A Really Ex-Parrot

If this isn't the coolest New World archaeological find of the 21st Century, it's pretty darn close.

Mexico's Cultural Affairs Office announced recently (July 10, 2016) that construction work near the first prehispanic archaeological site registered in the municipality of San Francisco de Borja, in the State of Chihuahua, Northern Mexico, encountered the mummified remains of a Scarlet macaw parrot in a cave in the municipality. The parrot appears to have been buried in a funerary context. Workers say the complete body of the parrot was discovered, but only the head was collected. The remains of two human bodies were also discovered, leading archaeologists to believe the bird may have been buried with its owner. Scarlet macaws are not native to the region, but were highly prized and traded from hundreds of miles distance throughout Mexican prehistory.

The exact age of the archaeological site is unclear, but appears to predate Mexico's prehispanic Archaeological Zone of Paquimé, which flourished from the 7th to 14th Centuries, A.D.

¿Estás Listo Para Un Cierto Fútbol? Oaxaca Parrots

¿Estás listo para un cierto fútbol? Some people have fantasy football teams. We have an entire fantasy football league! Liga de Fútbol de México.

Coffee Parrot Coffee Oaxaca Parrots Sweatshirt by TheParrotCafe

Playing With Fire: Mexican Cannoli

Cannoli are Sicilian pastry desserts. The singular is cannolo, meaning little tube. Cannoli originated in Sicily and are an essential part of Sicilian cuisine. In Italy they are commonly known as cannoli siciliani, Sicilian cannoli. Traditionally, cannoli consist of tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet, creamy filling usually containing ricotta.

If you're a fan of cannoli, like we are, you might like to try this sweet and spicy variety we call Mexican Cannoli. Quick and easy to make. Sweet and spicy as you can stand to make it. We prefer mascarpone rather than ricotta.

Ingredients

Flat Bread or Tortilla Shells

Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce

Mascarpone, Ricotta, or other sweet cream cheese filling

Spread the flatbread or tortilla with a generous helping of ricotta, mascarpone, or other sweet cream cheese filling.

Unless you like playing with fire, one chipotle pepper per cannoli should be sufficient.

Roll the flatbread (you might need toothpicks to keep them rolled), chill, and eat. Or just eat the damn thing! Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

Bon Appetit!

Animal Trafficking in Mexico, Around the World, Endangers Parrots and Other Animals

Here is something to consider the next time someone says that parrot and wildlife smuggling is a thing of the past:

The Defenders of Wildlife in Mexico said, “It is estimated that between 65,000 to 78,000 parrots are caught illegally every year and from them, 77 percent die before they arrive in to the hands of a buyer. The mistreatment these animals suffer explains the high mortality rate.”

Animal Trafficking in Mexico, Around the World, Endangers Animals - Hispanically Speaking News

Sadly, we will see the extinction of many wild parrot populations within our lifetimes!