Illustration of Burrowing Parrot from "A Guide to the Birds and Mammals of Coastal Patagonia" © Graham Harris, Princeton University Press

Burrowing Parrot Cyanoliseus patagonus

Burrowing Parrot, Cyanoliseus patagonus © Mark Harper See a larger image (use your back button to return here).

The burrowing Parrot also known as the Burrowing Parakeet was formerly common and widespread in Argentina, generally inhabiting open grassland. Now these birds are only abundant patchily, and in some areas are extinct.

Part of the problem is that the burrowing parrot is very easily disturbed and habitat specific, They will only tunnel into vertical limestone or sandstone cliffs to make their nests, and have specific height requirements.

This species has declined due to increasing persecution as a crop pest, as even though they do not cause intense damage, lethal methods of control are used such as poisoning and shooting. Also, conversion of grassland to arable crop production and trapping for the live bird trade are big threats.

Another increasing threat is growing through unsympathetic tourism, with four-wheeled vehicles being allowed on beaches; this can result in the death of chicks.

A breeding colony of Burrowing Parrots in the cliffs at the Rio Negro in Patagonia is seriously threatened by the expanding holiday resort of El Cóndor.

The Burrowing Parrot has been classified as Least Concern by the IUCN (See IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for more information on the classification of the Burrowing Parrot).

Burrowing parrot chick © Juan Masello See a larger image (use your back button to return here).

Help Protect the Burrowing Parrot and Other Birds in Patagonia

Burrowing Parrots are known to live and breed in small numbers on the Ranch of Hopes reserve in Patagonia. To help protect their habitat support the Patagonia Restoration Fund today.

More information on the Burrowing Parrot

Read about the Burrowing Parrot in "Is the Burrowing Parrot Endangered?"