Resumen de Phenology and diurnal behavior of marbled duck Marmaronetta angustirostris in the eco-complex of wetlands of Guerbes Sahhadja North-east of Algeria

Nabil Charchar, Laid Bouchaäla, Moussa Houhamdi

• Marbled duck, also called Marbled Teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris, is classified as “vulnerable” on the red list of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. It has this status in Algeria and throughout the western Palearctic. During three consecutive winter seasons (from August to November) of 2012, 2013 and 2014, Marbled duck numbers were less important than other duck species wintering in Gareat Hadj Tahar (wetland complex of Guerbes-Sanhadja north east of Algeria). The highest number of 38 individuals was observed during the second fortnight of September 2014.

  This number represents a record for all Algerian north eastern coastal wetlands. The marbled duck shows a gregarious behavior and concentrates in a single group which is easily observed in the center of water body. Diurnal behavior shows that feeding dominates daytime activities with 34.97% of the time. This activity is followed by sleeping (30.18%), swimming (19.47%), feather maintenance (9.28%) and finally flying (6.01%).