A rare case of soft tissue leiomyosarcoma with liver metastases in a rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri).

Non‐native species are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity worldwide due to their direct and indirect effects on native communities. There are two opposing hypotheses to explain how non‐native species successfully establish outside their native range. The first posits that non‐native species are closely related to local native species through environmental filtering, which selects species with similar traits; the second posits that non‐native species are distantly related to native species in the area in which they establish due to limiting similarity, which minimizes competition. We assessed support for these two hypotheses by characterizing the functional trait space of terrestrial bird communities in Italian cities. We surveyed 220 points in breeding and winter periods along an urbanization gradient in six cities. We assessed whether two non‐native bird species, Rose‐ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri and Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus , conformed to either of the two opposing hypotheses by calculating functional diversity metrics (Functional Dispersion, i.e. quantification of the distribution of functional elements in the niche space, and Contribution, i.e. contribution of each species to the niche space) for each community. We then modelled these metrics in relation to the presence or absence of the two non‐native parakeet species along the urbanization gradient. We found that non‐native parakeet species probably established in the vacant functional niche space of urban bird communities. Our results support the hypothesis that limiting similarity allows the establishment of non‐native parakeets at the local scale by reducing competition with native species due to trait dissimilarity. Urban environments offer novel opportunities for the parakeets that are not exploited by the native species present. This insight into niche space processes in urban areas, which can act as centres for expansion of non‐native birds into other environments, can be used when implementing management strategies to enhance environmental filtering in these areas, thus reducing the chances of further establishment of non‐native species.

Invasive alien species pose a major threat to global biodiversity, especially within Europe. Understanding their spatial and temporal dynamics is essential for effective management planning and implementation. The ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri, hereafter RNP) has been established in Greece for over four decades, yet its invasion dynamics remain unstudied despite pilling evidence of ecological impacts. During 2024 and 2025, we conducted repeated transect surveys across 99 1 km2 grid squares within the urban complex of Thessaloniki to assess environmental factors influencing occupancy and abundance, and to estimate RNP population trends. Dynamic occupancy and N-mixture models revealed that both the presence and abundance of RNP were positively associated with the proportion of dense urban fabric and urban green areas. The proportion of occupied sites increased by more than 10% between survey years (2024-2025), while the estimated population growth rate for this interval was 1.64, signaling a substantial short-term increase. Our findings provide the first detailed evidence of an established and growing RNP population within the urban complex of Thessaloniki, Greece. Continued monitoring and research on ecological impacts are essential, while any management actions should be developed with public engagement to ensure social acceptance and long-term effectiveness.

Invasive bird species pose a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystems worldwide. In Iraq, non-native avifaunal species are increasing, leading to various environmental challenges. This study aims to evaluate the risk of invasiveness and potential impacts of four non-native, extant bird species on Iraq's biodiversity under both current and predicted climate change conditions. Surveys were conducted in November 2023 and 2024 on four non-native bird species present in local animal markets throughout Iraq. The study sites included the provinces of Baghdad, Basra, and Erbil, which harbour commercial centres and the largest local animal markets in the country for trading non-native species. In this study, the target species for screening were selected after an extensive literature search and review of non-native bird species in Iraq. Using the Terrestrial Animal Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (TAS-ISK), this study evaluated the potential risk of invasiveness in Iraq of four of these non-native bird species: bank myna Acridotheres ginginianus Latham, 1790, common myna Acridotheres tristis (Linnaeus, 1766), Namaqua dove Oena capensis (Linnaeus, 1766), and rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769). The findings revealed that for commercial, environmental, and species or population nuisance traits, A. tristis and P. krameri pose a high risk of invasiveness, whereas A. ginginianus and O. capensis pose a medium risk. The present results highlight the need to include these species in decision-making and management programmes to mitigate their impacts on Iraq's biodiversity.

Biological invasions can strongly disrupt ecosystems, reshaping their structure and functioning. We investigate how two widespread invasive parrots –the rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri and the monk parakeet Myiopsitta monachus- affect plant-bird interaction networks using a multilayer framework. Field data were collected over a full annual cycle in an area with both species, accumulating 288 h of observations and tracking 24,561 fruits from 576 plants. Parakeets modified networks by introducing novel interactions, increasing species turnover and altering modularity and nestedness. Acting as both seed predators and dispersers, they became central connectors, enabling native birds to access previously unavailable resources and increasing rare dispersal mechanisms. Their activities increased antagonisms and generated new interspecific interactions with numerous plant species. By exploiting plants not previously used by local birds, parakeets heightened the risk of secondary invasions and the spread of exotic plants. These findings underscore their dual roles in disrupting and restructuring ecological networks and stress the need to reassess their contributions in native and invaded ecosystems. Understanding their potential to facilitate exotic plant expansion is critical, as their ecological impacts will likely intensify with population growth and geographic spread. Comprehensive assessments are essential to predict and mitigate these far-reaching consequences.

The Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) is an invasive parrot increasingly established in European cities, including Athens, Greece, yet its diet and exposure to plant toxins in Mediterranean ecosystems remain poorly documented. We examined seasonal foraging patterns in Athens and assessed the toxicity of key food items using a brine shrimp lethality assay. Field observations recorded 601 feeding events across 10 plant species. Four foods—cypress seeds (Cupressus sempervirens), chinaberries (Melia azedarach), Canary Island dates (Phoenix canariensis), and olives (Olea europaea)—accounted for 82.9% of feeding events. Dietary diversity was highest in winter and summer, while foraging density remained relatively stable, peaking in autumn. Toxicity assessment of aqueous plant extracts with Brine Shrimp (Artemia franciscana) Lethality Test (BSLT) identified chinaberries as the most toxic, indicating potential dietary risks. These findings indicate that P. krameri exhibits flexible, opportunistic foraging and can tolerate plant compounds that are harmful to other vertebrates, suggesting that toxicity does not seem to limit its diet. Seasonal dietary shifts and ecological plasticity likely support its urban invasion success, highlighting the importance of understanding diet composition and potential exposure to plant toxins in urban parakeet populations.

The early identification of sex in birds is essentialfor reproduction,breeding programs, and commercialization and plays a crucial rolein wildlife management and environmental law enforcement. The DNA-basedmolecular techniques, known for their accuracy and noninvasive nature,are the primary methods for sex determination. However, these techniquesare time-consuming and expensive and require specialized laboratories.This study explores the use of attenuated total reflectance Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) combined with the RandomForest algorithm as a noninvasive, cost-effective, and precise alternativefor early gender determination in birds. Measurements were performedon the feather region, known as the vexillum, of four bird species: Oryzoborus maximiliani (Bicudo), Nymphicushollandicus (Cockatiel), Oryzoborusangolensis (Curio), and Psittaculakrameri (Ring-necked Parakeet). The bird’ssex was confirmed by DNA analysis. The ATR-FTIR spectra in the rangeof 3800–800 cm–1 were processed using standardnormal variate (SNV) and analyzed with principal component analysis(PCA) to reduce dimensionality and highlight significant transitions.Processing ATR-FTIR spectra by the Random Forest classifier yieldedpromising results, with accuracy rates in an external validation of94.4% for Bicudo and Curio, 77.8% for Cockatiel, and 72.2% for theRing-necked Parakeet. These findings highlight the potential of ATR-FTIRas a viable technique for the early identification of gender in birds.

Introduced as an exotic species, Indian ring-necked parakeets (Psittacula krameri manillensis) are now established in urban areas of Japan in flocks exceeding 1000 birds. The release of exotic animals into the wild and the establishment of new populations have led to conservation and disease prevention challenges. With these parakeets sharing their habitat with humans, their feces accumulating in human living areas may pose a public health risk of transmitting Chlamydia psittaci. Herein, we investigated the prevalence of Chlamydiales in wild Indian ring-necked parakeets. We examined 66 faecal samples from wild Indian ring-necked parakeets using molecular methods and detected three samples positive for C. psittaci. The positivity rate for C. psittaci was 4.5 % (3/66) across all samples and 18.8 % (3/16) for the sampled location. Additionally, Chlamydia-related bacteria were detected. Three strains of C. psittaci were successfully isolated using HeLa cells, and the NRM_5 strain was subjected to whole-genome sequencing to determine the complete genome sequence. NRM_5 showed the highest sequence similarity to MN strain, and exhibited the sequence type is ST35, commonly associated with pigeons and doves, indicating the potential for transmission among bird species.

Birds are an integral part of biodiversity and ecosystems. However, they can still cause significant economic damage to crops, especially in standing crops such as maize, sunflower, wheat, sorghum, barley, rice, broad beans, and legumes, as well as fruits like guava and grapes. Farmers incur significant annual losses in terms of production and economic return due to bird depredation. Some of the birds causing significant damage to crops are the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), the baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus), the parakeet (Psittacula krameri), and the peafowl (Pavo cristatus). This article explores the impact of bird depredation on agriculture and synthesizes the literature on the extent of crop damage caused by various bird species along with different conventional control methods as well as recent technological advancements. This article presents various traditional and modern management strategies, along with the challenges associated with these methods. Conventional techniques such as auditory-visual deterrents, chemical repellents, Physical barriers, habitat modification, and lethal measures are studied, and their efficacy and limitations are reviewed. The article also explains the high potential of the Internet of Things, including smart scarecrows and ultrasonic repellers for bird management. A clear understanding of the behavior and patterns of crop damage by birds is necessary to develop cost-effective and practical means for bird management. This article aims to enhance knowledge sharing among farmers, researchers, and policymakers in the formulation and implementation of effective strategies for reducing bird damage in agriculture.

ABSTRACTPurposeTo determine normal ophthalmic test values and to describe the ocular morphology of ring‐necked parakeets (Psittacula krameri).Materials and Methods33 captive birds were examined, although not all tests were conducted on each bird. The tests included endodontic absorbent paper point tear test (EAPPTT), intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal touch threshold (CTT), central corneal thickness (CCT), palpebral and corneal diameters, ocular ultrasonography, and corneoconjunctival microbiota. The iris coloration of seven young parakeets was evaluated, and two macerated skulls were described.ResultsNormal values obtained were: EAPPTT: 7.57 ± 1.95 mm/min; IOP: 12.47 ± 1.51 mmHg; CTT: 2.46 ± 0.5 mm; CCT: 0.12 ± 0.006 mm; palpebral diameter: 8.04 ± 0.49 mm,; corneal diameter: 6.41 ± 0.49 mm. In ocular ultrasonography, the dimensions in the sagittal plane were: axial globe length (AGL): 0.94 ± 0.02 cm; vitreous chamber depth (VCD): 0.47 ± 0.02 cm; lens axial length (LAL): 0.32 ± 0.01 cm; anterior chamber depth (ACD): 0.1 ± 0.01 cm; pecten width (PW): 0.12 ± 0.02 cm, and pecten length (PL): 0.42 ± 0.04 cm. In the dorsal plane: AGL: 0.93 ± 0.03 cm; VCD: 0.47 ± 0.02 cm; LAL: 0.32 ± 0.03 cm; ACD: 0.1 ± 0.01 cm; PW: 0.32 ± 0.04 cm, and PL: 0.35 ± 0.03 cm. Microbiota analysis identified predominantly gram‐positive bacteria, with Staphylococcus sp. being the most common (47.5%). Anatomical evaluation of skulls revealed a large lacrimal process extending to the zygomatic process, and the margins of the processes intersect but do not fuse. Young parakeets exhibit a brownish iris that gradually turns blue by 60 days of age.ConclusionThese findings may contribute to the diagnosis of ophthalmic conditions in this species and provide insight into normal anatomical features.

Invasive, non-native species are recognised as a global problem, and their dispersal and introduction are controversial topics. However, a source of particular interest is that of human–nature interactions and consequent perceptions of natives and non-natives, an issue complicated by misunderstandings of history and sometimes of science. Furthermore, there are only few studies on the perceptions of exotic species by people living in a region subject to invasion. The research compared local stakeholder responses to a non-native invasive bird (ring-necked parakeet Psittacula krameri Scopoli) in two areas with contrasting scenarios regarding the history of establishment, their spread, and their current status. In both locations, parakeets were considered by respondents to be attractive, but where long-established, they were also viewed as a nuisance. Desire for or tolerance of active control measures also increased in areas with a well-established population in comparison to where parakeets were still viewed as a novelty. Increased encounters between native birds and invasive parakeets influenced attitudes towards possible controls. An online survey gathered stakeholder responses, and long-term citizen science and action research were combined with data from Local Environmental Records Centres and ornithological recording groups for each region.

Surgical management of a compound tibiotarsus fracture in a rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) - A case report

Thymomas are uncommon in birds and management is challenging because of tumor characteristics such as growth location and local invasiveness, limiting surgical and chemotherapeutic options. A 20-year-old female Indian ringneck parakeet (Psittacula krameri) was referred for radiation therapy because of an increase in size of a right-sided cervical mass. The mass was tentatively diagnosed as a thymoma after biopsy and incomplete surgical resection 3 months previously. Therapeutic management in this parakeet included 10 treatments of palliative radiation therapy over the course of 1 month. The tumor decreased in size by approximately 60% in length and 40% in width and was palpably softer after radiation therapy, but regrowth was observed 73 days after the final radiation treatment. One dose of chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide was administered at that time, but euthanasia was elected 5 days later due to the parakeet's declining clinical condition and poor prognosis. Radiation therapy was effective in this bird as a palliative treatment in reducing tumor size; however, a modified protocol or a multimodal approach may be needed for longer-term control of thymomas in avian species.

Human-wildlife conflicts pose a growing threat to biodiversity, particularly when the targeted species plays an ecological keystone role. Mauritius has repeatedly mass-culled an endemic and threatened flying fox species (the Mauritian flying fox; Pteropus niger) failing the intended objectives of crop protection and elevating the species' extinction risks. In this context, the ecology of this species should be better understood to develop non-lethal management strategies. Here we investigated foraging patterns of vertebrate frugivores over 24 hour cycles in lychee orchards and backyard gardens. We assessed all agents of damage (mainly flying fox, alien bird, alien mammal) and the temporal variation of flying fox and bird foraging (take and amount eaten relative to fruit ripeness) on lychee trees. The most important frugivores foraging on lychees were flying foxes (78.3%) and birds (16.1%), namely ring-necked parakeets (Alexandrinus krameri), red-whiskered bulbuls (Pycnonotus jocosus), village weavers (Ploceus cucullatus) and common mynas (Acridotheres tristis) while damage by alien mammals was negligible (<1%). Flying foxes consumed more fruits in the early night (59%) compared to the late night and this was statistically significant in one orchard and backyards. However, the difference in damage was on average one to three fruits per tree per night. Bird damage at both orchards was highest during the first half of the day (64%). Flying foxes ate fewer fruits towards the end of the fruiting season while birds followed the opposite trend. As fruit ripeness increased from unripe to fully ripe, flying foxes ate 39-42% more lychee pulp per fruit at the two orchards. Parakeets ate 7% more fruit pulp with increasing ripeness at one orchard only. Deliberate disturbances involving smoke, noise or light to deter flying foxes were common in orchards. The weak difference in the extent of flying fox damage to fruits between early and late night suggested at best minor advantages of concentrating deliberate disturbances in early night, and that netting would be a better strategy as it would also protect against diurnal frugivores. Additionally, trees should be protected from the sixth week after fruit set as most damage occurred when fruits were unripe. Such an improved timing of crop protection should play an important role in reducing fruit losses and thereby alleviate the human-wildlife conflict around the flying fox's diet.

Introduced species may pose one of the biggest threats to biodiversity conservation. Today, monitoring their status, distribution and abundance constitutes an important part of ecological and conservation studies throughout the world. In the Afrotropical Region (sub-Saharan Africa), avian introductions have attracted the attention of many researchers, but there is a lack of a comprehensive review of this subject on a continental scale. The presented paper constitutes an attempt to overview the status, distribution, threats and control measures of birds introduced to sub-Saharan Africa in the last 200 years. This review lists 146 bird species introduced to sub-Saharan Africa. Only 49 (33.6%) of them have developed viable populations and only 7 (4.8%) became invasive species, namely Passer domesticus, Sturnus vulgaris, Acridotheres tristis, Corvus splendens, Columba livia var. domestica, Psittacula krameri and Pycnonotus jocosus. Data on distribution of most introduced species are provided, together with information on the place and year of their first introductions. For Passer domesticus and Columba livia var. domestica, data on population densities are also provided from several southern African towns. The most speciose groups of introduced species were parrots (Psittaciformes), comprising 33.6% (including Psittacidae: 13.7%; and Psittaculidae: 15.1%); Anatidae: 12.3%; Phasianidae: 11.0%; and Passeriformes: 30.1%. Most avian introductions in sub-Saharan Africa took place in Southern Africa (mainly the Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg areas) and in Madagascar and the surrounding islands (mostly Mauritius, Reunion and Seychelles). Most introduced species which have developed viable populations originate from the Afrotropical, Oriental and Palearctic regions (altogether 78%), with only 2% from the New World. The proportions among the introduced species which have not established viable populations are quite different: 29% from the New World and only 60% from the Afrotropical, Oriental and Palearctic regions. The main factors affecting successful avian introductions and introduction pathways have been identified. A review of the control measures undertaken in sub-Saharan Africa (mainly in small oceanic islands) is outlined for the following species: Passer domesticus, Acridotheres tristis, Corvus splendens, Pycnonotus jocosus, Foudia madagascariensis, Psittacula krameri and Agapornis roseicollis.

Abstract Biological invasions are one of the major threats to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning worldwide. Rose-ringed Parakeets (Psittacula krameri) are well-known invaders and have established populations in over 40 countries outside their native range. Regular records of Rose-ringed Parakeets in Turkey go back to 1975, and the species has established populations in at least ten cities, including in metropolitan areas such as Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara. To understand the scale of the invasion potential of Rose-ringed Parakeets in Turkey, first, we estimated their current local population size through roost counts carried out in 2020 and 2021 in four cities. Then, we used ecological niche modeling to forecast the present-time and future climatic habitat suitability over three different periods (2041–2060; 2061–2080; 2081–2100). Field surveys and citizen science data revealed the presence of the species in 37 provinces in Turkey. Our counts indicated a rapid population growth from 1355 individuals in 2015 to 6000 individuals in 2021. The ecological niche modeling predicted an overall 50% reduction in species’ potential habitats in Turkey by 2100 due to climate change. Suitable habitats in Central Anatolia are predicted to shrink by the model, while those in Thrace and the coastal areas of Turkey will remain stable. Even though model results indicate a future reduction in suitable habitats for Rose-ringed Parakeets in Turkey, we argue the need for long-term management, particularly in coastal cities where already-established populations are increasing in size.

ABSTRACT: Avian poxvirus is an infectious disease that affects domestic and wild birds. The etiological agent is poxvirus, and there are two main clinical forms: cutaneous and diphtheritic. A breeding facility located in São José dos Pinhais/PR, in southern Brazil, housed 2,000 birds, including canaries (Serinus canaria), lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis), rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri), gouldian finches (Erythrura gouldiae), red-rumped parrot (Psephotus haematonotus), rosella (Platycercus eximius), Venezuelan siskins (Spinus cucullatus), common waxbill (Estrilda astrild) and zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). Following the acquisition of lovebirds from a breeder in São Paulo, ocular lesions were initially observed in lovebirds, and later in rosellas and red-rumped parrots, resulting in the death of 200 birds. Rosellas were the most affected, accounting for 70 deaths of 100 birds existing in the facility. The clinical signs began with unilateral or bilateral periconjunctival infection, anorexia, weight loss and mortality. The average time to disease progression was approximately 10 days. In the necropsy of 65 birds, nodules covered by crusts were observed on the unilateral (37/65) or bilateral (5/65) periconjuntival skin, partially or completely occluding the eyeball, as well as on the beak (11/65), pelvic limb (2/65), and oral cavity (2/65). In the histopathological evaluation, in the conjunctiva, skin of the beak region, skin of the pelvic limb, and oral mucosa, there was multifocal or diffuse epithelial hyperplasia ranging from mild to marked, associated with eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies, as well as focally extensive to multifocal mucosal/epidermal necrosis and a mild to marked infiltrate of heterophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. Based on the clinical history, it is suggested that Poxvirus was disseminated through the newly acquired batch of lovebirds. This virus is species-dependent, indicating that in this outbreak, it was specific to Psittaciformes, as only certain species in this order developed the illness. The predominant gross lesions are characteristic of the cutaneous form of the poxvirus, and the histological lesions with the presence of Bollinger bodies are pathognomonic for this condition.

Abstract Insights into the relationships between tree species and their potential seed dispersers in a specific region are vital for determining spatial distribution and population dynamics that rely solely on natural regeneration. Several factors influence fruit production in trees, and the fluctuations in fruit output directly affects the population and diversity of frugivores in that area. We examined the trees of Melia azedarach to analyse the impact of tree size attributes (diameter, height and crown length) on fruit yield. Furthermore, we observed the seed dispersers to determine their role in fruit removal and dispersal. The average fruit production among sample trees varied from 1.8 × 103 to 1.18 × 105. Out of the 10 bird species recorded, the Hypsipetes leucocephalus (Himalayan Black Bulbul) and Pycnonotus leucogenys (Himalayan Bulbul) were the most frequent visitors and crucial for seed dispersal of M. azedarach. Psittacula krameri (Rose-ringed Parakeets) dropped a significant quantity of fruits below the parent tree, acting as a pre-dispersal seed predator. There were significant variations among species in total visits and estimated endocarp disbursed. Our findings indicate that the tree-size attributes like diameter, height, and crown length strongly affected fruit yield capacity in trees of Melia azedarach. Large trees are likely to be reproductively matured and are prioritising resources for reproduction rather than growth. Native animals, especially birds are facilitating seed dispersal in M. azedarach. The estimated period of the availability of ripe fruits reflects the status of seed predators and seed dispersal. The results ultimately revealed that the animal plant interactions of this study would be vital for ecosystem functioning, habitat rewilding and conservation of the ecosystem through balancing plant-animal mutualism.

ワカケホンセイインコ Psittacula krameri は，分布を世界中に広げていることで知られており，日本列島においては関東平野の首都圏で野生個体群が定着している．2015年7月から2016年1月にかけて，東京都と神奈川県の都市部に形成されたワカケホンセイインコの4つのねぐらを調査し，ねぐら入り個体数を計測した．ねぐら個体数の変化を引き起こした要因は，ねぐら周辺の工事や人の往来などの活動や，季節変化に伴うねぐら環境の変化が考えられる．ねぐらとして利用された木のうちオオバボダイジュ Tilia maximowicziana は落葉するとねぐらとして利用されなくなったが，イチョウ Ginkgo biloba は落葉後もねぐらとして利用された．ねぐらの物理的な大きさは変化しないため．ねぐら入り個体数が増加し，密度が上がると近隣住民が騒音や糞を問題視する可能性が高まると考えられた．

This study reports a genome of psittaciform chaphamaparvovirus 4 (PsChPV-4) and a beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) detected in fecal materials of rose-ringed parakeet. The genomes of PsChPV-4 and BFDV were 4,304 and 2,009 bp long, respectively, and both genomes possessed a genomic structure consistent with their respective genera.