Nest building, dimension, and selection of aromatic and medicinal twigs to repel ectoparasites in the European Turtle dove

Ismail Mansouri; Driss Ousaaid; Wafae Squalli; Ikram Douini; Mohamed Mounir; Abdelbari El Agy; Amine Assouguem; Hamid Achiban; Lahsen El Ghadraoui; Mohamed Dakki

doi:10.31893/jabb.21033

Keywords:

Abstract

Studies incorporating the nesting behavior and ecology of parasite disease in the European turtle dove during breeding periods are rare. This research examined nest features and nesting materials in Turtle doves to characterize nest dimensions, build, and incorporate vegetation, mainly aromatic and medicinal plants. In parallel, we estimated the ectoparasite load on chicks to verify an eventual relation between odorant plants and pathogen loads. The study was carried in apple orchards at Okhaja Ait Ayach, Midelt province Morocco, during 2015 and 2016. The obtained results demonstrate that the Turtle dove constructs a medium nest, compared to its body size, using several plant species, including medicinal and aromatic species known for their toxicity against pathogens. The inhibition capacity of nesting materials is reflected in parasite loads since only 8% of chicks were infested with Columbicola columbae and Dermanyssus gallinae. Repellent materials in nests are a successful behavioral strategy for this declining game to protect nestlings against pathogens.
References
1. Banbura J, Blondel J, de Wilde-Lambrechts H, and Perret P (1995) Why do female Blue Tits (Parus careuleus) bring fresh plants to their nests? Journal Für Ornithologie 136:217–221.
2. Biddle LE, Broughton RE, Goodman AM, and Deeming DC (2018) Composition of Bird Nests is a Species-Specific Characteristic. Avian Biology Research 11:132–153.
3. Biddle LE, Deeming DC, and Goodman AM (2015) Morphology and biomechanics of the nests of the Common Blackbird Turdus merula. Bird Study 62:87–95.
4. Browne SJ, and Aebischer NJ (2004) Temporal changes in the breeding ecology of European Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur in Britain, and implications for conservation. Ibis 146:125–137.
5. Burton NHK (2006) Nest orientation and hatching success in the tree pipit Anthus trivialis. Journal of Avian Biology 37:312–317.
6. Clark L (1991) The nest protection hypothesis: the adaptive use of plant secondary compounds by European starlings. Bird–Parasite Interactions: Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour. Oxford University Press, Oxford 205–221.
7. Clark L, and Mason JR (1985) Use of nest material as insecticidal and anti-pathogenic agents by the European starling. Oecologia 67:169–176.
8. Collias NE, and Collias EC (1984) Nest building and bird behavior (Princeton University Press).
9. Crossman CA, Rohwer VG, and Martin PR (2011) Variation in the structure of bird nests between northern Manitoba and southeastern Ontario. PLoS One 6:e19086.
10. Deeming DC (2013) Effects of female body size and phylogeny on avian nest dimensions. Avian Biology Research 6:1–11.
11. Deeming DC, Mainwaring MC, Hartley IR, and Reynolds SJ (2012) Local temperature and not latitude determines the design of Blue Tit and Great Tit nests. Avian Biology Research 5:203–208.
12. Dubiec A, Góźdź I, and Mazgajski T (2013) Green plant material in avian nests. Avian Biology Research 6:133–146.
13. Dunn JC, and Morris AJ (2012) Which features of UK farmland are important in retaining territories of the rapidly declining Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur? Bird Study 59:394–402.
14. El Hamdani N, Filali-Ansari N, Zefzoufi M, Derhali S, El Abbouyi A, El Khyari S, Mouzdahir A, Sraidi K, Harjane T, Fdil R (2018) Preliminary phytochemical analysis and antibacterial potential of organic extracts from aerial parts of Retama monosperma.
15. Fauth PT, Krementz DG, and Hines JE (1991) Ectoparasitism and the role of green nesting material in the European starling. Oecologia 88:22–29.
16. Fowler JA, and Cohen S (1983) A method for the quantitative collection of ectoparasites from birds. Ringing & Migration 4:185–189.
17. Hanane S (2010) Biométrie des tourterelles des bois Streptopelia turtur dans le sud du Maroc (région de Taroudant). Ecologia Mediterranea 36:107–110.
18. Hansell M (2000) Bird nests and construction behaviour (Cambridge University Press).
19. Jafarirad S, Mehrabi M, Divband B, and Kosari-Nasab M (2016) Biofabrication of zinc oxide nanoparticles using fruit extract of Rosa canina and their toxic potential against bacteria: A mechanistic approach. Materials Science and Engineering: C 59:296–302.
20. Kern MD (1984) Racial Differences in Nests of White-Crowned Sparrows. The Condor 86:455–466.
21. Kern MD, and Van Riper C (1984) Altitudinal Variations in Nests of the Hawaiian Honeycreeper Hemignathus virens virens. The Condor 86:443–454.
22. Lennon RJ, Dunn JC, Stockdale JE, Goodman SJ, Morris AJ, and Hamer KC (2013) Trichomonad parasite infection in four species of Columbidae in the UK. Parasitology 140:1368–1376.
23. Lopez EM (1995) Estudio de la prevalencia y susceptibilidad a la infeccion por t. Gallinae en aves domesticas y silvestres. Valoracion de la sensibilidad del protozoo a diferentes derivados nitroimidazolicos.
24. Lormée H, Barbraud C, Peach W, Carboneras C, Lebreton JD, Moreno-Zarate L, Bacon L, and Eraud C (2019) Assessing the sustainability of harvest of the European Turtle-dove along the European western flyway. Bird Conservation International 1–16.
25. Mainwaring MC, Hartley IR, Lambrechts MM, and Deeming DC (2014) The design and function of birds' nests. Ecology and Evolution 4:3909–3928.
26. Mansouri I, Al-Sadoon MK, Rochdi M, Paray BA, Dakki M, and Elghadraoui L (2019) Diversity of feeding habitats and diet composition in the turtle doves Streptopelia turtur to buffer loss and modification of natural habitats during breeding season. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 26:957–962.
27. Mighri H, Hajlaoui H, Akrout A, Najjaa H, and Neffati M (2010) Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil cultivated in Tunisian arid zone. Comptes Rendus Chimie 13:380–386.
28. Mohamed AE-HH, El-Sayed M, Hegazy ME, Helaly SE, Esmail AM, and Mohamed NS (2010) Chemical constituents and biological activities of Artemisia herba-alba. Records of Natural Products 4.
29. Moreno-Zarate L, Estrada A, Peach W, and Arroyo B (2020) Spatial heterogeneity in population change of the globally threatened European turtle dove in Spain: The role of environmental favourability and land use. Diversity and Distributions.
30. Muno LE (1998) estudio de la prevalencia y susceptibilidad a la infecci'on por {it trichomonas gallinae/} en aves dom'esticas y silvestres: valoraci'on de la sensibilidad del protozoo a diferentes derivados nitroimidazolicos.
31. Newton I (1994) The role of nest sites in limiting the numbers of hole-nesting birds: a review. Biological Conservation 70:265–276.
32. Ousaaid, D, Mansouri I, Laaroussi H, ElGhouizi A, Lyoussi B, and ElArabi I (2020) Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Activity of Flesh Fruits Rosa canina Extracts Collected from Ait Ayach Midelt. Indian Journal of Agricultural Research 54.
33. Rätti O, Dufva R, and Alatalo RV (1993) Blood parasites and male fitness in the pied flycatcher. Oecologia 96:410–414.
34. Robinson RA, Lawson B, Toms MP, Peck KM, Kirkwood JK, Chantrey J, Clatworthy IR, Evans AD, Hughes LA, and Hutchinson OC (2010) Emerging infectious disease leads to rapid population declines of common British birds. PLoS One 5:e12215.
35. Rovná K, Petrová J, Terentjeva M, Černá J, and Kačániová M (2020) Antimicrobial activity of Rosa canina flowers against selected microorganisms. Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences 9:62–64.
36. Sansano-Maestre J, Garijo-Toledo MM, and Gómez-Muñoz MT (2009) Prevalence and genotyping of Trichomonas gallinae in pigeons and birds of prey. Avian Pathology 38:201–207.
37. Schulz JH, Bermudez AJ, and Millspaugh JJ (2005) Monitoring presence and annual variation of trichomoniasis in mourning doves. Avian Diseases 49:387–389.
38. Sciurine C, and Kern M (1980) The insulation in nests of selected North American songbirds. Auk 97:816–824.
39. Scott-Baumann JF, and Morgan ER (2015) A review of the nest protection hypothesis: does inclusion of fresh green plant material in birds' nests reduce parasite infestation? Parasitology 142:1016–1023.
40. Segal R, Feuerstein I, and Danin A (1987) Chemotypes of Artemisia herba-alba in Israel based on their sesquiterpene lactone and essential oil constitution. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 15, 411–416.
41. Slagsvold T (1982) Clutch Size, Nest Size, and Hatching Asynchrony in Birds: Experiments with the Fieldfare (Turdus Pilaris) 63:1389-1399.
42. Slagsvold T (1984) Clutch Size Variation of Birds in Relation to Nest Predation: On the Cost of Reproduction. Journal of Animal Ecology 53:945-953.
43. Slagsvold T (1989a) On the evolution of clutch size and nest size in passerine birds. Oecologia 79:300–305.
44. Slagsvold T (1989b) Experiments on clutch size and nest size in passerine birds. Oecologia 80:297–302.
45. Spadaro V, Raimondo F, Fennane M, Bruno M, and Senatore F (2014). Chemical composition of the essential oil of cladanthus scariosus (asteraceae) wild grown in Morocco. In Societa Botanica Italiana 109° Congresso International Plant Science Conference (IPSC) from Nature to Technological Exploitations 142–142.
46. Stockdale JE, Dunn JC, Goodman SJ, Sheehan AJ, Sheehan DK, Grice PV, and Hamer KC (2015) The protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae causes adult and nestling mortality in a declining population of European Turtle Doves, Streptopelia turtur. Parasitology 142:490–498.
47. Suárez-Rodríguez M, López-Rull I, and Macias Garcia C (2013) Incorporation of cigarette butts into nests reduces nest ectoparasite load in urban birds: new ingredients for an old recipe? Biology Letters 9:20120931.
48. Walsh PT, Hansell M, Borello WD, and Healy SD (2010) Repeatability of nest morphology in African weaver birds. Biology Letters 6:149–151.
49. Wenzig EM, Widowitz U, Kunert O, Chrubasik S, Bucar F, Knauder E, and Bauer R (2008) Phytochemical composition and in vitro pharmacological activity of two rose hip (Rosa canina L.) preparations. Phytomedicine 15:826–835.
50. Wimberger PH (1984) The use of green plant material in bird nests to avoid ectoparasites. The Auk 101:615–618.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Mansouri, I., Ousaaid, D., Squalli, W., Douini, I., Mounir, M., El Agy, A., Assouguem, A., Achiban, H., El Ghadraoui, L., & Dakki, M. (2021). Nest building, dimension, and selection of aromatic and medicinal twigs to repel ectoparasites in the European Turtle dove. Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology, 9(4), 2133. https://doi.org/10.31893/jabb.21033

[1] Banbura J, Blondel J, de Wilde-Lambrechts H, and Perret P (1995) Why do female Blue Tits (Parus careuleus) bring fresh plants to their nests? Journal Für Ornithologie 136:217–221.

[2] Biddle LE, Broughton RE, Goodman AM, and Deeming DC (2018) Composition of Bird Nests is a Species-Specific Characteristic. Avian Biology Research 11:132–153.

[3] Biddle LE, Deeming DC, and Goodman AM (2015) Morphology and biomechanics of the nests of the Common Blackbird Turdus merula. Bird Study 62:87–95.

[4] Browne SJ, and Aebischer NJ (2004) Temporal changes in the breeding ecology of European Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur in Britain, and implications for conservation. Ibis 146:125–137.

[5] Burton NHK (2006) Nest orientation and hatching success in the tree pipit Anthus trivialis. Journal of Avian Biology 37:312–317.

[6] Clark L (1991) The nest protection hypothesis: the adaptive use of plant secondary compounds by European starlings. Bird–Parasite Interactions: Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour. Oxford University Press, Oxford 205–221.

[7] Clark L, and Mason JR (1985) Use of nest material as insecticidal and anti-pathogenic agents by the European starling. Oecologia 67:169–176.

[8] Collias NE, and Collias EC (1984) Nest building and bird behavior (Princeton University Press).

[9] Crossman CA, Rohwer VG, and Martin PR (2011) Variation in the structure of bird nests between northern Manitoba and southeastern Ontario. PLoS One 6:e19086.

[10] Deeming DC (2013) Effects of female body size and phylogeny on avian nest dimensions. Avian Biology Research 6:1–11.

[11] Deeming DC, Mainwaring MC, Hartley IR, and Reynolds SJ (2012) Local temperature and not latitude determines the design of Blue Tit and Great Tit nests. Avian Biology Research 5:203–208.

[12] Dubiec A, Góźdź I, and Mazgajski T (2013) Green plant material in avian nests. Avian Biology Research 6:133–146.

[13] Dunn JC, and Morris AJ (2012) Which features of UK farmland are important in retaining territories of the rapidly declining Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur? Bird Study 59:394–402.

[14] El Hamdani N, Filali-Ansari N, Zefzoufi M, Derhali S, El Abbouyi A, El Khyari S, Mouzdahir A, Sraidi K, Harjane T, Fdil R (2018) Preliminary phytochemical analysis and antibacterial potential of organic extracts from aerial parts of Retama monosperma.

[15] Fauth PT, Krementz DG, and Hines JE (1991) Ectoparasitism and the role of green nesting material in the European starling. Oecologia 88:22–29.

[16] Fowler JA, and Cohen S (1983) A method for the quantitative collection of ectoparasites from birds. Ringing & Migration 4:185–189.

[17] Hanane S (2010) Biométrie des tourterelles des bois Streptopelia turtur dans le sud du Maroc (région de Taroudant). Ecologia Mediterranea 36:107–110.

[18] Hansell M (2000) Bird nests and construction behaviour (Cambridge University Press).

[19] Jafarirad S, Mehrabi M, Divband B, and Kosari-Nasab M (2016) Biofabrication of zinc oxide nanoparticles using fruit extract of Rosa canina and their toxic potential against bacteria: A mechanistic approach. Materials Science and Engineering: C 59:296–302.

[20] Kern MD (1984) Racial Differences in Nests of White-Crowned Sparrows. The Condor 86:455–466.

[21] Kern MD, and Van Riper C (1984) Altitudinal Variations in Nests of the Hawaiian Honeycreeper Hemignathus virens virens. The Condor 86:443–454.

[22] Lennon RJ, Dunn JC, Stockdale JE, Goodman SJ, Morris AJ, and Hamer KC (2013) Trichomonad parasite infection in four species of Columbidae in the UK. Parasitology 140:1368–1376.

[23] Lopez EM (1995) Estudio de la prevalencia y susceptibilidad a la infeccion por t. Gallinae en aves domesticas y silvestres. Valoracion de la sensibilidad del protozoo a diferentes derivados nitroimidazolicos.

[24] Lormée H, Barbraud C, Peach W, Carboneras C, Lebreton JD, Moreno-Zarate L, Bacon L, and Eraud C (2019) Assessing the sustainability of harvest of the European Turtle-dove along the European western flyway. Bird Conservation International 1–16.

[25] Mainwaring MC, Hartley IR, Lambrechts MM, and Deeming DC (2014) The design and function of birds' nests. Ecology and Evolution 4:3909–3928.

[26] Mansouri I, Al-Sadoon MK, Rochdi M, Paray BA, Dakki M, and Elghadraoui L (2019) Diversity of feeding habitats and diet composition in the turtle doves Streptopelia turtur to buffer loss and modification of natural habitats during breeding season. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 26:957–962.

[27] Mighri H, Hajlaoui H, Akrout A, Najjaa H, and Neffati M (2010) Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil cultivated in Tunisian arid zone. Comptes Rendus Chimie 13:380–386.

[28] Mohamed AE-HH, El-Sayed M, Hegazy ME, Helaly SE, Esmail AM, and Mohamed NS (2010) Chemical constituents and biological activities of Artemisia herba-alba. Records of Natural Products 4.

[29] Moreno-Zarate L, Estrada A, Peach W, and Arroyo B (2020) Spatial heterogeneity in population change of the globally threatened European turtle dove in Spain: The role of environmental favourability and land use. Diversity and Distributions.

[30] Muno LE (1998) estudio de la prevalencia y susceptibilidad a la infecci'on por {it trichomonas gallinae/} en aves dom'esticas y silvestres: valoraci'on de la sensibilidad del protozoo a diferentes derivados nitroimidazolicos.

[31] Newton I (1994) The role of nest sites in limiting the numbers of hole-nesting birds: a review. Biological Conservation 70:265–276.

[32] Ousaaid, D, Mansouri I, Laaroussi H, ElGhouizi A, Lyoussi B, and ElArabi I (2020) Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Activity of Flesh Fruits Rosa canina Extracts Collected from Ait Ayach Midelt. Indian Journal of Agricultural Research 54.

[33] Rätti O, Dufva R, and Alatalo RV (1993) Blood parasites and male fitness in the pied flycatcher. Oecologia 96:410–414.

[34] Robinson RA, Lawson B, Toms MP, Peck KM, Kirkwood JK, Chantrey J, Clatworthy IR, Evans AD, Hughes LA, and Hutchinson OC (2010) Emerging infectious disease leads to rapid population declines of common British birds. PLoS One 5:e12215.

[35] Rovná K, Petrová J, Terentjeva M, Černá J, and Kačániová M (2020) Antimicrobial activity of Rosa canina flowers against selected microorganisms. Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences 9:62–64.

[36] Sansano-Maestre J, Garijo-Toledo MM, and Gómez-Muñoz MT (2009) Prevalence and genotyping of Trichomonas gallinae in pigeons and birds of prey. Avian Pathology 38:201–207.

[37] Schulz JH, Bermudez AJ, and Millspaugh JJ (2005) Monitoring presence and annual variation of trichomoniasis in mourning doves. Avian Diseases 49:387–389.

[38] Sciurine C, and Kern M (1980) The insulation in nests of selected North American songbirds. Auk 97:816–824.

[39] Scott-Baumann JF, and Morgan ER (2015) A review of the nest protection hypothesis: does inclusion of fresh green plant material in birds' nests reduce parasite infestation? Parasitology 142:1016–1023.

[40] Segal R, Feuerstein I, and Danin A (1987) Chemotypes of Artemisia herba-alba in Israel based on their sesquiterpene lactone and essential oil constitution. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 15, 411–416.

[41] Slagsvold T (1982) Clutch Size, Nest Size, and Hatching Asynchrony in Birds: Experiments with the Fieldfare (Turdus Pilaris) 63:1389-1399.

[42] Slagsvold T (1984) Clutch Size Variation of Birds in Relation to Nest Predation: On the Cost of Reproduction. Journal of Animal Ecology 53:945-953.

[43] Slagsvold T (1989a) On the evolution of clutch size and nest size in passerine birds. Oecologia 79:300–305.

[44] Slagsvold T (1989b) Experiments on clutch size and nest size in passerine birds. Oecologia 80:297–302.

[45] Spadaro V, Raimondo F, Fennane M, Bruno M, and Senatore F (2014). Chemical composition of the essential oil of cladanthus scariosus (asteraceae) wild grown in Morocco. In Societa Botanica Italiana 109° Congresso International Plant Science Conference (IPSC) from Nature to Technological Exploitations 142–142.

[46] Stockdale JE, Dunn JC, Goodman SJ, Sheehan AJ, Sheehan DK, Grice PV, and Hamer KC (2015) The protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae causes adult and nestling mortality in a declining population of European Turtle Doves, Streptopelia turtur. Parasitology 142:490–498.

[47] Suárez-Rodríguez M, López-Rull I, and Macias Garcia C (2013) Incorporation of cigarette butts into nests reduces nest ectoparasite load in urban birds: new ingredients for an old recipe? Biology Letters 9:20120931.

[48] Walsh PT, Hansell M, Borello WD, and Healy SD (2010) Repeatability of nest morphology in African weaver birds. Biology Letters 6:149–151.

[49] Wenzig EM, Widowitz U, Kunert O, Chrubasik S, Bucar F, Knauder E, and Bauer R (2008) Phytochemical composition and in vitro pharmacological activity of two rose hip (Rosa canina L.) preparations. Phytomedicine 15:826–835.

[50] Wimberger PH (1984) The use of green plant material in bird nests to avoid ectoparasites. The Auk 101:615–618.

Abstract

References

How to cite