Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long time with speculation and worry Brazilians and German conservationists managed to successfully reintroduce a couple of couples back to their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring but also filled with resentment and jealousy.
The first hurdle was obtaining enough birds for the exchange. The macaws were monogamous, therefore it was important to ensure that the pairs were well-matched.
Range
A South African couple has taken on the task of saving the critically threatened Spix's Macaw. This bird was declared extinct by United Nations in 2000 owing to decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a small amount of the birds that are in captivity and they hope to release them close to Curaca. They refer to the birds as little blue companions, and compare their experience to the story of Presley the only known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They describe Presley as an authentic survivor who lost his family but kept his faith in his region. They feel a strong kinship to him and perceive their lives as like his.
Researchers were able study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw in wild, and gain a better understanding of how this species has survived so long. This enabled researchers to determine the historical population of this unique bird more accurately. Researchers were able to gather crucial information on the bird's movements throughout the day and seasonal adaptation to drought and its food habits. They also observed attempts to reproduce using an Illiger's and Spix's hybrid macaw pair which was a crucial step in the rehabilitation of this species.
It was a remarkable accomplishment that this bird managed to endure and thrive in the wild despite the smallest gene pool and it has also helped scientists understand how these birds could be reintroduced to the wild. The survival of the last bird motivated people to act to save other species of parrots that are endangered. Zoos and other groups 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 work together to protect endangered animals and wildlife. This group consists of Brazilian government officials, zoo reps, international holders of the Spix’s macaw, and ornithologists to achieve one goal in common: the recovery of this rare bird.
The group has already completed a great deal of work. This includes developing plans to reintroduce the bird in the wild. The group has also been working to raise funds to support field research and community outreach as well as captive-breeding birds to support the reintroduction plan. The group has also set up a permanent committee for the rehabilitation of the bird.
Habitat
Threatened by habitat destruction and poaching The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was believed to be extinct in the wild ten years ago. Aviculturists and ornithologists as well as other experts continue to work hard to save this iconic bird back from the brink extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is well-known to millions of people around the globe thanks to a cult animated film and two sequels. This is just the tip of the iceberg 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 that were raised in captivity to the wild.
The Spix's macaw is endemic to a tiny area of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga, an arid region consisting of savannah scrubland flat scattered with creeks that flow through the seasons and gallery forests. It was first described in 1819, and is among the least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic sightings in the wild, with a few birds that are kept in captivity, and a handful of museum specimens.
To save the declining population In order to save the declining population, an international group was formed. It was comprised of experts in aviculture who had the last remaining bird and officials from the government. The group forged a partnership with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to establish an initiative to reintroduce the Spix's Macaws to their natural environment.
AWWP has bought and is restoring 2,380 hectares of prime habitat in Caatinga, near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP also breeds and raises birds to be released into the wild. This will provide an animal that is genetically pure for future generations.
Spix's Macaws are usually found in trees and seldom seen on the ground. They usually nest in hollows or holes in trees and forage for fruit as well as seeds, nuts, and other plants. They can spend as much as 1/3 of their time in the nest.
To assist in tracking the Spix's macaws as well as their movements, a local community was invited to join the field team. The community was provided with watches that would activate if Spix's Macaws are detected. This enabled them to monitor the birds in the wild as well as their daily activities. This method has proven successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) 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 following the last wild parrot disappeared in 2000. No additional birds were discovered in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction plan is in the process of trying to restore this critically endangered bird back to its natural home in the Caatinga.
The northeast region of Brazil is home to about 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws nestled in the hollows old caraibeiras and were also known to eat nuts and seeds.
Reintroduction of the Spix’s Macaw into the wild is currently underway. 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 by a group of Blue-winged macaws who were reintroduced. They will share information about food sources, nesting and places to roost.
The reintroduction program has obtained valuable biological data on the behavior of this bird, including information about daily movement patterns and adjustments to drought. It has also provided an insight into the nature of the Spix's Macaw, helping to determine the causes that led to its extinction in the wild.
Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of a variety of plants native to the Caatinga Biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brasil and facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all included in this diet. They can also eat the fruit of palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).
Melody blue spix macaw as with all parrots and other bird species are social birds and form close bonds with their parents. They have vocalizations and often mimic sounds and speech. They make a mating call called the "whichaka," which is described as a brief, repetitive grating sound similar to a flute. When they are in breeding mode they can fly high and fast.
Breeding
Spix's macaws are extremely intelligent and highly social birds. They communicate with one another with a variety of screeching and squawking sounds. They, like other parrots, can mimic human speech. They follow a strict routine, including flight patterns and bathing habits. They are also able to recognize other members of their flock. They are popular as pets and are frequently targeted by illegal trade in birds due to this.
In the early 1980s, only three Spix's macaws were left in the wild. They were all poached. A plan to pair the last male and female was defeated in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. Since then all known Spix's macaws have been captive-bred, mostly in Brazil.
The few Spix's macaws in captivity are a mixture of individuals that are the descendants of only two individuals, leaving them at risk of disease and other environmental threats. The majority of the birds that are in captivity are in a breeding center in Germany however, this year an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired without renewal which raises doubt about the future plans to return the birds and then reintroduce them back into the wild.
Despite their low numbers, captive-bred Spix’s macaws show some signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder beat a sheikh from Qatar to purchase from the collector three Spix's macaws that were not part of the breeding program.
In part due to this and other efforts, the captive-bred bird population is beginning to grow, though not at a speedy pace. Reintroducing them to the wild will require that they stay healthy and produce. It is essential to choose the correct birds before release. The macaws should be reproductive and be paired up with siblings or close relatives.
It could be difficult to bring the Spix's macaw back to the wild, however, it is essential to try. ABC and its partners have created reserves to safeguard the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's macaws are going to be joined by blue-winged macaws, which are more common in the Caatinga and live in overlapping areas with the Spix's macaws. These savvy birds will help the macaws become more accustomed to the region and will offer safety in numbers.