A recent series of power outages in Puerto Madryn caused by burrowing parrots highlighted their increasingly strong presence in cities, especially in Patagonia.
In recent years, this native bird of the Argentine arid diagonal has colonized urban centers.
This occurs as a direct consequence of the loss of habitat it has suffered in recent decades, with a loss of almost 40% of the original historical population.
Although the flocks seem more numerous in urban areas, the reality indicates a forced concentration due to the disappearance of their natural environment.
The destruction of the native forest forces migration
“Parrots do not prefer to be in cities and towns, they prefer to use their native natural environments,” explained Alejandro Gatto, researcher at the Center for the Study of Marine Systems (CESIMAR-CONICET).
However, today the expansion of the agricultural frontier and the large fires that devastated the south of Buenos Aires and the coast of Río Negro force them to migrate.
There, crops replaced the native vegetation of the forest, leaving the burrowing parrot with no options.
“They are suffering a very strong loss of their habitat that is leaving this species without the possibility of their natural feeding and the use of the natural refuges they had in the forest,” added Gatto.
The research conducted by the entity was based on the work carried out by Juan Masello for more than 25 years in the Río Negro area.
Refuge and food: what burrowing parrots seek in cities
The burrowing parrot is a diurnal animal that seeks safe roosts at night. In its natural habitat, it used the large bushes of thorny shrubs of the native forest.
These vegetative structures prevented terrestrial predators like bobcats and foxes from attacking them. In cities, the parrots adapted their behavior and use light poles, wiring, or tall trees.
Their preferred diet includes leaves, shoots, and fruits of the native forest vegetation. These foods provide them with nutritional sustenance and phytocompounds that keep them healthy.
Thanks to this diet, no blood parasites were found in these parrots, something quite rare in wild bird populations.
The intensity of this dietary preference is notable: they can fly more than 60 kilometers to areas with natural environments.
The burrowing parrots make these extensive flights to bring this precious food to their chicks. When their natural food is not available, they use plantations and crops.
However, this food represents a kind of fast food or “junk food” for them that in the long term harms them.
Prolonged coexistence with the species
The flocks of burrowing parrots seem more abundant in Puerto Madryn and other cities, however, this is not necessarily the case.
This perception is due to the fact that “they are grouping where we see them more,” clarified Gatto.
Previously, they were more dispersed throughout the forest and are now more concentrated in towns and cities where they find the two things they are losing: refuge and food.
The CENPAT researcher indicated that burrowing parrots might begin to decrease their abundance in cities as the vegetation recovers.
This is because the large fires recorded in recent years have altered the natural landscape of the region.
“It is likely that we will have to coexist for quite a few years with the parrots. It will take time for the recovery of good bushes that offer leaves and fruits for these animals, as well as good refuges,” warned Gatto.
The Cyanoliseus patagonus inhabits the Monte ecoregion in Argentina and some specific places in Chile.
Their urban presence will continue until the native forest recovers the necessary conditions to once again host these birds.
