With the “Introduced Bird Interaction Survey”, we encourage citizens to report interactions between introduced birds and other animals, plants and humans. Observers can report any exotic bird species introduced and detected in wild conditions in Europe by typing the species name or by selecting a species from a list of most frequently observed. Beyond that, records of European species that were introduced in countries where they do not occur naturally are also eligible and welcomed.

Your collaboration is essential for us identify which introduced bird species are becoming invasive and to improve our assessment of their environmental, societal and economic impacts. As an example, the feeding habits of a bird may reveal a negative impact on agricultural crops or a competitive advantage over a native species. Reporting the breeding behaviour of individuals is also important to determine the colonization or the establishment success of a species. Also, describing the time of the year, the habitat of occurrence or the breeding area will increase the knowledge of species’ ecology in the novel region and is essential to improve research or to establish successful control plans.

Target species: Introduced birds (or their descendants) observed in wild conditions in a place where they arrived by human hand.

Non-target species: Birds observed in captive conditions such as zoological park cages (flying birds) or fences (flightless birds).

IBISurvey is a partner of the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN).

We produced fact-sheets for exotic bird species (1) that were successfully introduced (i.e. established) in Europe or (2) frequently observed in the wild but without known established populations. A species fact-sheet summarizes (1) diagnostic tips of identification based on bird plumage and comparison to similar species, (2) the ecology of the species, and (3) the current establishment status of the species in each European country and region.

Regarding plumages, three types can be shown: (1) wild type: plumage naturally present in individuals in their country of origin; (2) domestic type: plumage resulting from selection by humans and domestic breeding; (3) hybrid: plumage resulting from the cross between different species. For domestic types and hybrids, only the most common examples are shown.

The status of species in Europe is an ongoing updated section because birds keep escaping or being introduced or because the establishment process takes time. Also, possibly there are introduced populations still waiting to be discovered.

To know how to identify a bird species that were introduced in Europe click here:

Ducks, geese and swans (Anseriformes)

Partridges, pheasants and other gallinaceous birds (Galliformes)

Parrots and parakeets (Psittaciformes)

Song/passerine birds (Passeriformes)

Other bird species

Taxonomy and nomenclature:

British Ornithologists’ Union. 2018. The British List: A Checklist of Birds of Britain (9th edition). Ibis 160: 190-240. https://bou.org.uk/british-list/

Gill F, D Donsker & P Rasmussen (Eds). 2021. IOC World Bird List (v11.2). doi:  10.14344/IOC.ML.11.2.

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Ali, S., & Ripley, S. D. (1999). Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan: Together with those of Bangladesh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. 10 Volume Set (Vol 1-10). Oxford University Press.

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Anton, M., Herrando, S., Garcia, D., Ferrer, X. & Cebrian, R. (2017). Atles dels ocells nidificants de Barcelona. Ajuntament de Barcelona/ICO/UB/Zoo. Barcelona

Arnold, R., Woodward, I. and Smith, N. (2018). Parrots in the London Area – A London Bird Atlas Supplement. London Natural History Society

Baccetti, N., Spagnesi, M., & Zenatello, M. (1997). Storia Recente Delle Specie Ornitiche Introdotte In Italia. Suppl. Ric. Biol. Selvaggina 27: 299-316.

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Baker, J., Harvey, K. J., & French, K. (2014). Threats from introduced birds to native birds. Emu-Austral Ornithology, 114(1), 1-12.

Banks, A. N., Wright, L., Maclean, I. M., Hann, C., & Rehfisch, M. M. (2008). Review of the status of introduced non-native waterbird species in the area of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement: 2007 update. Norfolk, United Kingdom: British Trust for Ornithology.

Bauer, H. G., & Woog, F. (2008). Nichtheimische Vogelarten (Neozoen) in Deutschland, Teil I: Auftreten, Bestände und Status. Vogelwarte, 46(3), 157-194.

Bauer, H. G., Geiter, O., Homma, S., & Woog, F. (2016). Vogelneozoen in Deutschland–Revision der nationalen Statuseinstufungen. Vogelwarte, 54, 165-179.

Blackburn, T. M., & Duncan, R. P. (2001). Determinants of establishment success in introduced birds. Nature, 414(6860), 195-197.

Blackburn, T. M., Lockwood, J. L., & Cassey, P. (2009). Avian invasions: the ecology and evolution of exotic birds (Vol. 1). Oxford University Press.

Blackburn, T. M., Pyšek, P., Bacher, S., Carlton, J. T., Duncan, R. P., Jarošík, V., … & Richardson, D. M. (2011). A proposed unified framework for biological invasions. Trends in ecology & evolution, 26(7), 333-339.

Bon, M., Semenzato, M., Fracasso, G., & Marconato, E. (2008). Sintesi delle conoscenze sui Vertebrati alloctoni del Veneto. Boll. Mus. civ. St. nat. Venezia, 58, 37-64.

Borrow, N., & Demey, R. (2014). Birds of Western Africa. Helm Field Guides, London.

Carrete, M., & Tella, J. (2008). Wild‐bird trade and exotic invasions: a new link of conservation concern?. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 6(4), 207-211.

Cassey, P., Blackburn, T. M., Sol, D., Duncan, R. P., & Lockwood, J. L. (2004). Global patterns of introduction effort and establishment success in birds. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, 271(suppl_6), S405-S408.

Cheke, A. (2019). A long-standing feral Indian Peafowl population in Oxfordshire, and a brief survey of the species in Britain. British Birds, 112, 337-348.

Chiron, F., Shirley, S., & Kark, S. (2009). Human-related processes drive the richness of exotic birds in Europe. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 276(1654), 47-53.

Clement, P. (1999). Finches and sparrows. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Cramp, S. & Perrins, C. M. (1994). The birds of the Western Palearctic. Oxford University Press, Oxford

Cucco, M., Alessandria, G., Bissacco, M., Carpegna, F., Fasola, M., Gagliardi, A., … & Pellegrino, I. (2021). The spreading of the invasive sacred ibis in Italy. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 1-13.

De Juana, E., & Garcia, E. (2015). The birds of the Iberian Peninsula. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D. A., & de Juana, E. E. (2018). Handbook of the birds of the world alive. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions.

Dubois, P. J. (2007). Les oiseaux allochtones en France: statut et interactions avec les espèces indigènes. Ornithos, 14, 329–364.

Dubois, P. J., Maillard, J. F., & Cugnasse, J. M. (2016). Les populations d’oiseaux allochtones en France en 2015 (4 e enquête nationale). Ornithos, 23, 129-141.

Duncan, R. P., Blackburn, T. M., & Sol, D. (2003). The ecology of bird introductions. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 34(1), 71-98.

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Fox, A. D., Heldbjerg, H., & Nyegaard, T. (2017). Invasive alien birds in Denmark. Citizen Science Based Bird Population Studies, 187.

Frith, C. B. (2004). The Birds of Africa. Volume VII (Eds C. Hilary Fry and Stuart Keith). Christopher Helm, London.

Gibbs, D., Barnes, E., & Cox, J. (2010). Pigeons and doves: a guide to the Pigeons and doves of the world. London, UK: A&C Black Publishers

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Harrison, C. J. O. & Castel, P. (2002). Field guide to the nests, eggs and nestlings of Britain and Europe. Collins.

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Hulme, P. E., Bacher, S., Kenis, M., Klotz, S., Kühn, I., Minchin, D., … & Vilà, M. (2008). Grasping at the routes of biological invasions: a framework for integrating pathways into policy. Journal of Applied Ecology, 45(2), 403-414.

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Keller, V., Herrando, S., Voříšek, P., Franch, M., Kipson, M., Milanesi, P., Martí, D., Anton, M., Klvaňová, A., Kalyakin, M.V., Bauer, H.-G. & Foppen, R.P.B. (2020): European Breeding Bird Atlas 2: Distribution, Abundance and Change. European Bird Census Council & Lynx Edictions. Barcelona

Kestenholz, M., Heer, L., & Keller, V. (2005). Etablierte Neozoen in der europäischen Vogelwelt–eine Übersicht. Ornithol. Beob, 102(3), 153-180.

Kumschick, S., & Nentwig, W. (2010). Some alien birds have as severe an impact as the most effectual alien mammals in Europe. Biological conservation, 143(11), 2757-2762.

Lensink, R., Ottens, G., & van der Have, T. (2013). Vreemde vogels in de Nederlandse vogelbevolking: een verhaal van vestiging en uitbreiding. Limosa, 86(2), 49-67.

Lever, C. (2005). Naturalised birds of the world. A&C Black.

Lukasiewicz, M., Matuszewski, A., Kamaszewski, M., & Wardecki, L. (2018). Selected invasive species of the Polish and European avifaunae. Annals of Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW. Animal Science, 57.

Madge, S., McGowan, P. J., & Kirwan, G. M. (2002). Pheasants, partridges and grouse: a guide to the pheasants, partridges, quails, grouse, guineafowl, buttonquails and sandgrouse of the world. A&C Black

Matias, R. (2002). Aves exóticas que nidificam em Portugal continental. Instituto da Conservação da Natureza. Lisboa

Menkhorst, P., Rogers, D., Clarke, R., Davies, J., Marsack, P., & Franklin, K. (2017). The Australian bird guide. Csiro Publishing.

Mentil L., Battisti C. & Carpaneto G.M. (2018). The impact of Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769) on orchards: first quantitative evidence for Southern Europe. Belgian Journal of Zoology 148 (2): 129–134.

Mlíkovský, J. & Stýblo P. (Eds.) (2006): Nepůvodní druhy fauny a flóry České republiky. Praha: ČSOP.

Mori, E., Grandi, G., Menchetti, M.,Tella, J. L., Jackson, H. A., Reino, L., van Kleunen, A., Figueira, R. & Ancillotto, L. (2017). Worldwide distribution of non–native Amazon parrots and temporal trends of their global trade. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 40.1: 49–62.

National Biodiversity Network Atlas: https://records.nbnatlas.org

Naturbasen – Danmarks National Artsportal: https://www.naturbasen.dk/

Nehring, S., Rabitsch, W., Kowarik, I., & Essl, F. (Eds.). (2015). Naturschutzfachliche Invasivitätsbewertungen für in Deutschland wild lebende gebietsfremde Wirbeltiere. Bundesamt für Naturschutz.

Nikolov, B., Kralj, J., Legakis, A., Saveljic, D. & Velevski, M. (2016). Review of the alien bird species recorded on the Balkan Peninsula. In: Rat M., T. Trichkova, R. Scalera, R. Tomov, A. Uludag (Eds.), First ESENIAS Report: State of the Art of Invasive Alien Species in South-Eastern Europe. Publishers: UNS PMF, Novi Sad, Serbia, IBER-BAS, Sofia, Bulgaria, ESENIAS,  ISBN:978-86-7031-3316, 189-201

Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre (2018). The Alien Species List of Norway – ecological risk assessment 2018. https://www.biodiversity.no/alien-species-2018

Nowakowski, J. J., & Dulisz, B. (2019). The Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer (Linnaeus, 1766)–a new invasive bird species breeding in Europe. BioInvasions Records, 8(4), 947-952.

Ornitho France: www.Ornitho.fr

Ornitho Italia: www.ornitho.it

Ottens, G., & Ryall, C. (2003). House crows in the Netherlands and Europe. Dutch Birding, 25, 312-319.

Pagani–Núñez, E., Renom, M., Furquet, C., Rodríguez, J., Llimona, F., & Senar, J. C. (2018). Isotopic niche overlap between the invasive leiothrix and potential native competitors. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 41(2), 427-434.

Parr, M., & Juniper, T. (2010). Parrots: a guide to parrots of the world. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Pereira, P. F., Barbosa, A. M., Godinho, C., Salgueiro, P. A., Silva, R. R., & Lourenço, R. (2020). The spread of the red-billed leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) in Europe: The conquest by an overlooked invader?. Biological Invasions, 22(2), 709-722.

Pereira, P. F., Godinho, C., Vila-Viçosa, M. J., Mota, P. G., & Lourenço, R. (2017). Competitive advantages of the red-billed leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) invading a passerine community in Europe. Biological Invasions, 19(5), 1421-1430.

Pereira, P. F., Lourenço, R., & Mota, P. G. (2018). Behavioural dominance of the invasive red-billed leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) over European native passerine-birds in a feeding context. Behaviour, 155(1), 55-67.

Pereira, P. F., Lourenço, R., & Mota, P. G. (2020). Two songbird species show subordinate responses to simulated territorial intrusions of an exotic competitor. acta ethologica, 23(3), 143-154.

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Sol, D., Bartomeus, I., & Griffin, A. S. (2012). The paradox of invasion in birds: competitive superiority or ecological opportunism?. Oecologia, 169(2), 553-564.

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Research team (University of Évora, Portugal):

Pedro Filipe Pereira
Carlos Godinho
Inês Roque
João Eduardo Rabaça
Rui Lourenço

Collaborators:

Ana Diniz Sampaio, University of Évora
David Epple, Technical University of Munich
Elsa Leclerc Duarte, University of Évora
Fer Goytre, Fotografía de Naturaleza
Francesco Valerio, University of Évora
Hany Alonso, Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA)
Pedro Alexandre Salgueiro, University of Évora
Pedro Almeida, University of Évora
Teresa Gomes, University of Évora

Illustrations:

Pedro Filipe Pereira

Photography:

Alessandro Mariani, Italia; Leiothrix lutea and Parus major
Carlos Santos, Alapraia, Portugal; Acridotheres cristatellus singing
Carlos Sarabia, Fotografía de Naturaleza, España; Pycnonotus jocosus
Carole Philippon, France, Instagram: @carole.nature.photos; Survey: Leiothrix lutea and Erithacus rubecula
Christian Almendro, España, Instagram: @kostripadventure; Pavo cristatus courtship
Elena Giuffra, Italia, Instagram: @elena.giuffra; 2 Leiothrix lutea feeding
Eva M Sánchez-Flores, España, Instagram: @evalynxphotograph; Estrilda astrild feeding
Fátima Mendes, Portugal; Acridotheres cristatellus and horse
Francisco Santos, Portugal; Estrilda astrild feeding young
Hawi Grömping, Germany, www.naturschule.com; Survey: Phoenicopterus chilensis and Phoenicopterus roseus
Jean Yves Paquereau, photographie de la nature, France; Threskiornis aethiopicus
João Lelo, Portugal, Instagram: @joaolelophotography; Ploceus melanocephalus
Mala Patel, Director The Caketail Club, England, the United Kingdom; 2 Psittacula krameri
Mar López, Fotografía de Naturaleza, Alcalá de Henares, España; Myiopsitta monachus feeding
Mari Carmen López Luengo, España, Instagram: @mcarmen_photography; Myiopsitta monachus and Columba livia
Paul Abrahams, the United Kingdom, www.gingerwildlifephotography.co.uk; Branta canadensis and Anser anser; Branta canadensis and Cygnus olor
Pedro Filipe Pereira, University of Évora, Portugal; Pavo cristatus incubating
Peter Koenis, the Netherlands; Cygnus atratus and Cygnus olor
Philip John Passey, England, the United Kingdom; Psittacula krameri and Corvus monedula
Samuele Ramellini, University of Milan, Italy; Leiothrix lutea couple; 1 Leiothrix lutea feeding
Saskia Lemmens, Sayly Photography, the Netherlands; Alopochen aegyptiaca and Ciconia ciconia
Teresa Palacios, Fotógrafa, España, www.teresapalacios.es; Phasianus colchicus courtship
Ton Petrus, the Netherlands; Psittacula krameri feeding
Vie Schoen, the Netherlands; Phoenicopterus chilensis copulation
William Atkinson, Mid-Wales, the United Kingdom; Phasianus colchicus fight

Funding:

MED (IUPB/05183/2020) – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia

Contacts:

LabOr – Laboratory of Ornithology
MED – Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development
Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada
Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
Telephone: 00351 266 760 897
E-mail: labor@uevora.pt

• IBISurvey Project one pager
• IBISurvey Booklet Brochure A5
• IBISurvey Poster Affiche 90 x 60 cm
• First Iberian Congress on Invasive Species (pages 123-128)