Alien Birds In The Sky: Native Birds Standing On The Verge Of Extinction

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The trade of alien birds is becoming a threat to the native birds. A team of researchers has discovered this crucial fact. It is truly a surprising fact that the presence of the alien birds is very harmful to the native species.

Researchers from the UK have opined that almost 1000 species of alien birds are traded and introduced into the areas with human activity. The trading of these alien birds took place over the past 500 years.

Sources of BBC reveal that half of these alien birds arrived after 1950. The global demand for the exotic birds like starlings, parrots and finches are very high. Prof Tim Blackburn of the University College London and the Zoological Society of London opines that the areas of the native birds are also suitable for the alien birds.

Prof Tim Blackburn also says that alien birds are the biggest threat to the native birds. Ruddy ducks and Ring-necked Parakeets belong to the category of most common alien birds. Ring-necked Parakeets can be seen in the southeast part of England.

A good number of Europeans, mainly the British, moved geese, pheasants, duck into new areas. The first phase began in the mid-nineteenth century. After the Second World War, another phase started and it continues till today.

The introduction of the alien birds increased rapidly from 1980 to 2000. It happens due to the "growth in the pet trade". Dr. Ellie Dyer, lead researcher of UCL and ZSL has uttered that a clear map is built to locate the areas of the alien species. Even the map can unveil several different facts.

It can discover the key role the human beings behind the different stages of the species invasion. It can also reveal the important environmental factors that forced the alien birds to change their locations. The complete research study is published in the PLOS Biology.

Prof Blackburn told BBC News that the global trade of the alien birds increases because some areas of the world have witnessed the growth of wealth and income. The trade of the alien birds is now the key driver of the establishment of the new bird population. It is truly a matter of concern and the issue should be addressed quickly.