Recently there was a rumor of the extinction of the blue macaw, that species made famous by the animated film Rio. But what is true? Is the blue macaw really in danger of extinction? Here we tell you!
It is no secret that the action of human beings has wiped out many species, so if you want to find out if the blue macaw is in danger of extinction or not, you can't miss this article on our site!, as we talk about the different species that the term "blue macaw" encompasses, which one is extinct and what conservation plans exist.
Types of Blue Macaw
The blue macaw, called arara in Brazil, the country where they exist in greater numbers, is not a single species of bird, but is often grouped under this name to 4 species of 2 different genera In addition to this, macaws have another 4 genera with 9 different species, but whose plumage is not blue.
All these genera belong to the Psittacidae family, which is the same as the parrot family. The two genera with blue plumage are characterized by having a strong beak for crushing seeds, the feathers in different bluish tones and prehensile legs that allow them to grasp fruits, branches and other objects; males and females are very similar.
Araras are found throughout the American continent, but the blue varieties are almost exclusive to Brazil.
What are the species with blue plumage?
As we already mentioned, the blue variety includes 2 genera of birds with 4 species, below we will tell you a little about each one.
Genus Anodorhynchus
Includes three species:
- Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus: called blue or hyacinth macaw It has a cob alt blue and black plumage on lower body. It is distributed in different regions of Brazil, including the Amazon. It inhabits palm forests, mountain ranges and humid forests. It feeds on seeds, tucumá, lucuri and other Brazilian fruits. It is believed that there are around 6500 individuals, so it is considered a vulnerable species, being a type of blue macaw in danger of extinction but not extinct.
- Anodorhynchus leari: called lear's macawHalf of the body has greenish blue plumage and the rest is dark blue. It is located in the Brazilian region of Bahia and in the Raso de Catarina and Canudos Reserves. It lives in regions with palm trees and in rocky areas. It feeds on seeds, flowers and corn that it extracts from plantations near its habitat. Since 2003 it has been on the lists of animals in danger of extinction.
- Anodorhynchus glaucus: call small blue or light blue arara, it is the only species of this genus for which there is no record. Its color was similar to the lear variety and it lived in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Already in the 19th century it was considered a rare species and there have been no new sightings, so it is considered extinct, being a type of blue macaw that could be Extinct.
Genus Cyanopsitta
This genus includes only one species and it is the one that inspired the movie Rio.
Cyanopsitta spixii: simply called blue arara or spix's macawIts plumage is dark blue on the body and lighter on the head. In the wild, it was distributed only in the Curaçá area. It feeds on different kinds of fruits and seeds.
Regarding this species, is the rumor that it became extinct in 2018 true? Coming up next, we tell you!
Is the blue macaw extinct?
Since the spix macaw is the most popular and the one that most people have in mind when talking about the blue macaw, we will focus on this one. Well, despite the rumor that flooded the Internet during 2018 and was replicated on social networks and different media, the spix macaw did not become extinct from the planet It has disappeared in the wild and the existing specimens, which are estimated to number less than 100, live in captivity and are part of programs for their conservation.
Due to the above, we can say that this type of blue macaw is extinct in the wild However, this news is outdated, as since 2000 it only exists in captivity. Likewise, let us remember that only the small blue or light blue macaw is considered missing.
Currently, there is the Blue Arara Project in the Curaçá area for the reproduction of the species and thinking of an eventual release to its natural habitat.
Why is the blue macaw in danger of extinction?
As you may have noticed, all the species that receive the name of blue macaw are in danger of extinction, a phenomenon that is not completely repeated in the genera of this family that present a different plumage. The reasons for this gradual disappearance of the species are various. These include:
- Growth of cities.
- Deforestation of the jungles and forests inhabited by the blue macaw.
- Pollution.
- Changes in the weather.
- Illegal trade to be sold as pets.
- Using their feathers to make body ornaments.
- Low birth rate of the species.
- Food is scarce due to deforestation.
Is there a conservation plan for the blue macaw?
As we have already mentioned, the different species of blue macaw in danger of extinction inhabit, especially, several regions of Brazil. Fortunately, there are various programs for the conservation of this species. Among them it is possible to mention the Blue Arara Project, the Blue Arara Conservation Program and various initiatives promoted by the Zoology Museum, the Biosiversitas Foundation and the Arara Azul Institute.
