Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period of anxiety and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists were able to reintroduce two couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also filled with jealousies and backbiting.
The first hurdle was obtaining enough birds to trade. Macaws are monogamous, so it was important to match the pairs well.
Range
A South African couple is working to save the critically endangered Spix's macaw which was declared extinct in 2000 following years of poaching and loss of habitat. They have a few of the birds that are in captivity and are hoping to release them close to Curaca. They refer to them as little blue companions, and compare their lives with the story of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They call him as a true survivor who lost his family but kept his faith in the region. They consider their lives in the Caatinga as being similar to his and feel a deep connection with him.
The discovery of the last Spix's macaw provided an excellent opportunity for researchers to examine its behavior in the wild and gain a better understanding of why this species was able to survive for such a long time. Researchers were able to estimate the population of this rare bird more precisely. Researchers were able to collect important information about the bird's daily movement patterns and its seasonal adaptation to drought, and its feeding habits. Researchers even monitored attempts to reproduce with a hybrid Spix’s and Illiger’s macaw couple, which was a crucial step in the recovery for this species.
It was a remarkable feat that this bird was able endure and thrive in the wild despite an insufficient gene pool and it has helped scientists to understand how these birds could be returned to the wild. The survival of the last bird also encouraged people to take action in order to save other parrots and endangered species. It also inspired zoos and other organizations to set up up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.
This working group is a model for how conservation groups and other organizations can collaborate to save endangered wildlife and endangered animals. It brings Brazilian officials from the government as well as representatives from zoos, international holders of this rare bird, and ornithologists with a common goal - the recovery of the Spix's Macaw.
The group has accomplished a lot of work. This includes developing a plan to reintroduce the bird back to the wild. The group has also worked to raise funds to support field research and community outreach as well as captive-breeding birds for the reintroduction plan. It has also created a permanent committee to save the bird.
Habitat
Endangered by poaching and habitat destruction The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was believed to be extinct in the wild 10 years ago. Today, ornithologists and aviculturists continue to fight tirelessly to bring this iconic bird back from the brink of extinction.
A cult animated film and two sequels have made the Spix's macaw famous to millions of people around the world, but this is just the beginning of the iceberg in the long journey to save these birds from the edge. A team of international experts has worked for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's macaws born in captivity to the wild.
The Spix's Macaw is a native species that is found in a small area of northeast Brazil called the Caatinga. This dry region is characterized by flat savannah scrubland and is scattered with seasonal streams and gallery forests. It was first documented in 1819, and is one of the least-known Neotropical parrots, despite only few glimpses of the wild and a few birds that are kept in captivity and a few museum specimens.
To protect the population that is declining, an international committee was formed that brought together aviculturists that held the last remaining birds as well as officials from the government. The group forged a partnership with the world-renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to develop an initiative to restore the population of Spix's Macaws in their native habitat.
AWWP has acquired and is renovating 2,380 hectares of prime habitat in Caatinga near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP is also raising and breeding birds to be released into the wild, providing an incredibly pure genetic source of the animals for future generations.
Spix's Macaws can be found in trees, and rarely seen on the ground. They build nests in hollows or holes and forage in search of seeds, fruits, nuts, and various other plants. They can spend up to 1/3 of their time in the nest.
To help track the Spix's macaws as well as their movements local communities were recruited to become part of the field team. Members of the community were given watches which could be activated if the Spix's Macaw was detected which allowed them to keep an eye on the birds and their movements throughout the wild. great green macaw has proven to be successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species in the genus Cyanopsitta. It was listed as extinct in the wild in 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature following the disappearance of the last wild parrot disappeared in 2000, and subsequent surveys failed to find any additional birds. However, a reintroduction program currently underway is trying to restore this critically endangered bird back to its natural habitat in the Caatinga.
This dry forest is located in the region of northeast Brazil, covering approximately 10 percent of the country. Spix's Macaws were found in hollows old caraibeiras, and were also known to eat seeds and nuts.
Reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw into the wild is currently in progress. Eight captive-raised Spix's macaws were released into the wild in June. Twelve more birds are expected to be released by 2022. They will be joined in the area by a group Blue-winged Macaws which have been reintroduced. They will share information on food sources, nesting sites and places to roost.
The reintroduction program has collected vital biological data about the behavior of the bird, which includes details of the patterns of movement and adaptations to drought. It has also provided a window into the natural history of the Spix's Macaw which helps to understand what led to its disappearance in the wild.
Spix's Macaws eat the seeds, fruits and nuts of many species native to the Caatinga biome. This includes the pinhao-bravo (Jatropha mollissima) and linhas brasil (Senegalia tenuifolia) and the Joazeiro (Ziziphus joazeiro) and facheiro cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus). They may also consume the fruit of palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).
Spix's Macaws as with all parrots as well as other birds, are social birds that have close relationships with their parents. They are vocal and frequently mimic speech and other sounds. They have a mating sound called the "whichaka," which is described as a brief, repetitive grating sound like a flute note. They are well-known for flying fast and high when they are in an ecstatic mood.
Breeding
Spix's macaws are incredibly intelligent and social birds. They communicate using screeching, squawking, and other sounds. Like many parrots they are able to mimic human speech. They have a very strict routine, including the way they fly and their bathing habits. They can also recognize other members of their flock. This is why they are such popular pets and a target for the illegal bird trade.
By the early 1980s, only three Spix's Macaws were left in the wild, and all of them being poached. In 1995, poachers killed both male and female birds in an attempt to pair them. Since since then all known Spix's macaws have been captive-bred mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws that are in captivity are a mix that descends of only two individuals. This makes them more vulnerable to diseases and other environmental challenges. The majority of Spix's macaws in captivity live at an breeding center in Germany. However, this year an agreement between a German conservation center and Brazilian government was canceled and the future plans for repatriation and the reintroduction of wild animals in doubt.
Despite their precarious number of captive-bred Spix's macaws, captive-bred species show some signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat the sheikh of Qatar to purchase three Spix's Macaws for the collector.
In part because of this and other efforts the captive-bred bird population is beginning to grow, though not at a speedy pace. Reintroducing them to the wild will require that they remain healthy and produce. It is crucial to select the right birds before releasing them. Macaws must be in a reproductive stage and be in a relationship with a sibling or a close relatives.
Reintroducing the Spix's macaw to the wild could be difficult, but it's crucial to try. To help, ABC and partners have established a reserve system that aims to protect the species' last remaining habitats. The eight Spix's Macaws that were recently released will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are common in Caatinga and live in areas where the Spix's macaws also reside. These smart birds will help the macaws become more used to the region and will offer security in large numbers.