Farrah Samraoui, Boudjéma Samraouia

First records of polymelia and melanism in ardeid nestlings revealed by long‑term monitoring in north‑eastern Algeria

Abstract Phenotypic anomalies such as melanism and polymelia are rarely reported in wild birds, yet they are particularly informative when documented with clear descriptions and supporting photographs. We present two such observations from a long-term monitoring of colonial breeding sites in north‑eastern Algeria: a polymelic Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis) nestling recorded at Sidi Achour in 2003 and a melanistic Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) nestling observed at Lake Fetzara in 2007. In both cases, fledging was confirmed by direct observations. These records provide dated, site‑specific baseline information for future monitoring and are considered in the context of published reports on developmental anomalies and plumage polymorphism in domestic and wild birds.

Doi https://doi.org/10.35513/21658005.2026.2.3

Keywords Congenital malformation; colour aberration; Ardeidae; colony monitoring; Ramsar wetland; North Africa; Ardea ibis; Egretta garzetta

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