Abstract
Simple SummaryThe monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) is an invasive species, unique in the parrot family for its ability to build large nest structures. This species became globally distributed, promoted in part due to the pet trade market, and now is considered a pest because of the economic losses they produce. During the reproductive seasons of 2017 and 2018, we registered interactions between invasive monk parakeets and resident bird species in Santiago, Chile. We observed positive and negative interactions, and herein, we describe parakeets’ nest occupancy by nine bird species, two invasive and seven native. For this reason, the monk parakeet should be considered an ecosystem engineer, a species that is creating available breeding space of potential use for other species. Our results contribute to an assessment of implications of this ecological invasion of local urban wildlife, and raise concern on other impacts, such as disease transmission, as a consequence of these interactions.The monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) is considered to be one of the most invasive bird species because its unique ability among parrots to build their own communal nests. Currently, they are considered an invasive species in 19 countries and a pest—even in their native distribution—because of economic losses derived from their impacts. During the reproductive seasons of 2017 and 2018, we registered interactions between invasive monk parakeets and resident bird species in Santiago, Chile. We observed agonistic and affiliative interactions, and further, we described monk parakeets’ nest occupancy by nine bird species, two invasive and seven native. For this reason, we consider that the monk parakeet is an allogenic ecosystem engineer with the potential to shape distribution and richness of sympatric species in urban environments. Our results contribute to an assessment of the implications of the monk parakeet’s ecological invasion to other synanthropic species, and raise concern of other potential impacts, such as pathogen transmission derived from these interactions.
Highlights
Invasive populations of monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) can be found worldwide as an unintentional by-product of a large-scale pet trade [1]
We identified 547 trees with one or more parakeet nests, and one nest constructed over a lamp post, in 24 Communes of Santiago, mainly in public areas, such as streets, squares, and parks
Given reported observations of monk parakeets’ nest use by other bird species, plus our confirmation of this occurring with several species in Chile, we propose that the monk parakeet should be considered as an allogenic ecosystem engineer due its capacity to construct and confer a reproductive resource to other species [66,67]
Summary
Invasive populations of monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) can be found worldwide as an unintentional by-product of a large-scale pet trade [1]. The first published records of its invasion date from 1968 in Florida, USA [2], and they continue expanding their distribution through North. Almost all research on the species has been conducted in Argentina in the parrot’s native range, and in USA and Spain on their invasive distribution. In Argentina, the monk parakeet is increasing its original range towards southern Patagonia [5]; in its native range, the species is currently considered a pest [3]. In England, where the monk parakeet is increasing its population size, the species is classified as one of the six priority invaders for rapid control [6]. In the United States, parakeets build nests mainly on man-made structures, and they are considered a nuisance by utility companies [7,8,9]
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