Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long time with speculation and worry Brazilians and German conservationists were able to successfully reintroduce a grouping of couples back to their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring however, it is also filled with backbiting and jealousies.
The first obstacle was getting enough birds to participate in the exchange. These macaws are monogamous, so the pairs had to be matched properly.
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 small amount of the birds in captivity and are hoping to release them near Curaca. They refer to the birds as little blue friends, and compare their journey to the journey of Presley the only known Spix's Macaw in wild. They describe him as a true survivor, who lost his family, but kept his faith in the region. They see their lives in the Caatinga as akin to his, and feel a deep connection with him.
The discovery of the last Spix's macaw provided researchers with an opportunity 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. This allowed researchers to estimate the historical population of this rare bird more precisely. Researchers were able to gather crucial information on the bird's daily movements, seasonal adjustment to drought, and food habits. They even monitored reproduction attempts using the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaw pair, which was an important step towards the recovery of this species.
It was a remarkable accomplishment that this bird was able endure and thrive in the wild despite a limited gene pool, and it has also helped scientists to understand how these birds could be reintroduced to the wild. The last bird's survival also inspired people to take action to save other species of endangered parrots. It has also prompted zoos and other groups to set up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.
This working group is a great illustration of how conservation groups, other organizations and individuals can work together to protect endangered species of wildlife and animals. The group is comprised of Brazilian government officials, zoo reps, international holders of the Spix’s macaw and ornithologists with an aim in common: the recovery of this rare bird.
The working group has already accomplished a lot of work, including developing a plan for reintroducing the bird into the wild. The group also raised funds for community outreach as well as field research and captive-bred birds for the project. The group has also established 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 ten years ago. Aviculturists, ornithologists, and other experts continue to work hard to bring this iconic bird from the brink extinction.
A cult animated film and two sequels have made Spix's macaw famous to millions of people worldwide However, this is only the beginning of the iceberg in the long road to save these birds from the brink. A multi-national team has been working for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws raised in captivity back into the wild.
The Spix's macaw is endemic to a small portion of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga an arid area of flat savannah scrubland 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 occasional sightings in the wild as well as a few captive birds and some museum specimens.
To preserve the declining population To help save the declining population, a global group was established. It brought together Aviculturists who owned the last remaining bird and government officials. 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 environment.
AWWP has acquired and is recovering 2,380 acres of prime habitat in Caatinga near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP is also breeding and rearing birds to be released into the wild, which will provide an incredibly pure genetic source of the animals for the next generation of.
In the wild, Spix's macaws will live in trees, and are not often seen on the ground. They build nests in hollows or holes, and hunt for fruits, seeds, nuts, and other species. They will typically spend up to a third of the day in the nest.
To aid in tracking the Spix's macaws as well as their movements, a local group was recruited to become part of the field team. The members of the community were given watches which could be activated if the Spix's macaw was observed 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. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared that it was extinct in the wild on April 1, 2019. This was after the last wild parrot was lost in 2000 and no additional birds were found in subsequent surveys. A reintroduction plan is in the process of attempting to bring back this critically endangered bird to its native home in the Caatinga.
The northeast region of Brazil covers approximately 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws nestled in the 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 captive-raised Spix's macaws were released into the wild in June. Twelve more are expected to be released in 2022. They will be joined by a group of Blue-winged macaws who were reintroduced. They will share information on food sources, nesting sites and roosting locations.
The reintroduction programme has already gathered valuable biological data on the behavior of this unique bird, including information on daily movement patterns and seasonal adjustments to drought. It also provided a glimpse into the evolution of the Macaws of Spix, which helps to understand the factors that led to their extinction.
Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of a myriad of plants native to the Caatinga Biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brasil and facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all included in this diet. The acai palm (Acaia olive) and mofumbo (Combretum léprosum) fruits are also edible.
Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are highly social birds that have a strong bond with their parents. They are vocal and frequently mimic sounds and speech. They make a mating call known as the "whichaka," which is described as a short continuous grating sound like a flute note. When they are in breeding mode they can fly high and fast.
Breeding
Spix's macaws are exceptionally intelligent and highly social birds. They communicate using screeching, squawking, and other sounds. As with many parrots they are able to mimic human speech. They also follow a very rigid daily routine, ranging from flight paths to bathing habits and are able to recognize members of their flock. They are adored as pets, and are frequently targeted by the illegal bird trade because of this.
In the early 1980s, just 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 then the Spix's macaws have been captive-bred mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws in captivity are a mixture, which is the descendant of just two individuals. This leaves them vulnerable to illnesses website and other environmental threats. The majority of the birds in captivity are kept in the breeding center in Germany however, in the year 2003 an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired without renewal and causing doubt about future plans to repatriate the birds and reintroduce them back into the wild.
Despite their low numbers 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 from the collector.
In part because of this and other efforts the captive-bred bird population is beginning to grow, but not at a rapid pace. Reintroducing them to the wild will require that they stay healthy and produce. Selecting the right birds for release is also crucial. The macaws need to be at a reproductive age and should be joined by an older sibling or close relative.
It's not easy to bring the Spix's Macaw back to the wild, but it's important 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 are going to be joined by blue-winged macaws, which are more prevalent in the Caatinga and live in overlapping areas with Spix's macaws. These savvy birds will help the macaws get familiar with the area, and they will provide security in large numbers.