The Spix’s Macaw is a bird that is native to Brazil. It is also called the Little Blue Macaw and is one of the rarest macaws in the world. As of 2000, it has been thought to be extinct in the wild. There are currently active conservation and reintroduction programs in Brazil to protect this beautiful bird.

Fun Facts

• The Spix’s Macaw is the smallest Blue Macaw.
• They are about 21 inches tall with an average wingspan of about 25 inches, and they weigh about 12oz.
• They are friendly and gregarious and can mimic human speech!
• Spix’s macaws feed on fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, tree bark and other plant materials.
• The bird is named after Johann Baptist von Spixs, the German naturalist.
• The Spix’s Macaw is a social bird and is most often seen in pairs or groups.
• A macaw’s beak is tough enough to crush a Brazilian nut!
• They are considered a “neotropical parrot.”
• Males and females are almost identical in appearance. However, females are somewhat smaller.

The Spix’s Macaw has longevity and can live between 20 to 40 years, with an average of 28 years. In captivity, they can live up to 10 years longer than that.

There are currently around 110 in captivity and conservation programs, and most recently, there is a plan to release 50 Spix’s Macaws back into the wild!