The study of environmental stress requires an understanding of biological responses to pollutants, which can be difficult to interpret due to multiple influencing factors. This study investigates the fecal metabolome of waterfowl as bioindicators of environmental quality in two protected wetlands in southwestern Spain: the Odiel Marshes Biosphere Reserve (OMBR) and the Cádiz Bay Important Bird Area (CBIBA). Using untargeted UHPLC-QTOF-MS metabolomics, fecal samples were analyzed from five species: spoonbills, black-headed gulls, yellow-legged gulls, lesser black-backed gulls, and storks. Significant alterations were observed in key metabolites, including fatty acids, steroids, glycerophospholipids, and sphingolipids, reflecting differences in diet, habitat use, and pollutant exposure. In spoonbills, steroids and fatty acids represented the largest fractions of the detected metabolites, while comparisons between gull species revealed variations in fatty acid and glycerophospholipid levels. Multivariate analyses showed a clear separation between species and sites. Pathway analysis identified several altered metabolic routes, primarily involving fatty acid, bile acid, and sphingolipid metabolism. Overall, these results demonstrate that fecal metabolomics is a robust noninvasive tool for assessing pollution-related physiological changes, confirming waterbirds as effective bioindicators of wetland ecosystem health.

Aquatic ecosystems are characterised by strong trophic links, which can be profoundly altered by the loss or introduction of species. Invasive species that displace key native species may indirectly affect entire communities and ecosystem functioning. Introduced species often show distinctive traits that facilitate their success, such as reduced susceptibility to parasites that commonly infect native hosts. Here, we examine the ecological consequences of the invasion of the American brine shrimp Artemia franciscana on the native clonal species Artemia parthenogenetica and their cestode parasites in a hypersaline ecosystem. We carried out monthly sampling (January-June) in Odiel saltpans to compare Artemia population structure and cestode infections before (2011) and immediately after (2016) the invasion, quantifying host density, biomass and parasitological status. A. franciscana dominated and reached significantly higher densities than the native Artemia by the end of the spring 2016. Although both hosts shared the same parasite species, infection levels were markedly higher in the native species (47.33% vs. 5.30% prevalence). The cestode Flamingolepis liguloides was 18 times more frequent and induced stronger pathological effects (higher rates of castration and red colouration) in native Artemia. Invasive hosts showed a higher proportion of dead F. liguloides cysticercoids. The shift in dominant Artemia species is likely to affect other community members and ecosystem processes, given the keystone role of Artemia in hypersaline ecosystems. Our results highlight the importance of changes in host availability and host-parasite dynamics that can cascade through communities and influence entire ecosystems, particularly in the context of biological invasions.

Communal roosting in birds often involves complex interspecific interactions influenced by ecological, social, and environmental factors. We examined winter roosts (n = 232) of western jackdaws (Coloeus monedula) across the Iberian Peninsula to assess patterns of species composition, roost sharing, heterospecific abundance, and dominance. Most roosts (71.6%) were shared with other species, primarily corvids, starlings (Sturnus sp.), and cattle egret (Ardea ibis), with an average richness of 2.7 species per roost. Shared roosts hosted significantly more jackdaws than non-shared roosts, with anthropogenic factors (e.g., proximity to landfills and urban areas) positively influencing sharing, whereas elevation, temperature range, and forest cover had negative effects. Shared roosting with cattle egrets, wood pigeons, and starlings increased jackdaw abundance, whereas glossy ibises and high densities of starlings reduced it. Jackdaws were numerically dominant in over half of shared roosts, though dominance was context-dependent and influenced by the abundance of certain associates. These results reveal selective interspecific associations shaped by environmental context and flexible social roles, emphasizing the importance of conserving large communal roosts across diverse habitats to support overwintering bird communities, particularly declining species in open and agricultural landscapes.

Biological invasions are natural experiments for studying the evolutionary and ecological processes underlying colonization success and range expansion. Using genome-wide data-generated via genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) from 30 populations spanning Europe and South Africa-we investigated the colonization history and successful spread of the invasive buttonweed Cotula coronopifolia, an annual plant introduced into Europe from South Africa about 300 years ago. Our analyses identified three major lineages in Europe distributed across the continent, often co-occurring without evidence of admixture. Phylogenomic dating revealed that these lineages diverged > 2,000 years ago-well before the earliest European records-suggesting divergence within the native range and either multiple introductions or a single introduction with multiple lineages. Mating-system inference shows that reproduction occurs primarily via self-fertilization (∼70% on average), although outcrossing predominates in some populations, revealing a facultative mating system. This high selfing rate has led to extremely low heterozygosity in most populations and a strong genetic structure. Genetic clustering also revealed admixed individuals resulting from rare inter-lineage outcrossing; comparisons of empirical and simulated data indicate that increased diversity after sporadic admixture events decays rapidly under subsequent selfing. Both the introduction history and long-distance dispersal facilitated by waterbirds likely explain the scattered distribution of lineages across Europe. Altogether, these results illustrate Baker's "ideal weed" concept, highlighting the role of a flexible mating system in providing reproductive assurance during colonization and showing how predominant selfing can shape the genomic landscape of an invasive species.

Large-scale studies linking species distribution to environmental variables are crucial for understanding human impacts on ecosystems and informing conservation actions. Multiscale habitat models reveal how organisms interact with their environment and respond to pressures like habitat loss and urbanization. This study investigates the environmental drivers influencing the winter distribution and abundance of the Western Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula) across the Iberian Peninsula, highlighting its value as a model for assessing anthropogenic impacts. Using data from a coordinated winter census of communal roosts, we employed a multiscale analytical framework to analyze roost location and size. Environmental suitability models were developed to identify potential roosting and foraging areas, with particular emphasis on the role of urbanization in shaping the species' distribution in winter. Urban areas and th composition of agricultural landscapes emerged as key determinants of roost location, positively influencing both roost occurrence at fine scales and habitat suitability across foraging areas. Conversely, high vegetation productivity and dense vegetation cover negatively impacted roost size, suggesting that communal roosting patterns are heavily dictated by the proximity and quality of foraging grounds. Suitability models identified urban areas, agricultural landscapes, and river valleys as the most favorable habitats. Nevertheless, urbanization significantly constrained overall suitable habitat extent. These results reveal an emerging urban commuting strategy where individuals decouple nocturnal safety in urban refugia from diurnal foraging in agro-pastoral habitats. This behavioral shift helps explain widespread declines of common species, as rising energetic costs of balancing anthropogenic safety and resource availability may drive population instability in the Anthropocene.

This study aimed to investigate the morphometry, length-weight relationships and extractive activity on two commercially significant polychaete species, Hediste diversicolor and Marphysa sanguinea in the Bay of Cadiz (Southwest Spain). Due to measurement challenges with these fragile organisms, jaw length was introduced as a key morphological measure in the length-weight relationships. Specimens were collected monthly throughout 2019, totaling 942 H. diversicolor and 404 M. sanguinea. Eight morphometric variables were measured, including total length, width, right and left jaw lengths, and various weight metrics. Regression models and changepoint analyses were used to assess morphometric relationships and seasonal variations. Extraction rates were estimated through direct observation of shellfish harvesters. Results showed that the inclusion of jaw length improved the accuracy of length-weight relationships, particularly for H. diversicolor. Both species exhibited negative allometric growth patterns, with seasonal variations in length-weight regressions. Significant extraction rates were observed, averaging 0.85 polychaetes per minute per shellfisher. The findings highlight the need for implementing management regulations, such as control of illegal harvesters, to ensure the sustainability of these species. This study provides essential data for informed decision-making in the conservation and management of these species in the region.

Abiotic vectors of plastic and their impact in natural areas have been extensively studied, whereas biotic vectors have received less attention. Recent studies demonstrate that birds can act as powerful agents of plastic transport, moving large quantities of plastic from landfills to natural habitats through a process called biovectoring, causing pollution hotspots. While most studies have focused on single species, the present research broadens this approach. Here we compared the quantity, composition and spatio-temporal variation of plastic biovectoring among three co-existing waterbird species foraging on landfills near a coastal wetland: white storks, yellow-legged gulls, and lesser black-backed gulls in Cádiz Bay Important Bird Area (CBIBA; 152 km2), Spain. We analysed 177 regurgitated pellets (42-74 per species), weighed their plastic content and used FTIR-technology to identify and classify polymer composition. We then characterized each plastic item by shape, size and colour, enabling interspecific comparisons using multiple correspondence analysis. Finally, we combined census, GPS data and the plastic obtained from the pellets to develop a daily plastic loading model for each species. We found that white storks transported the most plastic per pellet (0.14 g by median), compared to 0.034 g for yellow-legged and 0.026 g for lesser black-backed gulls. In general, gulls carried similar types of plastic items, with more film and larger sizes than storks. In total, 531 kg of plastics were estimated to be biovectored into the CBIBA from landfills in 2022, with deposition being higher in winter and lesser black-backed gulls transporting about 54 % of the total, followed by yellow-legged gulls with 30 % and white storks with 16 %. In addition, we also identified major seasonal and spatial differences among species. Our results highlight the importance of using a multi species approach to plastic biovectoring, which is essential to understand and estimate its environmental impact, and to inform management strategies.

Waterbirds are vectors for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance across environments, with some species increasingly reliant on highly anthropized habitats for feeding. However, data on the impact of their feeding habits on the carriage of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are still scarce. To fill this gap, we examined the microbiota (16S rRNA amplicon gene sequencing) and the prevalence of ARG (high-throughput qPCR of 47 genes) in faeces from white storks (Ciconia ciconia) and lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) feeding in highly (landfill) and less (paddy fields) polluted habitats. Faecal bacterial richness and diversity were higher in gulls feeding upon landfills and showed a greater abundance of potential pathogens, such as Staphylococcus. In contrast, faecal bacterial communities from storks were similar regardless of habitat preferences, maybe due to a less intense habitat use compared to gulls. In addition, birds feeding in the landfill carried a higher burden of ARGs compared to the surrounding soil and surface waters. Network analysis revealed strong correlations between ARGs and potential pathogens, particularly between tetM (resistance to tetracyclines), blaCMY (beta-lactam resistance), sul1 (sulfonamide resistance) and members of the genera Streptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, and Peptoclostridium. Our work demonstrates how transitioning from paddy fields to landfills fosters the carriage of ARGs and potential pathogens in the bird gut, shedding light on the ecological role of these avian vectors in antimicrobial resistance dissemination.

Five temporary ponds on the southern slopes of Sierra Carbonera (Cadiz, Spain) have been described. Some physico-chemical variables have been characterised and compared, as well as the biological community. The studied ponds are breeding sites for seven species of meridionalis and Pelophylax perezi. Five of these species (except S. salamandra subsp. longirostris and P. perezi) are included in the List of Wild Species under Special Protection Regime (approved by Royal Decree 139/2011, of February 4) and/or the Andalusian List of Wild Species under Special Protection Regime (according to Decree 23/2012, of February 14). Likewise, this study expands the distribution of Linderiella jebalae, reported for the first time in 2023 for the Iberian Peninsula, as well as it presents data on aquatic invertebrates and flora present in each pond.

Gulls commonly rely on human-generated waste as their primary food source, contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their resistance genes, both locally and globally. Our understanding of this process remains incomplete, particularly in relation to its potential interaction with surrounding soil and water. We studied the lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus, as a model to examine the spatial variation of faecal bacterial communities, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and its relationship with the surrounding water and soil. We conducted sampling campaigns within a connectivity network of different flocks of gulls moving across functional units (FUs), each of which represents a module of highly interconnected patches of habitats used for roosting and feeding. The FUs vary in habitat use, with some gulls using more polluted sites (notably landfills), while others prefer more natural environments (e.g., wetlands or beaches). Faecal bacterial communities in gulls from flocks that visit and spend more time in landfills exhibited higher richness and diversity. The faecal microbiota showed a high compositional overlap with bacterial communities in soil. The overlap was greater when compared to landfill (11%) than to wetland soils (6%), and much lower when compared to bacterial communities in surrounding water (2% and 1% for landfill and wetland water, respectively). The relative abundance of ARGs and MGEs were similar between FUs, with variations observed only for specific families of ARGs and MGEs. When exploring the faecal carriage of ARGs and MGEs in bird faeces relative to soil and water compartments, gull faeces were enriched in ARGs classified as High-Risk. Our results shed light on the complex dynamics of antibiotic resistance spread in wild bird populations, providing insights into the interactions among gull movement and feeding behavior, habitat characteristics, and the dissemination of antibiotic resistance determinants across environmental reservoirs.

Buttonweed (Cotula coronopifolia) is native to South Africa but invasive in wetlands in Europe, North America, and Australasia, where it excludes native plants. Despite being dry-fruited, field studies suggest migratory waterbirds can disperse its seeds via gut passage (endozoochory), aiding its expansion. To explore the potential for endozoochory in different regions and habitats, we collected seeds from six populations in Spain, Sweden, and the UK. Germination was tested under different salinity levels (0, 5, 10, 15 g/L) and simulated gut passage treatments: scarification, acidification, or both. No germination occurred at 15 g/L. Higher salinity reduced and delayed germination, but full gut passage treatment (i.e., both scarification and acidification) increased germinability and accelerated germination. Scarification or acid treatment alone resulted in intermediate germination patterns. There were significant salinity × population and gut passage × population interactions on germinability. The acceleration effect of gut passage on germination was stronger at 5–10 g/L than at 0 g/L. This study highlights how migratory birds can facilitate the spread of alien plants introduced by humans. Endozoochory by waterbirds is an understudied mechanism for the long-distance dispersal of dry-fruited alien plants. Further research on C. coronopifolia, including population genetics, is necessary to understand dispersal mechanisms and facilitate management strategies.

Wetlands provide numerous ecosystem services including freshwater purification. Nonetheless, their functionality is continuously impacted by many pollutants. Plastics are considered as an emerging threat for these ecosystems, but only recently have studies began to focus on plastic and microplastic (MP) contamination in wetlands, especially in biota. This study aims to investigate the abundance of MPs in two ubiquitous aquatic insect taxa (i.e. Corixidae (Hemiptera) and Chironomidae (Diptera)) collected in twelve zones within Mediterranean wetlands belonging to three basins located in Andalusia (south-west Spain). We compared MP contamination across basins and tested the proximity to landfills and presence of colonial waterbirds [i.e. white storks (Ciconia ciconia) and gulls (Larus michahellis and L. fuscus)] on MP abundance in aquatic insects. We also performed stable isotope analyses of nitrogen and carbon (δ15N and δ13C) to evaluate the potential association between MP abundance and isotopic values. We detected 571 suspected MPs (mostly blue fibers) in insects of different developmental stages (i.e., larvae, pupae, nymphs and adults). Polyesters and polypropylene were the most frequent polymers detected. The generalized linear mixed models indicated that MP abundance decreased with increasing distance from landfills; but it also increased in sites with birds that fed on landfills and roost in wetlands. When controlling for landfill effects, sites in the smallest basin (Guadalete) had lower MP contamination than those in Odiel-Tinto and the much larger (>15×) Guadalquivir. Moreover, we found a negative association between MPs items/g (or mean MPs) and 15N isotopes in adult corixids. Our findings showed that MP pollution is present in all the study areas, including strictly protected wetlands. The use of aquatic insects for biomonitoring of MP pollution can help identify priority areas for management actions to mitigate plastic pollution.

Recent field data suggest that migratory gulls disperse many rice field weeds by gut passage (endozoochory), most of which are dry fruited and widely assumed to have no long-distance dispersal mechanisms, except via human activity. We investigated this mechanism with a feeding experiment, in which seeds of five common rice field weeds (in order of increasing seed size: Juncus bufonius, Cyperus difformis, Polypogon monspeliensis, Amaranthus retroflexus, and the fleshy-fruited Solanum nigrum) were fed to seven individuals of lesser black-backed gulls Larus fuscus held in captivity. We quantified seed survival after collecting faeces at intervals for 33 h after ingestion, then extracting intact seeds and running germination tests, which were also conducted for control seeds. All five species showed high seed survival after gut passage, of >70%. Gut retention times averaged 2–4 h, but maxima exceeded 23 h for all species. Germinability after gut passage was 16–54%, and gut passage accelerated germination in J. bufonius and S. nigrum, but slowed it down in the other species. All species had lower germinability after gut passage compared to control seeds (likely due to stratification prior to the experiment), but the loss of germinability was higher in smaller seeds. There was no evidence that the different dispersal syndromes assigned to the five species (endozoochory, epizoochory or barochory) had any influence on our results. In contrast, mean gut retention time was strongly and positively related to seed size, likely because small seeds pass more quickly from the gizzard into the intestines. Non-classical endozoochory of dry-fruited seeds by waterbirds is a major but overlooked mechanism for potential long-distance dispersal, and more research into this process is likely essential for effective weed management.

Research into plastic pollution has extensively focused on abiotic vectors, overlooking transport by animals. Opportunistic birds, such as white storks (Ciconia ciconia) often forage on landfills, where plastic abounds. We assess plastic loading by ingestion and regurgitation of landfill plastic in Cadiz Bay, a major stopover area for migratory white storks in south-west Spain. On average, we counted 599 storks per day moving between a landfill and a complex of salt ponds and marshes, where they regurgitated pellets that each contained a mean of 0.47 g of plastic debris, dominated by polyethylene. Modelling reliant on GPS tracking estimated that 99 kg and >2 million particles of plastic were biovectored into the wetland during 2022, with seasonal peaks that followed migration patterns. GPS data enabled the correction of field censuses and the identification of plastic deposition hotspots. This study highlights the important role that biovectoring plays in plastic transport into coastal wetlands.

We report the first record of Linderiella jebalae in the Iberian Peninsula from two temporary ponds in La Línea de la Concep¬ción (Cádiz, southern Spain). This species was described in 2016 in the Moroccan Atlas Mountain range on the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar, 102 km away from this new Iberian location. Sequencing a fragment of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) showed a higher genetic diversity in Morocco, but only one haplotype in the Iberian populations, suggesting recent dis¬persal from Morocco to Spain, possibly mediated by birds through their annual migrations. This finding increases the diversity of anostraceans in the Iberian Peninsula to 16 species.

Waterbirds can transport aquatic invertebrates internally, contributing to metapopulation dynamics between aquatic habitats in a terrestrial matrix. However, research into this dispersal process to date has focused on individual field sites or laboratory studies. We investigated the invertebrates dispersed by endozoochory by the lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscus wintering in Andalusia, south-west Spain in 2016–2017, comparing seven sites interconnected by their movements, with different degrees of anthropogenization [three landfills, two saltpan complexes, a natural lake, and a large (370 km2) ricefield area]. In the ricefields, we also compared invertebrates dispersed by gulls with those dispersed by the larger white stork Ciconia ciconia. A total of 642 intact invertebrates and their propagules (mainly plumatellid bryozoans, cladocerans, and other branchiopods) were recorded in excreta (faeces and pellets) from gulls and storks. A greater diversity and abundance of invertebrates were recorded in ricefields, notably 43 individuals of the alien snail Physella acuta. One snail was still alive in a gull pellet 3 weeks after being stored in a fridge. This represents the first record of snail dispersal within waterbird pellets. Viability was also confirmed for the cladoceran Macrothrix rosea recorded in ricefields, and the alien brine shrimp Artemia franciscana recorded mainly in saltpans. In ricefields, gulls and pellets had significantly fewer propagules and fewer taxa per gram of excreta than storks and faeces, respectively. Through their high mobility, gulls and storks can disperse invertebrates between different natural and artificial habitats, and even to landfills. They can promote metapopulation dynamics for native bryozoans and branchiopods, but also the spread of invasive snails and brine shrimp.

We assessed the spatial variation in concentrations of ten metals in faeces of the lesser black-backed gull (LBBG) Larus fuscus wintering at seven localities in South-West Spain. We found high concentrations of metals in gull faeces, with several elements (As, Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn) locally exceeding (by 2 to 11 times) derived Lowest Effect Level (LEL) values. We also found strong spatial variation, related to the main pollution sources associated with the different sites. Faeces from Chipiona Port (Gulf of Cádiz) showed the highest levels of As; Cetina saltpans (Bay of Cádiz) ranked first for Pb, Zn and Mo, which was consistent with historic mining and industrial pollution; Doñana ricefields showed the highest levels of Mn, a highly available element in flooded areas; while landfills ranked first for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu and Ni, potentially associated with electronic waste. Furthermore, we demonstrate how faecal analysis can be used to quantify biovectoring of metals into specific localities, using LBBG movement ecology and census data. At Fuente de Piedra, a shallow, closed-basin lake important for waterbirds, we show that metal inputs by LBBG have increased in recent years, and long-term deposition (e.g., of Pb) may impact aquatic communities and ecological processes in this Ramsar site.

Appears in: INTED2021 Proceedings Publication year: 2021Pages: 4827-4830ISBN: 978-84-09-27666-0ISSN: 2340-1079doi: 10.21125/inted.2021.0975Conference name: 15th International Technology, Education and Development ConferenceDates: 8-9 March, 2021Location: Online Conference

Migratory birds may have a vital role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance across habitats and regions, but empirical data remain scarce. We investigated differences in the gut microbiome composition and the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in faeces from four migratory waterbirds wintering in South-West Spain that differ in their habitat use. The white stork Ciconia ciconia and lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscus are omnivorous and opportunistic birds that use highly anthropogenic habitats such as landfills and urban areas. The greylag goose Anser anser and common crane Grus grus are herbivores and use more natural habitats. Fresh faeces from 15 individuals of each species were analysed to assess the composition of bacterial communities using 16S rRNA amplicon-targeted sequencing, and to quantify the abundance of the Class I integron integrase gene (intI1) as well as genes encoding resistance to sulfonamides (sul1), beta-lactams (blaTEM, blaKPC and blaNDM), tetracyclines (tetW), fluoroquinolones (qnrS), and colistin (mcr-1) using qPCR. Bacterial communities in gull faeces were the richest and most diverse. Beta diversity analysis showed segregation in faecal communities between bird species, but those from storks and gulls were the most similar, these being the species that regularly feed in landfills. Potential bacterial pathogens identified in faeces differed significantly between bird species, with higher relative abundance in gulls. Faeces from birds that feed in landfills (stork and gull) contained a significantly higher abundance of ARGs (sul1, blaTEM, and tetW). Genes conferring resistance to last resort antibiotics such as carbapenems (blaKPC) and colistin (mcr-1) were only observed in faeces from gulls. These results show that these bird species are reservoirs of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and suggest that waterbirds may disseminate antibiotic resistance across environments (e.g., from landfills to ricefields or water supplies), and thus constitute a risk for their further spread to wildlife and humans.

Non‐frugivorous waterbirds disperse a wide variety of plants by endozoochory, providing longer‐dispersal distances than other mechanisms. Many waterbirds visit both agricultural and natural landscapes during their daily movements, but potential bird‐mediated dispersal of weed plants within and from agricultural landscapes to other habitats is commonly overlooked. Gulls (Laridae) are expanding in numbers and increasingly exploiting anthropogenic habitats worldwide, with possible growing implications for the spread of weeds. Yet, to date, there are no studies on the spatial distribution of weed dispersal by waterbirds. We developed a plant dispersal model based on movements of 19 Larus fuscus using ricefields, via GPS telemetry. We combined daily movements with two curves estimating the retention times of plant seeds in their guts: (a) an experimental curve based on retention time in captivity for four weeds with dry fruits known to be dispersed by gulls: Juncus bufonius, Cyperus difformis, Polypogon monspeliensis and the alien Amaranthus retroflexus; (b) a theoretical curve based on the interspecific scaling relationship between body mass and mean retention time. Median dispersal distances of weed plant seeds by gulls ranged between 690 and 940 m, but maximum distances exceeded 150 km. The theoretical retention time model showed higher median dispersal distances than the experimental retention time model. Spatial patterns of weed deposition were very similar between retention time methods, and most strongly depended on gull movements. Variation between individual gulls had little influence on seed shadows. About 92% of all seeds (>10,000 intact seeds per day) were dispersed within the ricefield area of 370 km2. The remaining 8% of seeds were deposited beyond ricefields into other habitats, 42% of which reached moist environments (other irrigated agriculture, rivers and natural wetlands) presumably suitable for weed establishment. Synthesis. Gulls can disperse weed plants over long distances across a mosaic of habitats. This implies exchange of weed plant species between human‐dominated and natural areas by waterbirds as dispersal vectors. This spatial study highlights the importance of non‐frugivorous birds for long‐distance plant dispersal, which is generally an overlooked mechanism in studies aiming to predict and manage expansion of weed plants.