Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period of worry and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists were able to reintroduce couple couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also filled with resentment and jealousy.
The first obstacle was getting enough birds to participate in the exchange. The macaws are monogamous so the pairs needed to be matched properly.
Range
A South African couple is working to save the critically endangered Spix's Macaw, which was declared extinct in 2000 after decades of poaching and habitat loss. They have a small amount of the birds in captivity and are hoping to release them near Curaca. They call the birds their blue-eyed friends and have compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's macaw from the wild. They describe him as a true survivor, who lost his family but was loyal to the region. They consider their lives in the Caatinga as being similar to his, and they feel a deep connection with him.
The discovery of the last Spix's Macaw offered an excellent opportunity for researchers to study its behavior in the wild and gain an understanding of why this species survived this long. It also helped them form a more accurate estimation of the historical population numbers of this rare bird. Researchers were able to gather important data about the bird's daily movement patterns, seasonal adjustment to drought and its food habits. Researchers also observed attempts to reproduce with a hybrid Spix’s and Illiger’s macaw couple which was an important step towards the recovery of this species.
It was a remarkable accomplishment that this bird was able survive and thrive in the wild despite an insufficient gene pool and it has helped researchers understand how these birds could be returned to the wild. The survival of the last bird encouraged people to take action to save other parrots and endangered species. Zoos and other groups to set their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.
This working group is a great illustration of how conservation groups, other organizations and individuals can collaborate to protect endangered wildlife and animals. Leia blue macaw and red macaw is comprised of Brazilian government officials, zoo reps, international holders of the Spix’s macaw and ornithologists with an aim in common that is the recovery of this endangered bird.
The group has completed a great deal of work. This includes preparing a plan to reintroduce the bird to the wild. The group also raised funds for community outreach and field research as well as captive-bred birds for the project. It also has established a permanent committee for the recovery of the bird.
Habitat
Ten years ago, the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was believed to be extinct. It was threatened by habitat destruction and illegal poaching. Today, aviculturists and ornithologists continue to work tirelessly to save this iconic bird back from the danger of extinction.
A popular animated movie and two sequels have made the Spix's Macaw known to millions of people across the globe however this is only the beginning of the iceberg in the long-distance journey to bring these birds back from the edge. A team of international experts has worked for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws raised in captivity to the wild.
The Spix's Macaw is native to a tiny area of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga, an arid region of flat savannah scrubland that is dotted with seasonal creeks and gallery forests. It was first documented in 1819 and is among of the least-known Neotropical parrots, with only occasional sightings in the wild and a few birds that are kept in captivity and some museum specimens.
To preserve the declining population In order to save the declining population, an international group was formed. It brought together aviculturists who held the last remaining bird and government officials. The group forged a partnership with the world-renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to establish an initiative to reintroduce the Spix's Macaws in their native environment.
AWWP has acquired and is renovating 2,380 hectares in Caatinga close to Curaca (Brazil) of the most pristine habitat. AWWP also breeds and raises birds that will be released into the wild. This will give an animal that is genetically pure for the future generations.
Spix's Macaws are typically found in trees, and are seldom seen on the ground. They build nests in hollows or holes, and hunt to find seeds, fruits, nuts, and other plants. They may spend up to one third of their day in the nest.
To help track the Spix's macaws as well as their movements local communities were recruited to become part of the field team. The members of the community were provided watches which could be activated if the Spix's macaw was observed which allowed them to keep an eye on the birds and their movements throughout the wild. This approach has been extremely successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species in the Genus Cyanopsitta. It was listed as extinct in the wild in 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature following the disappearance of the last known wild parrot disappeared in the year 2000. subsequent surveys did not find any additional birds. However, a reintroduction plan currently underway is trying to return this critically endangered bird back to its natural habitat in the Caatinga.
This region in northeast Brazil covers approximately 10% of the entire country. Spix's Macaws nested in the hollows of the old caraibeira trees, and they were also known to feed on seeds and nuts.
A reintroduction programme is in progress to restore a wild population of the Spix's Macaw. Eight captive-raised Spix's Macaws were released in the wild in June. Twelve more are expected to be released in 2022. They will be joined in the area by a group of Blue-winged macaws that have been reintroduced and will share information about food sources, nesting and roosting locations.
The reintroduction program has already collected vital biological data about the behavior of this rare bird, which includes details about daily movement patterns and the seasonal changes to drought. It also provides a window into the natural history of the Spix's Macaw and helped to better determine the causes that led to its extinction in the wild.
Spix's Macaws consume the fruits, nuts and seeds of a myriad of 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 palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).
Spix's Macaws like all parrots as well as other birds, are social birds that have close relationships with their parents. They are vocal and often mimic sounds and speech. They have a mating sound called the "whichaka," which is described as a short, repetitive grating sound similar to a flute. They are known to fly high and fast when they are in the mood to breed.
Breeding
Spix's macaws are exceptionally 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, including routines for bathing and flight. They are also able to recognize other members of their flock. This is what makes them such popular pets, and also a target for illegal trade in birds.
In the early 1980s only three Spix’s macaws remained in the wild. They were all poached. A plan to pair the last male and female was foiled in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. Since since then all known Spix's macaws have been captive-bred mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws in captivity are a mixture of birds, and are the descendant of just two individuals. This makes them susceptible to illnesses and other environmental issues. The majority of the birds in captivity are in a breeding center in Germany however, in the year 2003 an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government was not renewed, casting doubt over future plans to return the birds and reintroduce them into the wild.
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 buy three Spix's Macaws from a collector.
In part, due to this and other efforts the captive-bred bird population is starting to increase, though not at a speedy pace. Reintroducing the birds into the wild will require that they stay healthy and produce. The selection of the right birds to release is also crucial. Macaws should be of reproductive age and be paired up with close relatives or siblings.
The return of the Spix's Macaw to the wild could prove difficult, but it is important to try. ABC and its partners have established 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 more common in Caatinga and are found in areas where the Spix’s macaws also reside. These birds will help macaws become accustomed to their new environment and will also provide safety by the sheer numbers.