The animated film Rio, directed by Carlos Saldanha, is released in theaters featuring a story about Blu, a domesticated macaw who travels to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio becomes a box office hit, grossing over $484 million worldwide and boosting Blue Macaw awareness.
20th Century Fox announces the production of Rio 2, the sequel to Rio, continuing the story of Blu and his family.
Blu, a rare blue macaw, grows up in a small town in Minnesota away from other birds of his species.
Blu is identified as one of the last male Spix's macaws, a species considered extinct in the wild.
Blu is taken from Minnesota to Rio de Janeiro to mate with the last known female Spix's macaw, Jewel.
Blu meets Jewel, the fiercely independent female Spix's macaw, marking the start of their journey together.
Blu and Jewel escape from a group of bird smugglers who intended to sell Jewel illegally.
Blu, who never learned to fly, struggles but eventually learns with Jewel's help.
Blu and Jewel grow closer, building trust and friendship as they face challenges together.
Blu, Jewel, and their new friends confront the smugglers to protect themselves and other captured animals.
The group successfully frees the captured birds and stops the smuggling operation.
Blu decides to stay with Jewel in Rio rather than return to Minnesota, embracing his wild side and new life.
