Are Moroccan fruit orchards suitable breeding habitats for Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur?

Capsule Although subject to human disturbance Turtle Doves do nest successfully in these olive and orange orchards. Aim To investigate the breeding ecology of Turtle Doves in a man-made agricultural habitat in central Morocco. Methods Turtle Dove nests were monitored in orange and olive orchards over three years (2006, 2007 and 2008). Nest abundance, nest location, egg-laying chronology, clutch size, nest survival rates and breeding success were determined and compared between orchard types. Results The Moroccan population of Turtle Doves start breeding earlier than European populations. Clutch size, nest survival rates and breeding success were similar in orange and olive orchards. Nest location differed between orange and olive trees. Nest densities were 16 nests/ha in olive orchards and 45 nests/ha in orange orchards. Nest success rate averaged 48%. Daily nest survival rates did not vary according to orchard types, year and date. In the two orchards, no nest position variables were significant predictors of nesting success. Conclusion Although highly frequented by people, fruit orchards seem to be suitable breeding habitats for Turtle Doves in this region.