The Wintering Behavior of the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps Cristatus) and the Little Grebe (Tachybaptus Ruficullis) in the Lake Timerguanine (East of Algeria)

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The Wintering Behavior of the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps Cristatus) and the Little Grebe (Tachybaptus Ruficullis) in the Lake Timerguanine (East of Algeria).

Senoussi Sana1, Nouidjem Yassine2, Boulekhssaim Mouloud1,3

1Department of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Oum El-Bouaghi, Algeria. 2Department of Natural and Life Sciences, University of M’Sila, Algeria. 3Natural Ressources Research Laboratory and Sensitive Environments, University of Larbi Ben M’hidi Oum El Bouaghi. ABSTRACT

Our study is based on the diurnal time budget and the counting of the great crested grebes (Podiceps cristatus) and the little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficullis) during 24 months (from September 2013 to March 2014 and from September 2015 to March 2016). We have followed-up the diurnal behavior of the two species from the seasonal evolution of their time budget, using a telescope (60×20) and a pair of binoculars (10x50). The absolute method was used because the number of the birds did not exceed 200 individuals. We have used the SCAN method for the study of the diurnal time budget. Our results show that this natural lake plays an essential role in the wintering of the two species and other birds. The study of the diurnal behavior shows that feeding is the most important activity with a value of 51.12% for the great crested grebe and 51.25% for the little grebe over the year 2013-2014. While in 2015-2016 a value of 48% for the little grebe and 51.99% for the great crested grebe followed by swimming, whereas the other activities occupy only one small percentage in the assessment of the diurnal activities of the two species.

Keywords:Diurnal Behavior, Podiceps Cristatus, Seasonal Evolution, Little Grebe, Lake Timerguanine. Corresponding author: Nouidjem Yassine Our study was conducted in Lake Timerguanine. It is a very e-mail[email protected] important lake ecosystem in the Oum El Bouaghi region Received: 19 July 2018 because it is a freshwater body that is used for and farmland 14 November 2018 Accepted: irrigation (Samraoui, 2007, Ouldjaoui, 2010). In this work we

discussed the ecology of aquatic birds in the region of Oum El 1. INTRODUCTION Bouaghi through the systematic enumeration of the bird population in the region. We also tried to study the diurnal The great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) is an excellent diver which feeds mainly on small fishes and aquatic larvae behavior of great crested grebe and little grebe. (Perrins, 1991). It is an elegant bird and the largest of its family. It has a long, slender-shaped neck that is often held 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS erect (Rouibi, 2014). The little grebe is the smallest of all grebes with a length of the Study sites body that can vary from 15 to 16 cm, and is orange-colored on The Lake Timerguanine (35°39'33" N and 06°59'02" E) is part the cheeks and flanks. During the breeding phase, it is easily of the eco-complex wetland in high plain of eastern Algeria identified by the dark plumage growth and a visible white spot (Saheb, 2003). This body of water is located 25 km south of on the throat (Bologna, 1980). The Great crested grebe is a Oum El Bouaghi department, is limited in north by the species of the family Podicepididae or grebes. This family has municipality of Ain Zitoun. It is accessible by the road 22 species that are extremely adapted to the aquatic connecting Oum El Bouaghi to Khenchela (Fig A). Its overall environment (Géroudet, 1946). This sedentary and breeding area 15286.7 ha including 202.7 ha for the large Timerguanine species in Algerian wetlands is widespread throughout the and 84 ha for the small Timerguanine (Saheb, 2009). The eastern Algeria (Samraoui & Samraoui, 2007) it is an excellent origin of water is Oued Boulefrais which originates in the biological model that can be used as a good bio-indicator of the massifs of Aurés and which regularly floods the basins of structure and functioning of aquatic environments. Timerguanine (Maazi, 2005). The climate is semi-arid in cold There is a paucity of studies on the history, breeding and winter, with one to two months of frost each year (Houhamdi strategies of dispersal and survival of North African et al, 2009). The prevailing wind direction is northwest. waterbirds, although such data are important for Average rainfall is 390.94 mm annually (Maazi,2009). It understanding population dynamics and assessing population usually dries up in summer because the evaporation is very viability (Cheriet et al, 2015). intense and the water is soft. This water body is a favorable

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place for many species of waterfowl, such as Burhinus (Ischnura graellsii, Erythromma viridulum, Sympecma fusca, oedicnemus, Glareola pratincola (Collared Pratincole), as well Mallagma deserti, Orthetrum cancellatum, Anax parthenope). as Melanocorypha calandra (calandra lark) (Samraoui, 2005). The aquatic vegetation and the water of this water body play a The aquatic fauna of this water body is rich and diversified, very important role in the success of many economic activities among the insects, odonates are present in large numbers (Kaf, 2011).

Figure A. Geographical location map of the study site (Maazi, 2005)

3. METHODOLOGY activities of each individual, then thanks to mathematical transformation the time difference of each of them is Our study was conducted over a period of 24 months from the completed (Altmann, 1974). It has the advantage of being the second half of September to the end of March for the year only method applied in densely vegetated sites where 2013-2014 and from the second half of October to the end of waterbirds are not always observed for long periods of time March for the year 2015-2016. (limit focused sampling). It also eliminates the choice of The enumeration and study of the diurnal budget of the great individuals (Baldassare et al.1988). crested grebe and little grebe were conducted twice a month at The study of this report was established by regular Lake Timerguanine. observations made every day of output, with a scan performed a. The absolute method every hour, from 8:00 to 16:00 in this water body. Seven (07) For both grebes we used the absolute method, in which case activities were measured: feeding, sleep, which are essential the population is directly estimated in its absolute value and all activities for waterbirds, swimming, toilet or plumage individuals are counted. This is the method that will be used maintenance, flight, parry activities and antagonist behaviors when the population is near the observation point and the that are considered comfort activities. The food activity was number of individuals does not exceed 200 individuals subdivided into four different modes: feeding with the beak on (Tamisier & Dehorter, 1999b, Ouldjaoui, 2010) the water, feeding by immersion of the head in the water, The absolute method has different variants and the choice of feeding by tilting of the front of the body in the water and one or the other depends on: feeding on foot in mudflats and banks. Each activity is • Size of the site. synonymous with the nutritional need status of the birds. • The size of the bird population to be counted. • The homogeneity of the population (Schricke, 1985) 4. RESULTS

b. The SCAN method (Instantanious scan sampling) 1) Study of the daily activity record of the great The diurnal activity rate assessment was followed by the SCAN crested grebe and the little grebe during the method (Instantanious scan sampling), This method based on years 2013-2014. the observation of a group allows to record the instant

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30 100% B A 90% sleep 25 80% parry 20 70% behavior antagonist numbreof Crested 60% e behavior 15 Grebe 50% rest 40% 10 30% food

5 20% flight 10% toilet 0 0% swim

20 Figure 2. Seasonal evolution of the daily activities of A: Great 18 B crested grebe and B: Little grebeduring the year (2013-2014) 16 numbreof Little 14 The seasonal evolution of diurnal activities for both species grebe 12 from September to March shows that feeding dominates 10 throughout the study period. The highest rate of feeding is 8 recorded in December for the great crested grebe and in January and February for the little grebe where the bird 6 spends more than 65% of its time feeding. Swim and toilet 4 rank second in the daytime budget. 2 0 rest , 1.9 sleep, 3.14 antagonist parry A feb01 feb02 dec01

oct-01 oct-02 e behavior, behavior, 0 dec 02 nov-01 nov-02 janv-01 janv-02 sept-02 march01 march02 0.14 Figure 1. The evolution of the effectives of A: Great crested swim, grebe and B: Little grebe at Lake Timerguanineduring the year 23.46 (2013-2014).

The great crested grebe and the little grebe occupy Lake food, toilet, Timerguanine from September with a number of 10 and 15 51.12 19.41 individuals respectively. The maximum population for both species is observed at the beginning of November with a number of 30 individuals for the great crested grebe and 20 flight, 0.76 individuals for the little grebe, after which we noticed a decrease in numbers throughout the rest of the wintering rest , 2.53 antagoniste B period with varied numbers between 13 and 3 individuals for parry sleep, 4.81 behavior, the great crested grebe and 6 individuals for the little grebe behavior, 0.19 0.038 respectively.

100% swim, 39.62 sleep A 90% food, 51.25 80% parry behavior 70% antagoniste toilet, 60% behavior 14.14 50% rest 40% flight, 0.77 food 30% Figure 3. The average annual activity of A: Great crested grebe 20% flight and B: Little grebe at Lake Timerguanine during the year (2013-2014) 10% toilet 0% swim The average annual diurnal activity in both species shows that

marc… marc… the feed dominates with an annual percentage of 51.12 for the feb01 feb02 dec01 dec02 oct-01 0CT02 nov-01 nov-02 sept-02 janv-01 janv-02 great crested grebe and 50.25 for the little grebe, respectively. This activity is often observed in the water and rarely performed in the edge (figure 3).

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-Swimming ranks second in the assessment of the diurnal We have noted that the great crested grebe and the little grebe activity rate for both species, it occupies relatively low rates at feed on 03 types of feeding (surface feeding, tilt feeding, feeding on the border). The evolution of the different types of feeding shows that the tilt feed dominates throughout the greatthe beginning crested grebeof the andseason 26.26 with for a thevalue lit closetle grebe to 20℅ respectivel for bothy study period, especially in January, when we recorded the (figurespecies, 3). the annual average of this activity is 23.46℅ for the highest value of this type of feeding for both species. The The toilet or the plumage maintenance behavior comes in the lowest values are noted at the beginning of December for the 3rd rank of the assessment of the activity rate for the two great crested grebe and at the end of December and March for the little grebe respectively. great crested grebe and 14.14% for the little grebe Surface feeding comes second in the activity rate record of the respectspecies;ively. the annual average of this activity is 19.41℅ for the species, the highest value of this activity at the end of January -Sleeping is the main comfort activity of birds (Tamisier and for the great crested grebe and at the end of December for the Dehorter 1999); this activity comes fourth in the activity rate little grebe where we recorded the maximum of this activity assessment for the two species, the annual average of this very low percentage and rarely observed (figure 4). little grebe respectively (figure3). with a rate of 50℅, while the feeding on the border occupies a Restactivity is isa comfort 3.14℅ foractivity great crestedfor both grebe species; and this 4.81℅ activity for the is food in the observed practically throughout the study period in Lake A surface edge, 1.98 suply, ttle grebe respectively. 27.11 Thewater parry and rarely behavior in the border.is observed The annual with averagethe beginning is 1.9 ℅ forof reproduction;great crested grebe this activityand 2.53℅ is observedfor the li and noted mainly in

This activitywater. Theis manifested average of mainly this activity for the is two 0.76℅ species for thefrom great the crested grebe and 0.77℅ for the little grebe respectively. month of February, when couples begin to form (figure 3). failover Flight and aggressive interactions occupy only a weak power, 70.31 proportion in the assessment of activity for both species with low values throughout the study period (2013-2014). Flight is food in often observed during disturbances caused or during the surface the edge, B change of habitat, while aggressive interactions are often suply, 24.21 3.73 noticed during the training of couples

100% 90% A 80% failover 70% surface suply power, 60% 72.05 failover power 50% 40% food in the edge 30% 20% Figure 5. The annual average of the different types of feeding 10% of A: Great crested grebe and B: Little grebeat Lake 0% Timerguanine during the year (2013-2014).

Annual averages of different types of feeding also show that tilt 100% feeding dominates with an annual rate of 72.0 90% B 80% activity is always observed when the bird feeds5 ℅in the for greatdeep 70% crested grebe and 70.31℅ for little grebe, respectively. This surface suply waters. Surface feeding ranks second with an annual average of 60% little 50% 40% failover power grebe respectively. This activity is often observed in the close to 24℅ for the great crested grebe and 27℅ for the 30% shallow waters near the border of Lake. However, feeding in 20% food in the the border is rarely observed, it occupies a low annual average 10% edge le 0% grebe, respectively (figure 5). of 3.73℅ for the great crested grebe and 1.98℅ for the litt

Figure 4. Seasonal evolution of the different feeding habits of A: Great crested grebe and B: Little grebeat Lake Timerguanine during the year (2013-2014).

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100% Lake Timerguanine during the year (2013-2014). A We have distinguished two types of rest in the little grebe (rest 90% rest in the border and in the water (figure 7). 80% The seasonal evolution of the different types of rest of the 70% parry behavior Little Grebe shows that the rest in the water is dominant 60% throughout the study period with values reaching up to 100%, antagoniste 50% behavior especially in the middle of the wintering period (from month of 40% food November until February). The rest in the border takes place mainly in the first two months of the wintering period 30% flight (September and October). the maximum of this activity is 20% recorded at the end of September with a percentage of toilet 10% 25%(figure 7). 0% swin We also noted that the rest is completely absent at the beginning of December and from the month of February (figure sleep 7).

100% rest in the B 90% edge, 7.84 B 80% parry behavior 70% antagonistic 60% behavior flight 50% rest in 40% rest water, 30% 92.13 sleep 20% 10% toilet 0% swin Figure 8. Annual average of the different types of rest of B: the food little grebe at Lake Timerguanine during the year (2013-2014).

Figure 6: Daily time budget of A: Great crested grebe and B: The following figure shows that annualaverage rest in the Little grebe at Lake Timerguanine during the year (2013- water occupies only 2.53% of the time allocated to our work. 2014). The resting takes place in the water (2.19%) and rarely on the The daily time budget study of great crested grebe and little border (0.34%). grebe shows that feeding dominates during all hours of the day 2) Study of the assessment of the rate of diurnal crested grebe and between (50- activities of the Great crested grebe and the Little followedwith variable by swimming values between and toilet 60℅ with and varying 30℅ for percentages the great grebe during the year 2015-2016. between 15- 60℅) for the little grebe, only low values(figure 6). 10 30℅ for both species, the other activities occupy A 9 100% B 8 90% 7 80% 6 numbre of rest in the 70% 5 Cresteb grebe 60% edge 4 50% rest in water 3 40% 30% 2 20% 1 10% 0 0% feb01 feb02 dec01 dec02 oct-01 oct-02 janr01 janr02 nov-01 nov-02 feb01 feb02 dec01 dec02 0CT02 oct-01 march01 march02 nov-01 nov-02 janv-01 janv-02 sept-02 march01 march02

Figure 7. Seasonal evolution of the different types of rest of the little grebe at

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20 The seasonal evolution of the diurnal activities of the great crested grebe and the little grebe from October to March shows 18 B that the food dominates during all the period of study. The 16 highest rate of the food is recorded in February for both 14 species, and the smallest percentage at the beginning of 12 November for both grebes. This decrease in the feeding is with 10 the profit of other activities like the rest and the swim. 8 number of 6 Little grebe parry antagonistic 4 behavior, 0 behavior, 0 A 2 0 rest, 7.59 swin, 6.85 feb01 feb02 dec01 dec02 oct-01 oct-02 janr01 janr02 nov-01 nov-02 march01 march02 toilet, 7.31 Figure 9. The numbers evolution of the A: Great crested grebe and of the B: Little grebe on the levelof Lake Timerguanine food, 16.373 flight, 0 during the year (2015-2016). sleep, 6.86

The two species start to occupy LakeTimerguanine from October with 6 individuals for the great crested grebe and 10 parry antagonistic individuals for the little grebe. The number falls in November behavior, 0 behavior, 0 B for both grebes with a number of 4 and 8 individual, respectively. We noticed then an increase in the numbers rest, 8.56 swin, 8.53 during all the remaining period of wintering with numbers of 10 and 20 for both grebes, respectively (figure 9). toilet, 8.51 100% food, 19.67 90% A flight, 0 80% antagonistic sleep, 70% behavior 7.88 60% parry behavior 50% rest Figure11. the average of the diurnal activities of A: The Great 40% crested grebe and B: the little grebe at Lake Timerguanine 30% food during the year (2015-2016). 20% sleep 10% The annual average diurnal activity in both species shows that 0% flight

toilet feb01 feb02 dec01 dec02 oct-01 oct-02 janr02 janr01 feeding dominates with an annual percentage of 16.37℅ for nov-01 nov-02 by rest (7- march01 march02 swin greatrespecti crestedvely. And grebe the and swimming 19.69℅ and for the toilet little grebe,with an followed annual 8℅) for the great crested grebe and the little grebe, 100% B occupy only a small proportion in the diurnal activity rate 90% reportaverage (figure of 8.5℅ 11). for the two species while the other activities 80% 70% antagonistic 100% 60% behavior 90% A 50% parry behavior 80% 40% rest 30% 70% food 60% 20% food in the edge 50% 10% sleep 0% 40% failover power flight 30% feb01 feb02 dec01 dec02 surface suply oct-01 oct-02 janr02 janr01 toilet 20% nov-01 nov-02 march01 march02 10% Figure 10. Seasonal evolution of the diurnal activities of A: The 0% Great crested grebe and B: the Little grebeat Lake marc… marc… feb01 feb02 dec01 dec02 oct-01 oct-02 janr 01 janr 02 Timerguanine during the year (2015-2016). nov-01 nov-02

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100% The annual average of the different types of feeding in the two B grebes shows that tilt feeding dominates with a percentage 90%

80% the little grebe. This activity is always observed when the bird 70% feedsequal toin 47.48℅deep water. for theSurface great feedingcrested comesgrebe andin second 50.31 ℅place for 60% food in the edge 50% 38.15 for the little grebe. This activity is often observed in failover power with an annual average of 46.62℅ for great crested grebe and 40% shallow waters, near the border of Lake Timerguanine, while feeding in the edge is rarely observed for these species, it 30% surface suply

20% 10% occupies a low annual average equal to 3℅ (figure 13). 100 0% A 90 feb01 feb02 dec01 dec02

oct-01 oct-02 80 janr 01 janr 02 nov-01 nov-02 march01 march02 70 Figure12. Seasonal evolution of different types of feeding of 60 Great crested grebe and Little grebeat Lake Timerguanine rest in water 50 during the year (2015-2016). 40 rest to the 30 We noticed that the two species feed on three types of feeding edge (surface feeding, tilt feeding, border feeding). The seasonal 20 evolution of the different types of food shows seasonal changes 10 in these activities. The tilt feeding dominates throughout the 0 study period for both species, a decrease in this type of feeding feb01 feb02

is observed in early October in favor of the surface feeding that dec01 dec02 oct-01 oct-02 janr01 janr02 nov-01 nov-02

comes in second position. march01 march02 The latter is also observed throughout the study period, 100% especially in early of January. The border feeding is rarely 90% B observed for these species (figure 12). 80% 70% rest in the food 60% in the A edge 50% edge, rest in 2.06 40% water 30% 20% surface suply, 10% 0% failover 46.62 power, feb01 feb02 dec01 dec02 oct-01 oct-02 janr02 janr01

47.48 nov-01 nov-02 march01 march02 Figure 14: the seasonal evolution of the different types of rest of A: The Great crested grebe and B: The Little grebe at Lake timerguanine during the years (2015-2016). food in the B edge, We have distinguished two types of rest in both species (rest 3.39 on the border and in the water). The seasonal evolution of the different types of rest of the great crested grebe and the little surface grebe shows that the rest in the water is dominant during all suply, 38.15 grebes including the whole period wintering (from November the study period with values reaching up to 100℅ for the two failover to March). Rest on the edge occurs mainly for the two grebes in power, the first two months of the wintering period (October and 50.31 November), and the maximum of this activity is recorded at the

grebe and the little grebe. end of October with a percentage of 20℅ for the great crested Figure 13. Annual average of the different feeding types of Great crested grebe and little grebeduring the year (2015- 2016).

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The daily time budget study of great crested grebe and little rest to the edge; 0,21 A grebe shows that feeding dominates during all hours of the day

bywith swimming values varying and toilet. between The other 60℅ activities and 30℅ occupy for theonly great low values.crested grebe and 50℅ and 60℅ for the little grebe followed

rest in water; 5. DISCUSSION 99,78 Lake Timerguanine is an important ecosystem in the wilaya of Oum El Bouaghi, it plays a vital role in the accommodation and rest in the wintering of several species of water birds. It has a significant edge, 6.74 B specific richness; about fifteen species were identified during the wintering period. (Boulkhssaim, 2008). Effective evolution The great crested grebe and the little grebe are two less frequent species in Lake Timergianine. They occupy the site from September with numbers not exceeding 30 and 20 rest in individuals for the great crested grebe and the little grebe, water, 93.25 respectively during the year 2013-2014. During 2015-2016 they occupied the site from October with numbers not

exceeding 10 and 20 individuals of the two species respectively Figure 15. Annual average of the different types of rest of A: Great crested grebe and B: the little grebeat Lake (from figure 1 to figure 9). Probably the existence of Timerguanine during the year (2015-2016). alternative sites in the region, particularly deep water bodies such as dams, offers a favorable location for the species and The following figure shows that the rest for these species takes explains the relatively low numbers of the two species in the site. The two grebes are reported as breeding in several sites in (figureplace in 15). the water 100℅ for both grebes and rarely on the Algeria (Tonga Lake, Mellah and Bird Lake), Reghaia and edge 0℅ for the great crested grebe and 3℅ for the little grebe Boughzoul (Isenmann and Mouali, 2000). 100% Several sporadic observations have been made by several 90% rest A researchers in the high plains of eastern Algeria, 10 and 15 80% individuals were observed at Guaret Boulhilet (Ledant and al, parry behavior 70% 1981). 60% antagonistic Observations made by (Heim DE Balsac, 1949) also showed 50% behavior that the complex of highland wetlands of eastern Algeria is less food 40% represented by the two species compared to other Eco 30% flight complex like the El kala complex. it reported 55 individuals for the great crested grebe and 36 individuals for the little grebe 20% toilet respectively, for all the Eco complex of wetlands in the region 10% swim (Allain, B.D. 1997). 0% • The diurnal activity sleep The great crested grebe diurnal activity balance study shows feeding dominates with a seasonal average of 51.12-16.37% 100% rest during the year 2013-2014, followed by swimming (23.46%; 90% B 2013-2014), rest (7.59%; 2015-2016) and toilet (19.41- 80% parry behavior 7.31%), while other activities occupy only a small percentage. 70% Very few studies and scientific information exist on the diurnal antagonistic 60% behavior behavior of great crested grebe and little grebe. 50% food • Seasonal evolution of diurnal activity 40% The seasonal evolution of diurnal activity in great crested flight 30% grebe from September to March also indicates that feeding 20% toilet dominates throughout the study period. The highest rate of 10% feeding is recorded in December and the lowest percentages swim 0% are at the end of September, and this reduction in feeding is in sleep favor of other activities such as toilet and rest. Several studies on the behavior of waterbirds show that Figure 16. Daily time budget for A: Great crested grebe and B: feeding is the dominant activity throughout the year, especially Little grebe at Lake Timerguanine during the year (2015- during the wintering season (Boulkhssaim and Al 2006, 2016). Tamisier and Déhorter 1999). We have noted that the great

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crested grebe feeds on three types of feed (surface feeding, tilt periods appeared to decrease feeding activity during the study feeding border feeding). period (Boulkhssaim, 2008). • The evolution of different types of feeding The evolution of different types of feeding shows that the tilt 6. CONCLUSION feeding dominates throughout the study period especially in the month of January where we have observed the highest The lake Timerguenine is a very important lake ecosystem in value of this type of feeding. The lowest values are noted at the the wilaya of Oum El Bouaghi because it is the only freshwater beginning of December.Surface feeding comes in second lake that is used at the same time in the drinkability of animals position in the species' activity rate. The highest value of this and the irrigation of agricultural land. This ecosystem fed activity is observed at the end of January, while border feeding mainly by Oued Boulafreise during the rainy season. occupies very low percentages and is rarely observed. This Our study (from September 2013 to March 2014) was based on variability in feeding for waterbirds allows species the best the diurnal behavior and count of great crested grebe and the exploitation of the water body and access to different habitats little grebe, to see the status and understand the ecology of the (Boulkhssaim et al, 2006). two grebe species. • Study of daily time budget The results of our work showed that both species are less The great crested grebe daily time budget study shows that frequent species in the Lake Timerguenine site. the feeding dominates throughout the day, and the values vary The study of diurnal activity rhythm shows that feeding is the between 60% and 30% for 2013-2014 and 2015-2016, dominant activity with a rate of 51.12% and 51.25% in 2013- respectively. The highest values are observed in the evening 2014, and 16.73% and 19.67% in 2015-2016 for great crested especially from 13H, followed by the swimming and toilet, grebe and little grebe, respectively. During the entire study other activities occupy only low values. period either for pre-migratory fattening or for the recovery of The study of the activity record of the little grebe during the energy lost during migration or as a supplement to the feeding winter of 2013-2014 shows that the bird spent more than half which is essentially nocturnal. of its time feeding. We observed that the feeding dominates Studies should be conducted to understand the dominance of practically throughout the study period, particularly in January feeding activity (trophic ration, capture of individuals and and February, when the bird spent more than 65% of its time measured weights, study of nocturnal activity). It could be feeding. more interesting to follow the study of the budget time of these A decrease in the feeding is noticed in November and January grebes over a period of 8 hours to be able to more accurately months, coinciding with a period of cold that affected the quantify the time devoted to each activity and better region. Swim and toilet rank second in the diurnal time budget understand the operation of the lake during the day. The of the species. The seasonal evolution of these activities swimming, toilet and sleeping are comfort activities with very reaches the maximum in early November. low rates (0.03-3,14% in 2013-2014, and 8.53-8.51% in 2015- • Study of Annual averages 2016) for the two species. Finally, the study site is an Annual averages of little grebe daytime activities also show unfavorable environment for the great crested grebe and the that the feeding dominates with a percentage equal to 50.25% little grebe. and 19.67% in 2013-2014 and 2015-2016, respectively. This activity is often observed in water and rarely observed in the REFERENCES border. Swimming ranks second in the balance of the little grebe 1. Allain, BD. (1997). Guide d’observation des oiseaux: daytime activity, and is often accompanied by other activities Weldon Owen Pry Limited. Première Édition, Sélection (feeding, foraging, parrying, and aggressive interaction). The du Reader’s Digest. values of this two activities are low at the beginning of the 2. Altmann J (1974). Observational study of behavior: season with a value close to 20%, and the annual average is Sampling methods. Behaviour 4: 277-267 26.26%., The toilet or the behavior of the plumage 3. Baldassare GA., Paulus SL., Tamisier A. &Titman D. maintenance comes in the 3rd position of the balance of the (1988). Workshop summary: Technique for timing rhythm of activity of little grebe and it is registered from the activity of wintering waterfowl. Waterfowl in winter. month of September with a rate of 15%, and the maximum Univ. Minnesota press, Mineapolis. 23p. reaches in January with a rate of 25%. The annual rate is 4. Bologna, G (1980). The birds of the world. Tr. Versini, 14.14%. D.; Ed. Solar, 512p The other activities occupy small proportions in the activity 5. Boulkhssaim M., Houhamdi, M., Saheb, M., Samraoui, F. rate record of the species with values not exceeding 5%. & Samraoui, B (2006a). Breeding and banding of This study shows that little grebe spends more than half of its Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus in Algéria, time on feeding. August 2006.Flamingo 14: 21-24. Little information on the diurnal time budget of the grebes has 6. Boulkhssaim, M (2008). Ecology of Tadornes in the been made; however, studies have reported a low trophic haut plateau East Algeria. Doctoral thesis: animal resource rate in this site which may be responsible for biology Annaba: university of Annaba, 26p. increasing the time allotted for the feeding of water birds 7. Boulkhssaim, M. & Houhamdi, M. & Samraoui, B (Piersma, 1988b). (2006b). Status and diurnal behavior of the Shelduk Nighttime feeding may be even more important on this site, Tadorna tadorna in the hauts plateux, northeast especially during the short winter days. Particularly cold Algéria. Wildfowl 56: 65-78.

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