Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period of uncertainty and worry, Brazilian and German conservationists were able to reintroduce 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 for the trade. Macaws are monogamous, so it was important 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 loss of habitat. They have a tiny population of the birds kept in captivity and they hope to release them into the wild close to Curaca. They refer to them as little blue companions, and compare their lives with the story of Presley the only known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They describe Presley as a true survivor, who lost his family but kept his faith in his region. They see their lives in the Caatinga as similar to his and feel a deep connection with him.
Researchers were able to research the behavior of the Spix's Macaw wild, and to better understand how this species has survived for so long. This allowed researchers to estimate the historical population of this rare bird with greater accuracy. Researchers were able to gather crucial details about the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adjustment to drought, and its eating habits. Researchers also monitored attempts to reproduce with the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaw couple which was an important step in the recovery of this species.
It was a marvellous achievement that this bird survived and thrived in the wild despite having a limited gene pool. This has allowed scientists to better understand how these birds can be restored to the natural world. The survival of the last bird inspired people to take action in order to save other parrots and threatened species. Zoos are also encouraged to create their own captive breeding program for these exotic species of birds.
This group serves as an example of how conservation groups and other organizations can work together to protect endangered animals and wildlife. It brings Brazilian officials from government as well as representatives from zoos and international owners of this rare bird, and ornithologists with a common goal - the recovery of the Spix's Macaw.
The working group has already accomplished a great deal of work, including the creation of an idea for reintroducing this bird to the wild. The group has also been working to raise funds to support field research, community outreach and captive-breeding birds to support the reintroduction project. It also has established a permanent committee for the recovery of the bird.
Habitat
Endangered by habitat destruction and poaching, the Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was thought to be extinct in the wild ten years ago. Aviculturists, ornithologists, and other experts continue to fight to save this iconic bird back from the brink extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is recognizable to millions around the world due to a cult animated film and two sequels. This is just the beginning on the long-distance road to bringing these birds back. A team of international experts has worked for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws that were raised in captivity into the wild.
The Spix's Macaw is a native species found in a tiny region of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga. This desert area is home to flat savannah scrubland that is interspersed with galleries and seasonal streams. The first time it was described was in 1819, and is one of the lesser-known Neotropical parrots, with only few glimpses of the wild as well as a few captive birds and a few museum specimens.
To protect the declining population, an international group was created. It was comprised of Aviculturists who owned the last remaining bird, as well as officials from the government. The group formed a partnership with the world-renowned non profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to develop a program to reintroduce Spix's Macaws in their native habitat.
AWWP has acquired and is restoring 2,380 hectares in the Caatinga near Curaca (Brazil) of the most pristine habitat. AWWP also breeds and raises birds that will be released into the wild. This will give the genetically pure source of animals for the future generations.
Spix's Macaws are usually found in trees and seldom seen on the ground. They nest in tree hollows or holes and search to find seeds, fruits, nuts, and other species. They typically spend up to a third of the day in the nest.
A local community was selected as part of the field team to assist identify Spix's Macaws. The members of the community were given watches that could be activated in the event the Spix's macaw was detected, allowing them to keep on top of the birds' movements and their daily activities in the wild. This approach has been very successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species belonging to the Genus Cyanopsitta. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared that it was extinct in the wild on April 1st, 2019. This was after the last wild parrot was lost in 2000, and no more birds were found in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction plan is currently in progress to return this critically endangered bird back to its natural habitat in the Caatinga.
This dry forest is a region of northeast Brazil that covers about 10% 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 captive-raised Spix's Macaws were released into the wild in June. Twelve more birds are scheduled to be released by 2022. They will be joined by a group of Blue-winged macaws which have been reintroduced. They will share information about food sources, nesting and areas to roost.
The reintroduction program has collected valuable biological data about the behavior of this bird, including details about daily movement patterns and adjustments to drought. It also provides an insight into the natural history of the Spix's Macaw which helps to determine the causes that led to its extinction in the wild.
Spix's Macaws consume the fruits, seeds and nuts of numerous 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). The acai palm (Acaia olive) and mofumbo (Combretum léprosum) fruits are also edible.
Like all parrots Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are highly social birds that have a strong bond 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 continuous grating sound similar to a flute note. They are known to fly high and fast when they are in the mood to breed.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate with each other by making a variety of screeching and squawking sounds. Like many other parrots, can mimic human speech. They also adhere to a strict routine for their day, from the flight path to bathing habits and are able to recognize the members of their flock. They are adored as pets, and are frequently targeted by the illegal trade in birds because of this.
In the early 1980s, only three Spix's macaws survived in the wild, and all of them being poached. In 1995, poachers killed both male and female birds as part of the hope of pairing them. Since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been captive-bred – mostly in Brazil.
The handful of Spix's macaws that are in captivity are made up of individuals who are the descendants of just two individuals, leaving them vulnerable to disease and other environmental challenges. The majority of Spix's macaws captivity live at an breeding center in Germany. However, this year an agreement between a German conservation center and the Brazilian government ran out which leaves the future plans for repatriation and their reintroduction into the wild in doubt.
Despite their shaky numbers, captive-bred Spix's macaws show signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder managed to beat a sheikh from Qatar to purchase from the collector three Spix's macaws that weren't part of the breeding program.
In part because of this and other efforts the captive-bred bird population is beginning to grow, though not at a rapid rate. Reintroducing the birds into the wild will require that they remain healthy and produce. The selection of the right birds to release is also crucial. Macaws must be reproductive and be paired with siblings or close Ziggy hyacinth macaw parrots for sale relatives.
It's not easy to bring the Spix's macaw back into the wild, but it is vital to try. To help, ABC and partners have started a reserve system that is designed to safeguard the last remaining habitats. The eight Spix's macaws will soon be joined by blue-winged macaws which are more prevalent in the Caatinga and live in overlapping areas with Spix's macaws. These birds will help macaws adapt to their new surroundings and will also ensure safety through large numbers.