Spix's Macaw

Facts

IUCN CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR)

Facts about this animal

The Spix's Macaw is a medium-sized parrot with a length of 56 cm. It has a graduated tail which is longer than the body. The plumage is mainly blue, darker on the back, the wings and the upper tail. The underside of the tail is dark grey, the forehead and the ear coverts are grey tinged with blue; the rest of the head is greyish-blue. It has a slight greenish tinge below. The naked skin around the eyes and lores is dark grey and the bill is grey-black. Immature birds are darker than adults and have a shorter tail.

Did you know?
that the presumably last wild Spix's macaw died in 2001, and that the only hope for the survival of the species lies now with the few birds that are kept by zuoos and (mainly) private breeders?

Factsheet
Class	AVES
Order	PSITTACIFORMES
Suborder	PSITTACI
Family	PSITTACIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Cyanopsitta spixii
Name (English)	Spix's Macaw
Name (French)	Ara de Spix, Ara à face grise
Name (German)	Spix-Blauara
Name (Spanish)	Guacamayito azul
CITES Status	Appendix I
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Northeastern Brazil
Habitat	Gallery woodland along seasonal creeks
Wild population	Probably 0
Zoo population	In October, 2008, the International Studbook population comprised 63 birds (26.37) in 5 institutions

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 11D of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Photo Copyright by
Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots

Why do zoos keep this animal

Most probably the Spix's macaw is extinct in the wild. With a view of preserving the species ex situ, an International Studbook has been established under the WAZA umbrella.

How this animal should be kept

An aviary for a pair must have a surface of no less than 6 x 2.5 m and a height of at least 2 m. In cold and temperate climates a frost free shelter or indoor aviary of at least 2.5 m² x 2 m high is necessary.

A variety of branches for perching, climbing and chewing is necessary to keep these intelligent birds busy.

Parrots may select food items on the basis of colour and texture rather than on taste or nutrient content. Therefore it is important to provide a variety of nutritionally valuable and, at the same time, interesting food. Pellets provide an ideal diet only in combination with other favourable and nutritionally suitable feeds, e.g. a mixture of apple, carrots soaked corn and vitamin/mineral supplement, soaked sunflower seeds, fruit (e.g. grapes, banana, pear, plum, orange, mango), vegetables (e.g. sweet pepper, chicory, courgette), nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts), and dog pellets.