Diet and bird-plant interaction networks based on citizen science data in Lima, Peru: exotic and native species are important

Abstract

ABSTRACT We compiled bird feeding records in Lima City (Peru) through an in-depth review of online citizen science platforms. Additionally, we analyzed bird-plant interaction networks to assess how the origin status of bird and plant species, as well as species with ornithophilous flowers, contribute to structuring those interactions. The compiled records encompassed 43 bird species and 96 food resources. The native Amazilis amazilia and the exotic Forpus coelestis were the most recorded birds, accounting for 21.5% and 9.9% of the total feeding records, respectively. Plants were the most frequent resource, making up 82.7% of feeding records, while the rest corresponded to insects, fish, and other uncommon cases. Nectarivory and frugivory were the main bird-plant interactions observed. Interaction network analyses for general bird-plant interactions and nectarivory interactions did not show significant modular or nested structures in either case and were highly disconnected. At the species level, the measure of centrality did not significantly differ between exotic and native plants, as well as birds. This suggests that these groups contribute almost equally to maintaining bird-plant interactions. However, for nectarivory interactions, plants with ornithophilous flowers had greater importance in the network, as indicated by their higher centrality values.