Population dynamics and wintering behavior of the black–headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus at El Mellah lagoon (Northeastern Algeria)

Abstract

The population dynamics and behavior of the black-headed gull of an Algerian coastal wetland, El Mellah lagoon (Lake Mellah), were studied during three consecutive wintering seasons (2018–2021). Maximum numbers of the species were counted in December and January depending on the year. A peak of 536 individuals was recorded in the first half of December 2018, another of 538 individuals in the second half of December 2019, and a final peak of 636 birds in the first half of January 2021. Diurnal activity patterns showed that feeding was the primary behavior, with a mean of 24% for the three seasons. It was followed by sleeping (21%), swimming (19%), preening (18%), and flight (17%). Black-headed gulls appeared to be more active in the morning than at other times of the day.

Keywords

• black-headed gull
• chroicocephalus ridibundus
• el mellah lagoon
• numbers
• behavior
• diurnal activity patterns