Ecology of avian settlements in Lake Tonga (Northeast Algeria)

K. Loucif; M. Bara; A. Grira; M. C. Maazi; A. Hamli; M. Houhamdi

doi:10.15407/zoo2020.04.275

K. Loucif Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Chadli Bendjedid, 36000 El Tarf, Algeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2046-2830
M. Bara Laboratoire Biologie, Eau et Environnement (LBEE). Faculté SNV-STU, Université 8 Mai 1945 Guelma. BP. 401 24000. Guelma (Algeria) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3818-424X
A. Grira National Park of El Kala, 36100 El Kala, El Tarf, Algeria
M. C. Maazi Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University Mohamed Chérif Messaidia of Souk-Ahras, 41000 Souk-Ahras, Algeria
A. Hamli Laboratoire Biologie, Eau et Environnement (LBEE). Faculté SNV-STU, Université 8 Mai 1945 Guelma. BP. 401 24000. Guelma (Algeria)
M. Houhamdi Laboratoire Biologie, Eau et Environnement (LBEE). Faculté SNV-STU, Université 8 Mai 1945 Guelma. BP. 401 24000. Guelma (Algeria)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/zoo2020.04.275

Keywords: Lake Tonga, bird diversity, phenology, waterbirds, bird breeding

Abstract

Lake Tonga is an integral reserve within the El-Kala National Park, Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar site. This study consists in determining the diversity and phenology status of waterbirds in this reserve over an entire annual cycle (2017–2018). The census was carried out from fixed observation points. Of the 35 species recorded, wintering birds dominate with 12 species (34 %), followed by breeding sedentary species with 11 species (32 %). The breeding water bird populations are dominated by the common coot Fulica atra, (with a maximum of 6,033 birds) followed by the Anatidae, Herons and Grebes. Lake Tonga is a breeding area for several avian species and a recruitment site for a multitude species bird during the wintering period. Three Anatidae nest at Lake Tonga: the white-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala, the ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca and the mallard Anas platyrhynchos.