SOIL ANALYSIS OF BARN SWALLOW (HIRUNDO RUSTICA) NEST’S (NORTHEASTERN OF ALGERIA)

Abstract

This work consists of analyzing the Barn Swallows nest’s soil (Hirundo Rustica) which was nested in the northeastern Algeria, particularly in the Mila region (Beinen), the Guelma region (Town-Center and Bouchegouf) and, the Oum El Bouaghi region (Ain el Baida). This species of birds uses different materials to build their nests, whose main component is the existing meadow soil. This study is contributes to knowing the bird strategy on nest building and materials chosen in it. From there, we have done weight chemical analysis according to the Vatan model; the results obtained are represented in the Czerminski diagram; for the organic matter quantification, we have used Walkley and Blacket method, and ecological analysis was according to ANOVA model. The weight chemical analysis results showed us loamy sandstone or marly sandstone soil type on the Northside of the study area (Mila region) and marly sandstone, sandy-marly loams, marl, and marly-sandy limestones on the Southside of the study area (Guelma and Oum El Baouaghi region), the organic matter analysis results showed non-aggressive soils and the ecological analyzes revealed a significant difference between the nest’s compositions of each region except for the loam which has an F = 1.4857 and P = 0.2681. So, the Barn Swallows have a very precise strategy in choosing construction materials for their nests. For that, we recommend to characterize those construction materials by other studies (plasticity, mechanical resistance, mineralogy etc.).