Breeding biology of Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis in the Tadla lowland (Central Morocco): a comparative analysis with Turtle Dove Streptopelia turturOriginal Title (non-English) LA REPRODUCTION DE LA TOURTERELLE MAILLEE Streptopelia senegalensis DANS LA PLAINE DU TADLA (MAROC CENTRAL): ANALYSE COMPAREE AVEC LA TOURTERELLE DES BOIS Streptopelia turture [French]

摘要

Breeding biology of Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis in the Iodic lowland (Central Morocco): a comparative analysis with Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur. The breeding biology of Laughing Dove was studied in 2008 in Tadla olive and orange groves. A comparative analysis with Turtle Dove was carried out. Laughing Doves have occupied only olive groves. The species built their nests at an average height of 2.58 +/- 0.09 m (n = 21) from the ground, and at 1.67 +/- 0.19 m from the trunk, at 2.12 +/- 0.24 m from the lowest part of the canopy and at 2.17 +/- 0.24 m from the external part of the canopy. Egg-laying started during the first weeks of February (day 10), with the latest recorded during the last weeks of July. Egg-laying lasted about six months with peaks noted respectively in first weeks of April (28.3%, n = 21) and July (14.3%). Average clutch size was 1.92 +/- 0.08 eggs per nest, clutches of two eggs were dominant (90.5%, n = 21). Nest desertion (40.0%, n = 10) and nest destruction (30.0%) were the main causes affecting nesting success. Breeding success defined as the proportion of nests for which at least one chick fledged was 54.0 +/- 14.0 % with a mean productivity of 1.08 +/- 0.29 fledged chicks per nest. Nest location within olive canopy did not affect breeding success. Comparative analysis with Turtle Dove showed that significative differences were recorded in olive grove occupations, nest placement, egg dimensions and egg-laying period duration. However, no difference was noted in clutch size and breeding success.