at Lake Réghaïa (Algeria). A total of 600 faecal samples were collected from February 2010 to January 2012. The results showed that green plant materials (especially Poaceae) were the dominant faecal components (86.7 ± 23.8%), followed by invertebrates (13.2 ± 23.8%) and grit (0.03 ± 0.05%). Seventeen plant species belonging to eight different families were identified in 2010/2012. The major item identified in faecal contents was Poaceae. Paspalum distichumwas the most important diet category. Others grasses mostly eaten were Poa annua, Avenasp., Phragmitessp. and Panicum repens. Other plant species recorded in faeces were Carex hispida, Polygonum lapathifolium, Thypha angustifolia, Plantago major, Mentha pulegium, Plantago crassifolia, Panicum repensand Carex hispida. The Common Moorhen diet contained invertebrates, and ephippium of Daphniasp. were the most dominant. Insects were recorded, but with a negligible proportion.