11 Baby Parrots Rescued at US Border, Returned to Mexico

Eleven baby parrots are getting a second chance at life thanks to quick action by US and Mexican wildlife officials working together to stop wildlife trafficking.

US Fish and Wildlife Service agents seized the white-fronted parrots on February 10 after catching a US citizen trying to smuggle them across the Bridge of the Americas near Ciudad Juárez. The tiny birds, just 2 to 6 weeks old, were hidden in a private vehicle attempting to enter the United States.

The birds were immediately returned to Mexico's Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa), where veterinarians discovered five of the chicks were suffering from respiratory and digestive problems caused by the stress of being taken from their natural habitat. Those five are now receiving specialized care while the healthier birds recover in a safe environment.

White-fronted parrots, recognizable by their bright white forehead patches and mostly green feathers, face increasing pressure from habitat loss and illegal pet trade. While this species isn't currently endangered globally, its cousin, the red-crowned Amazon, has been pushed to the endangered list due to similar threats.

The Ripple Effect

This rescue represents something bigger than eleven birds. Mexico has implemented some of the world's strongest protections for parrots, banning all commercial capture, import, and export of native parrot species except for scientific research or conservation efforts.

The quick coordination between US and Mexican authorities demonstrates how effective cross-border partnerships can be in protecting vulnerable wildlife. Every smuggling attempt stopped means fewer birds torn from their families and ecosystems.

Profepa says it will continue working closely with US agencies to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and protect biodiversity. Once the rescued chicks fully recover, officials will determine their final destination according to wildlife protection laws, potentially placing them in conservation programs or protected habitats where they can thrive.

These eleven young parrots now have a fighting chance to grow up safe, protected by the very laws designed to ensure their species survives for generations to come.