Cyanopsitta spixii ............................................................By Gideon Scheepers

Description

This single member of its genus is a dull blue with a faint greenish tinge on the abdomen. The back and upper tail is a deeper blue. The black beak is relatively small with the bare lores and cheek patches a dark grey. The iris is a pale yellow. And the feet are grey. They grow to a length of around 56-cm.

Range & Habitat

They originate in the northern Brazil, and prefer flat country with tall trees. These parrots extremely endangered with the last believed male dying in 2000. There was an attempt made to reintroduce a hen into the wild after it was discovered that this last wild Spix was a male and had paired up to a Illigers macaw, but this apparently failed. Another Spix was discovered in ahome in Colarado recently after being kept as a pet for more than 20 years. This bird, believed to be about 20 years old was smuggeled into Europe and then later to USA, when its mate died the bird was passed on to the present owner, who eventually called the World Parrot Trust. The bird has since been repatriated to Brazil , where it will be part of a breeding program. This will be a boost to the program , since it is new genetic material.

Breeding in Aviculture

They have been bred several times in aviculture. The male will begin by feeding the hen and will become aggressive towards the keeper. The hen will lay a clutch of 2 to 4 eggs and will then incubate them for 26 days, the young will fledge after 8 weeks. In 2002 Birds international bred 5 chicks. What a boost for this frail species.