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Illegal wildlife traffickers in Argentina are dyeing common parrots and passing them off as more valuable breeds, for money.

Illegal traffickers are catching large numbers of burrowing parrots, Cyanoliseus patagonus, and dying them in a hydrogen peroxide bath to change their colors.  The bleached birds are then sold as macaws, a more expensive and valuable bird.  Burrowing parrots have olive green backs, blue wings and yellow stomachs with a red splotch.   But the colorful Blue and yellow Macaw, Ara ararauna, are worth double the price of burrowing parrots, and can fetch up to $530 each in the exotic trade market.

Dyeing Can be Deadly

The dyeing practice can often be deadly for the birds. Bleaching can cause liver problems in the birds, which can result in death within a month.  Birds that do survive will reveal their true colors to unsuspecting owners after molting occurs. 

Burrowing parrots, also known as the burrowing parakeet, can carry Psittacosis, Chlamydia psittaci.  Psittacosis can be transmitted to humans and can be deadly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), human infection can occur by inhaling dried secretions from the infected bird.

Burrowing Parrot

Although listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, loss of habitat, poaching and pest control by shooting and poisoning are all threatening the burrowing parrots.  Once plentiful throughout Argentina, the bird is now extinct in some areas of the country. Poachers are taking baby birds from nests in protected areas.

Blue and yellow Macaw

Also known as the Blue and gold Macaw, the Blue and yellow Macaw is one of the most strikingly beautiful birds in the Macaw family.  Although listed at Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, threats include loss of habitat and trapping for cage bird trade.  It is believed the bird mates for life.

Blue and yellow Macaw photo by  Martin Pettitt CC
Burrowing parakeet photo by Petra Karstedt via Flickr