Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period worry and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists have succeeded in reintroducing a group of couples into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also filled with jealousies and backbiting.
The first obstacle was getting enough birds for the exchange. 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 loss of habitat. They have a tiny population of the birds in captivity, and hope to release them into the wild close to Curaca. They call the birds their blue-eyed friends and compare their experience to the journey of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw in wild. They describe him a true survivor, who lost his family, but was loyal to the region. They feel a strong bond to him and see their lives as identical to his.
Researchers were able to research the behavior of the Spix's Macaw in wild, and gain a better understanding of the reasons why this species has lasted so long. This allowed researchers to estimate the historical population of this unique bird with greater accuracy. Researchers were able to collect crucial information on the bird's daily movement patterns, seasonal adjustment to drought, and food habits. They even monitored attempts to reproduce using a hybrid Spix's and Illiger's macaw pair which was a crucial step in the recovery of this species.
It was a remarkable accomplishment that this bird was able to endure and thrive in the wild with such an insufficient gene pool and has helped researchers understand how these birds can be returned to the wild. The survival of the last bird inspired 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 group is a good example of how conservation groups and other organizations as well as individuals can work together in order to conserve endangered wildlife and animals. This group brings together Brazilian government officials, zoo reps, international owners of the Spix's macaw and ornithologists, with a common goal to save this endangered bird.
The working group has already completed a great deal of work. This includes developing a plan to reintroduce the bird in the wild. The group has also been working to raise funds for field research and community outreach as well as captive-breed birds for the reintroduction project. The group has also set up an ongoing committee to oversee the reintroduction of the bird.
Habitat
Endangered by habitat destruction and poaching The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was believed to be extinct in the wild 10 years ago. Today, ornithologists and aviculturists continue to fight tirelessly to save this iconic bird back from the danger of extinction.
A popular animated movie and two sequels have made the Spix's Macaw known to millions of people across the globe however this is only the beginning in the long road to save these birds from the brink. For a long time, a global team has been trying to breed and reintroduce Spix's macaws that have been raised in captivity into the wild.
The Spix's macaw is endemic to a tiny area of northeast Brazil which is known as the Caatinga which is an arid region of flat savannah scrubland interspersed with seasonal creeks and gallery forests. It was first described in 1819, and is one of the least-known Neotropical parrots, with few glimpses of the wild as well as a few captive birds and some museum specimens.
To save the declining population In order to save the declining population, an international group was formed. It brought together aviculturists who held the last remaining bird, as well as government officials. The group formed a partnership with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to create an initiative to restore the population of Spix's Macaws in their native habitat.
AWWP has bought and is renovating 2,380 hectares of prime habitat in Caatinga near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP is also breeding and rearing birds that will be released into the wild, thereby providing the 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 forage in search of seeds, fruits, nuts, and other species. They will typically spend up to a third of the day in the nest.
To help track the Spix's macaws and their movements, a local group was recruited to become part of the field team. The members of the community were provided watches that could be activated if the Spix's macaw was detected and thereby allowing them to keep an eye on the birds and their daily activities in the wild. This method has proven successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species of the genus Cyanopsitta. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared it extinct in the wild on April 1, 2019. This was in the wake of the last wild parrot was lost in 2000. No additional birds were observed in subsequent surveys. A reintroduction programme is in the process of attempting 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% of the country. Spix's Macaws were amidst the hollows of old caraibeiras and were also known to eat nuts and seeds.
A reintroduction program is now underway to re-establish a wild population of the Spix's Macaw. Eight captive-raised Spix's macaws were released in the wild in June. Twelve more are expected to be released in 2022. They will be joined by a group of Blue-winged Macaws, which have been released back into the same area and will help to share knowledge of food sources and nesting and roosting areas.
The reintroduction program has already collected vital biological data about the behavior of this bird, which includes details of the patterns of movement and adaptations to drought. It also has opened a window on the nature of the Macaws of Spix, which aids in understanding the causes that led to their decline.
Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, nuts, and fruits of a myriad of plants native to the Caatinga Biome. This includes the pinhao-bravo (Jatropha mollissima) and linhas brasil (Senegalia tenuifolia) and the joazeiro (Ziziphus Joazeiro) and facheiro Cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus). They may also consume the fruit of palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).
Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are highly social birds that have a strong bond with their parents. They have vocalizations and often mimic sounds and speech. They make a mating call known as the "whichaka," which is described as a short, repetitive grating sound similar to a flute note. They are known to fly fast and high when they are in an ecstatic mood.
Breeding
Spix's macaws are incredibly intelligent and social birds. They communicate through screeching, squawking and other sounds. As with many parrots they are able to mimic human speech. They also have a strict daily routine, from flight paths to bathing habits, and they can recognize members of their flock. This is why they are the most sought-after pets and a target for illegal bird trade.
In the early 1980s only three Spix's macaws were left in the wild. They were all poached. In hyacinth macaw parrots for sale , poachers killed the male and female birds as part of a plan to pair them. Since Suggested Internet page , all Spix's macaws are captive-bred, mostly in Brazil.
The few Spix's macaws in captivity are a mixture of individuals who are descendants of only two individuals, which makes them at risk of disease and other environmental challenges. The majority of Spix's macaws in captivity are kept in a breeding center in Germany. However, this year, an agreement between a German conservation center and the Brazilian government ran out which leaves future plans for repatriation and their reintroduction into the wild in doubt.
Despite their low numbers, captive-bred Spix's Macaws show signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat 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 to reproduce again, although not at a great rate. Reintroducing them to the wild will require them to remain healthy and produce. Selecting the right birds for release is also critical. The macaws need to be in a reproductive stage and should be paired with a sibling or a close relatives.
It could be difficult to get the Spix's Macaw back into the wild, however, it is essential to try. ABC and its partners have developed reserves to safeguard the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's Macaws that were recently released will be joined by blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are common in Caatinga, and they live in areas where the Spix's macaws are also. These savvy birds will help the macaws get familiar with the area, and they will provide the security of a large number.