Impact of road improvements on the distribution and demography of rupicolous birds on the corniche of Jijel in Algeria

Abstract Our study aims to identify the impact of road improvement works on rupicolous birds on the corniche of Jijel in Algeria between two periods: before the works began and after they were completed. The results show a large decline in nesting pairs of rupicolous birds between the two periods (2007: 307 pairs vs. 2017: 135 pairs). Thus, more than half of the breeding pairs disappeared between the start and the end of the work. The decline in the number of nesting pairs mainly concerned the most adapted and demanding species nesting on coastal cliffs: Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus) , Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) , Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus brookei) , Eurasian Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius) . The main factor in reducing the number of nesting pairs of species on cliffs and rocks is the degradation or loss of nesting sites due to developmental work. System restoration measures are proposed to encourage the return of nesting birds.