New Data on the Staging and Winter Behavior of the Red-Crested Pochard Netta rufina in Lake of Birds (North-Eastern Algeria)

Baalia Et Al., Sara

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2023.329327

New Data on the Staging and Winter Behavior of the Red-Crested Pochard Netta rufina in Lake of Birds (North-Eastern Algeria)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Sara Baalia et al.

10.21608/ejabf.2023.329327

Abstract

The Lac des Oiseaux, located in the northeastern part of Algeria, provides suitable conditions for migratory aquatic birds during winter. Designated as a Ramsar site in 1999, the lake has been a seasonal home to 11 to 12 diverse Anatidae species. In the winter of 2023, a rare sighting occurred at the study site - the red-crested pochard, Netta rufina. This species is infrequently observed in the country's wetlands, usually in limited numbers. During its stay at the bird lake, we conducted regular counts and observed a maximum of 103 individuals in January, including 61 males and 41 females. This population was concentrated around the waist of the lake, particularly in its southwest area, away from disturbances and close to helophytes like cattails of Typhas and Bulrushes.A detailed study of daily activity patterns, conducted over 312 hours with an average of 8 hours per day, revealed that sleeping was the most common activity for both sexes (49%), followed by swimming (23%). Activities such as feeding, grooming, and displaying constituted only 9% of the time. Aggressive behaviors such as theft and antagonism were the least frequent, accounting for just 1% of the time budget. These findings underscore the significance of this wetland as a wintering site and a sanctuary for various Anatidae species, including rare ones viz. the species under study.

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