Illegals captured along Texas-Mexico border (it's not what you think)

(CBS/AP) LA ROSITA, Texas - Given the recent violence and confrontations along the U.S.-Mexico border, this is one case you're allowed to smile about.

Border agents out patrolling Sunday on the American side of the Rio Grande River near Rio Grande City in Texas seized a pair of illegals... that is, illegal parrots.

A Border Patrol statement issued Monday says the agents spotted two people walking north, carrying what appeared to be a bird cage. When the agents hailed the pair, the two fled into nearby brush (we're talking about the people here). A search turned up the bird cage containing the two parrots.

They were taken to the Rio Grande City border crossing and turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The government says the birds are valued at about $500. Under international treaties, trapping of wild parrots is illegal.

It's not clear whether they spoke Spanish.