| Multiple parrot species have colonized North American cities as escapees or intentional releases. Species such as the invasive rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) has become increasingly more common in U.S. cities, but information about their survival and potential negative impacts are yet to be fully understood. To predict where rose-ringed parakeets might expand I created a habitat suitability model for Bakersfield, California. I selected layers from NLCD for Kern County, CA based on criteria set from studies that researched invasive colonies outside of the U.S. (Hardy 1973, Khan et al. 2004, Strubbe and Matthysen 2008). To select areas of importance, the tool "Weighted Overlay" was used to reclassify layers based on the most suitable areas to the least. To compare accuracy of the model, sightings from eBird were used to compare against the predicted suitability. Life history traits such as survival rate, foraging methods, breeding habitats, and abundance are needed to better analyze how this species is utilizing habitat in Bakersfield and how they may pose a threat to native species. Expanding this model to areas such as Los Angeles, CA would also assist in understanding the extent of this species potential range. |