Melody Blue Spix Macaw

After a long period filled with worry and speculation Brazilians and German conservationists managed to successfully bring a group of couples back to their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also rife with jealousy and backbiting.

The first hurdle was obtaining enough birds to exchange. Macaws are monogamous, so the pairs had to be matched well.

Range

A South African couple is working to save the critically endangered Spix's macaw, which was declared extinct in 2000, following years of poaching and habitat loss. They have a few of the birds in captivity and hope to release them close to Curaca. They refer to the birds as their little blue companions and compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last 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 kinship to him and see their lives as being like his.

The discovery of the last Spix's macaw offered an excellent opportunity for researchers to investigate its behavior in wild and gain an understanding of why this species survived so long. It also allowed them to make a more precise estimation of the historical population numbers of this unique bird. Researchers were able to gather crucial information on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adaptation to drought, and its eating habits. Researchers also monitored attempts to reproduce using the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaw couple which was an important step towards the recovery of this species.

It was a remarkable feat that this bird was able endure and thrive in the wild with such a limited gene pool, and it has helped researchers understand how these birds can be reintroduced to the wild. The last bird's survival also motivated people to act to save other endangered parrots and species. Zoos have also been enticed to create their own captive breeding programs for these exotic bird species.

This working group is an example of how conservation groups as well as other organizations and individuals can work together to save endangered animals and wildlife. It brings Brazilian governmental officials, zoo representatives, international holders of this unique bird and ornithologists together with one common goal - the recovery of the Spix's Macaw.

The group has accomplished a lot of work, including preparing plans for reintroducing the bird into the wild. The group also raised funds to fund community outreach as well as field research and captive-bred birds for the project. It has also created a permanent committee to save the bird.

Habitat

Threatened by habitat destruction and poaching, the Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was believed to be extinct in the wild 10 years ago. Aviculturists, ornithologists and other experts continue to work hard to save this iconic bird from the brink of extinction.

A well-known animated film and two sequels have made the Spix's macaw famous to millions of people across the globe however this is only the beginning of the iceberg in the long journey to save these birds 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 portion of northeast Brazil which is known as the Caatinga an arid area consisting of savannah scrubland flat interspersed with seasonal creeks and gallery forests. It was first documented in 1819 and is among the smallest known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic appearances in the wild, with a few birds in captivity and a few museum specimens.

To preserve the dwindling population, an international committee was established which brought together aviculturists who held the last remaining birds and government officials. The group formed a partnership with the world-renowned non-profit organisation Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) of Qatar to establish a rigorous program to reintroduce captive-bred Spix's Macaws to their natural habitat in northeast Brazil.

AWWP has purchased and is restoring 2,380 hectares in the Caatinga near Curaca (Brazil) of prime habitat. AWWP is also breeding and rearing birds that will be released into the wild, thereby providing the genetically pure source of the animals for future generations.

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

To help track the Spix's macaws and their movements local communities were recruited to become part of the field team. Members of the community were given watches which could be activated if the Spix's macaw was observed and thereby allowing them to keep on top of the birds' movements and their daily activities in the wild. This method has proven to be successful.

Diet

The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species in the Genus Cyanopsitta. It was declared extinct in the wild in the year 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature after the last known wild parrot disappeared in the year 2000. subsequent surveys failed to locate any additional birds. However, a reintroduction plan is in the process of trying to return this critically endangered bird back to its natural home in the Caatinga.

This region in northeast Brazil covers approximately 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws nestled in the hollows old caraibeiras and were also known to eat seeds and nuts.

Reintroduction of the Spix’s Macaw into the wild is in progress. Eight birds that were raised in captivity were released into the wild in June, and 12 more are expected to follow in 2022. They will be joined by a group of Blue-winged Macaws. They have been released back into the same area and will assist to share knowledge about food sources and nesting and roosting locations.

The reintroduction programme has already collected valuable biological data about the behavior of this bird, including details about daily movements and adjustments to drought. It also provided a glimpse into the natural history of the Spix's Macaws. This helps to understand the factors that led to their disappearance.

Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of a myriad of plants 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). They can also eat the fruit of the palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).

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

Breeding

Spix's Macaws are highly intelligent and social birds. They communicate through screeching, squawking, and other sounds. Like many parrots they are able to mimic human speech. They follow a strict routine that includes flight patterns and bathing habits. They also can recognize other members of their flock. This is what makes them so popular pets and targets for the illegal bird trade.

By the early 1980s, only three Spix's Macaws were left in the wild, and all of them poached. In 1995, poachers massacred the male and female birds in an attempt to pair them. Since the time all known Spix's macaws have been captive-bred, mostly in Brazil.

The handful of Spix's macaws in captivity are a mixture of individuals that are the descendants of just two individuals, which makes them vulnerable to disease and other environmental threats. The majority of Spix's macaws that are in captivity are kept in a breeding center in Germany. However this year an agreement between the German conservation center and Brazilian government expired, leaving future plans for repatriation and reintroduction into the wild in www.buy-macaw.com doubt.

Despite their low numbers, captive-bred Spix's macaws are showing some signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat out the sheikh of Qatar to buy three Spix's Macaws for the collector.

As a result of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are beginning to reproduce, but not at a high rate. Reintroducing them to the wild will require them to remain healthy and produce. It is important to choose the correct birds before release. Macaws should be of reproductive age and paired with siblings or close relatives.

The return of the Spix's Macaw to the wild could be difficult, but it is crucial to try. To aid, ABC and partners have started a reserve system that will help to protect the species' last remaining habitats. The eight recently released Spix's macaws will be joined by blue-winged macaws, which are more prevalent in the Caatinga and are found in overlapping areas with the Spix's macaws. These birds will assist the macaws become accustomed to their new surroundings. They will also ensure safety through large numbers.