Returning to the Wilderness: Potential Habitat Suitability of Non-Native Pet Birds in South Africa.

ABSTRACT: The global trade of non-native pet birds has increased in recent decades, and this has accelerated the introduction of invasive birds in the wild. This study employed ensemble species distribution modelling (eSDM) to assess potential habitat suitability and environmental predictor variables influencing the potential distribution of non-native pet bird species reported lost and sighted in South Africa. We used data and information on lost and found pet birds from previous studies to establish and describe scenarios of how pet birds may transition from captivity to the wild. Our study revealed that models fitted and performed well in predicting the suitability for African grey (Psittacus erithacus), Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus),

SUBMITTER: Shivambu TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11274018 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature