Aspects of the feeding ecology of introduced Rose-ringed Parakeets Psittacula krameri in the urban landscape mosaic of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Abstract

The Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri is one of the world’s commonest invasive bird species and has established in the South African urban landscapes. However, relatively little is known about the feeding biology of parakeets here. We surveyed areas in eThekwini Municipality, Durban, South Africa, to determine their feeding sites and the related land-use types. Patterns of the association were explored using Correspondence Analysis to determine parakeets’ diet across seasons and interaction between different tree species fed on by parakeets and other bird species. Dietary items were determined visually using binoculars. We identified a total of 63 feeding sites with many in the urban built land-use cover type. The parakeets’ diet differed significantly across the seasons with spring accounting for 33% of annual food items. We identified 31 fruiting/flowering tree species fed on by the parakeets, with fleshy fruits and flowers accounting for 58% and 19%, respectively. Native tree species (63%) were mostly relied on when compared with non-native (27%). They also fed on carpenter ants Camponotus cinctellus which contributed 3% of their diet. The forest fever-berry Croton sylvaticus (fleshy fruits) and African star-chestnut Sterculia africana (flowers) were the most preferred tree species in autumn and summer. The observed number of bird species that communally fed with parakeets were significantly different across the sampled seasons. The diets for the Common Myna Acridotheres tristis and the Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus overlapped with parakeets for most tree species. Parakeets were observed actively feeding in the early mornings and late afternoons before roosting. Our study supports that parakeets are generalist-opportunistic feeders. The assessment of Rose-ringed Parakeets feeding ecology may help understand their potential impact on native tree and bird species within an urban landscape.