Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period of uncertainty and worry, Brazilian and German conservationists were able to reintroduce two couples back into their natural habitat. Lolita blue & gold macaw is inspiring but also rife with backbiting and jealousies.
The first challenge was finding enough birds for the exchange. The macaws were monogamous so it was crucial to match pairs well.
Range
A South African couple has taken on the mission to save the critically endangered Spix's Macaw. This bird was declared extinct by the United Nations in 2000 because of decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a small number of the birds in captivity and they hope to release them in the wild near Curaca. They call the birds little blue friends, and compare their lives with that of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They describe him as a true survivor who lost his family but remained loyal to the area. They feel a strong connection to him and view their lives as similar to his.
The discovery of the last Spix's macaw offered researchers with an opportunity to study its behavior in the wild and gain an understanding of why this species was able to survive for such a long time. Researchers were able to estimate the population of this unique bird more precisely. Researchers were able to collect important information about the bird's daily movement patterns and its seasonal adaptation to drought, and its feeding habits. Researchers even monitored attempts to reproduce using an Illiger's and a Spix's hybrid macaw couple, which was a crucial step towards the recovery of this species.
It was a remarkable accomplishment that this bird was able endure and thrive in the wild despite a limited gene pool, and has helped researchers understand how these birds could be returned to the wild. The survival of the bird that was killed inspired people to take action to save other parrots and endangered species. Zoos are also encouraged to create their own captive breeding programs for these exotic bird species.
This group is a good illustration of how conservation groups and other organizations as well as individuals can collaborate to save endangered species of wildlife and animals. It brings Brazilian officials from the government Zoo representatives as well as international owners of this rare bird, and ornithologists with a common goal - the recovery of the Spix's macaw.
The group has completed a great deal of work. This includes developing plans to reintroduce the bird in the wild. The group also raised funds to support community outreach, field research and captive-bred birds for the project. The group has also set up a permanent committee for the reintroduction of the bird.
Habitat
Ten years ago the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was thought to be extinct. It was threatened by the destruction of habitats and poaching that was illegal. Aviculturists, ornithologists and other experts continue to fight to save this iconic bird from the brink extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is recognizable to millions around the world thanks to a well-known animated film and two sequels. But this is only the tip of the iceberg on the long journey of bringing these birds back. For decades, an international team has been working to breed and reintroduce Spix's macaws raised in a captive environment back into the wild.
The Spix's macaw is endemic to a small area of northeast Brazil which is known as the Caatinga, an arid region consisting of savannah scrubland flat scattered with seasonal creeks and gallery forests. It was first described in 1819, and is one of the lesser-known Neotropical parrots, with only occasional sightings in the wild as well as a few captive birds and some museum specimens.
To save the declining population In order to protect the declining population, an international committee was created that gathered aviculturists who held the last remaining birds as well as officials from the government. This group formed a partnership with the world-renowned non-profit organisation Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) of Qatar to create an intensive program to reintroduce captive-bred Spix's macaws into their native environment in northeast Brazil.
AWWP has purchased and is renovating 2,380 hectares in Caatinga near Curaca (Brazil) of prime habitat. AWWP is also raising and breeding birds to be released into the wild, providing the genetically pure source of animals for the next generation of.
Spix's Macaws can be found in trees and rarely seen on the ground. They typically build nests in hollows or holes in trees and forage for fruit seeds, nuts, seeds and other plants. They may spend up to one third of the time in the nest.
A local community was recruited as part of the field team to help identify Spix's Macaws. The members of the community were given watches which could be activated if the Spix's Macaw was detected and thereby allowing them to keep track of the birds and their daily movements in the wild. This method has proven to be extremely successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species of the Genus Cyanopsitta. It was declared extinct in the wild in the year 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature after the last wild parrot to be identified disappeared in 2000. subsequent surveys failed to locate any additional birds. A reintroduction plan is in progress to try to bring back this critically endangered bird to its natural habitat in the Caatinga.
This dry forest is a region of northeast Brazil that covers about 10 percent of the country. Spix's Macaws were found in hollows old caraibeiras, and were also known to eat seeds and nuts.
Reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw into the wild is currently in progress. Eight Spix's Macaws that were raised in captivity were released in the wild in June. Twelve more are expected to be released by 2022. They will be joined by Blue-winged Macaws. They have been released back into the same area and will help to share knowledge about food sources, nesting and roosting locations.
The reintroduction programme has already obtained valuable biological data on the behavior of this bird, which includes details of the patterns of movement and adaptations to drought. It also opened a window on the natural history of the Spix's Macaws. This aids in understanding the causes that led to their extinction.
Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of a variety of species 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 develop close bonds with their parents. They are vocal and often mimic speech and other sounds. They have a mating call called "whichaka," described as an incredibly short and repetitive noise similar to a flutist note. They are often seen flying fast and high when they are in the mood to breed.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are highly intelligent and social birds. They communicate using screeching, squawking and other sounds. Like many parrots, they are able to mimic human speech. They also follow a very strict routine for their day, from the flight path to bathing habits and are able to recognize members of their flock. They are popular as pets and are frequently targeted by the illegal bird trade because of this.
In the early 1980s, just three Spix's macaws were left 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 the time, all Spix's macaws known have been bred in captivity - mostly in Brazil.
The few Spix's macaws kept in captivity are a mix of individuals who are descendants of only two individuals, leaving them at risk of disease and other environmental issues. The majority of the birds that are in captivity are housed at an breeding center in Germany however, in the year 2003 an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired without renewal and causing doubt about future plans to return the birds and reintroduce them into the wild.
Despite their low numbers the captive-bred Spix's macaws exhibit some signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder was able to beat out a sheikh in Qatar to purchase from the collector three Spix's macaws which weren't part of the breeding program.
In the wake of this and other efforts, captive-bred birds are beginning reproduce again, although not at a rapid rate. Keeping them healthy and producing is crucial to reintroduce these birds to the wild. The selection of the right birds for release is also critical. The macaws need to be at a reproductive age and be in a relationship with an older sibling or close relative.
The return of the Spix's Macaw to the wild could prove difficult, but it is crucial to try. ABC and its partners have established a reserve system to protect the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's Macaws who were released recently will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are more common in Caatinga and are found in areas where the Spix’s macaws also reside. These birds will assist the macaws become accustomed to their new environment and will also provide safety by large numbers.