Trailing the little Blue Spix's Macaw in Avian extinctions

The pretty little blue Macaw or the Spix's Macaw from the Cyanopsitta spixii and the large Glaucous Macaw which scientific name is Anodorhynchus glaucus may no more be heard parroting as the birds are among the eight species of birds declared to be extinct by scientists in a new study.

In a case of first-ever avian extinctions of the 21^st century, scientists have declared eight species of birds to be extinct, as reported in the Bird Life International. The birds include two species of macaw - Spix’s and glaucous, Alagoas foliage-gleaner, cryptic treehunter, Pernambuco pygmy-owl and poo-uli or black-faced honeycreeper.

Also Read | Climate change, Ice cold temperatures behind extinction of Neanderthals 

The extinctions of the eight engendered bird species are either confirmed or highly likely and scientists attribute the condition to high rate of deforestation. The rapid expansion of urbanisation has led to alarming deforestation across the world, further causing displacement of the endangered fauna and flora.

The study that spanned over eight years and using a new statistical approach, conducted by non-profit “BirdLife International”, assessed 51 “Critically Endangered Species” as listed in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) “Red List”.

Read More | Largest mass extinction the result of Ozone depletion: Study 

Five of the eight bird species confirmed or suspected extinct are from the South American continent.

According to the study, the Spix’s macaw was last sighted in 2000 and in 2011, the tiny Alagoas foliage-gleaner was confirmed extinct in 2011. The Pernambuco pygmy-owl was confirmed extinct in 2002 and the cryptic treehunter has also not been seen in the forest since 2007.

The study considered three factors to ascertain their findings: Intensity of threats, timing and reliability of records, and the timing and quantity of search efforts for the species.

(With inputs from agencies)