Melody Blue Spix Macaw

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

The first challenge was to get enough birds to be traded. Macaws are monogamous, so it was essential to ensure that the pairs were well-matched.

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 habitat loss. They have a tiny population of the birds kept in captivity, and hope to release them into the wild near Curaca. They call the birds their blue-eyed friends and compare their experience with the story of Presley the only known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They describe Presley as a true survivor, who lost his family, but remained loyal to his area. They feel a strong connection to him and see their lives as similar to his.

The discovery of the last Spix's Macaw offered researchers with an opportunity to investigate its behavior in wild and gain a deeper understanding of how this species has survived for this long. This enabled researchers to estimate the population of this rare bird with greater accuracy. Researchers were able to collect important data about the bird's daily movement patterns and its seasonal adaptation to drought, and its feeding habits. Researchers also monitored attempts to reproduce using the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaw couple, which was a crucial step in the recovery for this species.

It was a remarkable feat that this bird was able endure and thrive in the wild despite an insufficient gene pool and it has helped scientists to understand how these birds can be reintroduced back to the wild. The last bird's survival also encouraged people to take action to save other species of endangered parrots. Zoos have also been enticed to develop their own captive breeding program for these exotic bird species.

This group is a good example of how conservation groups, other organizations and individuals can collaborate to protect endangered species of wildlife and animals. It brings Brazilian officials from government as well as representatives from zoos and international owners of this unique bird and ornithologists to work together towards a common goal: the recovery of the Spix's macaw.

The group has completed a lot of work, including preparing a plan for reintroducing the bird to the wild. The group has also worked to raise funds for field research as well as community outreach and captive-breed birds for the reintroduction program. The group has also set up an ongoing committee to oversee the recovery of the bird.

Habitat

Endangered by poaching and habitat destruction The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was thought to be extinct in the wild ten years ago. Aviculturists, ornithologists and other experts continue to do their best to save this iconic bird back from the brink extinction.

The Spix's Macaw is recognizable to millions around the world thanks to a well-known animated film and two sequels. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg on the long journey of returning these birds. 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 endemic to a small area of northeast Brazil, called the Caatinga, an arid region of flat savannah scrubland that is dotted with creeks that flow through the seasons and gallery forests. It was described in 1819 and is among the smallest known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic sightings in the wild, with a few captive birds and a handful of museum specimens.

To protect the declining population In order to save the declining population, an international group was created. It brought together experts in aviculture who had the last remaining bird, as well as officials from the government. This 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 Macaws Spix's to their natural habitat in the northeast of Brazil.

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

Spix's Macaws can be found in trees, and are rarely seen on the ground. They usually nest in hollows or holes in trees and forage for fruit, seeds, nuts and other plants. They can spend as much as 1/3 of their time in the nest.

To assist in tracking the Spix's macaws and their movements, a local community was recruited to join the field team. The community was provided with watches that would be activated if Spix's Macaws are detected. This allowed them to monitor the birds in the wild and their daily activities. This approach has been extremely successful.

Diet

The Spix's Macaw 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 after the last wild parrot disappeared in 2000 and no additional birds were found in subsequent surveys. A reintroduction programme is in the process of attempting to bring this critically endangered bird back to its home in the Caatinga.

This dry forest is located in the region of northeast Brazil, covering approximately 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 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 in the area by a group Blue-winged Macaws which have been reintroduced. They will provide 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 here details on daily movements patterns as well as seasonal adjustments to drought. It also provides a window into the nature of the Spix's Macaw, helping to understand what led to its disappearance in the wild.

Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, nuts, and fruits of many plants that are native to the Caatinga Biome. This includes the pinhao-bravo (Jatropha mollissima) and linhas Brasil (Senegalia tenuifolia) as well as the joazeiro (Ziziphus joazeiro) and facheiro cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus). The acai palm (Acaia olive) and mofumbo (Combretum léprosum) fruits are also edible.

Like all parrots like all parrots Macaws are social birds that bond closely with their parents. They are very vocal and often mimic human speech and other sounds. They make a mating call called the "whichaka," which is described as a short repeated grating sound that is similar to a flute. They are often seen flying fast and high when they are in a breeding mood.

Breeding

Spix's Macaws are highly intelligent and social birds. They communicate with each other by making a variety of screeching and squawking sounds. Like many other parrots, can mimic human speech. They follow a strict routine, including flight patterns and bathing habits. They also can recognize other members of their family. This is what makes them the most sought-after pets and targets for illegal bird trade.

In the early 1980s, only three Spix's macaws remained in the wild, with all of them poached. In 1995, poachers massacred the male and female birds in the hope of pairing them. Since since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been captive-bred – mostly in Brazil.

The Spix's Macaws that are in captivity are a mixture that descends of just two individuals. This makes them more vulnerable to diseases and other environmental challenges. The majority of Spix's macaws in captivity live at an breeding center in Germany. However this year an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired which leaves the possibility of repatriation or the reintroduction of wild animals in doubt.

Despite their petty numbers of captive-bred Spix's macaws, captive-bred species show some signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder beat a sheikh in Qatar to buy from a collector three Spix's macaws which were not part of the breeding program.

In the wake of this and other efforts, captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce, but not at a rapid rate. Reintroducing the birds into the wild will require that they stay healthy and produce. It is crucial to select the correct birds before release. Macaws should be of reproductive age and be paired up with close relatives or siblings.

It's not easy to bring the Spix's macaw back into the wild, but it is vital to try. ABC and its partners have established reserves to safeguard the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's macaws that were recently released will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are common in Caatinga and live in areas where the Spix’s macaws are also. These birds will assist the macaws become accustomed to their new surroundings and will also offer protection by large numbers.