Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period of anxiety and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists succeeded in reinserting couple couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also filled with resentment and jealousy.
The first hurdle was to find enough birds to be traded. Macaws are monogamous, so the pairs needed to be matched properly.
Range
A South African couple is working to save the critically endangered Spix's macaw which was declared extinct in 2000, following decades of poaching and loss of habitat. They have a tiny population of the birds in captive, and they hope to release them into the wild near Curaca. They call the birds their little blue companions and compared their experience to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They describe Presley as a true survivor who lost his family but was loyal to his home. They see their lives in the Caatinga as akin to his and feel a deep connection with him.
Researchers were able study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw wild, and better understand how this species has survived so long. It also helped them create a more accurate estimation of the historical population numbers of this unique bird. Researchers were able to collect important data about the bird's movements throughout the day, seasonal adjustment to drought, and food habits. They also monitored attempts at reproduction with the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaws which was a significant step in the rehabilitation of this species.
It was an amazing feat that this bird was able endure and thrive in the wild with such the smallest gene pool and it has also helped scientists to understand how these birds can be returned to the wild. The survival of the last bird inspired people to take action in order to save other parrots and endangered species. Zoos have also been enticed to establish their own captive breeding programs for these exotic species of birds.
This group is a great illustration of how conservation groups, other organizations and individuals can work together in order to conserve endangered species of wildlife and animals. This group consists of Brazilian government officials, zoo reps international holders of the Spix’s macaw, and ornithologists to achieve one goal in common to save this endangered bird.
The group has accomplished a great deal of work, including developing a plan for reintroducing the bird to the wild. The group also raised funds for community outreach, field research and captive-bred birds for the project. It has also established a permanent committee for the recovery of the bird.
Habitat
Ten years ago, the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was considered extinct. It was threatened due to habitat destruction and illegal poaching. Today, aviculturists and ornithologists continue to tirelessly work to bring this iconic bird back from the brink of extinction.
A cult animated film and two sequels have made Spix's Macaw known to millions of people around the world however this is only the beginning of the iceberg in the long journey to bring these birds back from the brink. A multi-national team has been working for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws raised in captivity into the wild.
The Spix's Macaw is a native species that is found in a small area of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga. This arid area is home to flat savannah scrubland, which is surrounded by galleries and streams that flow through the season. The first time it was described was in 1819 and is among of the least-known Neotropical parrots, with sporadic sightings from the wild, a few captive birds and a few museum specimens.
To protect the declining population, an international group was created. It brought together experts in aviculture who had the last remaining bird as well as government officials. This group formed a collaboration with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to create a program to reintroduce Spix's Macaws in their native habitat.
AWWP has purchased and is recovering 2,380 acres of prime habitat in the Caatinga near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP is also breeding and rearing birds that will be released into the wild, thereby providing the genetically pure source of the animals for future generations.
In the wild, Spix's Macaws are found in trees and are rarely seen on the ground. They typically build nests in hollows or tree holes and hunt for fruits as well as seeds, nuts, and other plants. They can spend as much as one third of their day in the nest.
To aid in tracking the Spix's macaws and their movements, a local group was recruited to become part of the field team. The community was provided with watches that would turn on when a Spix's Macaw is recognized. This allowed them to monitor the birds in the wild as well as their daily activities. This method has proven successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species in the genus Cyanopsitta. It was declared extinct in the wild in the year 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature following the disappearance of the last wild parrot to be identified disappeared in the year 2000. subsequent surveys did not find any additional birds. However, a reintroduction plan is currently in progress to restore this critically endangered bird to its natural habitat in Caatinga.
Fiona hyacinth macaw bird for sale in northeast Brazil is home to about 10% of the entire country. Spix's Macaws were a nesting species in the hollows of old caraibeira trees, and they were also known to eat nuts and seeds.
Reintroduction of the Spix’s Macaw into the wild is currently underway. Eight captive-raised Spix's Macaws were released in the wild in June. Twelve more are expected to be released in 2022. They will be joined by Blue-winged Macaws. They have been reintroduced to the same area and will assist to share knowledge about food sources, nesting and roosting sites.
The reintroduction program has already collected vital biological data about the behavior of this unique bird, which includes details about the patterns of movement throughout the day and seasonal adjustments to drought. It has also provided a glimpse into the natural history of Spix's Macaws, which aids in understanding the causes that led to their disappearance.
Spix's Macaws eat the seeds, fruits and nuts of numerous plants that are native to the Caatinga biome. Pinhao-bravo and linhas Brasil, as well as facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all part of this diet. They also eat the fruit of acai palms (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).
Spix's Macaws like all parrots and other birds are social birds and form close bonds with their parents. They have vocalizations and often mimic sounds and speech. They have a mating sound called the "whichaka," which is described as a short continuous grating sound like a flute note. When they are in a breeding mode they can fly fast and high.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate by screeching, squawking and other sounds. Like many parrots, they can mimic human speech. They also adhere to a strict routine for their day, from flight paths to bathing habits, and they can recognize members of their flock. They are very popular as pets and are often targeted by illegal trade in birds because of this.
By the early 1980s, only three Spix's Macaws were left in the wild, all of them poached. In 1995, poachers massacred the male and female birds as part of the hope of pairing them. Since since then, all known Spix's macaws are captive-bred, mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws that are in captivity are a mixture, which is the descendant of only two individuals. This leaves them vulnerable to illnesses and other environmental issues. The majority of Spix's macaws in captivity reside in a breeding center in Germany. However, this year, an agreement between the German conservation center and Brazilian government expired and the future plans for repatriation and reintroduction into the wild in doubt.
Despite their low numbers, captive-bred Spix's Macaws are showing signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat out the sheikh of Qatar to purchase three Spix's Macaws from a collector.
In the wake of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are beginning reproduce, though not at a high rate. Reintroducing the birds to the wild will require that they remain healthy and produce. The selection of the right birds for release is also crucial. Macaws should be in a reproductive stage and should be paired with one of their siblings or a close relative.
The return of the Spix's Macaw to the wild could prove difficult, but it is essential to try. To help, ABC and partners have created a reserve system which aims to protect the last remaining habitats. The eight recently released Spix's macaws will be joined by blue-winged macaws, which are more prevalent in the Caatinga and are found in overlapping areas with the Spix's macaws. These birds will help macaws become accustomed to their new surroundings and will also ensure safety through the sheer numbers.