Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period of worry and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists succeeded in reinserting couple couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspirational, but also filled with jealousy and backbiting.
The first hurdle was obtaining enough birds for the exchange. Macaws are 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 small population of the birds in captivity and hope to release them into the wild near Curaca. They call the birds their blue-eyed friends and compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's macaw from the wild. They say he was a true survivor, who lost his family but remained loyal to the area. They consider their lives in the Caatinga as being similar to his, and they feel a strong connection to him.
Researchers were able to research the behavior of the Spix's Macaw 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 to gather crucial data on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adaptation to drought, and its eating habits. Researchers also observed attempts to reproduce with an Illiger's and a Spix's hybrid macaw couple which was an important step in the recovery of this species.
It was a remarkable accomplishment that this bird was able endure and thrive in the wild despite an insufficient gene pool and it has also helped scientists understand how these birds can be returned to the wild. The survival of the last bird inspired people to take action to save other endangered parrots and species. It also inspired zoos and other groups to set their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.
This group is a good illustration of how conservation groups, other organizations and individuals can work together to protect endangered animals and wildlife. The group is comprised of Brazilian government officials, zoo reps, international owners of the Spix's macaw and ornithologists, with a common goal to save this rare bird.
The group has accomplished a great deal of work, including preparing a plan for reintroducing the bird to the wild. The group has also been working to raise funds to fund field research as well as community outreach and captive-breed birds for the reintroduction project. The group has also established an ongoing committee to help recover the bird.
Habitat
At risk due to habitat destruction and poaching The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was thought to be extinct in the wild ten years ago. Today, aviculturists and ornithologists continue to fight tirelessly to save this iconic bird back from the danger of extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is known to millions of people around the globe thanks to a popular animated film and two sequels. But this is only the tip of the iceberg on the long-distance road to bringing these birds back. For decades, an international team has been working to breed and bring back Spix's macaws that have been raised in captivity into the wild.
harlequin macaw 's macaw is native to a small area of northeast Brazil, called the Caatinga, an arid region of savannah scrubland that is flat, interspersed with creeks that flow through the seasons and gallery forests. severe macaw was described in 1819 and is one of least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic appearances in the wild, a few captive birds and a handful of museum specimens.
To preserve the declining population In order to save the declining population, an international group was established. It was comprised of Aviculturists who owned the last remaining bird and government officials. The group forged a partnership with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to create a program to reintroduce Spix's Macaws back to their natural habitat.
AWWP has purchased and is restoring 2,380 hectares in the Caatinga close to Curaca (Brazil) of prime habitat. AWWP also breeds and raises birds that will be released into the wild. This will give a genetically-pure source of animals for future generations.
In the wild, Spix's Macaws are found in trees and are seldom seen on the ground. They typically build nests in hollows or holes in trees and hunt for fruit seeds, nuts, seeds and other plants. They may spend up to one third of the time in the nest.
To aid in tracking the Spix's macaws and their movements, a local group was recruited to become part of the field team. The members of the community were provided watches that could be activated in the event the Spix's Macaw was detected which allowed them to keep on top of the birds' movements and their movements throughout the wild. This method has proven to be successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species in the Genus Cyanopsitta. It was declared extinct in the wild in the year 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature following the disappearance of the last wild parrot disappeared in the year 2000. subsequent surveys failed to locate any additional birds. A reintroduction plan is in progress to try to restore this critically threatened bird to its native home in the Caatinga.
The northeast region of Brazil comprises about 10% of the entire 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 in the wild in June. Twelve more birds are expected to be released in 2022. They will be joined by a group of Blue-winged Macaws which have been reintroduced. They will share information about food sources, nesting sites and roosting locations.
The reintroduction program has already gathered valuable biological data on the behavior of this unique bird, including details on daily movements patterns as well as the seasonal changes to drought. It has also provided a window into the nature of the Spix's Macaw, helping to determine the causes that led to its extinction in the wild.
Spix's Macaws eat the seeds, fruits, and nuts of many plants native to the Caatinga biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brasil and facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all part of this diet. They also eat the fruit of acai palms (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).
Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are social birds, and they have a close bond with their parents. They have vocalizations and often mimic sounds and speech. They have a mating cry called "whichaka," described as a short and repetitive grating sound similar to a flutist note. When they are in a breeding mode, they are known to fly high and fast.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate by screeching, squawking and other sounds. Like many parrots, they are able to mimic human speech. They have a strict routine that includes routines for bathing and flight. They can also recognize other members of their family. This is what makes them such popular pets and a target for the illegal bird trade.
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 the time the Spix's macaws have been bred in captivity, mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws that are in captivity are a mix that descends of just two individuals. This makes them susceptible to illnesses and other environmental issues. The majority of Spix's macaws captivity are kept in an breeding center in Germany. However this year an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired which leaves the future plans for repatriation and reintroduction into the wild in doubt.
Despite their low numbers, captive-bred Spix's macaws show signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder beat a sheikh in Qatar to purchase from a collector three Spix's macaws which weren't part of the breeding program.
In part because of this and other efforts the captive-bred bird population is starting to grow, though not at a rapid pace. Reintroducing them to the wild will require them to remain healthy and produce. Choosing the right birds for release is also crucial. Macaws should be reproductive and be paired up with close relatives or siblings.
It may be difficult to bring the Spix's macaw back to the wild, however, it is essential to try. To aid, ABC and partners have established a reserve system that will help to protect the last remaining habitats. The eight Spix's macaws are going to be joined by blue-winged macaws, which are more prevalent in the Caatinga and are found in overlapping areas with Spix's macaws. These intelligent birds will aid the macaws get familiar with the area, and they will provide security in large numbers.