Driver tries to smuggle parrots into US
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 11:13 
Orange-fronted parakeet. Photo: José David Mendoza TerrazasNOGALES, Ariz. -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped a pair of parrots from being smuggled into the United States over the weekend.
A pickup truck driver attempted to enter the United States at the Mariposa port of entry at Nogales on Saturday and was referred for secondary inspection.
A CBP agriculture specialist checked the contents of the vehicle and located two live orange-fronted conures inside a shoebox.
The birds were placed in a quarantine isolation crate, transferred to the bird holding facility, and turned over to USDA-Veterinary Services.
The driver was issued a $300 civil penalty for the failed smuggling attempt.
"Trafficking in protected or endangered species is something our officers and agriculture specialists are very concerned with," said acting Port Director Craig Hope. "When we encounter someone trying to smuggle birds into the country, we have to take action to protect the birds, protect people and natural resources, and provide a consequence to the smuggler."
Conure parrots are believed to be small to medium-sized birds that are native to areas throughout Central and South America. The orange-fronted conure is native to southwest Mexico, along the pacific slopes down to Costa Rica. With a lifespan of between 20 to 25 years, it is considered to be an agricultural pest in some areas due to the fact that it often feeds on grain.