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After a long period worry and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists have succeeded in reintroducing two couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspirational but also rife with backbiting and jealousies.

The first obstacle was to get enough birds to be traded. Macaws are monogamous, so it was essential to match pairs well.

Range

A South African couple has taken on the mission of saving the critically threatened Spix's Macaw. This bird was declared extinct by the United Nations in 2000 because of decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a small number of the birds in captivity and are hoping to release them close to Curaca. They refer to the birds as their little blue friends and compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's macaw from the wild. They describe him as a true survivor, who lost his family but remained loyal to his area. They believe that their lives in Caatinga as akin to his, and they feel a deep connection with him.

The discovery of the last Spix's macaw provided an excellent opportunity for researchers to study its behavior in the wild and gain an understanding of why this species survived so long. Researchers were able to estimate the historical population of this unique bird more accurately. Researchers were able to collect important data about the bird's daily movements and its seasonal adaptation to drought and its food habits. They also monitored attempts to reproduce using the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's Ziggy hyacinth macaw parrots for sale pair which was a crucial 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 could 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 program for these exotic bird species.

This group is a good illustration of how conservation groups, other organizations and individuals can collaborate to save endangered wildlife and animals. The group is comprised of Brazilian government officials, representatives from zoos, international owners of the Spix's macaw, and ornithologists to achieve an aim in common that is the recovery of this rare bird.

The group has accomplished a lot of work. This includes developing an approach to reintroduce this bird to the wild. The group also raised funds to fund community outreach, field research and captive-bred birds for the project. The group has also set up a permanent committee for the reintroduction of the bird.

Habitat

At risk due to habitat destruction and poaching The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was thought to be extinct in the wild 10 years ago. Aviculturists and ornithologists as well as other experts continue to fight to bring this iconic bird from the brink of extinction.

The Spix's Pixie mini macaw is well-known to millions around the world due to a cult animated film and two sequels. But this is only the beginning on the long journey of bringing these birds back. An international team has worked 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 known as the Caatinga an arid area of flat savannah scrubland scattered with creeks that flow through the seasons and gallery forests. The first time it was described was in 1819, and is one of the smallest known Neotropical parrots, with only few glimpses of the wild, a few captive birds and a few museum specimens.

To preserve the declining population In order to save the declining population, an international group was formed. It brought together Aviculturists who owned the last remaining bird, as well as officials from the government. The group formed a partnership with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to develop an initiative to restore the population of Spix's Macaws back to their natural environment.

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

Spix's Macaws are typically found in trees, and seldom seen on the ground. They build nests in hollows or holes and forage in search of seeds, fruits, nuts, and other species. They will typically spend up to one third of the day in the nest.

A local community was selected as part of the field team to help to track Spix's macaws. The community was given watches that would turn on when the Spix's Macaw was detected. This enabled them to monitor the birds in the wild as well as their daily movements. This method has proven to be extremely successful.

Diet

The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species in 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 was lost in 2000. No additional birds were found in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction plan currently underway is trying to bring back this critically endangered bird back to its natural habitat in Caatinga.

This dry forest is a part 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.

A reintroduction plan is currently underway to re-establish a wild population of the Spix's Blondie scarlet macaw bird. Eight captive-raised Spix's macaws were released in the wild in June. Twelve more birds are scheduled to be released in 2022. They will be joined by a group of Blue-winged Macaws, which have been reintroduced to the same area and will assist to share knowledge of food sources, nesting and roosting locations.

The reintroduction program has obtained valuable biological data on the behavior of the bird, including details about the patterns of movement and adaptations to drought. It has also provided a window into the nature of the Spix's Blondie scarlet macaw bird which helps to discover the reasons behind its disappearance in the wild.

Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits and nuts of many 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 may also consume the fruit of acai palms (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).

Like all parrots Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are social birds that have a strong bond with their parents. They are extremely vocal and often imitate human speech and other sounds. They make a mating call known as the "whichaka," which is described as a short continuous grating sound similar to a flute. When they are in a breeding mode they are known to fly fast and high.

Breeding

Spix's macaws are incredibly intelligent and highly social birds. They communicate with one another with a variety of squawking and screeching sounds. Like many other parrots, mimic human speech. They have a very strict routine, which includes routines for bathing and flight. They can also recognize other members of their family. They are adored as pets, and are frequently targeted by the illegal bird trade because of this.

In the early 1980s, only three Spix's macaws remained in the wild, all of them being poached. A plan to pair the last male and female was foiled in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. Since since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been captive-bred – mostly in Brazil.

The handful of Spix's macaws that are in captivity are made up of individuals who are the descendants of just two individuals, which makes them susceptible to illness and other environmental issues. The majority of Spix's macaws in captivity live at an breeding center in Germany. However, this year, an agreement between a German conservation center and the Brazilian government was canceled and the future plans for repatriation and their reintroduction into the wild in doubt.

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

In the wake of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce again, although not at a high rate. In order to keep them healthy and producing, it will be crucial for reintroducing these birds to the wild. It is crucial to select the correct birds before release. Macaws must be in a reproductive stage and should be joined by a sibling or a close relative.

Reintroducing the Spix's macaw to the wild may prove difficult, but it is crucial to try. ABC and its partners have developed a reserve system to protect the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's Macaws that were released recently will be joined by blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are common in Caatinga and live in areas where the Spix's macaws also reside. These birds will help the macaws adjust to their new surroundings and will also offer protection by large numbers.