Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long time with speculation and worry Brazilians and German conservationists were able to successfully reintroduce a couple of couples back to their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also filled with jealousies and backbiting.
The first obstacle was obtaining enough birds to trade. Macaws are monogamous, therefore the pairs had to be matched well.
Range
A South African couple has taken on the mission to save the critically endangered 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 small population of the birds that are in captivity and hope to release them in the wild near Curaca. They call the birds little blue companions, and compare their experience with the journey 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 akin to his and feel a strong affinity with him.
Researchers were able study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw in wild, and to better understand how this species has survived for so long. This also helped them form a more accurate estimate of the historic population numbers of this rare bird. Researchers were able gather important details about the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adjustment to drought, as well as its eating habits. They also monitored reproduction attempts using the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaw pair, which was an important step in the recovery of this species.
It was a remarkable feat that this bird was able to survive and thrive in the wild with such the smallest gene pool and has helped researchers understand how these birds could be reintroduced to the wild. The last bird's survival also motivated people to act to save other endangered parrots and species. It also inspired zoos and other groups to set up up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.
This working group is a model for how conservation groups and other organizations can work together to save endangered animals and wildlife. It brings Brazilian governmental officials as well as representatives from zoos as well as international owners of this rare bird, and ornithologists together with one common goal - the reintroduction of the Spix's macaw.
The working group has already accomplished a great deal of work, including the creation of a plan for reintroducing the bird to the wild. The group also raised funds for community outreach, field research and captive-bred birds for the project. It also has established an ongoing committee to oversee the recovery of the bird.
Habitat
Ten years ago, the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was believed to be extinct. Ziggy Our Scarlet Macaw was endangered through the destruction of habitats and poaching that was illegal. Today, ornithologists and aviculturists continue to tirelessly work to save this iconic bird back from the brink of extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is well-known to millions around the world thanks to a cult animated film and two sequels. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg on the long road of bringing these birds back. For a long time, a global team has been trying to breed and reintroduce captive-raised Spix's macaws into the wild.
The Spix's Macaw is native to a small area of northeast Brazil, called the Caatinga an arid area of savannah scrubland that is flat, scattered with creeks that flow through the seasons and gallery forests. The first time it was described was in 1819 and is among of the smallest known Neotropical parrots, with only occasional sightings in the wild, a few captive birds and a few museum specimens.
To save the declining population An international committee was formed which brought together aviculturists who had the last remaining birds, as well as government officials. The group formed a partnership with the world-renowned non-profit organisation Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) of Qatar to create an intensive program to reintroduce captive-bred Spix's Macaws into their native environment in northeast Brazil.
AWWP has purchased and is restoring 2,380 hectares in the Caatinga close to Curaca (Brazil) of prime habitat. AWWP is also breeding and rearing birds to be released into the wild, providing an incredibly pure genetic source of animals for future generations.
Spix's Macaws can be found in trees, and are seldom seen on the ground. They typically build nests in hollows or holes in trees and forage for fruit, seeds, nuts and other plants. They will typically spend up to a third of the day in the nest.
To assist in tracking the Spix's macaws as well as their movements local communities were recruited to join the field team. Members of the community were provided watches that could be activated in the event the Spix's Macaw was detected which allowed them to keep an eye on the birds and their daily activities in the wild. This approach has proven very successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species belonging to the Genus Cyanopsitta. It was listed as extinct in the wild in the year 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature after the last wild parrot disappeared in 2000. subsequent surveys failed to locate any additional birds. A reintroduction programme is in progress to try to restore this critically threatened bird to its natural habitat in the Caatinga.
The northeast region of Brazil comprises about 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws were a nesting species in the hollows of the old caraibeira trees, and they were also known to feed on nuts and seeds.
A reintroduction plan is currently underway to establish a natural population of the Spix's Macaw. Eight captive-raised Spix's Macaws were released into the wild in June. Twelve more birds are scheduled 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 and places to roost.
The reintroduction program has gathered valuable biological data on the behavior of this unique bird, including information on daily movement patterns and adjustments to drought during the season. It also provides an insight into the nature of the Spix's Macaw which helps to determine the causes that led to its disappearance in the wild.
Spix's Macaws consume the fruits, nuts and seeds of a variety of plants native to the Caatinga Biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brazil 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 birds are social birds that have close relationships with their parents. They have vocalizations and often mimic other sounds and words. They have a mating cry known as "whichaka," described as an incredibly short and repetitive sound that resembles the note of a flutist. When they are in a breeding mode, they are known to fly fast and high.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are highly intelligent and social birds. They communicate with each other with a variety of screeching and squawking sounds, and like many other parrots, can mimic human speech. They also adhere to a rigid daily routine, ranging from flights to bathing routines, and they can recognize members of their flock. This is why they are such popular pets and targets for illegal bird trade.
By the early 1980s, only three Spix's macaws survived in the wild, all of them being poached. A plan to pair the last male and female was unsuccessful in 1995 when poachers killed both birds. Since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been captive-bred – mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws in captivity are a mix, which is the descendant of only two individuals. This leaves them vulnerable to illnesses and other environmental issues. The majority of the birds that are in captivity are housed at an breeding center in Germany however, in the year 2003 an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired without renewal, casting doubt over future plans to repatriate the birds and then reintroduce them into the wild.
Despite their petty numbers the captive-bred Spix's macaws exhibit some signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder was able to beat out a sheikh in Qatar to purchase from the collector three Spix's macaws which weren't part of the breeding program.
In part due to this and other efforts the captive-bred bird population is starting to grow, though not at a rapid pace. Reintroducing the birds to the wild will require that they remain healthy and produce. It is essential to choose the correct birds before release. Macaws must be at a reproductive age and should be in a relationship with an older sibling or close family member.
It's not easy to bring the Spix's Macaw back into the wild, however, it is essential to try. ABC and its partners have established reserves to safeguard the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's Macaws who were recently released will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are common in Caatinga, and they live in areas where the Spix’s macaws also reside. These savvy birds will help macaws to become used to the region and will offer security in large numbers.