FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL ESTABLISHMENT OF EXOTIC AVIAN SPECIES IN SOUTHEASTERN FLORIDA

Authors

Alison C. Rand, Marine Sciences Under Sails, Hollywood, Florida

Date of this Version

March 1980

Abstract

Presently southeastern Florida has at least 24 established exotic avian species from both New and Old World families. This much man-modified region of Florida is characterized by the Atlantic Coastal Ridge in Palm Beach, Broward and Dade Counties and the Florida Keys of Monroe County. Because of the draining of the Everglades to the west, the filling of the mangroves on the seaward side, and the accompanying urban-suburban sprawl, many exotic plant species have invaded the Ridge thus preparing the environment for introduced birds. The Red-whiskered Bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus, illustrates this point. Most exotic avian species have appeared and colonized within the last 20 years, probably the result of a developed preconditioned environment and improvement in the transportation of exotic wildlife. Birds which have succeeded are generally those which are non-migratory, gather in communal roosts in the non-breeding season and are not obligate but generalized feeders. The exotics may be filling niches not presently filled in Florida's depauperate avifauna.