Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period of uncertainty and worry, Brazilian and German conservationists have succeeded in reintroducing couple couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspirational but also rife with backbiting and jealousies.
The first hurdle was to find enough birds to trade. The macaws were monogamous so it was essential to match the pairs well.
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 due to decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a small number of the birds that are in captivity and hope to release them near Curaca. They refer to them as their blue-eyed friends and compare their lives to the story of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw found in the wild. They describe him as a true survivor, who lost his family and kept his faith in his region. They feel a strong bond to him and view their lives as being like his.
Researchers were able study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw in the wild, and better understand how this species has survived so long. This allowed researchers to estimate the population of this rare bird more precisely. Researchers were able to collect important information on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adaptation to drought, as well as its eating habits. They also observed reproduction attempts using an Illiger's and Spix's hybrid macaw pair which was a significant step towards the recovery of this species.
It was a marvellous feat that this bird survived and thrived in the wild despite having a very small gene pool. This has helped scientists to understand how these birds can be returned to the wild. The survival of the last bird encouraged people to take action in order to save other parrots and threatened species. It has also prompted zoos and other groups to set their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.
This group of experts is an example of how conservation groups and other organizations can work together to save endangered species of wildlife and animals. The group is comprised of Brazilian government officials, zoo reps, international owners of the Spix's macaw and ornithologists, with a common goal: the recovery of this rare bird.
The group has accomplished a lot of work. This includes the development of a plan to reintroduce the bird in the wild. The group also raised funds for community outreach and field research as well as captive-bred birds for the project. The group has also set up a permanent committee for the rehabilitation of the bird.
Habitat
Ten years ago the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was thought to be extinct. It was endangered through the destruction of habitat and illegal poaching. Today, ornithologists and aviculturists continue to tirelessly work to bring this iconic bird back from the brink of extinction.
A popular animated movie and two sequels have made the Spix's macaw recognizable to millions of people across the globe However, this is only the beginning of the iceberg in the long journey to save these birds from the edge. For decades, an international team has been trying to breed and reintroduce captive-raised Spix's macaws 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 area is home to flat savannah scrubland, scattered with galleries and seasonal streams. It was first documented in 1819 and is among the least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic sightings in the wild, a few birds that are kept in captivity, and a handful of museum specimens.
To save the declining population, an international group was formed. It was comprised of experts in aviculture who had the last remaining bird, as well as government officials. The group formed a partnership with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to create an initiative to reintroduce the Spix's Macaws in their native habitat.
AWWP has acquired and is renovating 2,380 acres of prime habitat in Caatinga near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP also breeds and raises birds to be released into the wild. This will provide a genetically-pure source of animals for future generations.
In the wild, Spix's macaws are found in trees and are seldom seen on the ground. They usually nest in tree holes or hollows and hunt for fruits as well as seeds, nuts, and other plants. They may spend up to one third of the time in the nest.
To help track the Spix's macaws as well as their movements local communities were recruited to join the field team. The community was provided with watches that would be activated if a Spix's Macaw is detected. This enabled them to track the birds in the wild as well as their daily actions. This method has proven to be successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species belonging to the genus Cyanopsitta. It was declared extinct in the wild in the year 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 failed to locate any additional birds. A reintroduction programme is in progress to try to restore this critically threatened bird back to its home in the Caatinga.
The northeast region of Brazil is home to about 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws nestled in the hollows of old caraibeiras, and they were also known to eat nuts and seeds.
A reintroduction program is now underway to establish a natural population of the Spix's Macaw. Eight birds raised in captivity were released into the wild in June and 12 more are scheduled to arrive in 2022. They will be joined in the area by a group Blue-winged Macaws that have been reintroduced and will provide information on food sources, nesting and places to roost.
The reintroduction program has collected valuable biological data about the behavior of the bird, including details about daily movement patterns and adjustments to drought. It also opened a window on the evolution of the Spix's Macaws. This aids in understanding the causes that led to their disappearance.
Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of many plants native to the Caatinga biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brasil 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, like all parrots as well as other birds are social birds that form close bonds with their parents. They are vocal and often mimic sounds and speech. They make a mating call known as the "whichaka," which is described as a short, repetitive grating sound similar to a flute. They are well-known for flying fast and high when they are in an ecstatic mood.
Breeding
Spix's macaws are extremely intelligent and highly social birds. They communicate by screeching, squawking and other sounds. Like many parrots, they are able to mimic human speech. chestnut fronted macaw have a very strict routine, including routines for bathing and flight. They also can recognize other members of their family. They are adored as pets and are often targeted by illegal bird trade because of this.
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 unsuccessful in 1995 when poachers killed both birds. Since since then all known Spix's macaws have been bred in captivity, mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws that are in captivity are a mix of birds, and are the descendant of just two individuals. This makes them more vulnerable to illnesses and other environmental threats. The majority of Spix's macaws that are in captivity live at a breeding centre in Germany. However, this year an agreement between a German conservation center and the Brazilian government ran out, leaving the possibility of repatriation or their reintroduction into the wild in doubt.
Despite their precarious numbers, captive-bred Spix's macaws are showing signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder beat a sheikh from Qatar to buy from a collector three Spix's Macaws that were not part of the breeding program.
In the wake of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are beginning to reproduce, though not at a great rate. Reintroducing the birds into the wild will require them to remain healthy and produce. Choosing the right birds to release is also crucial. Macaws should be reproductively mature and be paired with one of their siblings or a close relative.
Bringing the Spix's macaw back to the wild could be difficult, but it is crucial to try. ABC and its partners have created reserves to protect the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight recently released Spix's macaws will be joined by blue-winged macaws that are more common in the Caatinga and share areas with Spix's macaws. These savvy birds will help the macaws get familiar with the area and provide the security of a large number.