4029: SAFIOUNE: UN NOUVEAU SITE DE REPRODUCTION DU FLAMANT ROSE Phoenicopterus roseus AU SAHARA ALGÉRIEN

Safioune is the second breeding site found in the Sahara and the third one of the Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus recorded in Algeria. An estimated 1500 breeding pairs bred successfully in winter and spring 2011. Despite the drying out of the saltpan attack of Golden Jackals Canis aureus, 600 chicks fledged. Nesting birds originated from Algeria, France, Italy and Spain, thus confirming the connectivity of this Algerian breeding site with other sites within the Mediterranean area. A ringing operation was set up and 62 chicks were successfully ringed with Darvic plastic rings.