Argentine Parrots: understanding interspecies relationships can be a beautiful challenge

* The Delegation of Environment, Inland Tourism, Climate Change and Sports of the Diputación de Málaga has published a report that sets aside hoaxes without scientific evidence about the coexistence of this species with other wild birds and celebrates their successful establishment in a territory where they were moved in the 1980s for commercial interest

Jolanda Areitio Oiarbide

30 May 2023 06:01h

Myiopsitta monachus, captured in the semi-arid savannah forests in its South American country of origin, traded, transported and sold, was re-established as a naturalized wild bird in Iberia in 1975, first in Barcelona and later in other localities, such as Madrid, Malaga or Seville, in highly urbanized environments, leaving behind the exploited forests where it once lived.

As a house builder, if you look up at the sky, you can see what may look like a miniature beaver dam, well anchored to the branches of cedar, palm or eucalyptus trees (also transported from other latitudes to Europe). Since its nests provide shelter to different species, such as blackbirds, sparrows or jackdaws, it is considered an ecosystem engineer. In totally anthropic habitats, nine different species are known to share their nests.

It managed to survive its exploitation, to establish itself and to coexist with the birds of its environment and with other non-human animals. However, it did not have the same reception with another animal, the human being. It was judged without any reliable evidence and condemned to be treated as if it were an infectious parasite. This time it would not be a product to be exploited and traded. The different administrations gave the green light and invested huge amounts of public money so that she could be shot, massacred, asphyxiated and plundered. Being its only crime the way it communicates, some human neighbours describe it as noisy, expressing their discomfort.

However, the Delegation of Environment, Inland Tourism and Climate Change of the Provincial Council of Malaga has turned the situation around, putting aside the hoaxes that only certain sectors of society admit, with the publication "Urban Birds of the province of Malaga", where it openly states: "The Argentine Parakeet has established itself with great success in our territory. It was detected for the first time in Malaga in the eighties and in the last census carried out at provincial level its population amounted to approximately 2,500 specimens. Despite repeated claims, there is still no scientific evidence that they compete with other species of wild birds in the cities".

Coexistence with this species is possible. Reflecting on and understanding interspecies relationships is necessary, even though in this understanding it is evident that we are limited. Expanding our space of coexistence is a challenge we must face and it can also be a beautiful challenge.

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