*The Spix Macaw’s decline can be attributed to two main factors. The first being the long term destruction of their slow growing habitat, and the second, the trapping of live birds for the illegal pet trade. The colonisation of introduced African bees, who use the same holes these parrots nest in, introduced predators, and the building of a hydro-electrical dam may also have contributed to the decline. The species future most likely rests on the known captive population, 110 birds originating from just 7 wild birds, whom themselves are believed to originate from only two separate nests (because of this inbreeding these birds unfortunately suffer infertility and delayed maturity). Countless birds are also likely to be hidden in private hands, but due to the secretive nature of the trade, these birds are unlikely to be found so that they can contribute to the breeding program (The noticeable exception being Presley, likely inspiration of the movie Rio, though sadly he left no offspring). The species was suspected to be extinct in the wild after the last known bird died in 2000, however, in June 2016 a wild Spix Macaw was filmed flying near Curaca! *

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