Studies on some harmful and beneficial bird species in newly reclaimed areas in Sohag Governorate

Abstract

In African countries, birds damage to cereal crops represents economic losses. Serial field trials had been conducted to study some ecological aspects associated with harmful and beneficial bird species at newly reclaimed areas in Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt. Regarding the harmful bird species, it is clear that the house sparrow, Passer domesticus niloticus was the most prevalent species in newly reclaimed areas, throughout the different year seasons. Hooded crow, Corvus corone sardonius ranked the second followed by palm dove, Streptopelia senegalensis egyptica and rock dove, Columba livia schimpari. On the other hand, crested lark, Galerida cristata and little green bee-eater, Merops orintalis clepatra were found in a few numbers during all seasons of the year. For the beneficial bird species, the results revealed that 9 beneficial and resident bird species Black-winged kite, Elanus coeruleus; fantailed warbler, Cisticola juncidis; hoopoe, Upupa epops epops; kestrl, Falco tinnunculus;little owl, Athene noctua glaux; swallow, Hirundo rustica savignii; spur winged plover, Hoplopterus spinosus; yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava and cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis ibis. White wagtail, Motacilla alba alba and chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita were found abundantly only in winter and spring seasons. With respect to the loss caused by harmful birds, the results revealed that the average of birds damage to wheat and sorghum varied according to the type of habitats. The highest birds damage occurred in crops of nearby trees, while the lowest damage was in those nearby field crops. Also, the most birds damage was recorded in the first 10 meters then, it decreased gradually towards the middle of the field. In conclusion, house sparrow, caused the most serious damage at ripening stage of considered crops. The highest damage was occurred in most cases during the ripening stages of sorghum than that of wheat crop.