The Status, diversity and some aspects of breeding behaviour of avian species in Khartoum State with emphasis on the Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 2013-2014

Abstract

The Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) is the most widespread species of Columbidae in Africa. There is no research done on this species in Sudan. Therefore, the present study aims to describe the breeding habits of the Laughing Dove in order to provide field data on breeding and breeding sites locations.Field observations were conducted on the breeding habits of the Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) at Khartoum State, Sudan, from 2013 to 2014. Observations were made under natural conditions. Observation were made using binoculars and field camera . A ladder of 4meter height was used to reach the nests. Morphometrics measurements were taken of eggs using vernier caliper. Digital scale professional balance was used to weight eggs.Descriptions were also given of the nest sites , nest building, nesting materials , nest measurements , nest height and preference for nesting trees included Tamrhindi Pterolobium exosum,Tundub, Capparis deciduas, Sedir,Ziziphaus spinachristi, Heglieg, Balanites aegyptiaca. Breeding activities were all shared by both sexes. Egg laying,incubation, hatching and fledgling were observed. The mineralogical contents for egg shells were not significant in two different habitats .The differences in mean of the numbers of nests between three towns (Khartoum, Bahari and Omdurman) was statistically significant difference ( p<0.05).Also there were significant difference between the seasons(dry season, winter and wet season). The ANOVA revealed significant variation in number of nests in different seasons (P=0.011) and in the three towns(P=0.0001) in 2013. In 2014 there was significant difference in number of nests in seasons (P=0.05),and in the three towns(P=0.005). The maximum numbers of the investigated nests were 36 in the first season and 45nests in the second breeding season. The Laughing Dove (Streptopelia vii senegalensis) breeds throught the year with the highest number of nests in rainy season and winter . That indicate there would be abundant food, when young were hatched.Birds bred solitary, males and females built the nest together.The average number of eggs per nests were two(n=76). The breeding success of the Laughing dove (Streptopelia Senegalensis)was found to be moderate. The percentage of nesting success in the first breeding season( 2013) was 42.1 % in Khartoum based on 8 nests, the percentage of nesting success in the first breeding season (2013) was 37.9 % in Bahari based on 6 nests. In the second breeding season (2014) the percentage of nesting success was47.8% in Khartoum based on 11nests, and the percentage of nesting success in Bahary was 48.3% based on 8 nests, in Omdurman the percentage of nesting success was 40% based on 3nests.Breeding success was calculated from nests that were followed from egg laying to fledgling . Also the present study describes bird fauna in Khartoum State (Khartoum, Bahari, and Omdurman).To the best of my knowledge since ( Macleay,1960 )there was not any recent study,so the studies of the area become basic necessity.The objective of this study were to document avifauna of Khartoum State. Identification of birds was executed using bird guides (Williams 1991 and Sinclair and Ryan 2010 ).The result was analysed in order to see the abundance and status of each species, it was tabulated and also presented as graphs.Data was provided on birds species, A total of 84 bird species were recorded in the area of which36species were Palearctic Migrants and 26 species were resident throughout the study period. A total of 6599 individual birds were found in the area, in 2013 and 8776 in 2014.Birds showed influx both in species and number of individual and this is attributed to habitat changes in rainy season. Also they were difference in bird species diversity and number of individuals between the sites in Khartoum State for the different habitats.