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 inspirational, but also rife with jealousy and backbiting.
The first challenge was to find enough birds for the trade. These macaws are monogamous, therefore the pairs had to be well-matched.
Range
A South African couple is working to save the critically endangered Spix's macaw, which was declared extinct in 2000 after decades of poaching and habitat loss. They have a small number of the birds that are in captivity and they hope to release them near Curaca. They refer to the birds as little blue friends, and compare their lives with that of Presley the only known Spix's Macaw in wild. They call him as a true survivor, who lost his family, but kept his faith in the region. They feel a strong connection to him and perceive their lives as identical to his.
Researchers were able to study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw in wild, and to better understand how this species has survived for so long. This enabled researchers to estimate the historical population of this rare bird more precisely. Researchers were able to gather crucial details about the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adaptation to drought, and its eating habits. Researchers also observed attempts to reproduce with the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaw couple which was an important step in the recovery of this species.
check here was a remarkable accomplishment that this bird was able to survive and thrive in the wild with such a limited gene pool, and it has helped researchers understand how these birds can be returned to the wild. The survival of the last bird inspired people to take action to save other endangered parrots and species. Zoos have also been enticed to create their own captive breeding program for these exotic species of birds.
This group of experts is an example of how conservation groups and other organizations can collaborate to protect endangered animals and wildlife. The group is comprised of Brazilian government officials, representatives from zoos, international owners of the Spix's macaw and ornithologists with an aim in common that is the recovery of this unique bird.
The group has accomplished a great deal of work, including preparing plans for reintroducing the bird to the wild. The group also raised funds to fund community outreach, field research and captive-bred birds for the project. The group has also set up an ongoing committee to oversee the recovery of 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. Aviculturists and ornithologists as well as other experts continue to fight to save this iconic bird back from the brink of extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is known to millions of people around the globe thanks to a cult animated film and two sequels. This is just the beginning on the long journey of bringing these birds back. For a long time, a global team has been working to breed and reintroduce Spix's macaws raised in a captive environment back into the wild.
The Spix's Macaw is an endemic species that is found in a small area of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga. This arid region is characterized by flat savannah scrubland and is which is surrounded by seasonal streams and gallery forests. It was first documented in 1819 and is among the smallest known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic glimpses of the wild, a few birds that are kept in captivity, and a handful of museum specimens.
To protect the declining population, an international group was formed. It was comprised of aviculturists who held the last remaining bird as well as officials from the government. This group formed a collaboration with the world-renowned non profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to create an initiative to reintroduce the Spix's Macaws to their natural environment.
AWWP has purchased and is renovating 2,380 hectares in Caatinga close to Curaca (Brazil) of prime habitat. AWWP also breeds and raises birds that will be released in the wild. This will give a genetically-pure source of animals for the future generations.
Spix's Macaws can be found in trees, and rarely seen on the ground. They build nests in hollows or holes, and hunt to find seeds, fruits, nuts, and various other plants. They may spend up to one third of their day in the nest.
To assist in tracking the Spix's macaws and their movements, a local community was recruited to join the field team. The members of the community were provided watches that could be activated in the event the Spix's Macaw was detected which allowed them to keep track of the birds and their movements throughout the wild. This method has proven successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species in the genus Cyanopsitta. It was listed as 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 2000, and subsequent surveys failed to find any additional birds. However, a reintroduction plan is currently in progress to restore this critically endangered bird to its natural habitat in the Caatinga.
This region in northeast Brazil comprises about 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws were found in hollows old caraibeiras, and were also known to eat nuts and seeds.
Reintroduction of the Spix’s Macaw into the wild is currently underway. Eight birds that were raised in captivity were released into the wild in June, and 12 more are expected to follow in 2022. They will be joined by a group of Blue-winged Macaws that have been released back into the same area and will assist to share knowledge of food sources, nesting and roosting sites.
The reintroduction program has already collected valuable biological data about the behavior of this bird, which includes details of the patterns of movement and adaptations to drought. It has also provided a glimpse into the nature of the Spix's Macaws. This aids in understanding the causes that led to their extinction.
Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of numerous plants native to the Caatinga biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brasil and facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all part of this diet. The acai palm (Acaia olive) and mofumbo (Combretum léprosum) fruits are also edible.
Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are social birds, and they have a close bond with their parents. They are extremely vocal and often mimic human speech and other sounds. They make a mating call called the "whichaka," which is described as a short, repetitive grating sound similar to a flute. They are known to fly fast and high when they are in the mood to breed.
Breeding
Spix's macaws are incredibly intelligent and highly social birds. They communicate with one another by making a variety of squawking and screeching sounds, and like many other parrots, mimic human speech. They also adhere to a rigid daily routine, ranging from flight paths to bathing habits and are able to recognize the members of their flock. This is what makes them such popular pets and a target for the illegal bird trade.
In the early 1980s only three Spix's macaws remained in the wild. They were all poached. A plan to pair the last male and female was defeated in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. Since since then the Spix's macaws are captive-bred mostly in Brazil.
The handful of Spix's macaws kept in captivity are a mixture of individuals who are the descendants of only two individuals, making them susceptible to illness and other environmental issues. The majority of Spix's macaws captivity are kept in an breeding center in Germany. However, this year an agreement between the German conservation center and Brazilian government ran out and the future plans for repatriation and the reintroduction of wild animals in doubt.
Despite their precarious number, captive-bred Spix’s macaws show some signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder beat a sheikh in Qatar to buy from a collector three Spix's Macaws that weren't part of the breeding program.
As a result of this and other efforts, captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce again, although not at a great rate. Reintroducing the birds into the wild will require that they stay healthy and produce. Choosing the right birds to release is equally important. Macaws must be in a reproductive stage and be joined by one of their siblings or a close relative.
Bringing the Spix's macaw back to the wild could prove difficult, but it is essential to try. ABC and its partners have established a reserve system to protect the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's Macaws that were released recently will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are more prevalent in Caatinga and live in areas where the Spix’s macaws are also. These birds will assist the macaws adapt to their new surroundings. They will also provide safety by numbers.