Melody Blue Spix Macaw

After a long time of worry and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists were able to reintroduce couple couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring but also rife with backbiting and jealousy.

The first obstacle was obtaining enough birds to be traded. The macaws were monogamous, therefore it was crucial 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 years of poaching and habitat loss. They have a small number of the birds that are in captivity and hope to release them near Curaca. They refer to the birds as little blue companions, and compare their lives with the journey of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They describe him a true survivor, who lost his family but kept his faith in the region. They believe that their lives in Caatinga as similar to his and feel a strong affinity with him.

Researchers were able to study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw wild, and to better understand the reasons why this species has survived so long. This enabled researchers to determine the historical population of this rare bird with greater accuracy. Researchers were able to collect important details about the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adaptation to drought, and eating habits. Researchers also observed attempts to reproduce with the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaw couple which was an important step towards the recovery of this species.

It was a remarkable feat that this bird managed to survive and thrive in the wild with such a limited gene pool, and it has also helped scientists understand how these birds can be reintroduced back to the wild. The last bird's survival also encouraged people to take action to save other species of endangered parrots. Zoos have also been enticed to create their own captive breeding program for these exotic species of birds.

This group is a good example of how conservation groups and other organizations as well as individuals can collaborate to protect endangered wildlife and animals. This group brings together Brazilian government officials, zoo reps international holders of the Spix’s macaw, and ornithologists to achieve an aim in common: the recovery of this endangered bird.

The working group has already completed a lot of work, including the creation of 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. They have also formed an ongoing committee to help recover the bird.

Habitat

At risk due to 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 do their best to save this iconic bird from the brink of extinction.

A cult animated film and two sequels have made the Spix's macaw recognizable to millions of people worldwide however this is only the beginning in the long journey to bring these birds back from the brink. A multi-national team has been working for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's macaws born in captivity to the wild.

The Spix's Macaw is an indigenous species that is found in a small area of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga. This desert area is home to flat savannah scrubland that is scattered with galleries and streams that flow through the season. It was first documented in 1819, and is one of the least-known Neotropical parrots, with only sporadic sightings from the wild, a few captive birds and a few museum specimens.

To protect the population that is declining An international committee was established that brought together aviculturists that held the last remaining birds, as well as government officials. The group formed a partnership with the world-renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) of Qatar to create an intensive program to reintroduce captive-bred Macaws Spix's into their native environment in the northeast of Brazil.

AWWP has purchased and is recovering 2,380 acres of prime habitat in Caatinga, near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP also breeds and rears birds that will be released into the wild. This will create an animal that is genetically pure for future generations.

Spix's Macaws can be found in trees, and seldom seen on the ground. They nest in tree hollows or holes, and hunt for fruits, seeds, nuts, and various other plants. They will typically spend up to three-quarters of the time in the nest.

A local community was enlisted as part of the field team to assist track Spix's Macaws. The community was given watches that would activate if a Spix's Macaw is identified. This enabled them to track the birds in the wild and their daily activities. Recommended Reading has proven to be extremely 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 1st, 2019. This was following the last wild parrot was lost in 2000 and no additional birds were observed in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction program is currently in progress to bring back this critically endangered bird to its natural home in the Caatinga.

The northeast region of Brazil covers approximately 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws were amidst the hollows of old caraibeiras and were also known to eat nuts and seeds.

A reintroduction plan is currently in progress to restore a wild population of the Spix's Macaw. Eight captive-raised birds were released into the wild in June, and 12 more are expected to follow in 2022. They will be joined in the area by a group of Blue-winged Macaws that have been reintroduced and will share information on food sources, nesting sites and roosting locations.

The reintroduction program has already collected valuable data from biology on the behavior of this rare bird, which includes details about the patterns of movement throughout the day and the seasonal changes to drought. It also provided a glimpse into the natural history of the Spix's Macaws. This helps to understand the factors that led to their extinction.

Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of a variety of plants native to the Caatinga biome. This includes the pinhao-bravo (Jatropha mollissima) and linhas brasil (Senegalia tenuifolia) as well as the joazeiro (Ziziphus joazeiro) and facheiro Cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus). They also eat the fruit of acai palms (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).

Like all parrots like all parrots Macaws are highly social birds that bond closely with their parents. They are very vocal and often mimic human speech and other sounds. They make a mating call called the "whichaka," which is described as a brief repeated grating sound that is like a flute note. When they are in a breeding mode they can fly fast and high.

Breeding


Spix's macaws are incredibly intelligent and social birds. They communicate with each other through a range of screeching and squawking sounds. Like many other parrots, they can mimic human speech. They follow a strict routine, including flight patterns and bathing habits. They can also recognize other members of their flock. This is why they are so popular pets and targets for illegal bird trade.

By the early 1980s, only three Spix's macaws remained in the wild, with all of them being poached. In 1995, poachers massacred the male and female birds in a plan to pair them. Since then all known Spix's macaws are captive-bred mostly in Brazil.

The Spix's Macaws in captivity are a mix, which is the descendant of just two individuals. This makes them susceptible to diseases and other environmental challenges. The majority of the birds in captivity are in an breeding center in Germany however, in the year 2003 an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired without renewal, casting doubt over future plans to return the birds and then reintroduce them into the wild.

Despite their shaky numbers, captive-bred Spix's Macaws are showing some signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat out the sheikh of Qatar to purchase three Spix's Macaws for the collector.

As a result of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are beginning reproduce, though not at a rapid rate. Maintaining their health and generating is crucial to reintroduce the birds into the wild. It is crucial to select the right birds prior to releasing them. The macaws need to be in a reproductive stage, and they should be joined by one of their siblings or a close relative.

The return of the Spix's Macaw to the wild could be difficult, but it is essential to try. ABC and its partners have created reserves to protect the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's Macaws who were recently released 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 the macaws become accustomed to their new surroundings and will also ensure safety through numbers.