Invasive alien species in Switzerland - Schweizer ...

2 > Vertebrates – Vertebrata 49
Tab. 2.2 > Alien birds established () in selected countries of Europe.
Family Species Country
Germany Austria Switzerland Italy
Anatidae Aix galericulata (L.)
Cygnus olor (Gmelin) native
Branta canadensis (L.)
Alopochen aegyptiacus (L.)
Anser cygnoides (L.)
Anser indicus (Latham)
Cygnus atratus (Latham)
Tadorna ferruginea (Pallas)
Anser anser (L.) native native
Phasianidae Phasianus colchicus (L.)
Meleagris gallopavo L.
Syrmaticus reevesi (Gray)
Alectoris chukar (Gray)
Odontophoridae Colinus virginianus (L.)
Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax carbo L. native native native
Psittacidae Psittacula krameri (Scopoli)
Myiopsitta monachus (Boddaert)
Paradoxornithidae Paradoxornis alphonsianus (Verreaux)
Estrildidae Amandava amandava (L.)
After Geiter et al., 2002 (Germany); Schuster, 2002 (Austria); this report (Switzerland); Andreotti et al., 2001 (Italy).
The composition of established alien birds in Switzerland seems to reflect human
activities, i.e. the frequency of release of the species, rather than their ecological traits.
Therefore, an evaluation of what makes a bird species invasive is less informative than
a discussion of the attractiveness of species to humans.
Due to the small number of six established species (or 11, if we consider the spreading
species of neighbouring countries), there is no obvious pattern to their origin. Three of
the established species are from within Europe, two from Asia, and one from Africa/Asia.
The year of introduction (i.e. when it was first found established in the wild) varies
greatly. However, the very recent significant increase of establishment of species of
Anatidae and Psittacidae, not only in Switzerland but also other European countries,
gives rise to concern and points to the need to prevent further introductions.
The pathways of introduction differ greatly between the three main groups, but are
characteristic for each group. The Anatidae are either released for aesthetic reasons
(e.g. mute swan) or have escaped from the numerous ornamental waterfowl collections.
The members of the Phasianidae are released as game birds for hunting. The Psittacidae
are, of course, escapees from captivity. The success of establishment in all three