ABSTRACT
Bird diversity has declined as native birds have avoided using the green
desert after the Smooth Cordgrass Spartina alterniflora invaded
coastal China. After many years of coexistence, a few passerine birds
began to enter and use Smooth Cordgrass, but only birds of
nonspecialised habitat. In this study, we first found that a native
reed-specific bird, the Parrotbill Calamornis heudei, flocked and
sang in a Smooth Cordgrass habitat in the whole overwintering period
near Sheyang Port in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province. This phenomenon
indicates that native obligate birds may be forced to adapt to exotic
Smooth Cordgrass habitats after long-term coexistence; obviously, the
distribution, feeding and reproduction of birds would be affected. Is
this an ecological trap? Which may lead to unknown ecological
consequences. We suggest that more research attention should be given to
this process occurring along the Chinese coast.