Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period anxiety and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists have succeeded in reintroducing couple couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring but also rife with resentment and jealousy.
The first obstacle was getting enough birds to exchange. Macaws are monogamous, so the pairs needed to be well-matched.
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 habitat loss. They have a small number of the birds in captivity and they hope to release them near Curaca. They call the birds little blue friends, and compare their experience to the story of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw found in the wild. They describe him as a true survivor who lost his family, but kept his faith in his region. They feel a strong kinship to him and view their lives as being similar to his.
Researchers were able to study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw in wild, and better understand how this species has lasted so long. It also helped them form a more accurate estimate of the historic numbers of this rare bird. Researchers were able to collect important data on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adaptation to drought, and eating habits. They also observed attempts at reproduction with an Illiger's and Spix's hybrid macaw pair which was a crucial step towards the recovery of this species.
It was an amazing feat that this bird survived and thrived in the wild despite having a very small gene pool. This has enabled scientists to better understand how these birds can be restored to the natural world. The survival of the last bird motivated people to act to save other species of endangered parrots. It also inspired zoos and other groups to set up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.
This working group is a good illustration of how conservation groups, other organizations and individuals can work together to protect endangered species of wildlife and animals. It brings Brazilian officials from government, zoo representatives, international holders of this rare bird and ornithologists with a common goal: the recovery of the Spix's Macaw.
The group has completed a great deal of work. This includes developing an approach to reintroduce this bird in the wild. The group also raised funds for community outreach and field research as well as captive-bred birds for the project. It has also established an ongoing committee to oversee the reintroduction of the bird.
Habitat
Ten years ago, the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was thought to be extinct. It was endangered through the destruction of habitats and poaching that was illegal. Today, aviculturists and ornithologists continue to fight tirelessly to save this iconic bird back from the danger of extinction.
A popular animated movie and two sequels have made Spix's macaw recognizable to millions of people around the world however this is only the tip of the iceberg in the long journey to bring these birds back from the edge. For decades, an international team has been working to breed and reintroduce Spix's macaws that have been raised in captivity 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 of flat savannah scrubland buymacaw 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 and a few birds that are kept in captivity and a few museum specimens.
To protect the population that is declining An international committee was formed that gathered aviculturists who had the last remaining birds as well as officials from the government. This group formed a collaboration with the world-renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to establish an initiative to restore the population of Spix's Macaws back to their natural environment.
AWWP has purchased and is renovating 2,380 hectares in Caatinga near Curaca (Brazil) of the most pristine habitat. AWWP is also raising and breeding birds to be released into the wild, providing the genetically pure source of the 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 can spend up to one third of the time in the nest.
A local community was enlisted as part of the field team to help identify Spix's Macaws. The community was provided with watches that would be activated if Spix's Macaws are identified. This allowed them to monitor the birds in the wild as well as their daily actions. This method has proven to be successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species in the genus Cyanopsitta. It was listed as extinct in the wild in the year 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature following the disappearance of the last known wild parrot disappeared in 2000. subsequent surveys failed to find any additional birds. A reintroduction programme is in the process of attempting 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% of the country. Spix's Macaws were a nesting species in the hollows of old caraibeira trees, and they were also recognized for their dietary habits of eating seeds and nuts.
A reintroduction plan is currently in progress to restore a wild population of the Spix's Macaw. Eight captive-raised Spix's Macaws were released into the wild in June. Twelve more birds are scheduled to be released by 2022. They will be joined by Blue-winged Macaws. They have been reintroduced to the same area and will help to share knowledge about food sources and nesting and roosting areas.
The reintroduction program has collected valuable biological data about the behavior of the bird, including information about daily movement patterns and adjustments to drought. It has also opened a window on the nature of the Spix's Macaws. This aids in understanding the causes that led to their extinction.
Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts 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. The acai palm (Acaia olive) and mofumbo (Combretum léprosum) fruits are also edible.
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 call called "whichaka," described as an extremely short and repetitive noise similar to the note of a flutist. They are often seen flying high and fast when they are in a breeding mood.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate with each other through a range of screeching and squawking sounds. Like many other parrots, they can mimic human speech. They have a strict routine that includes routines for bathing and flight. They also can recognize other members of their flock. This is why they are such popular pets, and also a target for the illegal bird trade.
By the early 1980s, only three Spix's Macaws were left in the wild, with all of them being poached. A plan to pair the male and female foiled in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. Since since then all known Spix's macaws are captive-bred, mostly in Brazil.
The few Spix's macaws that are in captivity are a mixture of individuals that are the descendants of only two individuals, making them susceptible to illness and other environmental challenges. The majority of Spix's macaws that are in captivity reside in a breeding centre in Germany. However this year an agreement between a German conservation center and Brazilian government expired, leaving 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 the Swiss breeder beat out the sheikh of Qatar to purchase three Spix's Macaws from the collector.
As a result of this and other efforts, captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce, though not at a high rate. Maintaining their health and generating will be important to reintroducing the birds back into the wild. It is essential to choose the correct birds before release. The macaws should be of reproductive age and paired with siblings or close relatives.
It may be difficult to bring the Spix's macaw back to the wild, but it's important to try. ABC and its partners have established reserves to safeguard the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's macaws will soon be joined by blue-winged macaws, which are more common in the Caatinga and live in overlapping areas with Spix's macaws. These smart birds will help the macaws get used to the region, and they will provide security in large numbers.