Preliminary study on breeding biology of the palm dove, Streptopelia Senegalensis, at Sharkia governorate, in Egypt [electronic resource]

Includes bibliographic reference

This study was conducted in two districts (Zagazig and Huseinia) of Sharkia governorate to through some lights
about the breeding features of the Palm Dove, Streptopelia senegalensis. In total, 32 nests were recorded in
different habitats during the period of study. The total number of monitored nests (old and new) was differed
from one year to another being 34, 54 and 37 nests for 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. The percentages
of nests with eggs (active nests) were also differed from one year to another recording 62.16%, 79.4% and 87.03%
for 2020, 2021 and 2022,respectively. The average number of eggs/active nest (clutch size) was relatively
similar for the years of study ranged between 1.72 to 1.77 eggs/nests. The mean period of eggs incubation
was ranged between 15–16.7 days. Hatchability % of the eggs laid was differed according to the season of
the year, whereas the highest value was recorded in summer season (86.39%) while the lowest was occurred
in autumn (72.67%). Fledging period was prolonged during winter and autumn and shortened during summer
and spring. The highest breeding success was recorded in spring season (95%) and the lowest one was
occurred in winter season (79.05%). Numbers of fledges were less than the number of hatched chicks
and differed according to the season of the years recording the least numbers in Winter and the highest
numbers in Spring and Autumn. The number of clutches per each monitored pairs per a year was
differed from one pair to another and from one season to another for the same pair, however, it was
irregular in most cases due to different consideration.

Key words: Breeding biology, Palm dove (Streptopelia senegalensis), Sharkia Governorate, biological aspects.

Summary in Arabic