General Information

The Spix Macaw is the only member of the parrot genus Cyanopsitta. It is one of the world's most critically endangered species. The rapid decline of the Spix Macaw is due to the hunting and trapping of the birds, continuous destruction of its habitat, and introduction of the Africanized Bee which is competition for nesting sites and responsible for killing breeding macaws at their nests.

Physical Description

This bird is a delicate, blue-grey macaw with a long tail and wings. It has yellow eyes and a pale ashy blue head. The body is distinctively square shaped, with a pale blue underbelly. The upperparts of the bird's body are a contrasting, more vivid shade of blue.

Diet

Wild Spix Macaws eat fruit, especially cactus fruit, and green food, nuts, and seeds, especially faveleira and pinhao tree seeds. In captivity, Spix Macaws should be fed a variety of fruit, green foods, seeds, and nuts, in addition to vitamin and mineral supplements.

Habitat

The bird's natural home is in the "caatinga"- a scrubby, thorny flat land, along watercourses, and has also been spotted in open country near palm trees. The Spix was found in the northern area of Bahia, Brazil and became extinct in the wild around 2000. There is, however, a captive population of about 68 birds. Of the 68, nine individuals can be found in breeding programs at zoos such as Loro Parque, Tenerife in Spain and Sao Paulo in Brazil. The breeding program focuses on the ability to, once again, introduce the Spix Macaw back into the wild.

Reproduction

The Spix Macaw nests in hollows and trees sometimes high up from the ground. Two eggs are usually laid and the chicks normally stay in the nest for 3 months before fledging. Currently, recommendations are being made for new pairings and transfers to help breed the animal in captivity. Although this species is still a long way from eventual recovery, it is the first time that the captive population is stable enough for an active reintroduction program of Spix Macaws.