Abstract
The European serin (Serinus serinus) is one of the best examples of a species in the western Palaearctic that has expanded its distribution ranges in current periods. However, the breeding features of serin are not well known and were restricted for some localities, as well as there have not been any deep and comparable studies on its mortality and menacing factors. This study investigates breeding biology, including breeding chronology, nesting strategies, and reproductive success of the European serin in farmland and woodland habitats at Moulouya high plain (Morocco), during 2016. Results showed that, at high-altitude breeding habitats, the European serin started breeding activity lately by 25 April (construction of the first nest) and continued until 19 July (last fledging date). Moreover, most nests (96.42%) were found in farmlands, mainly in apple orchards. Two broods were recorded between April-May and June-July, and the clutch size was an average of 3.04 ± 0.13 eggs/nest. For reproductive success, among the 65 examined nests, 73.84% were active during the nest construction phase and 87.42% of eggs have succeeded during the incubation phase. Reproductive success was higher (93.83%) during fledging. Clutches were failed due to predation (15.9%), nest desertion (14.35%), and destruction of nests (8.88%). Finally, our study highlights that the European serin breeds in high-altitude zones with late and shorter breeding seasons, which might allow this bird to avoid high lands’ vigorous climate conditions and their effect on breeding success.
Highlights
Information on breeding biology and reproductive performances of avian species constitutes a central part in the understanding of their population bio-ecology and adaptation, as it permits the academics and wild defenders to identify problems [1, 2]
E serin (Serinus serinus) is a small, socially monogamous finch [4, 5], common in southern Europe, North Africa, and some western parts of Asia, which sings intensively throughout the breeding period. e serin is one of International Journal of Zoology the best examples of a species in the western Palaearctic that has expanded its distribution ranges in recent times [6]. e breeding biology, chronology, and success of the serin are not well known and were limited for some localities, and there have not been any comparable studies on its mortality and failure factors mainly in the south of the Mediterranean Basin [7]
It is known that the European serin is a residentbreeding species in Morocco and Algeria [11, 18], since this bird was recorded in forest areas and farmlands, mainly oases [8, 19]
Summary
Information on breeding biology and reproductive performances of avian species constitutes a central part in the understanding of their population bio-ecology and adaptation, as it permits the academics and wild defenders to identify problems [1, 2]. It has direct implications in conservation procedures [3]. E serin is one of International Journal of Zoology the best examples of a species in the western Palaearctic that has expanded its distribution ranges in recent times [6]. With the recent changes in climatic conditions, intensification of agricultural activities, and illegal capture and trade of wildlife species [13, 14], the knowledge of the features that could impact the breeding performance and survival of this small Fringillidae is urgently required
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