The Breeding Behaviour of Laughing Dove Spilopelia Senegalensis Linnaues, 1766(Columbiformes, Columbidae) In Al-Jadriyah and Umm-Alkhanazeer Island, Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

This study  was conducted  to identify the breeding behaviour of  laughing dove Spilopelia  senegalensis during their courtship, mating, nest building, egg brooding and chick growth in Al-Jadriyah and Umm-Alkhanazeer Island in Baghdad. The study began from February to August 2022. The surveillance was carried out using the binoculars ,digital camera,with the use of a 4-meter-high ladder to reach the nests and taking  morphometric measurements of the eggs using a digital ver niar, and the digital scale for the weight of the eggs and the chicks. Descriptions of nest  locations, nest construction, nesting  materials, nest  measurements, and nest height were also given.  The male and female contributed to the construction of the nest, the incubation of eggs ,the breeding of chicks, the laying of eggs, , hatching and chicks were  monitored through a surveillance camera installed on one of the nests as well as other  imaging cameras.