Technion-based conservation scientists Dr. Agathe Colléony and Assistant Professor Assaf Shwartz investigated trends of common bird populations across Israel over the last 15 years: invasive alien bird species are thriving and native ones are largely declining. “It is important to set appropriate management strategies to halt or mitigate the spread of non-native birds, particularly the common myna,” said Dr. Agathe Colléony.
Dr Agathe Colléony
The study found that 75% of the most common bird species in Israel have been in decline for the past 15 years, while populations of three non-native invasive alien bird species have been exploding at rates between 250% to 843%.
Among the bird species rapidly declining are the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), which has declined by 28% and the white-spectacled bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos), which has declined by 45%). “It is concerning that the species we grew up with are now declining,” said Prof. Shwartz, of the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. “I am afraid that soon my children won’t be able to see and hear and interact with the sparrow, the bulbul, and the Palestine sunbird, which used to be very widespread across Israel.”
Palestine Sunbird
“Almost two decades ago we started studying the effect of invasive alien birds on local ones. We found that the common mynas outcompete some local cavity nester species such as the house sparrow and also demonstrated aggressive behaviors towards other native bird species,” said Prof. Shwartz. This study, published today in Biological Conservation, demonstrates that three invasive bird species that were growingly spreading over the country, the common myna (Acridotheres tristis) and two species of parakeets (Psittacula krameria et Myiopsitta monachus) are flourishing while several native species are declining. “Unfortunately, this study shows that our predictions are now becoming the reality in Israel,” said Prof. Shwartz.
Pr Assaf Shwartz
Land use changes, particularly urbanization, push away many species, while favoring few others that thrive in the new environmental conditions. The native common species that were considered “winners” in this process are now “losers.” The ultimate “winners” have been non-native species. Although negative trends appear to be so far relatively limited to human-dominated landscapes (mostly residential areas), there are signs that these effects may soon reach more natural landscapes.
The study flags the importance of setting appropriate management strategies to halt of mitigate the spread of non-native birds. Otherwise, the researchers predict that the bird communities will become increasingly homogenized and dominated by non-native species.