Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period worry and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists succeeded in reinserting two couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also filled with jealousies and backbiting.
The first obstacle was to get enough birds to be traded. The macaws were monogamous, therefore it was essential 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 habitat loss. They have a small number of the birds that are in captive, and hope to release them into the wild near Curaca. They call the birds little blue friends, and compare their experience to that of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They call 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 like his.
Researchers were able to research the behavior of the Spix's Macaw in wild, and better understand how this species has lasted so long. This also helped them create a more accurate estimate of the historic population numbers of this unique bird. Researchers were able gather important information about the bird's movements throughout the day, seasonal adjustment to drought and its food habits. They also monitored 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 an amazing feat that this bird managed to survive and thrive in the wild with such a limited gene pool, and it has helped scientists to understand how these birds could be reintroduced to the wild. The last bird's survival also motivated people to act to save other endangered parrots and species. Zoos are also encouraged to create their own captive breeding program for these exotic bird species.
This group is a good example of how conservation groups, other organizations and individuals can collaborate in order to conserve endangered wildlife and animals. This group brings together Brazilian government officials, zoo reps international holders of the Spix’s macaw and ornithologists with an aim in common that is the recovery of this endangered bird.
The group has accomplished a lot of work, including preparing 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 also has established a permanent committee for the rehabilitation of the bird.
Habitat
Threatened by poaching and habitat destruction The Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was thought to be extinct in the wild 10 years ago. Today, ornithologists and aviculturists continue to work tirelessly to bring this iconic bird back from the edge of extinction.
A well-known animated film and two sequels have made Spix's macaw famous to millions of people across the globe, but this is just the tip of the iceberg in the long-distance journey to bring these birds back from the edge. A team of international experts has worked for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's macaws born in captivity into the wild.
The Spix's macaw is native to a small area of northeast Brazil which is known as the Caatinga, an arid region of flat savannah scrubland interspersed with creeks that flow through the seasons and gallery forests. It was first described in 1819, and is one of the smallest known Neotropical parrots, despite only sporadic sightings from the wild as well as a few captive birds and a few museum specimens.
To preserve the dwindling population In order to protect the declining population, an international committee was created which brought together aviculturists who had the last remaining birds and government officials. The group formed a collaboration with the world-renowned non-profit organisation 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 bought and is recovering 2,380 acres of prime habitat in the Caatinga, near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP also breeds and rears birds that will be released into the wild. This will create the genetically pure source of animals for future generations.
In the wild, Spix's macaws reside in trees and are seldom seen on the ground. They nest in tree hollows or holes and forage in search of seeds, fruits, nuts, and other plants. They can spend as much as 1/3 of their time in the nest.
A local community was enlisted as part of the field team to assist track Spix's Macaws. The members of the community were provided watches that could be activated if the Spix's macaw was observed and thereby allowing them to keep on top of the birds' movements and their movements throughout the wild. This approach has been very successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species belonging to the Genus Cyanopsitta. It was listed as extinct in the wild in the year 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature after the last wild parrot disappeared in 2000, and subsequent surveys failed to find any additional birds. A reintroduction programme is in the process of attempting to bring back this critically endangered bird to its native home in the Caatinga.
This region in northeast Brazil comprises about 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws nestled in the hollows of old caraibeira trees and were known to eat seeds and nuts.
A reintroduction program is now underway to establish a natural population of the Spix's Macaw. Eight captive-raised Spix's Macaws were released into the wild in June. harlequin macaw are scheduled to be released in 2022. They will be joined by Blue-winged Macaws. They have been reintroduced to the same area and will assist to share knowledge of food sources and nesting and roosting areas.
The reintroduction program has obtained valuable biological data on the behavior of this bird, which includes details of daily movements and adjustments to drought. It also has opened a window on the evolution of Spix's Macaws, which helps to understand the factors that led to their disappearance.
Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of many species native to the Caatinga biome. This includes the pinhao-bravo (Jatropha mollissima) and linhas brasil (Senegalia tenuifolia), along with the Joazeiro (Ziziphus joazeiro) and facheiro cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus). They also eat the fruit of the palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).
Spix's Macaws as with all parrots and other bird species, are social birds that have close relationships with their parents. They are extremely vocal and often mimic human speech and other sounds. They have a mating call called "whichaka," described as an incredibly short and repetitive noise similar to a flutist note. When they are in breeding mode, they are known to fly high and fast.
Breeding
Spix's macaws are exceptionally intelligent and social birds. They communicate by screeching, squawking, and other sounds. Like many parrots, they are able to mimic human speech. They also have a strict routine for their day, from flights to bathing routines and can identify members of their family. This is what makes them so popular pets and a target for illegal bird trade.
In the early 1980s, only three Spix's macaws remained in the wild. They were all poached. A plan to pair the male and female unsuccessful in 1995 when poachers killed both birds. Since since then all known Spix's macaws are captive-bred mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws in captivity are a mix of birds, and are the descendant of just two individuals. This makes them susceptible to illnesses and other environmental issues. The majority of Spix's macaws in captivity reside in an breeding center in Germany. However this year, an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired which leaves the future plans for repatriation and reintroduction into the wild in doubt.
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 buy three Spix's Macaws for the collector.
In the wake of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are beginning to reproduce again, although not at a great rate. Reintroducing the birds into the wild will require that they remain healthy and produce. The selection of the right birds to release is equally important. Macaws should be at a reproductive age, and they should be joined by an older sibling or close relative.
Reintroducing the Spix's macaw to the wild may prove 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 Spix's macaws that were released recently will be joined by blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are common in Caatinga and are found in areas where the Spix's macaws are also. These birds will help macaws adjust to their new environment and will also offer protection by the sheer numbers.