The blue Spix's Macaw most recently achieved worldwide fame through the Hollywood animated film Rio, starring the two supposedly last Spix's Macaws.
In reality, the species has been considered extinct in the wild since 2000. Only 100 specimens still exist today in human care, making the Spix's Macaw the rarest parrot in the world.
the rarest parrot in the world. Together with the Brazilian government, ACTP is working to save and reintroduce this wonderful bird.
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The ACTP is a non-profit organization registered in Germany, which is dedicated to the protection, conservation and development of endangered parrot populations and their habitats.
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STATUS
Spix's Macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii) are a species of parrot endemic to Brazil, which were first documented in 1819 by the German naturalist Johann Baptist von Ritter on an expedition to Brazil. Already at that time the species with the blue ground color was considered particularly rare and in the course of time only a few managed to observe it in the wild.
There are only few references in the ornithological literature about the free life of the Spix's Macaw. In the middle of the last century, the species was considered extinct until it was sighted again in 1986. Three birds - perhaps the last three of their kind - were observed near Curaça in northern Bahia State. Their offspring were probably captured in their entirety in the 1980s and offered for sale at high prices in the USA and Europe. These birds probably form the basis of the current captive population.
In 1990, only one lone Spix's Macaw was found in the wild, living together with a Red-backed Macaw (Primolius maracana). Since 2000, the species is considered extinct in the wild. In addition to the trade in the animals, the decline of the habitat, due to human influences, was also responsible for the extinction of the species. Today, there are about 100 Spix's Macaws in human care worldwide.In 1990, only one lone Spix's Macaw was found in the wild, living together with a Red-backed Macaw (Primolius maracana). Since 2000, the species is considered extinct in the wild. In addition to the trade in the animals, the decline of the habitat, due to human influences, was also responsible for the extinction of the species. Today, there are about 100 Spix's Macaws in human care worldwide.
Published by ACTP-Parrots
It's been more than 20 years since the last Spix's Macaw was seen in wildlife. Illegal trade, hunting, and the destruction of the Spix's Macaw's natural habitat by agriculture and other animals have left their mark and led to the disappearance of this rare and iconic species in the wild.
A few years ago, a team of experts and passionate supporters has made it their mission to bring the beautiful blue parrot back to Brazil. For this cause, a new population of Spix's Macaws had to be bred, based on the last remaining birds - a challenge that required lots of experience and patience but ultimately paid off.
ACTP and its partners, like AWWP and Pairi Daiza, were able to build a population of 180 healthy and strong Macaws in Berlin. The first 52 of them are now brought to the Caatinga. For the first time after 20 years, a Spix's Macaw will spread its blue wings in its natural habitat in Brazil. We are more than excited about this unique event. Are you too? Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay updated.
veröffentlich von https://www.spixs-macaw.org/