Biologists report that deforestation in nearby hills has driven thousands of green-yellow-red birds into the town. These birds chew on electric cables, causing frequent power outages and annoying residents with constant screeching and widespread droppings.
Biologist Daiana Lera explained, “As the hillsides vanish, birds are pushed into urban areas seeking food, shelter, and water.” She noted that Argentina has been gradually losing its forested areas.
In recent years, these parrots have begun seeking refuge in the town during autumn and winter. Sometimes, the bird-to-human ratio among the town’s 5,000 residents reaches as high as 10 to 1. In summer, the birds migrate to Patagonia’s cliffs to breed.
Photographs capture hundreds of birds lined up on electric cables and pylons or swarming over buildings and churches at dusk, recalling Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 film “The Birds.”
“These parrots damage the cables, and rainwater seeping into the wires causes transmission failures. They create daily problems and expenses,” stated Ramón Alvarez, a journalist from Radio Taxi FM. He pointed out that radio broadcasts stop during power outages.
Despite attempts using noise and laser lights, residents have failed to deter the parrots.
“We must restore our natural habitats,” Lera remarked. “Meanwhile, we need strategies for coexisting as harmoniously as possible.”
