Founder populations and the current status of exotic parrots in South Africa

Parrots (families Psittacidae and Cacatuidae) are one of the most threatened taxa of birds, with a combination of threats to wild populations, including capture for the cage bird market, habitat modification and destruction, persecution, disease, and threats from introduced species. As a result of t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ostrich 2014-01, Vol.85 (3), p.235-244
Main Author: Symes, Craig T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agapornis
alien
biodiversity
breeding
cages
founder
habitats
introduced species
invasion
invasive species
markets
parakeets
parrots
Psittacidae
Psittacula
Psittacula krameri
South Africa
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Summary:Parrots (families Psittacidae and Cacatuidae) are one of the most threatened taxa of birds, with a combination of threats to wild populations, including capture for the cage bird market, habitat modification and destruction, persecution, disease, and threats from introduced species. As a result of the group's popularity as a cage bird, and the transport of vast numbers of individuals across the globe (both legally and illegally), the establishment of populations beyond their natural ranges has likely been enhanced. This review reports on c. 30 parrot species that have been observed outside of their natural ranges in South Africa, most likely derived, and supplemented, from both intentional and unintentional releases. Of these, the Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri and at least one Agapornis species have become established as breeding wild populations. Like other invasive species they may pose threats to local biodiversity; however, all are strongly associated with major urban centres where significant changes to natural biota have already occurred.
ISSN:1727-947X
0030-6525
1727-947X
DOI:10.2989/00306525.2014.921866