Biological invasions are often one of the main causes of global biodiversity loss. Parrots are among the most globally traded taxa and have successfully invaded urban areas. Studies analyzing alien parrot-habitat relationships are scarce in cities of the southern hemisphere. This study aims to determine habitat characteristics influencing exotic parrot species richness, presence, and composition in urban parks in Buenos Aires City and to analyze variations during breeding and non-breeding seasons. A total of 35 parks were sampled during the breeding season and the non-breeding season, and habitat variables at local and landscape scales were measured. Parrot species richness was positively associated with tree species richness and a shorter distance to the La Plata River throughout the year. During the non-breeding season, parrot species richness increased in parks with a higher abundance of tree genera such as Eugenia, Podocarpus, Olea, and Washingtonia. However, during the breeding season, parrot species richness decreased with increased environmental noise. Taxonomic richness was higher during the breeding season. The occurrence of different species and composition depended differentially on each variable, and it varied between seasons. Our findings suggest that exotic parrot richness and presence may be influenced not only by tree diversity and park proximity to green corridors but also by specific exotic tree species providing resources for the parrots. Future urban green space designs should prioritize native tree planting to support local biodiversity over exotic trees that benefit invasive bird species.
Keywords: exotic parrots; invasive species; urban parks; urbanization.