Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period of anxiety and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists were able to reintroduce a group of couples into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also rife with resentment and jealousy.
The first challenge was finding enough birds to participate in the exchange. The macaws were monogamous, therefore it was crucial to match the pairs well.
Range
A South African couple has taken on the mission to save the critically threatened Spix's Macaw. This bird was declared extinct by the United Nations in 2000 due to decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a few of the birds that are in captivity and they hope to release them near Curaca. They refer to the birds as their little blue companions and compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They describe him as a true survivor who lost his family, but kept his faith in the region. They consider their lives in the Caatinga as being similar to his, and they feel a strong affinity with him.
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 enabled researchers to determine the historical population of this rare bird with greater accuracy. Researchers were able gather important information about the bird's movements throughout the day and seasonal adaptation to drought, and food habits. They also monitored reproduction attempts using a hybrid Spix's and Illiger's macaws which was a crucial step towards the recovery of this species.
It was an amazing feat that this bird managed to endure and thrive in the wild with such the smallest gene pool and it has helped scientists understand how these birds could be returned to the wild. The last bird's survival also encouraged people to take action to save other endangered parrots and species. It has also prompted zoos and other groups to set up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.
This working group is a model for how conservation groups and other organizations can collaborate to save endangered wildlife and endangered animals. The group is comprised of Brazilian government officials, representatives from zoos, international owners of the Spix's macaw, and ornithologists to achieve one goal in common: the recovery of this endangered bird.
The working group has already completed a great deal of work. This includes preparing plans to reintroduce the bird to the wild. The group has also worked to raise funds for field research and community outreach as well as captive-breed birds for the reintroduction project. It has also created a permanent committee to save the bird.
Habitat
Ten years ago the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was believed to be extinct. It was threatened by habitat destruction and poaching that was illegal. Today, aviculturists and ornithologists continue to tirelessly work to save this iconic bird back from the danger of extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is well-known to millions around the globe thanks to a popular animated film and two sequels. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg on the long road of bringing these birds back. An international team has worked for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws raised in captivity to the wild.
The Spix's macaw is endemic to a tiny area of northeast Brazil which is known as the Caatinga an arid area of savannah scrubland that is flat, scattered 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, with only occasional sightings in the wild as well as a few captive birds and some museum specimens.
To preserve the dwindling population An international committee was created that brought together aviculturists that had the last remaining birds, as well as government officials. This group formed a collaboration with the world-renowned non profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to develop an initiative to reintroduce the Spix's Macaws in their native environment.
AWWP has purchased and is recovering 2,380 hectares of Caatinga near Curaca (Brazil) of the most pristine habitat. AWWP also breeds and rears birds that will be released in the wild. This will provide a genetically-pure source of animals for future generations.
Spix's Macaws are usually found in trees and rarely seen on the ground. They nest in tree hollows or holes and search for fruits, seeds, nuts, and other plants. They can spend as much as 1/3 of their time in the nest.
To aid in tracking the Spix's macaws and their movements, a local community was recruited to become part of the field team. The community was given watches that would activate if a Spix's Macaw is recognized. This allowed them to track the birds in the wild as well as their daily movements. This approach has been very successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species of the Genus Cyanopsitta. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared that it was extinct in the wild on April 1st, 2019. This was in the wake of the last wild parrot disappeared in 2000, and no more birds were discovered in subsequent surveys. A reintroduction plan is in progress to try to bring this critically endangered bird to its native home in the Caatinga.
This dry forest is a region of northeast Brazil which covers around 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws were amidst the hollows of old caraibeiras, and were also known to eat nuts and seeds.
Reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw into the wild is currently underway. Eight captive-raised Spix's Macaws were released into the wild in June. Twelve more are expected to be released in 2022. They will be joined in the area by a group of Blue-winged macaws which have been reintroduced. They will share information on food sources, nesting sites and places to roost.
The reintroduction program has already collected valuable data from biology on the behavior of this rare bird, including details on the patterns of movement throughout the day and adjustments to drought during the season. It also provided a glimpse into the natural history of the Macaws of Spix, which aids in understanding the causes that led to their extinction.
Spix's Macaws consume the fruits, seeds and nuts of numerous plants that are 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 as with all parrots and other bird species are social birds and develop close bonds with their parents. They are vocal and often mimic speech and other sounds. They have a mating cry called "whichaka," described as an incredibly short and repetitive sound similar to the note of a flutist. When they are in breeding mode they can fly high and fast.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate using screeching, squawking, and other sounds. Like many parrots, they can mimic human speech. They have a strict routine that includes the way they fly and their bathing habits. They can also recognize other members of their flock. They click here are very popular as pets and are frequently targeted by the illegal trade in birds because of this.
In the early 1980s, just three Spix's macaws remained in the wild. They were all poached. In 1995, poachers killed both male and female birds in an attempt to pair them. Since since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been bred in captivity - mostly in Brazil.
The handful of Spix's macaws in captivity are a mixture of individuals who are descendants of just two individuals, which makes them vulnerable to disease and other environmental issues. The majority of Spix's macaws in captivity are kept in a breeding centre in Germany. However, this year an agreement between the German conservation center and Brazilian government ran out, leaving the future plans for repatriation and their reintroduction into the wild in doubt.
Despite their low numbers of captive-bred Spix's macaws, captive-bred species show some signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat the sheikh of Qatar to purchase three Spix's Macaws from a collector.
In the wake of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are beginning reproduce, but not at a rapid rate. Keeping them healthy and producing is crucial to reintroduce the birds back into the wild. Choosing the right birds for release is equally important. Macaws must be of reproductive age and be paired up with siblings or close relatives.
It could be difficult to bring the Spix's Macaw back into the wild however, it is essential 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 who were released recently will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are more prevalent in Caatinga and are found in areas where the Spix's macaws are also. These smart birds will help the macaws get accustomed to the region and will offer security in large numbers.