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Alien birds in Argentina: pathways, characteristics and ecological roles

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Abstract

Currently, there is a consensus that biological invasions are one of the most important factors in global change due to their ability to modify structures and functions of many communities. The aim of this work was to provide an exhaustive assessment of the alien birds of Argentina, their routes of entry, impacts, and a synthesis of their attributes. We reviewed and compiled data from a variety of sources and databases on alien birds in Argentina and provide a summary for ten species that had been introduced. Introductions occurred in two peaks, one at the end of the nineteenth century and the other during the 1990s. Most of species entered through the Pampas, Espinal, Bosque and Estepas Patagónica ecoregions between 34° and 50° south. Reasons for these introductions include game birds (Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera, California Quail Callipepla californica), domestic consumption (Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Graylag Goose Anser anser, Rock pigeon Columba livia), pets (European Greenfinch Chloris chloris, European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis, European Starling Sturnus vulgaris, Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus, House Sparrow Passer domesticus). These species occupy ecoregions similar to those of their origins, however most have experienced an expansion in the range of ecological conditions within their new habitats. These species provide opportunity for understanding the dynamics of invasions since they provide a diversity in their ecology and environmental needs.

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Acknowledgements

To Miguel Santillan and Soledad Liébana for sharing his records of European Starling from the Espinal ecorregion. We appreciate the improvements in English usage made by Peter Lowther through the Association of Field Ornithologists’ program of editorial assistance. Two anonymous reviewers provided recommendations that enhanced our work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grupo de Estudios sobre Biodiversidad en Agroecosistemas, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Mariano Codesido

  2. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Mariano Codesido

  3. Laboratorio de Modelos Biológicos, Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Andrea Drozd

  4. Departamento de Ambiente y Turismo, Universidad Nacional de Avellaneda, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Andrea Drozd

Authors
  1. Mariano Codesido
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  2. Andrea Drozd
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Correspondence to Mariano Codesido.

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Appendix: Local publications for alien birds from Argentina and their neighboring countries

Appendix: Local publications for alien birds from Argentina and their neighboring countries

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos, Anatidae)

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Graylag Goose (Anser anser, Anatidae)

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California Quail (Callipepla californica, Odontophoridae)

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    Sainz-Trápaga S (2014) Presencia de la Codorniz Californiana (Callipepla californica) y la Paloma Araucana (Patagioenas araucana) al este de la provincia de Chubut, Argentina. EcoRegistros Revista 4:32–36

Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera, Phasianidae)

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Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus, Phasianidae)

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Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild, Estrildidae)

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House Sparrow (Passer domesticus, Passeridae)

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European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris, Fringillidae)

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Codesido, M., Drozd, A. Alien birds in Argentina: pathways, characteristics and ecological roles. Biol Invasions 23, 1329–1338 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-020-02444-w

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