Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period of uncertainty and worry, Brazilian and German conservationists succeeded in reinserting couple couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also filled with jealousies and backbiting.
The first obstacle was getting enough birds to exchange. The macaws were monogamous, therefore it was crucial to ensure that the pairs were well-matched.
Range
A South African couple has taken on the task of saving the critically endangered Spix's Macaw. The bird was declared extinct by United Nations in 2000 due to decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a small population of the birds kept in captive, and hope to release them into the wild close to Curaca. They refer to them as their blue-eyed friends and compare their journey to that of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They describe him 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 strong affinity with him.
Researchers were able to research the behavior of the Spix's Macaw wild, and better understand how this species has survived so long. Researchers were able to determine the historical population of this unique bird more precisely. Researchers were able gather important data about the bird's daily movement patterns and its seasonal adaptation to drought and its food habits. They even monitored reproduction attempts using the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaws which was a significant step in the rehabilitation of this species.
It was a remarkable accomplishment that this bird was able endure and thrive in the wild with such the smallest gene pool and it has helped scientists to understand how these birds could be reintroduced back to the wild. The bird's survival has encouraged people to take action to save other species of parrots that are endangered. Zoos have also been enticed to create their own captive breeding programs for these exotic species of birds.
This group is an example of how conservation groups, other organizations and individuals can work together to save endangered wildlife and animals. The group is comprised of Brazilian government officials, zoo reps international owners of the Spix's macaw, and ornithologists to achieve an aim in common to save this endangered bird.
The working group has already accomplished a lot of work. This includes preparing plans to reintroduce the bird back to the wild. The group has also been working to raise funds to fund field research, community outreach and captive-breed birds for the reintroduction project. The group has also set up an ongoing committee to oversee the recovery of the bird.
Habitat
Ten years ago, the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was considered extinct. It was endangered through the destruction of habitats and illegal poaching. Today, aviculturists and ornithologists continue to tirelessly work to save this iconic bird back from the brink of extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is well-known to millions of people all over the globe thanks to a popular animated film and two sequels. But this is only the beginning on the long road of returning these birds. For a long time, a global team has been trying to breed and reintroduce Spix's macaws that have been raised in captivity into the wild.
The Spix's Macaw is an endemic species that is found in a small area of northeast Brazil called the Caatinga. This desert region is characterized by flat savannah scrubland, which is surrounded by seasonal streams and gallery forests. It was first 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 few museum specimens.
To save the declining population An international committee was created that gathered aviculturists who were the last to hold the birds as well as officials from the government. The group forged a partnership with the world-renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to create a program to reintroduce Spix's Macaws back to their natural environment.
AWWP has bought and is recovering 2,380 acres of prime habitat in Caatinga area, close to Curaca, Brazil. AWWP also breeds and raises birds to be released in the wild. This will give a genetically-pure source of animals for future generations.
In the wild, Spix's macaws reside in trees and are rarely seen on the ground. They nest in tree hollows or holes and search to find seeds, fruits, nuts, and other species. They can spend up to three-quarters of the time in the nest.
A local community was enlisted as part of the field team to help track Spix's Macaws. Members of the community were provided watches that could be activated if the Spix's macaw was detected, allowing them to keep track of the birds and their daily activities in the wild. This method has proven successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species in the Genus Cyanopsitta. It was declared extinct in the wild in 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature after the last known wild parrot disappeared in the year 2000. subsequent surveys failed to find any additional birds. However, a reintroduction plan currently underway is trying to restore this critically endangered bird to its natural home in the Caatinga.
This dry forest is located in the region of northeast Brazil, covering approximately 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws were amidst the hollows of old caraibeiras, and were also known to eat nuts and seeds.
Reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw into the wild is currently underway. Eight Spix's Macaws that were raised in captivity were released in the wild in June. Twelve more are expected to be released 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, nesting and roosting sites.
The reintroduction program has collected valuable data from biology on the behavior of this unique bird, including details on daily movement patterns and adjustments to drought during the season. It has also provided a window into the nature of the Spix's Macaw, helping to determine the causes that led to its disappearance in the wild.
Spix's Macaws eat the seeds, fruits and nuts of many plants that are native to the Caatinga biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brazil and facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all included in this diet. They also eat the fruit of the palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).
Spix's Macaws like all parrots and other birds are social birds and have close relationships with their parents. They are very vocal and often imitate human speech and other sounds. They make a mating call called the "whichaka," which is described as a short, repetitive grating sound like a flute note. Blondie scarlet macaw bird are often seen flying high and fast when they are in a breeding mood.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are highly intelligent and social birds. They communicate with one another with a variety of squawking and screeching sounds. Like many other parrots, they can mimic human speech. They also adhere to a strict daily routine, from flights to bathing routines, and they can recognize members of their family. They are popular as pets and are often targeted by illegal trade in birds because of this.
By the early 1980s, only three Spix's macaws survived in the wild, and all of them poached. In 1995, poachers massacred the male and female birds as part of the hope of pairing them. Since then all known Spix's macaws have been captive-bred mostly in Brazil.
The few Spix's macaws that are in captivity are made up of individuals who are the descendants of just two individuals, making them vulnerable to disease and other environmental threats. The majority of the birds that are in captivity are housed at an 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 return the birds and return them into the wild.
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, captive-bred birds are beginning reproduce, but not at a rapid rate. Reintroducing the birds into the wild will require that they stay healthy and produce. It is important to choose the right birds before releasing them. Macaws should be at a reproductive age and be joined by a sibling or a close relatives.
It's not easy to get the Spix's Macaw back into 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 who were released recently will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are more common in Caatinga, and they live in areas where the Spix’s macaws are also. These intelligent birds will aid the macaws get used to the region, and they will provide security in large numbers.