Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period uncertainty and worry, Brazilian and German conservationists have succeeded in reintroducing two couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring but also filled with backbiting and jealousy.
The first hurdle was obtaining enough birds to participate in the exchange. The macaws are monogamous so the pairs needed to be matched well.
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 loss of habitat. They have a small population of the birds kept in captive, and they hope to release them into the wild near Curaca. They refer to the birds as little blue friends, and compare their experience with that of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They describe him as a true survivor who lost his family, but was loyal to his home. They consider their lives in the Caatinga as being similar to his and feel a strong connection to him.
The discovery of the last Spix's macaw provided a valuable opportunity for researchers to examine its behavior in the wild and gain an understanding of how this species has survived for this long. It also allowed them to form a more accurate estimate of the historic numbers of this rare bird. Researchers were able to collect crucial information on the bird's daily movements and its seasonal adaptation to drought, and its feeding habits. Researchers also observed attempts to reproduce using the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaw couple, which was a crucial step in the recovery for this species.
It was an amazing feat that this bird was able endure and thrive in the wild despite the smallest gene pool and it has also helped researchers 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 as well as threatened species. It also inspired zoos and other groups to set up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.
This working group is a good example of how conservation groups as well as other organizations and individuals can work together in order to conserve endangered species of wildlife and animals. This group brings together Brazilian government officials, representatives from zoos, international holders of the Spix’s macaw, and ornithologists to achieve one goal in common to save this rare bird.
The group has already completed a great deal of work. This includes developing plans to reintroduce the bird to the wild. The group also raised funds to fund community outreach and field research as well as captive-bred birds for the project. The group has also established a permanent committee to recover the bird.
Habitat
Ten years ago the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was thought to be extinct. It was endangered by habitat destruction and poaching that was illegal. Today, aviculturists and ornithologists continue to tirelessly work to bring this iconic bird back from the edge of extinction.
A popular animated movie and two sequels have made Spix's macaw famous to millions of people worldwide however this is only the beginning in the long road to bring these birds back from the edge. A team of international experts has worked for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws raised in captivity to the wild.
The Spix's macaw is native to a tiny area of northeast Brazil which is known as the Caatinga which is an arid region consisting of savannah scrubland flat that is dotted with seasonal creeks and gallery forests. It was first described in 1819 and is one of least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic appearances in the wild, few birds in captivity, and a handful of museum specimens.
To preserve the dwindling population, an international committee was established that gathered aviculturists who were the last to hold the birds and government officials. The group formed a partnership with the world-renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to establish a program to reintroduce Spix's Macaws in their native habitat.
AWWP has purchased and is restoring 2,380 acres of prime habitat in Caatinga near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP is also breeding and rearing birds to be released into the wild, providing a genetically pure source of animals for the next generation of.
In the wild, Spix's Macaws reside in trees, and are not often seen on the ground. They typically nest in tree holes or hollows and forage for fruit, seeds, nuts and other plants. They can spend up to one third of their day in the nest.
To help track the Spix's macaws and their movements local communities were invited to join the field team. The community was provided with watches that would be activated if the Spix's Macaw was detected. This enabled them to monitor the birds in the wild as well as their daily movements. This approach has proven very successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species in the family 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 here the year 2000. subsequent surveys did not find any additional birds. A reintroduction plan is currently underway to try to restore this critically threatened bird to its native home in the Caatinga.
This dry forest is a part of northeast Brazil which covers around 10 percent of the country. Spix's Macaws were a nesting species in the hollows of the old caraibeira trees and were recognized for their dietary habits of eating nuts and seeds.
Reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw into the wild is currently underway. Eight captive-raised birds were released into the wild in June, and 12 more are scheduled to follow in 2022. They will be joined by a group of Blue-winged Macaws which have been reintroduced. They will share information on food sources, nesting sites and areas to roost.
The reintroduction programme has already collected vital biological data about the behavior of this unique bird, including information on the patterns of movement throughout the day and adjustments to drought during the season. It also provides an insight into the natural history of the Spix's Macaw, helping to understand what led to its extinction in the wild.
Spix's Macaws consume the fruits, nuts and seeds of many plants that are native to the Caatinga Biome. This includes the pinhao-bravo (Jatropha mollissima) and the linhas brasil (Senegalia tenuifolia) and the Joazeiro (Ziziphus Joazeiro) and facheiro Cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus). They can also eat the fruit of acai palms (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).
Spix's Macaws as with all parrots and other bird species, are social birds that have close relationships with their parents. They have vocalizations and often mimic speech and other sounds. They have a mating cry called "whichaka," described as an extremely short and repetitive sound similar to a flutist note. When they are in breeding mode, they are known to fly fast and high.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate with each other with a variety of screeching and squawking sounds. Like many other parrots, can mimic human speech. They also have a strict routine for their day, from flights to bathing routines and are able to recognize members of their flock. This is why they are such popular pets, and also a target for illegal trade in birds.
In the early 1980s, only three Spix's macaws were left in the wild. They were all poached. In 1995, poachers killed both male and female birds in an attempt to pair them. Since then, all Spix's Macaws are captive-bred, mostly in Brazil.
The few Spix's macaws kept in captivity are a mix of individuals who are descendants of only two individuals, making them at risk of disease and other environmental issues. The majority of Spix's macaws captivity reside in a breeding center in Germany. However, this year an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government ran out, leaving the future plans for repatriation and the reintroduction of wild animals in doubt.
Despite their petty numbers, captive-bred Spix’s macaws show some signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat out the sheikh of Qatar to buy three Spix's Macaws from the collector.
As a result of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce, but not at a great rate. Reintroducing the birds into the wild will require them to remain healthy and produce. It is crucial to select the right birds prior to release. Macaws should be of reproductive age and be paired up with close relatives or siblings.
The return of the Spix's Macaw to the wild could be difficult, but it's crucial to try. To help, ABC and partners have started a reserve system that aims to protect the last remaining habitats. The eight Spix's macaws will soon be joined by blue-winged macaws, that are more common in the Caatinga and are found in overlapping areas with the Spix's macaws. These birds will help macaws adapt to their new surroundings. They will also ensure safety through large numbers.