scholarly journals Distribution patterns of invasive Monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) in an urban habitat

2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-117
Author(s):  
R. Rodríguez–Pastor ◽  
◽  
J. C. Senar ◽  
A. Ortega ◽  
J. Faus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Urban Habitat ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Monk Parakeet ◽  
Landscape Characteristics ◽  
Myiopsitta Monachus ◽  
Preferred Habitat ◽  
Marked Preference

Several invasive species have been shown to have a marked preference for urban habitats. The study of the variables responsible for the distribution of these species within urban habitats should allow to predict which environmental variables are indicative of preferred habitat, and to design landscape characteristics that make these areas less conducive to these species. The Monk parakeet Myiopsitta monachus is an invasive species in many American and European countries, and cities are one of its most usual habitats in invaded areas. The aim of this paper was to identify the main factors that determine distribution of the Monk parakeet in Barcelona, one of the cities in the world with the highest parakeet density. We defined our model based on eight preselected variables using a generalized linear model (GLZ) and evaluated the strength of support for each model using the AIC–based multi–model inference approach. We used parakeet density as a dependent variable, and an analysis restricted to occupied neighbourhoods provided a model with two key variables to explain the distribution of the species. Monk parakeets were more abundant in neighbourhoods with a high density of trees and a high percentage of people over 65 years. This is interpreted by the fact that parakeets use trees as food sources and support for the nests, and that older people often feed the species. Data support the ‘human–activity’ hypothesis to explain how invasive species can successfully establish in a non–native habitat, and stress how limiting food resources, especially food supplied by humans, may be the easiest way to exert some control on Monk parakeet populations.

scholarly journals Sex and Age Effects on Monk Parakeet Home-Range Variation in the Urban Habitat

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 648
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Senar ◽  
Aura Moyà ◽  
Jorge Pujol ◽  
Xavier Tomas ◽  
Ben J. Hatchwell
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Good News ◽  
Urban Habitat ◽  
Monk Parakeet ◽  
Myiopsitta Monachus ◽  
Small Home Range ◽  
Range Variation

Home-range size is a key aspect of space-use, and variation in home-range size and structure may have profound consequences for the potential impact of damage and control strategies for invasive species. However, knowledge on home-range structure of naturalized parrot species is very limited. The aim of this study was to quantify patterns of home-range variation according to sex and age of the monk parakeet Myiopsitta monachus, an invasive parakeet in Europe. Mean kernel home-range size was 12.4 ± 1.22 ha (range 1.7–74.1 ha; N = 73 birds). Juveniles had a larger home-range size than adults, but sexes did not differ in kernel home-range size. The mean maximum distance moved by monk parakeets was 727 ± 37.0 m (range: 150–1581 m), and it was not dependent on either the sex or age of the birds. Having a small home range is one of the conditions for the feasible eradication of an invasive species; hence, the small home range of urban monk parakeets that we report here is good news for pest managers. However, this small home-range size can limit the effectiveness of culling operations with traps or feeders with contraceptives or poison, and other alternatives, such as funnel nets or traps, should be used.

scholarly journals Ecologic Aspects of Ectopic Populations of Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) and Possible Agricultural Consequences

1969 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-270
Author(s):  
Michael Gochfeld
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Biological Entity ◽  
Monk Parakeet ◽  
Myiopsitta Monachus ◽  
York Metropolitan Area ◽  
Feral Populations

Ectopic populations of the monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), derived from birds imported for the pet trade, now exist in Puerto Rico, the New York metropolitan area, and other localities in North America. This parakeet normally occupies southern South America where it is tolerant of a wide variety of climates, habitats and food sources. It has succeeded in breeding in the northern hemisphere. The growth potential of current populations here is unknown. A review of its feeding habits provide proof that it is a potential agricultural pest. It is most undesirable to introduce exotic species to new areas. Even when a biological entity has been studied thoroughly and appears destined to become beneficial, unforeseen detrimental consequences may occur upon its establishment in a new environment. It is thus important to study the new feral populations of the parakeet in Puerto Rico very closely if eradication is not planned, but enough evidence exists to indicate that its extermination is desirable.

scholarly journals Diet assessments as a tool to control invasive species: comparison between Monk and Rose-ringed parakeets with stable isotopes

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N A Borray-Escalante ◽  
D Mazzoni ◽  
A Ortega-Segalerva ◽  
L Arroyo ◽  
V Morera-Pujol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Δ13c And Δ15n ◽  
Isotopic Signatures ◽  
Monk Parakeet ◽  
Anthropogenic Food

Abstract Food is a main limiting factor for most populations. As a consequence, knowledge about the diet of invasive alien species determines the design of control measures. The Monk and Rose-ringed parakeets are two typical species of successful invasive parrots that are highly appreciated by people. Although some observations suggest that Monk parakeets rely on a higher percentage of anthropogenic food than Rose-ringed parakeets, no detailed quantitative data is available. The aim of this study was to compare the diet of the two parakeets using stable isotope analysis (SIA). We performed SIA of carbon and nitrogen in feathers collected in Barcelona, Spain. We also measured isotopic ratios for potential food sources. We reconstructed the diet of parakeets using Bayesian mixing models. The two species differed in the isotopic signatures of their feathers for both δ13C and δ15N. Diet reconstruction showed that Monk parakeets feed mainly on anthropogenic food (41.7%), herbaceous plants (26.9%) and leaves/seeds (22.2%), while Rose-ringed parakeets feed mainly on flowers/fruits (44.1%), anthropogenic food provided in the trap located at the museum (32.4%) and leaves/seeds (23.1%). The more detailed information we can obtain from the diet of these species is useful to develop more effective control measures for their populations. The Monk parakeet may be more susceptible to control through education local residents, given the greater use of anthropogenic food in this species compared to Rose-ringed parakeet. Our conclusions also indicate that SIA is a powerful tool in providing crucial information about the diet and informing measures to control invasive species.

scholarly journals Microsatellite characterisation and sex-typing in two invasive parakeet species, the monk parakeet Myiopsitta monachus and ring-necked parakeet Psittacula krameri

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 1543-1550
Author(s):  
Francesca S. E. Dawson Pell ◽  
Ben J. Hatchwell ◽  
Alba Ortega-Segalerva ◽  
Deborah A. Dawson ◽  
Gavin J. Horsburgh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Invasion Success ◽  
Sex Typing ◽  
Monk Parakeet ◽  
Myiopsitta Monachus ◽  
Psittacula Krameri ◽  
Scale Population ◽  
Negative Impacts

AbstractInvasive species can have wide-ranging negative impacts, and an understanding of the process and success of invasions can be vital to determine management strategies, mitigate impacts and predict range expansions of such species. Monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) and ring-necked parakeets (Psittacula krameri) are both widespread invasive species, but there has been little research into the genetic and social structure of these two species despite the potential links with invasion success. The aim of this study was to isolate novel microsatellite loci from the monk parakeet and characterise them in both monk and ring-necked parakeets in order to facilitate future investigations into their behaviour and population ecology. Sex-typing markers were also tested in both species. Of the 20 microsatellite loci assessed in 24 unrelated monk parakeets, 16 successfully amplified and were polymorphic displaying between 2 and 14 alleles (mean = 8.06). Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.43 to 0.93 and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.23 to 0.96. Nine of the 20 loci also successfully amplified and were polymorphic in the ring-necked parakeet, displaying between 2 and 10 alleles. Suitable markers to sex both species and a Z-linked microsatellite locus were identified. A multiplex marker set was validated for monk parakeets. These novel microsatellite loci will facilitate fine and broad-scale population genetic analyses of these two widespread invasive species.

scholarly journals Nesting innovations allow population growth in an invasive population of rose-ringed parakeets

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dailos Hernández-Brito ◽  
José L Tella ◽  
Guillermo Blanco ◽  
Martina Carrete
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Behavioral Plasticity ◽  
Monk Parakeet ◽  
Tree Cavities ◽  
Myiopsitta Monachus ◽  
Psittacula Krameri ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Nesting Association

Abstract Certain traits of recipient environments, such as the availability of limiting resources, strongly determine the establishment success and spread of non-native species. These limitations may be overcome through behavioral plasticity, allowing them to exploit alternative resources. Here, we show how a secondary cavity nester bird, the rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri, innovates its nesting behavior as a response to the shortage of tree cavities for nesting in its invasive range in Tenerife (Canary Islands). We observed that some breeding pairs excavated their own nest cavities in palms, thus becoming primary cavity nester, whereas others occupied nests built with wood sticks by another invasive species, the monk parakeet Myiopsitta monachus. The use of these novel nesting strategies increased the number of breeding pairs by up to 52% over 6 years, contributing to a 128.8% increase of the whole population. Innovative nests were located at greater heights above ground and were more aggregated around conspecifics but did not result in greater breeding success than natural cavities. Occupation of monk parakeet colonies by rose-ringed parakeets also benefited the former species through a protective-nesting association against nest predators. Our results show how an invasive species innovate nesting behaviors and increase nest-site availability in the recipient environment, thus facilitating its population growth and invasion process. Potential behavioral innovations in other invasive rose-ringed parakeet populations may be overlooked, and should be considered for effective management plans.

Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark F. Spreyer ◽  
Enrique H. Bucher
Keyword(s):  
Monk Parakeet ◽  
Myiopsitta Monachus

scholarly journals Fine‐scale genetic structure reflects limited and coordinated dispersal in the colonial monk parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca S. E. Dawson Pell ◽  
Juan Carlos Senar ◽  
Daniel W. Franks ◽  
Ben J. Hatchwell
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Monk Parakeet ◽  
Myiopsitta Monachus

Food Selection by Grey-headed Flying Foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) Occupying a Summer Colony Site near Gosford, New South Wales

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Parry-Jones ◽  
ML Augee
Keyword(s):  
Food Selection ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Flying Foxes ◽  
Food Items ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Family ◽  
Pteropus Poliocephalus ◽  
Marked Preference ◽  
Colony Site

A colony site occupied by grey-headed flying-foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) from October to May on the central coast of N.S.W. was monitored over a 48 month period (1986-1990). Faecal and spat-out material was collected for microscopic determination of contents. Comparison of food items in the droppings with the array of possible food sources present in the vicinity of the colony at the same time showed a marked preference for certain foods, in particular blossoms of the family Myrtaceae and of the genus Banksia. Cultivated orchard fruits were not a preferred food and were only taken at times when preferred food items were scarce.

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