That doesn't mean all hope is lost for birds like Blu. The report says that although the species is extinct in the wild, 60 to 80 Spix's macaws still live in captivity.

Spix's macaws file photo SOURCE: PATRICK PLEUL/AFP/Getty Images Advertisement Rare blue bird, depicted in ‘Rio,’ now extinct in the wild, study says Updated: 8:32 PM MDT Sep 8, 2018 By David Taube ...

In the film, the bright blue birds save their endangered species Kelli Bender is the Pets Editor at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2013. Her work has previously appeared on MTV, The ...

The Spix's macaw achieved onscreen fame in 20th Century Fox's "Rio" as a charming parrot named Blu who travels thousands of miles in an attempt to save his species.

Blue bird from ‘Rio’ movie now extinct in the wild by: CNN Wires Posted: Sep 9, 2018 / 09:57 PM CDT Updated: Sep 9, 2018 / 09:57 PM CDT ...

The Spix's macaw achieved onscreen fame in 20th Century Fox's "Rio" as a charming parrot named Blu who travels thousands of miles in an attempt to save his species.

Blue bird from ‘Rio’ movie now extinct in the wild by: CNN Wire Posted: Sep 10, 2018 / 03:04 PM CDT Updated: Sep 10, 2018 / 03:04 PM CDT ...

In the movie, two birds named Blu and Jewel are depicted as the last remaining blue macaws and pushed to procreate. Spix's macaws are one species of several kinds of blue parrots.

Blue bird from ‘Rio’ movie now extinct in the wild by: CNN Wires Posted: Sep 10, 2018 / 08:37 AM CDT Updated: Sep 10, 2018 / 08:37 AM CDT ...

Updated: 10:32 PM EDT Sep 8, 2018 By David Taube PATRICK PLEUL/AFP/Getty Images Spix's macaws file photo SOURCE: PATRICK PLEUL/AFP/Getty Images Advertisement Rare blue bird, depicted in ‘Rio ...

The researchers, part of the bird conservation group BirdLife International, noted that Spix’s macaws survive in captivity, and there are long-term plans to reintroduce the species in the wild.

The Spix’s macaw is one of eight bird species, half of them in Brazil, confirmed extinct or suspected extinct in the report from BirdLife International.