Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long time with uncertainty and fear, Brazilians and German conservationists were able successfully reintroduce a grouping of couples back to their natural habitat. Their story is inspirational, but also filled with jealousies and backbiting.
The first challenge was to find enough birds to trade. The macaws were monogamous so it was important to match 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 small number of the birds kept in captive, and are hoping to release them into the wild near Curaca. They call them their little blue companions and have compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's macaw in the wild. They describe him as an authentic survivor who lost his family and remained loyal to his area. They consider their lives in the Caatinga as similar to his, and they feel a deep connection with him.
Researchers were able to research the behavior of the Spix's Macaw in the wild, and better understand how this species has survived for so long. It also allowed them to make a more precise estimate of the historic numbers of this rare bird. Researchers were able gather important information on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adjustment to drought, and eating habits. Researchers also monitored attempts to reproduce using an Illiger's and a Spix's hybrid macaw couple which was an important step towards the recovery of this species.
It was a remarkable feat that this bird was able to endure and thrive in the wild despite the smallest gene pool and it has helped scientists to understand how these birds could be returned to the wild. The last bird's survival also encouraged people to take action to save other species of endangered parrots. Zoos have also been enticed to create their own captive breeding program for these exotic species of birds.
macaw purchase working group is a good illustration of how conservation groups and other organizations as well as individuals can work together to save endangered wildlife and animals. This group brings together Brazilian government officials, zoo reps international holders of the Spix’s macaw, and ornithologists to achieve one goal in common to save this rare bird.
The working group has already accomplished a lot of work. This includes the development of plans to reintroduce the bird back to the wild. The group has also been working to raise funds to fund field research and community outreach as well as captive-breeding birds to support the reintroduction project. The group has also established an ongoing committee to help recover the bird.
Habitat
Endangered by habitat destruction and poaching, 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 danger of extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is well-known to millions around the world thanks to a popular animated film and two sequels. This is just the beginning on the long journey of bringing these birds back. An international team has worked for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws raised in captivity back into the wild.
The Spix's macaw is native to a tiny area of northeast Brazil, called the Caatinga, an arid region of savannah scrubland that is flat, that is dotted with seasonal creeks and gallery forests. It was first documented in 1819 and is one of the smallest known Neotropical parrots, with only occasional sightings in the wild, a few captive birds and a few museum specimens.
To preserve the declining population, an international group was formed. It brought together experts in aviculture who had the last remaining bird and officials from the government. The group formed a partnership with the world-renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) of Qatar to develop a comprehensive program to reintroduce captive-bred Spix's Macaws to their natural habitat in the northeast of Brazil.
AWWP has acquired and is restoring 2,380 acres of prime habitat in the Caatinga, near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP also breeds and raises birds that will be released into the wild. This will create a genetically-pure source of animals for future generations.
Spix's Macaws are usually found in trees, and seldom seen on the ground. They nest in tree hollows or holes and forage for fruits, seeds, nuts, and other species. They can spend as much as one third of the time in the nest.
To help track the Spix's macaws as well as their movements, a local group was recruited to become part of the field team. The community was provided with watches that would be activated if the Spix's Macaw was identified. This enabled them to monitor the birds in the wild as well as their daily activities. This method has proven to be extremely successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species belonging to the Genus Cyanopsitta. It was listed as extinct in the wild in the year 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature after the last known wild parrot disappeared in the year 2000. subsequent surveys failed to locate any additional birds. A reintroduction plan is in progress to try to bring this critically endangered bird to its natural habitat in the Caatinga.
This dry forest is a region of northeast Brazil that covers about 10 percent of the country. Spix's Macaws were a nesting species in the hollows of old caraibeira trees and were 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 into the wild in June. Twelve more birds are expected to be released by 2022. They will be joined by a group Blue-winged Macaws that have been reintroduced and will share information about food sources, nesting and roosting locations.
The reintroduction programme has already collected vital biological data about the behavior of this unique bird, including details on daily movements patterns as well as the seasonal changes to drought. It has also opened a window on the natural history of the Macaws of Spix, which aids in understanding the causes that led to their disappearance.
Spix's Macaws consume the fruits, nuts and seeds of a variety of plants 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 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 develop close bonds with their parents. They are vocal and often imitate human speech and other sounds. They make a mating call called the "whichaka," which is described as a brief repeated grating sound that is like a flute note. They are often seen flying high and fast when they are in the mood to breed.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate with one another with a variety of squawking and screeching sounds, and like many other parrots, can mimic human speech. They follow a strict routine that includes the way they fly and their bathing habits. They also can recognize other members of their family. They are adored as pets and are frequently targeted by illegal trade in birds because of this.
In the early 1980s only three Spix's macaws survived in the wild, and all of them poached. In 1995, poachers killed the male and female birds in an attempt to pair them. Since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been bred in captivity - mostly in Brazil.
The handful of Spix's macaws in captivity are a mixture of individuals that are the descendants of just two individuals, which makes them susceptible to illness and other environmental issues. The majority of Spix's macaws in captivity are kept in an breeding center in Germany. However this year, an agreement between a German conservation center and Brazilian government expired which leaves future plans for repatriation and reintroduction into the wild in doubt.
Despite their precarious numbers, captive-bred Spix's macaws are showing signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat the sheikh of Qatar to buy three Spix's Macaws from a collector.
As a result of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce, but not at a great rate. Maintaining their health and generating is crucial to reintroduce these birds to the wild. The selection of the right birds for release is also critical. The macaws need to be in a reproductive stage and be in a relationship with a sibling or a close relative.
Bringing the Spix's macaw back to the wild could be difficult, but it is crucial to try. ABC and its partners have established reserves to safeguard the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's Macaws that were recently released will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are more prevalent in Caatinga, and they live in areas where the Spix's macaws also reside. These birds will help the macaws adjust to their new surroundings and will also provide safety by large numbers.