Interactions between Invasive Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) and Other Bird Species during Nesting Seasons in Santiago, Chile

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) is an invasive species, unique in the parrot family for its ability to build large nest structures. This species became globally distributed, promoted in part due to the pet trade market, and now is considered a pest because of the economic losses they produce. During the reproductive seasons of 2017 and 2018, we registered interactions between invasive monk parakeets and resident bird species in Santiago, Chile. We observed positive and negative interactions, and herein, we describe parakeets’ nest occupancy by nine bird species, two invasive and seven native. For this reason, the monk parakeet should be considered an ecosystem engineer, a species that is creating available breeding space of potential use for other species. Our results contribute to an assessment of implications of this ecological invasion of local urban wildlife, and raise concern on other impacts, such as disease transmission, as a consequence of these interactions. ABSTRACT: The monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) is considered to be one of the most invasive bird species because its unique ability among parrots to build their own communal nests. Currently, they are considered an invasive species in 19 countries and a pest—even in their native distribution—because of economic losses derived from their impacts. During the reproductive seasons of 2017 and 2018, we registered interactions between invasive monk parakeets and resident bird species in Santiago, Chile. We observed agonistic and affiliative interactions, and further, we described monk parakeets’ nest occupancy by nine bird species, two invasive and seven native. For this reason, we consider that the monk parakeet is an allogenic ecosystem engineer with the potential to shape distribution and richness of sympatric species in urban environments. Our results contribute to an assessment of the implications of the monk parakeet’s ecological invasion to other synanthropic species, and raise concern of other potential impacts, such as pathogen transmission derived from these interactions.