Evolution of urban-dwelling parrots on the Iberian Peninsula
Argentine parrots (Myiopsitta monachus) and Kramer parrots (Psittacula krameri) increasingly symbolize how invasive species take root in cities, especially in urban centers. Both species have expanded across the Iberian Peninsula since 1991, establishing populations throughout the region. A recent study published in Diversity and Distributions and led by CREAF researcher Laura Cardador shows that urban areas and major highways served as launch pads for colonization, enabling these parrots to settle permanently across the peninsula. [Attribution: Cardador et al., Diversity and Distributions, 2020]
These parrots are notably fast-growing as urban dwellers. The Argentine parrot first appeared in Barcelona in 1975 and was detected in Madrid and Puerto de la Cruz by the early 1980s. Current records from the 2015 SEO/BirdLife census indicate distribution across at least 15 autonomous communities, 27 provinces, and 142 municipalities, with Madrid and Barcelona as key breeding centers. [Attribution: SEO/BirdLife census, 2015]
Regarding the Kramer parrot, the Peninsula’s first record dates to 1970 in Zorita, Cáceres. By the early 1980s it appeared also in Portugal and several Spanish locations. The 2015 SEO/BirdLife census shows the species dispersed across seven autonomous communities and one autonomous city, including 13 provinces and 34 municipalities. [Attribution: SEO/BirdLife census, 2015]
Figure: Evolution of invasive parrots on the peninsula. [Attribution: Imagery from the study]
This research reinforces a long-present idea in the scientific community: human-modified habitats play a crucial role in the spread and persistence of invasive species. Cities, degraded landscapes, peripheral zones, and connecting infrastructures collectively shape the expansion of these parrots. [Attribution: Cardador et al., 2020]
Species that thrive in urban habitats
Why have Kramer and Argentine parrots expanded so rapidly in cities? A mix of factors is at play. Some individuals have been released or escaped from cages, and urban environments can sustain these populations. Even after 2005, when commercial trade of these species was banned in Europe, the parrots continued to colonize new areas on the peninsula. [Attribution: Cardador et al., 2020]
The research team notes a second major driver: the strong link between humanized landscapes and parrot movement. City-dwelling birds can travel easily along roads, railways, and other infrastructures that connect urban and peri-urban areas, enabling rapid expansion into newly urbanized zones. [Attribution: Cardador et al., 2020]
Observations from cities suggest these parrots are pre-adapted to urban life, tolerating lower predator presence and exploiting a wide range of food resources. This adaptability supports their survival and reproduction in anthropogenic environments. [Attribution: Cardador et al., 2020]
Citizen participation
The study relies heavily on data contributed by citizen scientists who reported parrot sightings across the peninsula from 1991 to 2016. Citizen science and long-running observational records across multiple media can be integrated into mathematical models to improve understanding of how biological invasions unfold. [Attribution: Cardador et al., 2020]
The findings indicate that parrot expansion correlates with human activity. The researchers propose that the model used offers a practical starting point for prioritizing management actions, helping to identify areas most susceptible to new colonizations and areas where interference with human activity and sensitive species might be greatest. [Attribution: Cardador et al., 2020]
The team behind the study includes researchers from institutions such as the Doñana Biological Station, the University of Seville, Montpellier, the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, the Pirenaico Ecology Institute, the University of Zaragoza, and Pablo de Olavide University. [Attribution: Institutional affiliations, 2020]
Reference work: onlinelibrary Wiley DDI 13591. [Attribution: Cardador et al., 2020]
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Note: The content above reflects a synthesis of observed data and published findings on urban colonization by invasive parrots. It emphasizes the role of human environments in shaping ecological dynamics and the value of citizen-driven data for informing management strategies. [Attribution: Cardador et al., 2020]