Our Lady of Mercy

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Spix's Macaw

Cyanopsitta spixii

by Vivian

"One of the world's most endangered birds."

macaw

Macaws are curious and intelligent birds. They're considered to be one of the most tropical birds. They're colorful, loyal, and lifelong companions. It's a very rare bird. Even if small, they can be loud and demanding. They're smart birds that love puzzles aerobatics, and watching TV. They need attention and toys to keep them busy. Macaws are vigorous chewers, one of their favorite hobbies. The Spix's macaw can be found in the buriti palms of southern Piauí and north-western Bahía, in the interior of eastern Brazil.

The adults may have blue plumage, a little darker on its back, wings, and upper side of the tail. The forehead and earcoverts are gray tinged with a little blue. They have a slight greenish tinge to their abdomen and breast with yellow eyes and dark blue legs.

One of the reasons they are endangered is deforestation. In the whole world there are only 7 Spix's macaws in captivity, and one known left in the wild. With the removal of trees, the competition for nests grows. Wild macaws have a low reproductive rate, because it takes some time to care for the babies.

Macaws eat cooked pasta, fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, hot peppers, and cooked beans. They also like cuttlebone and mineral blocks.

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