Some recent bird invasions in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin

Abstract

In Europe and the Mediterranean Basin, where the natural environment has been dramatically altered by man, many species have vanished or became endangered whereas others have been able to expand their breeding range. This chapter deals only with a sample of some expanding species, most of them concern westward oriented expansions but also some northward expansions by Mediterranean and desertic species. Each of these range expansions reflects more a combination of several factors than the influence of a single factor. Species able to live in mostly open and eutrophic habitats shaped by man and/or in close contact with man seem to be favoured. Thus, the evergrowing impact of human activities now plays a significant role in recent bird invasions.

Genes as entrepreneurs

“…The species then rapidly colonized Europe, northwest Africa, and North America in the 20 th century (Crooks & Soulé, 1999). The lagged, then rapid, colonization pattern is in keeping with the theory that urban specialization is the cause of the Collared-Dove's success (Isenmann, 1990). The Collared-Dove's broad diet is an adaption that would lead to success in an urban environment, and the supplement of anthropogenic food to the diet of the Collared-Dove is also thought to be a significant factor in its high breeding productivity (Robertson, 1990;Romagosa & Labisky, 2000).…”

Population increase and range expansion of White-winged Parakeets (<em>Brotogeris versicolurus</em>) in Puerto Rico

“…We observed both patterns in the Puerto Rican populations of the White-winged Parakeet. Although some species may exhibit very rapid population growth and range expansion, many bird species tend to have long lag-phases between the time of initial introduction and later exponential population growth, e.g., Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) (Isenmann 1990), the Eurasian Penduline-Tit (Remiz pendulinus), and the European Serin (Serinus serinus) (Hengeveld 1989). Three main mechanisms have been proposed to explain the lag-phase often exhibited by invasive species: inherent, environmental, and genetic mechanisms (Crooks and Soulé 1999).…”

Long-term trend of Italian breeding forest birds and comparison with the other Mediterranean peninsulas

“…It is not always easy to understand the cause of the expansion of certain species, but certainly new trophic factors and probably, at least as far as urban environments are concerned, significantly higher average temperatures in association with the anthropic activities from which the birds sometimes benefit, contribute. This takes place because in nature, animal populations undergo colonisation events, declines, increases or simple fluctuations over time (Isenmann 1990, Massa and La Mantia 2007, La Mantia et al 2014.…”