Red-crowned parrots first arrived in Texas during the 1980s through the illegal pet trade.

Members of an endangered parrot species native to Mexico are now taking up residence in urban areas of South Texas, according to a recent study from Texas A&M University. Researchers estimate that there are currently around 900 red-crowned parrots living in the Rio Grande Valley, with four main roosts confirmed in the cities of Brownsville, Harlingen, Weslaco and McAllen. Due to their abundance in the state, the red-crowned bird was even named a native species by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in 2019.

“Without native species status, it would be much more difficult to provide protection for the species,” said Dr. Donald J. Brightsmith, an associate professor of Ecosystem Health at Texas A&M. Brightsmith led the research team with Simon Kiacz, a graduate student from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Their findings were recently published in the scientific journal Diversity. 

Mostly green with a cluster of bright red feathers on their heads, the red-crowned parrot species is endemic to a small region of Northeastern Mexico, where they are considered endangered due to habitat loss from crop failures and deforestation as well as poaching. Per TPWD, less than 2,000 red-crowned parts remain in the wild.

One reason the parrots can now be found in South Texas is because of the illegal animal trade. Poachers often steal eggs or young chicks out of nests and sell them, sometimes for hundreds of dollar each. “Some of them certainly flew across the border, but many were brought over during the 1980s when it was still legal to buy and sell them,” Brightsmith said. Kiacz said parrots are popular pets in places like South Texas and Latin America, making enforcement difficult. “Unfortunately, most people, even law enforcement officers, don’t realize that these parrots are protected,” Kiacz said. 

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Species that have adapted to urban environments are typically considered neutral or even invasive. Instead, the red-crowned parrots seem to actually be getting along with South Texans. Red-crowned parrots have even been crowned the official mascot for the city of Brownsville. “Humans have basically created the perfect environment for these parrots,” Kiacz said. “They want what we want—ornamental plants with fruit and seeds that are well-watered and look attractive all year-round.” 

Kiacz added that all of the palm trees planted in South Texas are non-native, serving as a boon for these birds. “They eventually die, and then woodpeckers come and make holes that are perfect nesting cavities for these parrots,” he said. “But they’re also happy to use holes in the sides of buildings.” The parrots also love eating non-native plants, therefore not creating much competition with other local species over food sources.

However, there is one downside researchers found: the noise. Brightsmith explained that the birds, known for their throaty screeches, often roost in large numbers. “They sleep in groups of a hundred or more, and they may end up choosing someone’s front yard, even right over the mailbox,” he said. “Then, when it gets light outside, they’ll start making noise and flying around. Some people find that to be a nuisance.” 

To help out their vibrant new neighbors, Kiacz encouraged Texans to continue spreading awareness about their presence. “For example, maybe you have a dead tree in your yard that doesn’t look very pretty, but it’s not a danger to you or your home,” he said. “Consider keeping it so these parrots can nest there. That’s the best way to be a good neighbor to these birds.” 

Red-crowned parrots aren’t the only birds out of their native range recently found in Texas. Earlier this month, flocks of wild flamingos made their way to Galveston after being displaced by Hurricane Idalia. At the time, the last record of wild flamingos in Galveston was 15 years ago.

Source:

Ariana Garcia at Chron

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