Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long time filled with speculation and worry Brazilians and German conservationists managed to successfully bring a group of couples back to their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also filled with backbiting and jealousies.
The first hurdle was obtaining enough birds to exchange. The macaws are monogamous so the pairs needed to be matched properly.
Range
A South African couple has taken on the mission to save the critically endangered Spix's macaw. The bird was declared extinct by United Nations in 2000 because of decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a small amount of the birds in captivity and hope to release them close to Curaca. They call them their blue-eyed friends and have compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's macaw from the wild. They call him a true survivor, who lost his family but kept his faith in the region. They see their lives in the Caatinga as similar to his, and feel a deep connection with him.
Researchers were able to research the behavior of the Spix's Macaw wild, and to better understand how this species has survived for so long. It also allowed them to make a more precise estimate of the historic numbers of this rare bird. Researchers were able to gather crucial information on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adaptation to drought, as well as its eating habits. They also observed attempts to reproduce using the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaws which was a crucial step in the recovery of this species.
It was an amazing feat that this bird was able to endure and thrive in the wild despite a limited gene pool, and has helped scientists to understand how these birds can be reintroduced to the wild. The survival of the bird that was killed encouraged people to take action in order to save other parrots as well as endangered species. Zoos are also encouraged to develop their own captive breeding program for these exotic species of birds.
This group of experts is an example of how conservation groups and other organizations can collaborate to protect endangered wildlife and endangered animals. This group consists of Brazilian government officials, representatives from zoos, international holders of the Spix’s macaw and ornithologists, with one goal in common to save this unique bird.
The group has already achieved a lot of work. This includes preparing a plan to reintroduce the bird to the wild. The group has also worked to raise funds for field research and community outreach as well as captive-breeding birds for the reintroduction program. The group has also set up an ongoing committee to oversee the reintroduction of the bird.
Habitat
Ten years ago, the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was considered extinct. It was endangered through habitat destruction and poaching that was illegal. Aviculturists, ornithologists and other experts continue to do their best 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 cult animated film and two sequels. This is just the tip of the iceberg on the long road of bringing these birds back. A multi-national team has been working for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws that were raised in captivity to the wild.
The Spix's Macaw is an indigenous species that is found in a small area of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga. This arid region is characterized by flat savannah scrubland and is which is surrounded by galleries and seasonal streams. It was first documented in 1819 and is among the smallest known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic sightings in the wild, a few captive birds and a few museum specimens.
To preserve the declining population To help save the declining population, a global group was established. It brought together experts in aviculture who had the last remaining bird, as well as officials from the government. The group formed a partnership with the world-renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) of Qatar to develop a comprehensive program to reintroduce captive-bred Spix's macaws into their native environment in northeast Brazil.
AWWP has acquired and is restoring 2,380 hectares of prime habitat in Caatinga near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP also Lolita blue & gold macaw Buy Macaw and raises birds that will be released in the wild. This will create the genetically pure source of animals for the future generations.
Spix's Macaws can be found in trees, and rarely seen on the ground. They build nests in hollows or holes and search to find seeds, fruits, nuts, and other plants. They can spend as much as one third of their day in the nest.
To assist in tracking the Spix's macaws and their movements, a local group was invited to join the field team. The members of the community were given watches that could be activated if the Spix's macaw was observed, allowing them to keep track of the birds and their daily movements in the wild. This method has proven to be successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species of the family Cyanopsitta. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared that it was extinct in the wild on April 1, 2019. This was in the wake of the last wild parrot disappeared in 2000, and no more birds were found in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction plan is in the process of trying to restore the critically endangered bird to its natural home in the Caatinga.
This dry forest is a region of northeast Brazil which covers around 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws were a nesting species in the hollows of the old caraibeira trees, and they were also recognized for their dietary habits of eating seeds and nuts.
Reintroduction of the Spix’s Macaw into the wild is in progress. 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 Blue-winged Macaws that were reintroduced into the same area and will help to share knowledge about food sources and nesting and roosting areas.
The reintroduction programme has already obtained valuable biological data on the behavior of this bird, including details about daily movement patterns and adjustments to drought. It also provides an insight into the nature of the Spix's Macaw and helped to better determine the causes that led to its disappearance in the wild.
Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of a myriad of plants 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 acai palms (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).
Like all parrots Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are social birds, and they have a close bond with their parents. They are vocal and frequently mimic other sounds and words. They have a mating cry called "whichaka," described as a short and repetitive grating sound that resembles an acoustic 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 using screeching, squawking and other sounds. As with many parrots they are able to mimic human speech. They have a very strict routine, including the way they fly and their bathing habits. They are also able to recognize other members of their flock. This is what makes them the most sought-after pets and targets for illegal bird trade.
In the early 1980s only three Spix's macaws survived in the wild, all of them being poached. A plan to pair the male and female defeated in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. Since since then the Spix's macaws have been bred in captivity, mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws in captivity are a mixture that descends of just two individuals. This makes them susceptible to illnesses and other environmental threats. The majority of the birds that are in captivity are housed at the 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 return them back into the wild.
Despite their petty numbers the captive-bred Spix's macaws exhibit some signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder managed to beat a sheikh in Qatar to purchase from a collector three Spix's macaws that were not part of the breeding program.
In part because of this and other efforts, the captive-bred bird population is starting to grow, but not at a speedy pace. Keeping them healthy and producing is crucial to reintroduce the birds back into the wild. It is important to choose the right birds prior to releasing them. The macaws need to be at a reproductive age and should be in a relationship with one of their siblings or a close family member.
Bringing the Spix's macaw back to the wild could be difficult, but it's important to try. To aid, ABC and partners have started a reserve system that will help to protect the species' last remaining habitats. The eight Spix's macaws that were released recently will be joined by blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are common in Caatinga, and they live in areas where the Spix's macaws are also. These savvy birds will help macaws to become used to the region and will offer safety in numbers.