Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long time filled with speculation and worry Brazilians and German conservationists were able to successfully reintroduce a couple of couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring however, it is also filled with backbiting and jealousies.
The first hurdle was obtaining enough birds for the exchange. These macaws are monogamous, so the pairs had to be matched properly.
Range
A South African couple has taken on the mission to save the critically endangered Spix's macaw. The bird was declared extinct by the United Nations in 2000 because of decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a small population of the birds kept in captive, and hope to release them in the wild near Curaca. They call the birds little blue companions, and compare their lives to the journey of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They say he was as a true survivor, who lost his family but kept his faith in the region. They feel a strong kinship to him and perceive their lives as being identical to his.
Researchers were able to research the behavior of the Spix's Macaw in the wild, and gain a better understanding of how this species has survived for so long. Researchers were able to determine the historical population of this rare bird more precisely. Researchers were able gather important data on the bird's daily movement, its seasonal adaptation to drought, as well as its eating habits. They also observed attempts at reproduction with a hybrid Spix's and Illiger's macaw pair, which was an important step towards the recovery of this species.
It was a remarkable feat that this bird survived and thrived in the wild despite having a very small gene pool. This has helped scientists to better understand how these birds can be reintroduced back to the natural world. The survival of the bird that was killed inspired people to take action to save other parrots as well as threatened species. Zoos have also been enticed to develop their own captive breeding program for these exotic bird species.
This group serves as an example of how conservation groups and other organizations can collaborate to protect endangered wildlife and endangered animals. This group brings together Brazilian government officials, zoo reps, international holders of the Spix’s macaw and ornithologists with a common goal to save this unique bird.
The working group has already accomplished a great deal of work, including the creation of a plan for reintroducing the bird back into 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 rehabilitation of the bird.
Habitat
Threatened by poaching and habitat destruction The Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was believed to be extinct in the wild ten years ago. Today, aviculturists and ornithologists continue to work tirelessly to save this iconic bird back from the danger of extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is recognizable to millions of people around the world due to a well-known animated film and two sequels. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg on the long journey of bringing these birds back. For decades, an international team has been trying to breed and reintroduce Spix's macaws raised in a captive environment back into the wild.
The Spix's Macaw is native to a small portion of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga which is an arid region consisting of savannah scrubland flat that is dotted with creeks that flow through the seasons and gallery forests. It was first documented in 1819 and is one of least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic glimpses of the wild, with a few birds in captivity, and a handful of museum specimens.
To save the declining population To help save the declining population, a global group was established. It brought together aviculturists who held the last remaining bird as well as officials from the government. This 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 to their natural habitat in the northeast of Brazil.
AWWP has acquired and is recovering 2,380 hectares of Caatinga close to Curaca (Brazil) of the most pristine habitat. AWWP also breeds and raises birds that will be released in the wild. This will give the genetically pure source of animals for future generations.
In the wild, Spix's Macaws will live in trees and are seldom seen on the ground. They typically build nests in hollows or holes in trees and hunt for fruit as well as seeds, nuts, and other plants. They may spend up to one third of their day in the nest.
A local community was selected as part of the field team to help identify Spix's Macaws. The community was provided with watches that would activate if Spix's Macaws are detected. This allowed them to monitor the birds in the wild as well as their daily activities. This method has proven to be successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species belonging to the genus Cyanopsitta. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared it extinct in the wild on April 1st, 2019. This was following the last wild parrot disappeared in 2000. No additional birds were observed in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction program is in the process of trying to return the critically endangered bird to its natural home in the Caatinga.
This dry forest is a region of northeast Brazil that covers about 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 birds 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, which have been released back into the same area and will help to share information about food sources and nesting and roosting areas.
The reintroduction program has already gathered valuable biological data on the behavior of this unique bird, including details on the patterns of movement throughout the day and adjustments to drought during the season. It has also opened a window on the nature of Spix's Macaws, which 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 Brazil and 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 like all parrots and other birds are social birds that develop close bonds with their parents. They are vocal and frequently mimic sounds and speech. They have a mating call called "whichaka," described as a short and repetitive grating sound similar to an acoustic note. They are often seen flying fast and high when they are in a breeding mood.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are highly intelligent and social birds. They communicate using screeching, squawking and other sounds. As with Pixie mini macaw can mimic human speech. They have a strict routine, including flight patterns and bathing habits. They are also able to recognize other members of their family. They are popular as pets, and are frequently targeted by illegal trade in birds because of this.
In the early 1980s only three Spix’s macaws remained in the wild. glaucous macaw were all 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 are captive-bred, mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws in captivity are a mixture that descends of only two individuals. This makes them more vulnerable to illnesses and other environmental threats. The majority of the birds that are in captivity are housed at the breeding center in Germany however, in the year 2003 an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired without renewal, casting doubt over future plans to return the birds and return them back into the wild.
Despite their shaky numbers, captive-bred Spix's Macaws show 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, captive-bred birds are beginning to reproduce again, although not at a high rate. Keeping them healthy and producing will be crucial for reintroducing the birds into the wild. It is essential to choose the right birds before releasing them. Macaws should be at a reproductive age and be paired with one of their siblings or a close family member.
It's not easy to bring the Spix's macaw back into the wild however, it is essential to try. ABC and its partners have created reserves 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 common in Caatinga and are found in areas where the Spix’s macaws are also. These savvy birds will help the macaws become more familiar with the area and provide security in large numbers.