Southeast Asian invasive birds: ecology, impact and management

Abstract

Invasive birds can have serious impacts on native biodiversity, native ecosystems and humans. However, there is a dearth of literature on the status and effects of invasive birds in Southeast Asia. We review the current available information on the invasive bird species in Southeast Asia, first by discussing characteristics that likely make invasive bird species successful and second by reviewing the impacts of the invasive bird species on Southeast Asian economy and biodiversity. We end by discussing the strengths and weaknesses, as well as the applicability of different management options.

Edge Responses of Tropical and Temperate Birds

“…Altered communities.-�isturbance and degradation alter forest communities and, thus, affect the survival of forest bird species in several ways. Increased access of open-country species to forests can lead to greater competition for resources and greater predation pressure (Yap and Sodhi 2004). Nest predation is also higher at the interface of forest and disturbed habitat (e.g., Gibbs 1991, Bur�ey 1993, Cooper and Francis 1998, where certain predators may be more efficient in detecting nests.…”

Invasive birds in Hong Kong, China

“…As a consequence of early deforestation of the Hong Kong region, the pattern of invasion by exotic bird species is very different from that which is currently being recorded elsewhere in tropical East Asia (Wells 1999;Yap & Sodhi 2004). With the exception of Red-whiskered Bulbuls, which appear to have colonized Hong Kong in the latter part of the nineteenth century, and perhaps House Crows which may be on the brink of a rapid population increase, Hong Kong has not been colonized in historical times by open country generalists or granivores that have rapidly become abundant in anthropogenic habitats.…”

“…The Common Myna is a highly invasive species elsewhere in the world and has had significant impacts on native species, especially on islands (Storer 1931;Feare & Craig 1998;Yap & Sodhi 2004). In Hong Kong, a population has persisted for 50 years but there is no evidence that it has increased beyond the size that it reached within a few years of colonization.…”

Sighting of Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri (Linnaeus, 1758) (Psittaciformes: Psittaculidae) from Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

“…Red-breasted Parakeet in huge flocks are known to raid maize and rice fields in their native range (Long 1981), and have been known to damage up to 50% of the crops (Jepson et al 2001). Invasive birds may pose a threat to native bird species through competition for similar resources (Yap & Sodhi 2004;Peh 2010). On the same food source, the Red-breasted Parakeet has been recorded to consume the entire unripe fruit while native birds feed upon the seeds of its ripen fruits.…”