Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long time of anxiety and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists have succeeded in reintroducing two couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring but also rife with backbiting and jealousy.
The first obstacle was getting enough birds for the exchange. The macaws were monogamous, therefore it was important to match the pairs well.
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 loss of habitat. They have a small number of the birds that are in captivity and they hope to release them close to Curaca. They refer to them as their blue-eyed friends and compare their lives with the story of Presley the only known Spix's Macaw found in the wild. They describe him as an authentic survivor who lost his family but was loyal to his home. They see their lives in the Caatinga as akin to his and feel a strong connection to him.
The discovery of the last Spix's Macaw offered a valuable opportunity for researchers to investigate its behavior in wild and gain a deeper understanding of how this species has survived for such a long time. This also helped them create a more accurate estimation of the historical population numbers of this unique bird. Researchers were able to gather crucial information on the bird's movements throughout the day and its seasonal adaptation to drought, and food habits. Researchers also observed attempts to reproduce with an Illiger's and a Spix's hybrid macaw couple which was an important step in the recovery for this species.
It was a remarkable feat that this bird managed to survive and thrive in the wild despite a limited gene pool, and has helped scientists understand how these birds can be reintroduced to the wild. The last bird's survival also encouraged people to take action to save other species of parrots that are endangered. Zoos and other groups to set up up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.
This group is a great illustration of how conservation groups, other organizations and individuals can collaborate to protect endangered wildlife and animals. It brings Brazilian officials from government Zoo representatives, international holders of this rare bird, and ornithologists with a common goal - the reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw.
The group has already completed a great deal of work. This includes developing an approach to reintroduce this bird back to the wild. The group has also been working to raise funds to fund field research as well as community outreach and captive-breeding birds for the reintroduction project. The group has also established a permanent committee to save the bird.
Habitat
Ten years ago the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was thought to be extinct. It was threatened through habitat destruction and illegal poaching. Aviculturists, ornithologists and other experts continue to work hard to save this iconic bird back from the brink of extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is known to millions around the globe thanks to a popular animated film and two sequels. But this is only the tip of the iceberg on the long journey of bringing these birds back. A multi-national team has been working for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws raised in captivity into the wild.
The Spix's macaw is native to a small portion of northeast Brazil, called the Caatinga an arid area of savannah scrubland that is flat, interspersed with seasonal creeks and gallery forests. It was first described in 1819, and is one of the least-known Neotropical parrots, with few glimpses of the wild and a few birds that are kept in captivity and some museum specimens.
To protect the declining population To help save the declining population, a global group was established. It was comprised of aviculturists who held the last remaining bird and officials from the government. The group forged a partnership with the world-renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to establish a program to reintroduce Spix's Macaws to their natural habitat.
AWWP has acquired and is recovering 2,380 hectares of 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 the genetically pure source of animals for future generations.
In the wild, Spix's macaws will live in trees and are seldom seen on the ground. They typically nest in hollows or tree holes and hunt for fruits seeds, nuts, seeds and other plants. They will typically spend up to one third of the day in the nest.
A local community was recruited as part of the field team in order to help identify Spix's Macaws. Members of the community were given watches which could be activated if the Spix's macaw was observed, allowing them to keep on top of the birds' movements and their daily activities in the wild. This approach has been very successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species in the Genus Cyanopsitta. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared it extinct in the wild on April 1, 2019. This was after the last wild parrot vanished in 2000 and no additional birds were discovered in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction plan is in the process of trying to return this critically endangered bird to its natural habitat in the Caatinga.
This dry forest is a part of northeast Brazil which covers around 10 percent of the country. Spix's Macaws nested in the hollows of old caraibeira trees, and they were also known to feed on seeds and nuts.
Reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw into the wild is in progress. Eight captive-raised birds were released into the wild in June and 12 more are expected to follow in 2022. Blondie scarlet macaw bird will be joined by a group of Blue-winged Macaws that were reintroduced into the same area, and will help to share knowledge about food sources and nesting and roosting sites.
The reintroduction program has collected vital biological data about the behavior of the bird, including details about daily movement patterns and adjustments to drought. It has also opened a window on the evolution of the Macaws of Spix, which helps to understand the factors that led to their disappearance.
Spix's Macaws consume the fruits, nuts and seeds of a myriad of plants native to the Caatinga Biome. Pinhao-bravo and linhas Brasil, as well as facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all part of this diet. They may also consume the fruit of the palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).
Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are highly social birds that have a strong bond with their parents. They are vocal and often mimic human speech and other sounds. They have a mating cry called "whichaka," described as an incredibly short and repetitive noise similar to the note of a flutist. They are known to fly fast and high when they are in the mood to breed.
Breeding
Spix's macaws are incredibly intelligent and highly social birds. They communicate through screeching, squawking and other sounds. Like many parrots, they are able to mimic human speech. They also adhere to a rigid daily routine, ranging from flights to bathing routines and are able to recognize members of their flock. This is why they are so popular pets and a target for the illegal bird trade.
By the early 1980s, only three Spix's macaws remained in the wild, with all of them being poached. A plan to pair the last male and female was unsuccessful in 1995 when poachers killed both birds. Since since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been bred in captivity - mostly in Brazil.
The handful of Spix's macaws in captivity are made up of individuals who are descendants of only two individuals, which makes them susceptible to illness and other environmental threats. The majority of Spix's macaws in captivity are kept in a breeding centre in Germany. However this year, an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government was canceled, leaving the future plans for repatriation and reintroduction into the wild in doubt.
Despite their low numbers, captive-bred Spix’s macaws show some signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat out the sheikh of Qatar to purchase three Spix's Macaws from a collector.
In the wake of this and other efforts, captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce, though not at a rapid rate. In order to keep them healthy and producing, it is crucial to reintroduce these birds to the wild. It is essential to choose the correct birds before releasing them. Macaws should be reproductively mature, and they should be in a relationship with one of their siblings or a close relatives.
It could be difficult to get the Spix's Macaw back into the wild, but it is vital to try. ABC and its partners have created reserves to protect the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's macaws that 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 reside. These intelligent birds will aid macaws to become used to the region and will offer the security of a large number.