Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long time of uncertainty and worry, Brazilian and German conservationists have succeeded in reintroducing couple couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also rife with backbiting and jealousy.
The first hurdle was to find enough birds for the trade. Macaws are monogamous, so the pairs had to be matched properly.
Range
A South African couple is working to save the critically endangered Spix's Macaw, which was declared extinct in 2000 after years of poaching and habitat loss. They have a few of the birds that are in captivity and they hope to release them close to Curaca. They refer to the birds as little blue companions, and compare their journey with the journey of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They say he was as 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 like his.
Researchers were able to study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw wild, and better understand the reasons why this species has lasted so long. This also helped them make a more precise estimation of the historical population numbers of this unique bird. Researchers were able to gather important information about the bird's movements throughout the day, seasonal adjustment to drought, and food habits. They also monitored attempts to reproduce using the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaws, which was an important step in the recovery of this species.
It was a marvellous feat that this bird survived and thrived in the wild despite having a very small gene pool. This has enabled scientists to understand how these birds can be reintroduced back to the natural world. The survival of the bird that was killed inspired people to take action to save other parrots as well as threatened species. Zoos are also encouraged to create their own captive breeding program for these exotic species of birds.
This working group is an illustration of how conservation groups as well as other organizations and individuals can collaborate to protect endangered animals and wildlife. It brings Brazilian governmental officials Zoo representatives and international owners of this rare bird, and ornithologists together with one common goal: the recovery of the Spix's macaw.
The working group has already accomplished a lot of work. This includes preparing plans to reintroduce the bird back to the wild. Sinatra Macaws for Sale raised funds to support community outreach, field research and captive-bred birds for the project. It has also established a permanent committee for the reintroduction of the bird.
Habitat
Endangered by poaching and habitat destruction The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was thought to be extinct in the wild 10 years ago. Aviculturists and ornithologists as well as other experts continue to fight to bring this iconic bird back from the brink extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is recognizable to millions of people all over the globe thanks to a popular 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 native to a small portion of northeast Brazil 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 least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic appearances in the wild, a few birds that are kept in captivity, and a handful of museum specimens.
To save the declining population, an international group was created. It brought together Aviculturists who owned the last remaining bird as well as officials from the government. The group formed a partnership with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to create an initiative to reintroduce the Spix's Macaws to their natural habitat.
AWWP has acquired and is recovering 2,380 acres of prime habitat in the Caatinga near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP also breeds and raises birds to be released in the wild. This will give an animal that is genetically pure for the future generations.
In the wild, Spix's Macaws reside in trees, and are not often seen on the ground. They nest in tree hollows or holes and search to find seeds, fruits, nuts, and other plants. 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 community was recruited to join the field team. The members of the community were given watches that could be activated in the event the Spix's macaw was observed which allowed them to keep an eye on the birds and their movements throughout the wild. This approach has been extremely successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species of the Genus Cyanopsitta. It was listed as extinct in the wild in the year 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature following the disappearance of the last wild parrot to be identified disappeared in 2000. subsequent surveys failed to locate any additional birds. A reintroduction plan is currently underway to try to bring this critically endangered bird to its native home in the Caatinga.
This region in northeast Brazil covers approximately 10% of the entire 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 in 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 who were reintroduced. They will provide information on food sources, nesting sites and areas to roost.
The reintroduction program has collected vital biological data about the behavior of this rare bird, including information on daily movement patterns and adjustments to drought during the season. It has also provided a window into the nature of the Spix's Macaw which helps to determine the causes that led to its extinction in the wild.
Spix's Macaws eat the seeds, fruits, and nuts of many plants that are native to the Caatinga biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brazil and facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all part of this diet. They also eat the fruit of palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).
Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are highly social birds, and they have a close bond with their parents. They are extremely vocal and often imitate human speech and other sounds. They have a mating cry called "whichaka," described as an extremely short and repetitive noise similar to the note of a flutist. When they are in breeding mode, they are known to fly high and fast.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are highly intelligent and social birds. They communicate with each other by making a variety of screeching and squawking sounds. They, like other parrots, they can mimic human speech. They follow a strict routine, which includes flight patterns and bathing habits. They are also able to recognize other members of their flock. This is why they are the most sought-after pets and targets for illegal trade in birds.
In the early 1980s, only three Spix's macaws were left in the wild. They were all poached. In 1995, poachers massacred the male and female birds as part of an attempt to pair them. Since the time, all known Spix's macaws have been bred in captivity, mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws that are in captivity are a mixture that descends of just two individuals. This makes them susceptible to illnesses and other environmental issues. The majority of Spix's macaws that are 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 which leaves 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 the Swiss breeder beat the sheikh of Qatar to buy three Spix's Macaws from the collector.
In the wake of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce, though not at a rapid rate. Reintroducing the birds to the wild will require them to remain healthy and produce. It is crucial to select the right birds prior to release. Macaws must be reproductively mature, and they should be in a relationship with one of their siblings or a close family member.
It's not easy to bring the Spix's macaw back to the wild, but it is vital to try. To aid, ABC and partners have started a reserve system that will help to protect the last remaining habitats. visit this link are going to be joined by blue-winged macaws which are more prevalent in the Caatinga and are found in overlapping areas with Spix's macaws. These intelligent birds will aid the macaws get familiar with the area and provide safety in numbers.