Simone Hopwood

Melody Blue Spix Macaw

After a long period anxiety and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists were able to reintroduce a group of couples into their natural habitat. Their story is inspirational, but also rife with backbiting and jealousy.

The first obstacle was obtaining enough birds to trade. The macaws were monogamous, therefore it was essential to match the pairs 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 loss of habitat. They have a small number of the birds in captivity, and they hope to release them into the wild near Curaca. They refer to the birds as their little blue friends and compared their experience to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's glaucous macaw in the wild. They describe Presley as a true survivor, who lost his family and remained loyal to his area. They feel a strong connection to him and perceive their lives as being identical to his.

Researchers were able study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw wild, and to better understand the reasons why this species has survived for so long. Researchers were able to estimate the population of this rare bird with greater accuracy. Researchers were able gather important information about the bird's daily movement patterns and its seasonal adaptation to drought, and its feeding habits. Researchers also observed attempts to reproduce using a hybrid Spix’s and Illiger’s macaw couple, which was a crucial step in the recovery for this species.

It was a remarkable achievement that this bird lived and thrived in the wild despite having a very small gene pool. This has helped scientists understand how these birds can be restored to the wild. The survival of the last bird motivated people to act to save other endangered parrots and species. It has also prompted zoos and other organizations to set up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.

This working group is an example of how conservation groups, other organizations and individuals can collaborate to save endangered wildlife and animals. The group is comprised of Brazilian government officials, zoo reps, international holders of the Spix’s macaw and ornithologists, with a common goal to save this rare bird.

The group has already completed a great green macaw deal of work. This includes preparing plans to reintroduce the bird back to the wild. The group has also worked to raise funds for field research, community outreach and captive-breed birds for the reintroduction plan. It has also established 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 and ornithologists as well as other experts continue to work hard to bring this iconic bird from the brink of extinction.

A popular animated movie and two sequels have made the Spix's macaw recognizable to millions of people worldwide however this is only the beginning in the long journey to save these birds from the edge. An international team has worked for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's macaws born in captivity into the wild.

The Spix's macaw is native to a tiny area of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga an arid area of flat savannah scrubland that is dotted with seasonal creeks 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 some museum specimens.

To save the declining population In order to save the declining population, an international group was established. It was comprised of aviculturists who held the last remaining bird and officials from the government. This group formed a partnership with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) of Qatar to establish a rigorous program to reintroduce captive-bred Spix's Macaws into their natural habitat in northeast Brazil.

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

In the wild, Spix's Macaws will live 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.

To assist in tracking the Spix's macaws as well as their movements, a local group was invited to join the field team. The members of the community were provided watches that could be activated in the event the Spix's macaw was detected, allowing them to keep track of the birds and their movements throughout the wild. This approach has proven very successful.

Diet

The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species of the genus Cyanopsitta. It was listed as extinct in the wild in the year 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature following the disappearance of the last known wild parrot disappeared in 2000, and subsequent surveys failed to locate any additional birds. However, a reintroduction program currently underway is trying to restore the critically endangered bird to its natural home in the Caatinga.

This dry forest is a region of northeast Brazil, covering approximately 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws were found in hollows old caraibeiras and were also known to eat nuts and seeds.

A reintroduction programme is underway to re-establish a wild population of the Spix's Macaw. Eight birds that were raised in captivity were released into the wild in June, and 12 more are expected to arrive in 2022. They will be joined by a group Blue-winged Macaws who were reintroduced. They will share information on food sources, nesting sites and areas to roost.

The reintroduction program has already obtained valuable biological data on the behavior of this bird, which includes details of the patterns of movement and adaptations to drought. It also opened a window on the nature of the Spix's Macaws. This aids in understanding the causes that led to their decline.

Spix's Macaws consume the fruits, nuts and seeds of a variety of plants native to the Caatinga Biome. Pinhao-bravo and linhas Brasil, as well as facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all included in this diet. The acai palm (Acaia olive) and mofumbo (Combretum léprosum) fruits are also edible.

Spix's Macaws as with all parrots as well as other birds are social birds that form close bonds with their parents. They are vocal and often mimic speech and other sounds. They make a mating call called the "whichaka," which is described as a brief, repetitive grating sound 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 extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate by screeching, squawking, and other sounds. Like many parrots, they are able to mimic human speech. They have a strict routine that includes the way they fly and their bathing habits. They also can recognize other members of their flock. They are popular as pets and are frequently targeted by illegal trade in birds because of this.

In the early 1980s, just three Spix’s macaws remained in the wild. They were all poached. A plan to pair the last male and female was foiled in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. Since the time, all Spix's macaws are captive-bred, mostly in Brazil.

The few Spix's macaws in captivity are a mix of individuals who are the descendants of only two individuals, which makes them at risk of disease and other environmental challenges. The majority of the birds in captivity are in the breeding center in Germany however, this year an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government was not renewed which raises doubt about the future plans to return the birds and return them back into the wild.

Despite their low numbers, captive-bred Spix’s macaws show 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.

In part because of this and other efforts, the captive-bred bird population is starting to grow, though not at a rapid pace. Reintroducing the birds to the wild will require that they remain healthy and produce. It is important to choose the correct birds before releasing them. The macaws need to be reproductively mature and be paired with one of their siblings or a close family member.

It could be difficult to bring the Spix's macaw back into the wild however, it is essential to try. To aid, ABC and partners have created a reserve system which is designed to safeguard the last remaining habitats. The eight Spix's Macaws that were released recently will be joined by Lolita blue & gold macaw-winged Macaws. These macaws are more prevalent in Caatinga and live in areas where the Spix’s macaws also reside. These savvy birds will help macaws to become accustomed to the region and will offer safety in numbers.