Burrowing parrots in Las Lajas, Argentina

© Cagan Hakki Sekercioglu/Getty Image

Digging the birds

Burrowing parrots, sometimes called burrowing parakeets, are native to the arid Monte Desert of western Argentina. The birds use their beaks and talons to hollow out nesting spaces in soft limestone cliffs found in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The parrots sometimes end up captured and sold as pets for the wild bird trade.

While that's not illegal - burrowing parrots aren't endangered – conservationists in the US, where 5 January is National Bird Day, are trying to educate people about leaving wild birds in the wild, where they are happier and healthier. Here in the UK, the RSPB asks everyone to help track the ups and downs of our birds from 25 to 27 January in the Big Garden Birdwatch – billed as the world’s largest wildlife survey – which has been running for over 40 years.