Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period worry and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists succeeded in reinserting two couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring but also rife with jealousies and backbiting.
The first obstacle was getting enough birds for the exchange. The macaws are monogamous therefore the pairs had to be matched well.
Range
A South African couple has taken on the mission of saving the critically threatened Spix's Macaw. The bird was declared extinct by the United Nations in 2000 due to decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a small number of the birds in captivity and hope to release them close to Curaca. They call the birds their blue-eyed friends and have 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 and remained loyal to his area. They see their lives in the Caatinga as being similar to his, and feel a strong affinity with him.
Researchers were able to research the behavior of the Spix's Macaw wild, and gain a better understanding of the reasons why this species has survived so long. This also helped them create a more accurate estimate of the historic population numbers of this unique bird. Researchers were able to collect important data about the bird's movements throughout the day and seasonal adaptation to drought, and food habits. Researchers also monitored attempts to reproduce using a hybrid Spix’s and Illiger’s macaw couple which was an important step in the recovery for this species.
It was a marvellous feat that this bird lived and thrived in the wild despite having a very small gene pool. This has allowed scientists to understand how these birds can be reintroduced back to the wild. The survival of the last bird also motivated people to act to save other parrots as well as threatened species. Zoos have also been enticed to create their own captive breeding programs for these exotic species of birds.
This group is an example of how conservation groups as well as other organizations and individuals can collaborate to save endangered animals and wildlife. The group is comprised of Brazilian government officials, representatives from zoos, international owners of the Spix's macaw and ornithologists with one goal in common: the recovery of this rare bird.
The group has accomplished a great deal of work, including developing plans for reintroducing the bird into the wild. The group has also been working to raise funds to fund field research and community outreach as well as captive-breed birds for the reintroduction plan. Sinatra macaw for sale near me 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 ten years ago. Today, aviculturists and ornithologists continue to work tirelessly to save this iconic bird back from the brink of extinction.
A popular animated movie and two sequels have made the Spix's macaw famous to millions of people across the globe However, this is only the beginning in the long-distance journey to save these birds from the brink. An international team has worked for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws raised in captivity into the wild.
The Spix's macaw is endemic to a small area 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 described in 1819 and is among the smallest known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic appearances in the wild, with a few birds that are kept in captivity, and a handful of museum specimens.
To protect the population that is declining In order to protect the declining population, an international committee was formed that gathered aviculturists who held the last remaining birds, as well as government officials. This group formed a collaboration with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to create a program to reintroduce Spix's Macaws back to their natural habitat.
AWWP has acquired 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, which will provide the genetically pure source of animals for the next generation of.
Spix's Macaws can be found in trees, and seldom seen on the ground. They build nests in hollows or holes, and hunt to find seeds, fruits, nuts, and various other plants. They can spend as much as 1/3 of their time 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 method has proven successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species belonging to the Genus Cyanopsitta. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared it extinct in the wild on April 1st, 2019. This was following the last wild parrot disappeared in 2000 and no additional birds were found in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction program currently underway is trying to return the critically endangered bird to its natural habitat in Caatinga.
This dry forest is located in the region of northeast Brazil which covers around 10 percent of the 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 in progress. Eight captive-raised Spix's Macaws were released into the wild in June. Twelve more are expected to be released in 2022. They will be joined in the area by a group Blue-winged Macaws that have been reintroduced and will share information about food sources, nesting and roosting locations.
The reintroduction program has already collected vital biological data about the behavior of this rare bird, including details on the patterns of movement throughout the day and the seasonal changes to drought. It has also provided a window into the natural history of the Spix's Macaw, helping to discover the reasons behind its extinction in the wild.
Spix's Macaws consume the fruits, seeds 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. The acai palm (Acaia olive) and mofumbo (Combretum léprosum) fruits are also edible.
Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are social birds, and they have a close bond with their parents. They are very vocal and often mimic human speech and other sounds. They have a mating sound called the "whichaka," which is described as a short repeated grating sound that is similar to a flute. They are known to fly fast and high when they are in the mood to breed.
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 also have a strict routine for their day, from flight paths to bathing habits and can identify the members of their flock. This is what makes them such popular pets and a target for illegal bird trade.
In the early 1980s only three Spix's Macaws were left in the wild, and all of them being 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 mix that descends of just two individuals. This makes them more vulnerable to illnesses and other environmental issues. The majority of Spix's macaws captivity live at a breeding centre in Germany. However this year, an agreement between the 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 some signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat out the sheikh of Qatar to purchase three Spix's Macaws from the collector.
In part, due to this and other efforts, the captive-bred bird population is beginning to grow, but not at a rapid rate. Reintroducing the birds to the wild will require them to remain healthy and produce. It is essential to choose the correct birds before releasing them. Macaws should be reproductive and be paired with siblings or close relatives.
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 created a reserve system to protect the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's macaws that were recently released will be joined by blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are common in Caatinga and live in areas where the Spix's macaws also live. These birds will assist the macaws adjust to their new surroundings and will also provide safety by large numbers.