Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long time of uncertainty and worry, Brazilian and German conservationists succeeded in reinserting two couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspirational, but also filled with jealousy and backbiting.
The first hurdle was to get enough birds for the trade. These macaws are monogamous, therefore the pairs had to be matched well.
Range
A South African couple has taken on the mission of saving the critically threatened Spix's Macaw. The bird was declared extinct by the United Nations in 2000 owing to decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a few of the birds that are in captivity and they hope to release them close to Curaca. They refer to the birds as their blue-eyed friends and compared their experience to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's macaw from the wild. They say he was as a true survivor, who lost his family, but kept his faith in the region. They believe that their lives in Caatinga as akin to his, and they feel a strong connection to him.
Researchers were able study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw wild, and to better understand the reasons why this species has lasted so long. This enabled researchers to estimate the historical population of this rare bird more precisely. Researchers were able to collect important information on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adjustment to drought, as well as its eating habits. They also monitored attempts to reproduce using the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaws, which was an important step in the recovery of this species.
It was a marvellous feat that this bird lived and thrived in the wild despite having a limited gene pool. This has helped scientists understand how these birds can be returned to the natural world. The last bird's survival also inspired people to take action to save other species of endangered parrots. It has also prompted zoos and other organizations to set up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.
This group of experts is a model for how conservation groups and other organizations can collaborate to save endangered wildlife and endangered animals. It brings Brazilian officials from the government, zoo representatives as well as international owners of this unique bird and ornithologists with a common goal - the recovery of the Spix's macaw.
The group has completed a lot of work, including the creation of an idea for reintroducing this 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 has also created a permanent committee to recover the bird.
Habitat
Ten years ago, the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was thought to be extinct. It was threatened through the destruction of habitats and poaching that was illegal. Aviculturists, ornithologists and other experts continue to fight to bring this iconic bird back from the brink 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. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg on the long-distance road to bringing these birds back. For decades, an international 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 dry region is characterized by flat savannah scrubland that is which is surrounded by seasonal streams and gallery forests. It was first documented in 1819 and is one of the smallest known Neotropical parrots, with sporadic sightings from the wild as well as a few captive birds and some museum specimens.
To preserve the dwindling population An international committee was formed that gathered aviculturists who were the last to hold the birds and government officials. 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 to their natural habitat in northeast Brazil.
AWWP has purchased and is renovating 2,380 hectares of prime habitat in Caatinga near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP is also breeding and rearing birds that will be released into the wild, providing an incredibly pure genetic source of animals for future generations.
Spix's Macaws are usually found in trees, and are seldom seen on the ground. They typically build nests in hollows or holes in trees and hunt for fruit, seeds, nuts and other plants. They can spend up to one third of their day in the nest.
To help track the Spix's macaws and their movements local communities were invited to join the field team. The community was given watches that would be activated if the Spix's Macaw was identified. This enabled them to monitor the birds in the wild and their daily actions. This approach has proven very successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species found in the family Cyanopsitta. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared it extinct in the wild on April 1st, 2019. This was following the last wild parrot was lost in 2000, and no more birds were discovered in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction program currently underway is trying to return this critically endangered bird to its natural habitat in the Caatinga.
The northeast region of Brazil covers approximately 10% of the entire 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 Spix's Macaws that were raised in captivity were released into the wild in June. Twelve more birds are scheduled to be released by 2022. They will be joined 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 programme has already collected valuable biological data about the behavior of this bird, including information about daily movement patterns and adjustments to drought. It also has provided a glimpse into the natural history of the Spix's Macaws. This helps to understand the factors that led to their disappearance.
Spix's Macaws consume 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 part of this diet. The acai palm (Acaia olive) and mofumbo (Combretum léprosum) fruits are also edible.
Spix's Macaws as with all parrots and other bird species, are social birds that form close bonds with their parents. They have vocalizations and often mimic other sounds and words. They have a mating call called "whichaka," described as an incredibly short and repetitive sound that resembles the note of a flutist. They are well-known for flying fast and high when they are in a breeding mood.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate with one another through a range of screeching and squawking sounds. Blondie scarlet macaw bird , like other parrots, they can mimic human speech. They have a strict routine, which includes flight patterns and bathing habits. They also can recognize other members of their flock. They are adored as pets, and are frequently targeted by illegal bird trade because of this.
In the early 1980s only three Spix's Macaws were left in the wild, with all of them being poached. In 1995, poachers killed the male and female birds in a plan to pair them. Since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been captive-bred – mostly in Brazil.
The few Spix's macaws kept in captivity are made up of individuals who are the descendants of only two individuals, leaving them at risk of disease and other environmental challenges. The majority of the birds that are in captivity are kept in a breeding center in Germany, but this year an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government was not renewed, casting doubt over future plans to repatriate the birds and return them into the wild.
Despite their petty numbers the captive-bred Spix's macaws exhibit 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, the captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce again, although not at a rapid rate. Reintroducing the birds to the wild will require that they remain healthy and produce. It is essential to choose the right birds prior to releasing them. Macaws must be of reproductive age and paired with close relatives or siblings.
The return of the Spix's Macaw to the wild may prove difficult, but it's crucial to try. To help, ABC and partners have started a reserve system that is designed to safeguard the last remaining habitats. The eight Spix's Macaws who were recently released will be joined by blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are common in Caatinga, and they live in areas where the Spix’s macaws also live. These birds will assist the macaws adjust to their new environment and will also ensure safety through the sheer numbers.