Spix’s Macaw
Cyanopsitta spixii
Brazil • Critically Endangered Icon
IUCN Status
Critically Endangered
The Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii), also known as the Little Blue Macaw, is one of the rarest and most famous parrots in the world. Made globally iconic by the movie *Rio*, it is a small, elegant macaw with uniform vibrant blue plumage, a long tail, and a distinctive pale grey face. Once extinct in the wild, intensive conservation and captive breeding efforts have brought hope for its recovery. It is highly intelligent, gentle, and forms strong pair bonds, making it a dream species for serious aviculturists and conservationists.
General Description
| Common Name | Spix’s Macaw (Little Blue Macaw) |
| Latin Name | Cyanopsitta spixii |
| Family | Psittacidae • Macaws |
| Adult Size | 55–60 cm (22–24 in) |
| Weight | 300–400 g |
| Life Span | 40–60+ years in captivity |
| Sexual Maturity | 4–7 years |
| Clutch Size | 2–4 eggs |
| Gender Difference | No reliable visual sexual dimorphism. Males are slightly larger; DNA testing is required. |
| Natural Habitat | Gallery forests along seasonal rivers (caatinga and cerrado regions) in northeastern Brazil. |
| Origin / Range | Historically restricted to a small area in Bahia, northeastern Brazil. Now extinct in the wild but with active reintroduction programs. |
| Care Level | Advanced • Extremely rare, requires expert care and large aviaries |
Cyanopsitta spixii • Captive adult
THE LITTLE BLUE MACAW • ICON OF CONSERVATION
Plumage & Features
Spix’s Macaw is uniformly bright blue with a slight turquoise tint, especially on the head and neck. It has a long, pointed tail and a distinctive pale greyish-white bare facial patch. The beak is black, and the eyes are dark in juveniles, becoming paler with age. Unlike most other macaws, it lacks bright yellow, red, or green patches on the body — its beauty comes from the pure, intense blue coloration.
There are no recognised subspecies. This species was declared extinct in the wild in 2000, but successful captive breeding and reintroduction programs have brought a small population back into its native habitat in Brazil.
Conservation Status:
Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List) — CITES Appendix I
Cyanopsitta Genus
Brazil Endemic
Conservation Icon