The studies on behavior biology and bio-ecology of laughing dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) population in the province of Antalya

In this study, behavioral biology and bio-ecology of Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) population in the province of Antalya were examined. Dispersion areas in the province of Antalya, factors that affect the dispersion, population size in these areas, preferred habitats to live and their displacement were searched. Hatching, feeding and behavioral biology of laughing dove were observed. Behavioral biology was revealed in two different parts as within species (postures styles, learning, social behaviors) and between species. This study was carried out from December 2017 to December 2019 in the center of 19 districts. Sampling area was determined in each district and controls were done seasonally. At the end of first year existence of the species was recorded in all districts except four of them (Gündoğmuş, İbradı, Elmalı, Kaş). At the end of second year just in the district of İbradı, it was not observed. At the end of first and second year in the all sampling area, the average number of Laughing dove were 39,54 ± 94,91 individual and 52,86 ± 95,78 individual, respectively. The hatching season of laughing dove preferring to live at regions close to humans was continued throughout year. However, the most active times of hatching started in February and proceeded until the end of October. Also, in 90 nests that were controlled and observed nestlings, the average clutch size was calculated as 1,55 ± 0,42 egg. Throughout 2 years the success of hatching in controlled nests was found as % 89,55 according to total egg whereas as % 94,14 according to hatched egg. After the incubation period of 14,39 ± 0,56 day on average, starting from 6,25 ± 1,63 day on average, nestlings were left alone in a nest and after 15,73 ± 3,19 day on average, it was observed that they get out from a nest. About 5 weeks was determined for one laughing dove couple to raise their nestlings until becoming an adult individual. To determine daily development of nestlings every other day weight, the length of beak, wing, tail and tarsometatarsus were measured. The average weight of a young individual who was ready to leave a nest (13th -14th day) was measured as 68,76 ± 9,16 g. In order to define quantitative properties of a laughing dove's egg measurements were done. The average weight of an egg was 5,37 ± 1,03 g; the average width of an egg was 20,46 ± 1,34 mm; the length of an egg was 26,56 ± 1,52 mm; the index of shape was calculated as % 77. In the content of feeding biology, according to observations it is observed that among 8 different kinds of food, wheat (% 24,4) and cat food (% 22,5) were selected primarily. Also, it is revealed that foods with dark color (% 58,5) were preferred than foods with light color (% 41,5).