Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii), also known as the Little Blue Macaw, is a small, strikingly blue parrot native to Brazil. Here’s an overview of the species:


🐦 Basic Facts

  • Scientific Name: Cyanopsitta spixii
  • Common Name: Spix’s Macaw / Little Blue Macaw
  • Family: Psittacidae (True parrots)
  • Conservation Status: Critically Endangered (once declared extinct in the wild)
  • Lifespan: Up to 28–40 years in captivity

🌍 Habitat & Range

  • Original Habitat: Dry gallery forests along the Rio São Francisco in northeastern Brazil, especially in the Caatinga biome.
  • Spix’s Macaw was extremely habitat-specific, relying heavily on the caraibeira tree (Tabebuia aurea) for nesting and feeding.

🍽️ Diet

  • Seeds, fruits, nuts, and other plant matter.
  • Known to forage in small groups or pairs.

🧬 Appearance

  • Color: Predominantly pale blue to turquoise.
  • Size: Around 55–57 cm (22 inches) long.
  • Tail: Long and pointed.
  • Bill: Dark grey to black, strong and curved.

Conservation and Status

  • The species went extinct in the wild by the early 2000s due to habitat loss, trapping for the pet trade, and limited range.
  • As of the 2010s–2020s, reintroduction efforts have been underway, thanks to breeding programs in captivity.
  • A major conservation success came in 2018–2020, when Spix’s Macaws were reintroduced into the wild in their native Brazilian habitat.

🌱 Conservation Programs

  • ACTP (Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots) and ICMBio in Brazil have played key roles in breeding and reintroduction.
  • Over 180 individuals now exist in captivity worldwide, with a growing number successfully released back into the wild.
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Here are some beautiful images of Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) from conservation settings and wild-care programs. These photos showcase their vibrant blue plumage, grey-blue heads, and slender build.


📸 About the Photos


✅ If you’d like more:

  • I can find images of wild or recently released individuals in Brazil.
  • I can show historical illustrations or early photos from type specimens.
  • I can provide more details on the context of each photo (e.g., location, photographer, date).