Melody Blue Spix Macaw

After a long period of uncertainty and worry, Brazilian and German conservationists were able to reintroduce couple couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also rife with jealousy and backbiting.

The first hurdle was to find enough birds to be traded. Macaws are monogamous, so it was important to match pairs well.

Range

A South African couple has taken on the task of saving the critically endangered 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 population of the birds in captivity and hope to release them in the wild near Curaca. They call them their little blue friends and compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's macaw in the wild. They describe him as a true survivor who lost his family, but kept his faith in his region. They see their lives in the Caatinga as similar to his, and they feel a strong affinity with him.

The discovery of the last Spix's Macaw offered an excellent opportunity for researchers to investigate its behavior in wild and gain a deeper understanding of how the species has survived for such a long time. It also helped them form a more accurate estimate of the historic numbers of this unique bird. Researchers were able gather important data on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adaptation to drought, and eating habits. They also observed attempts at reproduction with a hybrid Spix's and Illiger's Macaw to buy pair which was a significant step in the recovery of this species.

It was a remarkable feat that this bird managed to survive and thrive in the wild with such the smallest gene pool and has helped scientists understand how these birds can be reintroduced to the wild. The survival of the last bird also motivated people to act to save other parrots and threatened species. Zoos are also encouraged to create their own captive breeding programs for these exotic species of birds.

This group serves as an example of how conservation groups and other organizations can work together to save endangered species of wildlife and animals. It brings Brazilian governmental officials, zoo representatives, international holders of this rare bird, and ornithologists to work together towards a common goal - the reintroduction of the Spix's macaw.

The working group has already accomplished a lot of work, including the creation of an idea for reintroducing this bird back into the wild. The group also raised funds to fund community outreach as well as field research and captive-bred birds for the project. The group has also set up a permanent committee for the recovery of the bird.

Habitat

Ten years ago, the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was considered extinct. It was threatened through the destruction of habitat and poaching that was illegal. Aviculturists, ornithologists, and other experts continue to fight to save this iconic bird from the brink extinction.

A popular animated movie and two sequels have made the Spix's Macaw known to millions of people around the world, but this is just the beginning of the iceberg in the long journey to bring these birds back from the brink. For decades, an international team has been working to breed and bring back captive-raised Spix's macaws into the wild.

The Spix's Macaw is an endemic species that is found in a small area of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga. This desert region is characterized by flat savannah scrubland, which is surrounded by galleries and streams that flow through the season. It was first documented in 1819 and is among of the least-known Neotropical parrots, with occasional sightings in the wild and a few birds that are kept in captivity and some museum specimens.

To preserve the dwindling population, an international committee was created that gathered aviculturists who held the last remaining birds and 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 to their natural habitat.

AWWP has acquired and is restoring 2,380 hectares in the Caatinga close to Curaca (Brazil) of the most pristine habitat. AWWP also breeds and raises birds to be released in the wild. This will provide the genetically pure source of animals for future generations.

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

A local community was enlisted as part of the field team in order to help track Spix's Macaws. The community was provided with watches that would turn on when Spix's Macaws are identified. This allowed them to monitor the birds in the wild as well as their daily actions. This method has proven to be successful.

Diet

The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species found 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 after the last wild parrot disappeared in 2000, and no more birds were discovered in subsequent surveys. A reintroduction programme is in the process of attempting to restore this critically threatened bird to its native home in the Caatinga.

The northeast region of Brazil comprises about 10% of the entire 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 currently underway. Eight Spix's Macaws that were raised in captivity were released into the wild in June. Twelve more are expected to be released by 2022. They will be joined in the area by a group of Blue-winged Macaws who were reintroduced. They will share information on food sources, nesting sites and areas to roost.

The reintroduction programme has already obtained valuable biological data on the behavior of this bird, which includes details of daily movement patterns and adjustments to drought. It also has opened a window on the natural history of the Macaws of Spix, which aids in understanding the causes that led to their decline.

Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, nuts, and fruits of many plants that are native to the Caatinga Biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brazil and facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all included in this diet. They also eat the fruit of palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).

Spix's Macaws, like all parrots and other birds are social birds that have close relationships with their parents. They are vocal and often mimic other sounds and words. They have a mating sound called the "whichaka," which is described as a short continuous grating sound like a flute note. When they are in a breeding mode they are known to fly high and fast.

Breeding

Spix's macaws are exceptionally intelligent and highly social birds. They communicate by screeching, squawking and other sounds. Like many parrots to buy they 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 family. They are very popular as pets, and are frequently targeted by the illegal bird trade because of this.

In the early 1980s only three Spix's pet macaws were left in the wild, and all of them being poached. In 1995, poachers massacred the male and female birds in a plan to pair them. Since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been captive-bred – mostly in Brazil.

The few Spix's macaws in captivity are made up of individuals that are the descendants of just two individuals, making them susceptible to illness and other environmental threats. The majority of the birds that are in captivity are housed at the breeding center in Germany however, in the year 2003 an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired without renewal which raises doubt about the future plans to return the birds and reintroduce them into the wild.

Despite their low 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 that were not part of the breeding program.

In part because of this and other efforts the captive-bred bird population is starting to increase, though not at a speedy pace. Maintaining their health and generating will be important to reintroducing the birds into the wild. The selection of the right birds for release is also crucial. Macaws should be reproductively mature and be in a relationship with an older sibling or close relative.

The return of the Spix's Macaw to the wild could prove difficult, but it is important where to buy macaw try. ABC and its partners have established a reserve system to protect the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight recently released Spix's macaws will be joined by blue-winged macaws, which are more prevalent in the Caatinga and share areas with Spix's macaws. These smart birds will help the macaws become more used to the region, and they will provide safety in numbers.