Last Updated on July 3, 2023
Macaws are the most popular pets in the world. Unfortunately, many macaws are facing extinction threats; blue macaws are not an exception. Let us discuss the threats they are facing and how many blue macaws are left in the world.
Blue macaws are also famous as Spix macaws. According to the data on bird life, international blue macaws were extinct in the wild in 2019. However, fewer than 100 birds were in captivity at that time, due to which their breed thrived back in the wild.
Association for Conservation of Threatened Parrots reintroduced 52 Spix macaws in 2020, which helped them to thrive back in the wild. According to recent estimates, the current population of blue macaws is increasing in the wild.
Is blue Macaw extinct?
Unfortunately, many macaws are endangered. Severe habitat loss, poaching and illegal pet trading are the significant factors which lead many macaw species to become critically endangered.
Blue macaws have remained extinct from the wild for about 22 years. However, the reintroduction of blue macaws in the wild helped them to grow their population.
According to recent data, blue macaws are not extinct but are critically endangered. If proper measures are not taken in future, they will go extinct in the wild forever.
How Many Blue Macaws Are Left?
Unfortunately, the Spix macaws are considered extinct in the wild. They are the rarest birds & today, only 160 birds live in captivity. However, their conservation efforts are becoming increasingly crucial in zoos, wildlife parks and sanctuaries to maintain healthy birds and save them from extinction.
Furthermore, Brazilian nationals and many international organisations are actively monitoring the macaw population in Brazil. They are also working on the reintroduction of these birds in the wild to maintain a healthy population and for their recovery.
Why is the Blue Macaw Critically Endangered?
Spix macaws have been critically endangered for decades. However, not only blue macaws are impacted; half of all parrots species are also endangered, and 25% of species are critically endangered. There are a few common factors threatening macaws, as follows.
Severe habitat loss
Poaching
Illegal Wildlife Trade
Severe Habitat Loss:
Countless animal species are facing severe habitat loss on our planet, which is the main leading cause of their extinction. They require a safe habitat that provides them shelter and supple food.
Due to habitat loss, there is an imbalance in the food chain, also threatening other animal species due to colonisation, deforestation, resource exploitation, and agricultural land conversion into living spaces leading many animals to extinction.
As the human population grew, many rainforests were decimated, and the blue Macaw’s primary habitat was destroyed, which led them to near extinction. However, climate change also has a severe impact on macaws’ lives.
Poaching & Predation:
In the wild, predation can also impact the macaws’ population. Predators like snakes, large birds of prey, and monkeys are the main predators of macaws. They eat their eggs and young ones in the wild. While they face human poachers too.
Poaching is becoming a severe threat to the macaw population, and they have become the most commonly smuggled item in South America for the pet industry. Poaching not only takes macaws’ life but also interrupts their reproduction process resulting in a smaller population.
Pet Industry:
Illegal Macaw trading for the pet industry is the leading cause of the reduction of their population. Because little regulation for the exotic pet industry and increasing smuggling seriously threatened macaws’ survival in the wild.
Conservation Efforts to Save Blue Macaw:
Several conservation efforts are currently underway to save the blue Macaw from extinction. One of these efforts is captive reproductive programs, where birds are raised in captivity and released in the wild when quite old. Birds are kept in captivity in wildlife parks, zoos and sanctuaries.
Another conservation effort is to protect and restore their natural habitat through reforestation projects and protected areas. These efforts have increased the population of other macaw species, such as macaw hyacinth.
Do Macaws Return to the World?
There have been recent stories of success in the conservation of Macaw, such as the reintroduction of blue Macaw in Bolivia. However, there are still many challenges faced by Macaw populations, such as habitat loss and poaching.
What Does the Future of Blue Macaw Look Like?
The future of macaws is uncertain, but continuous conservation efforts are crucial for their survival. If these efforts succeed, it is possible that Macaw populations can recover and prosper once again.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Blue Macaw is a critically endangered species which requires urgent conservation efforts to prevent its extinction. Thanks to captive reproduction programs and habitat restoration projects, we can work to save this beautiful bird from disappearing forever. We all need to support these conservation efforts and do our part in protecting these magnificent creatures for future generations.