Undesirable aliens: factors determining the distribution of three invasive bird species in Singapore

Abstract

Biological invasions are a major environmental concern due to their negative impacts on biodiversity and economics. We determined the population sizes and habitat-abundance relationships of the three most successful invasive bird species in Singapore: the house crow Corvus splendens, white-vented myna Acridotheres javanicus and common myna A. tristis. Estimated population sizes of the three species between February 2000 and February 2001 were between 106 000–176 000, 122 000–155 000 and 20 000–29 000, respectively. Population size of the house crow grew dramatically (>30-fold) in the last 15–16 y while that of the white-vented and common myna declined. Habitat–abundance relationships suggest that house crows are highly dependent on anthropogenic food. Their abundance was also positively related to proximity to coast. The common myna associated closely with agricultural areas while the white-vented myna probably preferred urban greenery among residential buildings. Our study shows that the three invasive bird species associated with different aspects of human-modified environment.