Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period of uncertainty and worry, Brazilian and German conservationists were able to reintroduce a group of couples into their natural habitat. Their story is inspirational, but also filled with jealousies and backbiting.
The first hurdle was obtaining enough birds to participate in the exchange. The macaws were monogamous so it was essential 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 decades of poaching and habitat loss. They have a few of the birds in captivity and hope to release them close to Curaca. They call them their blue-eyed friends and have compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's macaw from the wild. They say he was as a true survivor, who lost his family but kept his faith in the region. They see their lives in the Caatinga as similar to his and feel a deep connection with him.
Researchers were able study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw in the wild, and gain a better understanding of the reasons why this species has survived so long. Researchers were able to determine the historical population of this unique bird with greater accuracy. Researchers were able gather important data about the bird's daily movement patterns and its seasonal adaptation to drought, and food habits. Researchers even monitored 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 to survive and thrive in the wild with such a limited gene pool, and it has helped scientists to understand how these birds can be returned to the wild. The survival of the last bird encouraged people to take action to save other species of parrots that are endangered. It also inspired zoos and other groups to set up up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.
This working group is an example of how conservation groups and other organizations can work together to conserve endangered wildlife and endangered animals. It brings Brazilian officials from the government, zoo representatives, international holders of this rare bird, and ornithologists together with one common goal - the recovery of the Spix's Macaw.
The group has completed a lot of work, including the creation of plans for reintroducing the bird back into the wild. The group also raised funds for community outreach and field research as well as captive-bred birds for the project. The group has also set up a permanent committee for the rehabilitation of the bird.
Habitat
Ten years ago the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was thought to be extinct. It was threatened through the destruction of habitat and illegal poaching. Today, aviculturists and ornithologists continue to tirelessly work to save this iconic bird back from the edge of extinction.
A cult animated film and two sequels have made Spix's macaw recognizable to millions of people across the globe, but this is just the beginning in the long road to bring these birds back from the brink. For a long time, a global team has been working to breed and reintroduce captive-raised Spix's macaws into the wild.
The Spix's Macaw is an indigenous species to a small region of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga. This dry area is home to flat savannah scrubland that is which is surrounded by galleries and seasonal streams. It was first described in 1819 and is among the least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic appearances in the wild, few birds that are kept in captivity, and a handful of museum specimens.
To preserve the declining population, an international group was established. It was comprised of Aviculturists who owned the last remaining bird and government officials. The group formed a partnership with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) of Qatar to create an intensive program to reintroduce captive-bred Spix's macaws into their native environment in northeast Brazil.
AWWP has acquired and is recovering 2,380 acres of prime habitat in Caatinga, near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP also breeds and rears birds that will be released in the wild. This will provide a genetically-pure source of animals for future generations.
Spix's Macaws can be found in trees and rarely seen on the ground. They usually nest in hollows or holes in trees and hunt for fruits as well as seeds, nuts, and other plants. They may spend up to 1/3 of their time in the nest.
To help track the Spix's macaws and their movements, a local community was invited to join the field team. The community was provided with watches that would be activated if a Spix's Macaw is identified. This allowed them to track the birds in the wild and their daily actions. This approach has been very successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species found in the family Cyanopsitta. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared it extinct in the wild on April 1, 2019. This was after the last wild parrot vanished in 2000. No additional birds were found in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction project is in the process of trying to restore this critically endangered bird to its natural habitat in Caatinga.
This region in northeast Brazil covers approximately 10% of the entire country. Spix's Macaws nested in the hollows of old caraibeira trees, and they were also known to eat seeds and nuts.
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 help to share knowledge about food sources, nesting and roosting locations.
The reintroduction programme has already collected vital biological data about the behavior of this unique bird, including information on daily movements patterns as well as seasonal adjustments to drought. It also provides an insight into the nature of the Spix's Macaw, helping to understand what led to its extinction in the wild.
Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of a variety of plants native to the Caatinga Biome. This includes the pinhao-bravo (Jatropha mollissima) and linhas Brasil (Senegalia tenuifolia) as well as the joazeiro (Ziziphus Joazeiro) and facheiro cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus). The acai palm (Acaia olive) and mofumbo (Combretum léprosum) fruits are also edible.
Spix's Macaws as with all parrots and other bird species are social birds that have close relationships with their parents. They are vocal and frequently mimic other sounds and words. They have a mating cry called "whichaka," described as a short and repetitive grating sound that resembles a flutist note. When macaw keycaps are in breeding mode they are known to 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 have a strict routine, including flight patterns and bathing habits. They also can recognize other members of their flock. They are adored as pets and are often targeted by the illegal trade in birds because of this.
In the early 1980s only three Spix's Macaws were left in the wild, with all of them poached. A plan to pair the last male and female was defeated in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. Since the time, all Spix's macaws known have been bred in captivity - mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws in captivity are a mixture of birds, and are the descendant of just two individuals. This makes them susceptible to diseases and other environmental challenges. The majority of Spix's macaws captivity reside in an breeding center in Germany. However this year an agreement between a German conservation center and the Brazilian government ran out which leaves future plans for repatriation and their reintroduction into the wild in doubt.
Despite their precarious numbers, captive-bred Spix's Macaws are showing some signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat out the sheikh of Qatar to purchase three Spix's Macaws from the collector.
In the wake of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are beginning reproduce, but not at a high rate. Maintaining their health and generating will be important to reintroducing these birds to the wild. It is essential to choose the right birds before releasing them. The macaws should be reproductive and paired with siblings or close relatives.
The return of the Spix's Macaw to the wild could prove difficult, but it is crucial 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 who were recently released will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are more common in Caatinga and live in areas where the Spix’s macaws also live. These birds will help the macaws become accustomed to their new environment and will also offer protection by numbers.