Melody Blue Spix Macaw

After a long period of anxiety and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists succeeded in reinserting couple couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspirational, but also rife with jealousy and backbiting.

The first obstacle was to find enough birds for the trade. The macaws were monogamous, therefore it was important to match the pairs well.

Range

A South African couple has taken on the mission to save the critically threatened Spix’s Macaw. The bird was declared extinct by the United Nations in 2000 because of decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a small number of the birds that are in captive, and are hoping to release them into the wild close to Curaca. They call the birds little blue friends, and compare their lives with the story of Presley the only known Spix’s Macaw in the wild. They describe him a true survivor, who lost his family, but remained loyal to the area. They feel a strong kinship to him and see their lives as identical to his.

The discovery of the last Spix’s macaw provided researchers with an opportunity to investigate its behavior in wild and gain a better understanding of how the species was able to survive for this long. Researchers were able to estimate the historical population of this unique bird more precisely. Researchers were able to collect important information on the bird’s daily movement, its seasonal adaptation to drought, and its eating habits. They even monitored attempts at reproduction with a hybrid Spix’s and Illiger’s macaw pair which was a significant step in the recovery of this species.

It was a remarkable feat that this bird was able to survive and thrive in the wild despite the smallest gene pool and it has also helped researchers understand how these birds can 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 up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.

This group serves as an example of how conservation groups and other organizations can collaborate to save endangered species of wildlife and animals. It brings Brazilian officials from government as well as representatives from zoos and international owners of this rare bird, and ornithologists together with one common goal – the reintroduction of the Spix’s macaw.

The group has accomplished a lot of work. This includes preparing a plan to reintroduce the bird to the wild. The group has also worked to raise funds to fund field research, community outreach and captive-breeding birds to support the reintroduction program. It also has established an ongoing committee to oversee the reintroduction of the bird.

Habitat

Ten years ago, the Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was thought to be extinct. It was endangered due to the destruction of habitats and illegal poaching. Aviculturists, ornithologists and other experts continue to work hard to bring this iconic bird back from the brink extinction.

A well-known animated film and two sequels have made the Spix’s macaw recognizable to millions of people across the globe however this is only the beginning in the long road to bring these birds back from the brink. A multi-national team has been working for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix’s Macaws raised in captivity back into the wild.

The Spix’s macaw is native to a small area of northeast Brazil, called the Caatinga which is an arid region consisting of savannah scrubland flat that is dotted with seasonal creeks and gallery forests. It was described in 1819, and is among the least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic appearances in the wild, a few birds in captivity, and a handful of museum specimens.

To preserve the dwindling population An international committee was formed that gathered aviculturists who had the last remaining birds, as well as government officials. The group forged a partnership with the world-renowned non profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to establish an initiative to restore the population of Spix’s Macaws in their native habitat.

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

Spix’s Macaws are usually found in trees, and seldom seen on the ground. They build nests in hollows or holes and forage to find seeds, fruits, nuts, and other species. They can spend up to 1/3 of their time in the nest.

To aid in tracking the Spix’s macaws and their movements local communities were invited to join the field team. The community was provided with watches that would turn on when a Spix’s Macaw is identified. This enabled them to track the birds in the wild as well as their daily activities. This approach has been extremely successful.

Diet

The Spix’s Macaw is the only species in 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. However, a reintroduction project currently underway is trying to return this critically endangered bird back to its natural home in the Caatinga.

This dry forest is a part of northeast Brazil, covering approximately 10 percent of the country. Spix’s Macaws nestled in the hollows old caraibeiras, and were also known to eat nuts and seeds.

A reintroduction program is now underway to establish a natural population of the Spix’s Macaw. Eight Spix’s Macaws that were raised in captivity were released into the wild in June. Twelve more birds are expected to be released in 2022. They will be joined by Blue-winged Macaws that were reintroduced into the same area, and will help to share knowledge about food sources, nesting and roosting locations.

The reintroduction program has already collected vital biological data about the behavior of this unique bird, including details on the patterns of movement throughout the day and seasonal adjustments to drought. It also provides an insight into the nature of the Spix’s Macaw, helping to determine the causes that led to its disappearance in the wild.

Spix’s Macaws consume the seeds, nuts, and fruits of a variety of plants native to the Caatinga Biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brazil and facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all part of this diet. Leia blue macaw and red macaw eat the fruit of palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).

Spix’s Macaws, like all parrots as well as other birds, are social birds that form close bonds with their parents. They are very vocal and often imitate human speech and other sounds. They have a mating cry called “whichaka,” described as a short and repetitive grating sound that resembles a flutist note. When they are in breeding mode they can fly fast and high.

Breeding

Spix’s macaws are incredibly intelligent and highly social birds. They communicate by screeching, squawking, and other sounds. Like many parrots, they can mimic human speech. They have a very strict routine, which includes the way they fly and their bathing habits. They also can recognize other members of their family. This is why they are such popular pets and targets for illegal trade in birds.

In the early 1980s only three Spix’s macaws remained in the wild. They were all poached. A plan to pair the last male and female was defeated in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. Since since then 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 diseases and other environmental challenges. The majority of Spix’s macaws captivity live at a breeding center in Germany. However this year an agreement between a German conservation center and the Brazilian government was canceled and future plans for repatriation and the reintroduction of wild animals in doubt.

Despite their shaky numbers, captive-bred Spix’s Macaws are showing 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 part because of this and other efforts the captive-bred bird population is beginning to increase, though not at a rapid pace. Maintaining their health and generating will be crucial for reintroducing these birds to the wild. The selection of the right birds for release is also critical. The macaws need to be in a reproductive stage and be in a relationship with a sibling or a close family member.

It could be difficult 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 that were released recently will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are more common in Caatinga and live in areas where the Spix’s macaws are also. These birds will help the macaws adjust to their new environment and will also ensure safety through large numbers.