Monk Parakeet’s (Myiopsitta monachus) Ecological Parameters after Five Decades of Invasion in Santiago Metropolis, Chile

Abstract

Monk Parakeets are considered one of the most invasive bird species given its unique capacity among psittacines to build their own communal nests. Originally introduced as pets in houses from where they escaped or were released, they are currently considered invasive in more than 20 countries worldwide. This is the case in Chile, where Monk Parakeets were introduced during the 1970s. Between 2016 and 2019 we searched Monk Parakeets’ nests structures in the Santiago metropolis region. We identified 1458 Monk Parakeets’ communal nests on 546 trees belonging to 34 tree species. Ninety-one percent of the occupied trees were also introduced. Paraná pine and cedar of Lebanon were the tree species with highest abundance of nests, averaging more than four nests/tree/species, with 23 and 18 maximum number of nests, respectively. Tasmanian blue gum and black locust were selected by parakeets more often than expected, based on availability. From all trees, 24.6% denoted health problems and 47.3% were pruned. The average nest height was 14.2 m and nests were observed mainly in secondary branches (59.3%). The occupancy rate was 89.7% and was associated to nest height and type of branch. During two reproductive seasons we quantified eggs and nestlings in chambers averaging 4.5 and 4.2, respectively. We provide a rough population size estimate and the characteristics of Monk Parakeets nest and tree selectivity, aiming to characterize several decades of a neglected urban invasion to warrant strategies for improved management measures.

Zoonotic Cryptosporidium meleagridis in urban invasive monk parakeets

“…This finding confirms the presence of a zoonotic parasite in an abundant invasive synanthropic bird widely distributed in Santiago (Briceño et al, 2022;Sandoval-Rodríguez et al, 2021).…”

“…This finding confirms the presence of a zoonotic parasite in an abundant invasive synanthropic bird widely distributed in Santiago (Briceño et al, 2022; Sandoval‐Rodríguez et al, 2021). In this study, four different and new sequences were identified, not previously available in GenBank.…”

“…In regard to Cryptosporidium meleagridis , this parasite represents a considerable risk to human health (Tzipori & Ward, 2002) affecting immunocompetent humans and even producing severe cases when present with concomitant disease or immunosuppression (Chappell et al, 2011). Children and older people are in risk of developing severe cases of cryptosporidiosis with C. meleagridis , and these age groups are also regular visitors of public parks, where taller trees are common and monk parakeet and their nests are abundant (Briceño et al, 2022; Sandoval‐Rodríguez et al, 2021). Moreover, contamination with infected faeces in parks is relevant for a parasite that is acquired orally and may be viable for up to 12 weeks (Olson et al, 1999).…”

“…In Valparaíso Region in Chile, the case of an immunocompetent child parasitized with C. meleagridis was reported (Neira et al, 2012). In this area, introduced monk parakeets are abundant since several decades (Briceño et al, 2022). It is possible that this monk parakeet population is also a source of infection in urban areas.…”

“…Urban eared doves ( Zenaida auriculata ) are also sympatric to monk parakeets in Santiago and have been found to harbour C. meleagridis and Cryptosporidium galli in Brazil (de Seixas et al, 2019). The monk parakeet has been an invasive species in Santiago for 50 years, and its role as an urban ecosystem engineer may be relevant, not only to bird ecology, but also to environmental health (Briceño et al, 2019, 2022). Cryptosporidium spp.…”