Who's a pretty bird? Predicting the traded abundance of bird species in Australian online pet trade
Most parrot and songbird species sold online in Australia are non-native, and most of those carry an extreme invasion risk.
By Katherine G.W. Hill, Oliver C. Stringham, Sarah Moncayo, Adam Toomes, Jonathan J. Tyler, Phillip Cassey, Steven Delean in Research
December 16, 2023
Abstract
The online pet bird trade can be a pathway for both conservation loss and biological invasion, but the traits that drive which species are most heavily traded are poorly understood. We analyzed roughly 14,000 online sales listings from a popular Australian marketplace, covering 235 parrot and songbird species. Non-native species made up 55% of traded parrots and 64% of traded songbirds, and the large majority of these (81% and 85%, respectively) face an extreme risk of establishing invasive populations if released. Traded abundance was best predicted by species' breeding and handling requirements, trade availability, and physical appearance and behavior — traits that can help prioritize species for monitoring and regulation.