Although parrots and parakeets occasionally appear in the news, they represent only a fraction of the species that inhabit Argentina.
There are 398 known species of parrots, parakeets, lovebirds, macaws, cockatoos, and parrotlets worldwide, of which 26 live in Argentina.
Threats and Conservation
A 2017 study, disseminated by Aves Argentinas, demonstrated that the main threat to wild parrots is their capture for the pet trade. Other threats include the increasing rural population, agriculture, large-scale logging, and nest destruction by poachers.
Agricultural expansion also affects parrots, who frequent agricultural borders more than large-scale production sites.
To combat international trafficking, measures such as the U.S. Wild Bird Conservation Act and the ban on the trade of wild birds by the European Union have been implemented since 2007. Despite these measures, illegal trade persists in Asia and South America.
Species in Vulnerable and Endangered Situations
According to Aves Argentinas, three parrot species in the country are in a vulnerable situation according to the IUCN:
- Military Macaw (Ara militaris)
- Tucuman Amazon (Amazona tucumana)
- Red-spectacled Amazon (Amazona pretrei)
Additionally, the Vinaceous Parrot (Amazona vinacea) and the Glaucous Macaw (Anodorhynchus glaucus) are endangered, with the latter in critical danger category.
Other Threatened Parrots in Argentina
Other threatened species include:
- Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva)
- Peach-fronted Conure (Eupsittula aurea)
- Nanday Parakeet (Aratinga nenday)
- Blue-winged Macaw (Primolius maracaná)
- Military Macaw (Ara militaris)
- Red-spectacled Amazon (Amazona petrei)
- Yellow-chevroned Parakeet (Brotogeris chiriri)
According to an Agrositio article, in South America, several parrot populations, such as the blue-crowned conure (Primolius maracaná) in Argentina and Paraguay, and the Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) in Brazil, are experiencing an extreme decline.
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