Abundances and breeding phenology of three sympatric grebes (little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis, great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus and black-necked grebe Podiceps nigricollis) in Dayet El Ferd, Algeria

Abstract

In this current study, we examine the abundances and breeding phenology of three sympatric grebes (little, great crested and black-necked grebes) in Dayet El Ferd. These grebes were observed during all the period (2011-2018) in this wetland, except in September when the great crested grebe leaves the region. The abundances of these three grebes show a significant difference. In 2017, the total number of 71 nests was measured. The mean clutch size was 5.23 ± 1.49 eggs per nest. The highest number of eggs per nest was ten eggs, and most nests contained three eggs (N=18).