According to a new study conducted by BirdLife International, at least eight bird species have become extinct in recent years. Among them is the well-known blue parrot from the film ‘Rio.’ The parrots fought for their survival in the successful animation film, as Blu flies all the way from America to Brazil to find Jewel, the last female of its species. In the happy ending story, the two fall in love and have a baby. Unfortunately, Spix’s Macaw parrots did not survive.

While many bird extinctions occurred on isolated islands, the most recent ones occurred in South America, according to the study. That demonstrates the devastating impact of deforestation in those areas. According to the Red List of Endangered Species, approximately 187 bird species have gone extinct since 1500. According to the organization in Cambridge, UK, the causes of this rapid decline include the introduction of invasive species, hunting, and deforestation. Nowadays, the massive urbanization and global warming put enormous pressure on wildlife, forcing many animals to adapt or become extinct. Blue parrots with bright blue plumage are officially extinct in the wild. Some exemplars, however, are kept in captivity.

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