Unveiling the occurrence of new aliens in town: the case of conures from urban areas of Italy

The global trade in parrots in recent years has led to the establishment of non-native conure populations outside their native range. In Italy, conures are poorly documented compared to other invasive parrot species. Here, we confirm the presence of a breeding population (N = 14 individuals) of white-eyed conures in Florence through a literature review and citizen science data screening. Furthermore, repeated sightings of flocks of blue-crowned conures suggest the potential breeding of this species in Rome. Misidentifications and confusion with more common invasive parrot species may obscure their true distribution, highlighting the need for systematic monitoring to assess their ecological impact and potential for expansion in urban environments.