At the cliffs of El Cóndor resort, in Viedma, Río Negro province, the largest colony of barranquero parrots in the world is located.
This area, recently declared a Municipal Natural Reserve, is crucial for protecting against bird trafficking.
Research and Discoveries
A team of researchers, led by Juan Masello from the University of Bielefeld, Germany, is conducting in-depth studies on this colony.
Their findings reveal that 71% of the world population of barranquero parrots is concentrated in El Cóndor. This species, which lives in the Monte ecosystem, is social and genetically monogamous, and does not have blood parasites thanks to its diet.
Origin and Distribution
Barranquero parrots originated in Chile and crossed the Andes into Argentina approximately 120,000 years ago. The El Cóndor colony has about 37,000 nests and extends along 18 kilometers.
Threats and Conservation
The main threat to this colony is deforestation, which deprives the parrots of their natural habitat. It is crucial to stop deforestation and restore affected areas to protect the colony.
The recent declaration of the colony as a Municipal Natural Reserve is an important step, but conservation efforts need to continue.
History and Changes
Previously, the largest colony was located in the Quequén Salado River, Buenos Aires province, until it was reduced by the use of pesticides in the 1970s.
In El Cóndor, the parrot population has shown significant fluctuations, with a 42% reduction in the number of active nests between 2001 and 2005. However, the colony has expanded since then, doubling in size by 2019.
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