The Spix’s Macaw, known scientifically as Cyanopsitta spixii, is a striking parrot recognized by its vibrant blue plumage. This medium-sized bird, approximately 22 inches long, features a gray-blue head, pale yellow eyes, and a distinctive black, curved bill. Also known as the Little Blue Macaw or Ararinha Azul in Brazil, its unique appearance has made it an iconic symbol.
The Current Count
The Spix’s Macaw was officially declared extinct in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2019. The last known wild individual disappeared in 2000, though a brief sighting occurred in 2016, likely an escaped captive bird. Despite its absence in its natural habitat, the species persists through dedicated human care. As of July 2025, approximately 360 Spix’s Macaws are maintained in captive breeding programs worldwide.
Conservation programs have recently achieved a significant milestone by reintroducing birds into their native environment. In 2022, 20 Spix’s Macaws were released in Bahia, Brazil. As of July 2024, 11 of these released birds continued to fly freely, producing wild-born chicks.
Why They Nearly Vanished
The Spix’s Macaw was always rare, but its population suffered a decline due to human factors. Habitat destruction played a significant role, particularly the clearing of the caraibeira (Tabebuia aurea) tree woodlands. These trees were essential for the macaws’ nesting, feeding, and roosting needs within the Caatinga biome of northeastern Brazil. Extensive deforestation for agriculture and development, coupled with overgrazing by livestock, severely fragmented and degraded their habitat.
The illegal wildlife trade also contributed to their disappearance. Poaching for the exotic pet market intensified in the 1960s and 1970s, with trappers actively removing adult birds, nests, and eggs from the wild.
Bringing Them Back
Conservation efforts began in the 1990s, focusing on the Spix’s Macaw’s recovery. This global endeavor involves collaboration between the Brazilian government, including agencies like ICMBio and IBAMA, and international organizations such as the Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP) from Germany, the Pairi Daiza Foundation from Belgium, Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) from Qatar, and Parrots International from the United States.
A core component of the recovery strategy is the captive breeding program, which manages the species as a single global population to maximize genetic diversity. Early efforts faced challenges, including overcoming a genetic bottleneck from a very small founding population and managing health issues like Avian Bornavirus. Genetic management is continuously applied to address concerns such as infertility, delayed sexual maturity, and chick deformities.
Reintroduction efforts mark a significant phase in the species’ return. In 2020, 52 Spix’s Macaws were transferred from Germany to Brazil to prepare for release. The first group of 20 birds was released into the wild in June and December 2022 in the Curaçá municipality of Bahia, Brazil. These birds underwent specialized training to develop wild behaviors, sometimes with the aid of Blue-winged Macaws acting as mentors. Supporting these releases, a 47,000-hectare wildlife refuge and a dedicated reintroduction center have been established in Bahia.
The Road Ahead
The long-term goal for the Spix’s Macaw is to establish a self-sustaining wild population. This requires ongoing dedication to habitat restoration, particularly the riparian forests essential to the species.
Challenges persist, including the need to maintain genetic diversity within the population due to the initial genetic bottleneck. Protecting released birds from historic threats, such as poaching and habitat degradation, remains a continuous effort.
Ongoing annual releases of captive-bred birds are important for population stability, with recommendations suggesting at least 10 to 20 individuals per year. Community involvement is also important, fostering local support to prevent illegal activities and encourage participation in conservation. While reintroduction has shown promising initial success, the species’ recovery depends on sustained international cooperation and local engagement.