Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii)
Justification In 2000, this species was judged to be Critically Endangered and extremely close to extinction. The single known wild bird almost certainly died towards the end of that year and thus the species may now be Extinct in the Wild. However, whilst there remains any hope that this individual bird may have taken up residence elsewhere and until further consultation has ruled out the necessity for further surveys for this bird (or even other birds), the species remains classified as Critically Endangered. Nevertheless, the only real hope for the continuing survival of this species in the wild remains reintroduction of from the small captive population.
Identification 55-57 cm. Delicate, blue-grey macaw with long tail and wings. Pale ashy-blue head, distinctively square shaped. Pale blue underparts. More vividly blue in upperparts, wings and long tail.
Voice Strong, clear cra-&cra-&cra-
population in wild 0
Range & Population Cyanopsitta spixii was known for over 150 years, from small numbers of traded birds, until it was traced in the 1980s to near the rio SFrancisco in north Bahia, Brazil. Only three birds remained and these were captured for trade in 1987 and 1988. However, a single male, paired with a female Blue-winged Macaw Propyrrhura maracana, was discovered at the site in July 1990. A female C. spixii was released from captivity in 1995 and initially paired with the male. Unfortunately, the female disappeared from the release site after seven weeks and is suspected to have collided with a power-line. The wild bird was still paired with the female P. maracana in January 2000 In 1999, the total number of publicly declared birds in captivity was 60, but most of these are captive-bred.
Ecology It apparently requires gallery woodland dominated by caraiba Tabebuia caraiba trees for nesting, but feeds mainly on regionally characteristic Euphoribacae plant species. Breeding occurs during the austral summer. Two or three eggs are laid (up to four in captivity). The wild bird and the P. maracana have apparently produced infertile eggs.
Threats Trapping for trade is responsible for its current proximity to extinction. Settlement along the rio SFrancisco has resulted in clearance for crop cultivation, increased hunting for food and trapping for trade. Only 30 kmof gallery woodland remains in three fragments. A hybrid strain of the invasive bee Apis mellifera reportedly kills incubating parrots in the region and occupies c.40% of potential nest-sites. The captive population may suffer from inbreeding since all birds are closely related.
