Spix's Macaw/Cyanopsitta spixii:
The Spix's Macaw also known as the Little Blue Macaw, is one of the world's most endangered birds. Although known for more than 150 years only as traded birds from an unknown area in the interior of Brazil, the extreme rarity of this Macaw was not realised until the mid 1980s. Today, the remaining single wild specimen has been well publicised and guarded.

 The Spix's Macaw is also the only representative of the Genus Cyanopsitta.

Size: Spix's Macaws are about 55cm.

Weight: Males are about 0.39kg. while females are lighter at about 0.33kg.

Credit: Bill Sobieski
http://www.keyinfo.com/bird/images/picts/102.jpg

Distribution: The Spix's Macaw is found the buriti palms of southern Piauí and north-western Bahía, in the interior of eastern Brazil. They are usually found near caraiba trees which it depends so much on.

On the slender evidence available, the species seems always to have been rare and local in the past, and probably largely restricted to a more extensive strip along the Sao Francisco river, encompassing the present locality.

Appearance:  The adults of the Spix's Macaw usually have plumage that is generally dark cobalt-blue, darker on its back, wings, and upper side of the tail. The forehead and earcoverts are gray tinged with a little blue. They have a slight greenish tinge to their abdomen and breast with yellow eyes and dark blue legs.

Behavior: Closely associated with caraiba trees, which provide holes for nesting, often used year after year, and perches. Birds usually occur in pairs, and although they often use regular flight paths locally, they may also move some distance to drink or possibly to search for fruiting trees.

Macaws are curious and intelligent birds. They're considered to be one of the most tropical birds. They're colorful, loyal, and lifelong companions. It's a very rare bird. Even if small, they can be loud and demanding. They're smart birds that love puzzles aerobatics, and watching TV. They need attention and toys to keep them busy. Macaws are vigorous chewers, one of their favorite hobbies.

Courtesy of Tony Pittman at
the Blue Macaws Website
http://www.bluemacaws.org

Diet:  Although the Spix's Macaw mainly feed on seeds and fruits, captive specimens also favour cooked pasta, fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, hot peppers, and cooked beans. They also like cuttlebone and mineral blocks.

Reproduction:  It is estimated that the young are fledging at the age of 4 months. There is also a distinct season that starts in September.

Why is it endangered? The loss of much caraiba woodland and the impact of settlers moving through its habitat during the past 300 years, has caused the Spix's Macaw to be one of the most endangered birds today.

The illegal trade had also caused much damage to the Spix's Macaw population.

Conservation:  There is only one wild male, one introduced female now and 30 in captivity.