Cyanopsitta spixii

(Wagler, 1832)

Vernacular names
English : Spix’s macaw
French : Ara de Spix

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Psittaciformes
Family : Psittacidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species can reach 57 cm long for a weight of 400 g. Unmistakable. Naked facial skin dark grey, grey-black bill, clear eyes. Plumage mostly bright blue but breast light grey-blue, head and nape even lighter grey-blue.

Range and habitat
The species used to occur in the north of Bahia state in eastern Brazil, in the Rio Sao Francisco basin. Lives in gallery woodlands with Caraiba trees in Caatinga scrub zone.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : EXTINCT IN THE WILD
CITES : Appendix I
Status : A breeding and reintroduction program has been started. Future depends on captive breeding at this time as the first reintroductions have just been done.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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