Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period worry and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists have succeeded in reintroducing two couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspirational but also rife with backbiting and jealousies.
The first obstacle was to find enough birds to be traded. The macaws were monogamous so it was crucial to ensure that the pairs were well-matched.
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 tiny population of the birds in captivity and they hope to release them in the wild near Curaca. They refer to the birds as their little blue companions and have compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's macaw from the wild. They describe him a true survivor, who lost his family but remained loyal to the area. They feel a strong connection to him and see their lives as identical to his.
The discovery of the last Spix's macaw provided an excellent opportunity for researchers to investigate its behavior in wild and gain a deeper understanding of how this species has survived for so long. It also allowed them to form a more accurate estimate of the historic population numbers of this unique bird. Researchers were able gather important information about the bird's daily movement patterns and seasonal adaptation to drought, and food habits. They even monitored attempts to reproduce using a hybrid Spix's and Illiger's macaw pair which was a significant step in the recovery of this species.
It was an amazing feat that this bird was able survive and thrive in the wild despite an insufficient gene pool and has helped scientists understand how these birds can be reintroduced back to the wild. The survival of the bird that was killed encouraged people to take action to save other parrots as well as endangered species. It has also prompted zoos and other groups to set up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.
This working group is an example of how conservation groups and other organizations can collaborate to conserve 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 to achieve an aim in common that is the recovery of this endangered bird.
The working group has already completed a great deal of work. This includes preparing an approach to reintroduce this bird back to the wild. The group also raised funds to support community outreach and field research as well as captive-bred birds for the project. It also has established a permanent committee for the reintroduction of the bird.
Habitat
At risk due to poaching and habitat destruction The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was thought to be extinct in the wild 10 years ago. Aviculturists, ornithologists and other experts continue to fight to bring this iconic bird from the brink of extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is well-known to millions of people around the world due to a well-known animated film and two sequels. This is just the beginning on the long-distance road to bringing these birds back. 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 an endemic species found in a tiny region of northeast Brazil called the Caatinga. This arid region is characterized by flat savannah scrubland and is which is surrounded by galleries and streams that flow through the season. It was first described in 1819 and is among the least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic glimpses of the wild, a few birds that are kept in captivity and a handful of museum specimens.
To preserve the dwindling population, an international committee was created that gathered aviculturists who had the last remaining birds, as well as government officials. This group formed a collaboration with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to develop an initiative to reintroduce the Spix's Macaws in their native habitat.
AWWP has acquired and is renovating 2,380 acres of prime habitat in Caatinga area, close to Curaca, Brazil. AWWP also breeds and rears birds that will be released in the wild. This will provide a genetically-pure source of animals for future generations.
In the wild, Spix's macaws will live in trees, and are not often seen on the ground. They nest in tree hollows or holes, and hunt for fruits, seeds, nuts, and other plants. They typically spend up to a third of the day in the nest.
A local community was selected as part of the field team in order to help identify Spix's Macaws. The community was given watches that would activate if the Spix's Macaw was identified. This allowed them to monitor the birds in the wild and their daily activities. This method has proven successful.
Diet
The Spix's macaw accessories (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species found in the family Cyanopsitta. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared that it was extinct in the wild on April 1st, 2019. This was in the wake of the last wild parrot vanished in 2000 and no additional birds were found in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction project currently underway is trying to restore the critically endangered bird to its natural habitat in the Caatinga.
This dry forest is a part of northeast Brazil that covers about 10 percent of the country. Spix's Macaws nestled in the hollows old caraibeiras, and were also known to eat seeds and nuts.
Reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw into the wild is in progress. Eight birds raised in captivity were released into the wild in June, and 12 more are scheduled to arrive in 2022. They will be joined in the area by a group of Blue-winged Macaws that have been reintroduced and will provide information on food sources, nesting and areas to roost.
The reintroduction program has collected vital biological data about the behavior of this unique bird, including information on daily movement patterns and adjustments to drought during the season. It has also opened a window on the nature of the Spix's Macaws. This can help to understand the causes that led to their extinction.
Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits and nuts of numerous plants that are native to the Caatinga biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brasil and 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 Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are social birds that bond closely with their parents. They are vocal and frequently mimic other sounds and words. They have a mating call called "whichaka," described as an extremely short and repetitive noise similar to a flutist note. They are known to fly 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. They, like other parrots, can mimic human speech. They also adhere to a rigid daily routine, ranging from flight paths to bathing habits, and they can recognize the members of their flock. This is what makes them the most sought-after pets and a target for the illegal bird trade.
By the early 1980s, only three Spix's Macaws were left 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 since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been bred in captivity - mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws in captivity are a mix of birds, and are the descendant of just two individuals. This makes them more vulnerable to illnesses and other environmental issues. The majority of Spix's macaws that are in captivity reside in a breeding center in Germany. However this year, an agreement between the German conservation center and Brazilian government was canceled, leaving the future plans for repatriation and their reintroduction into the wild in doubt.
Despite their low numbers, captive-bred Spix’s macaws show some signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder beat a sheikh in Qatar to purchase from the collector three Spix's macaws which weren't part of the breeding program.
As a result of this and other efforts, captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce again, although not at a great rate. In order to keep them healthy and producing, it is crucial to reintroduce these birds to the wild. The selection of the right birds to release is equally important. The macaws should be of reproductive age and paired with siblings or close relatives.
The return of the Spix's Macaw to the wild may prove difficult, but it is important to try. ABC and its partners have created reserves to protect the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight recently released Spix's macaws will soon be joined by blue-winged macaws which are more common in the Caatinga and are found in overlapping areas with Spix's macaws. These smart birds will help the macaws get familiar with the area and will offer security in large numbers.