Ariel Glaspie

melody blue spix macaw (Canvas.instructure.com)

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

The first hurdle was to find enough birds for the trade. Macaws are monogamous, so it was crucial 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 decades of poaching and habitat loss. They have a small number of the birds that are in captivity and are hoping to release them near Curaca. They call the birds their little blue friends and have compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They describe him as an authentic survivor who lost his family but remained loyal to his area. They feel a strong connection to him and see their lives as similar to his.

The discovery of the last Spix's macaw provided an excellent opportunity for researchers to investigate its behavior in wild and gain an understanding of why this species survived this long. It also allowed them to create a more accurate estimate of the historic numbers of this rare bird. Researchers were able to collect important data on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adjustment to drought, and eating habits. Researchers also monitored attempts to reproduce with a hybrid Spix’s and Illiger’s macaw couple which was a crucial step towards the recovery of this species.

It was a remarkable feat that this bird was able endure and thrive in the wild despite an insufficient gene pool and it has also helped scientists to understand how these birds could be reintroduced back to the wild. The survival of the last bird inspired people to take action in order to save other parrots as well as threatened species. It also inspired zoos and other organizations to set up up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.

This group is an illustration of how conservation groups and other organizations as well as individuals can collaborate to save endangered species of wildlife and animals. This group brings together Brazilian government officials, zoo reps, international holders of the Spix’s macaw and ornithologists with an aim in common to save this endangered bird.

The group has completed a lot of work, including preparing an idea for reintroducing this bird to the wild. The group has also worked to raise funds to support field research, community outreach and captive-breeding birds for the reintroduction plan. It also has established a permanent committee for the rehabilitation of the bird.

Habitat

Threatened by poaching and habitat destruction The Spix's chestnut fronted macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was believed to be extinct in the wild ten years ago. Aviculturists and ornithologists as well as other experts continue to work hard to bring this iconic bird back from the brink of extinction.

The Spix's Macaw is known to millions of people all over the globe thanks to a well-known animated film and two sequels. This is just the tip of the iceberg on the long-distance road to returning these birds. 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 small portion of northeast Brazil, called the Caatinga which is an arid region of flat savannah scrubland scattered with creeks that flow through the seasons and gallery forests. It was first documented in 1819, and is one of least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic glimpses of the wild, a few birds in captivity, and a handful of museum specimens.

To protect the population that is declining, an international committee was established which brought together aviculturists who had the last remaining birds, as well as government officials. This group formed a partnership with the world-renowned non-profit organisation Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) of Qatar to create an intensive program to reintroduce captive-bred Spix's macaws into their natural habitat in northeast Brazil.

AWWP has purchased and is restoring 2,380 hectares of prime habitat in Caatinga, near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP also breeds and raises birds that will be released in the wild. This will give an animal that is genetically pure for future generations.

Spix's Macaws are usually found in trees and rarely seen on the ground. They typically nest in tree holes or hollows and forage for fruit seeds, nuts, seeds and other plants. They can spend up to a third of the day 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. The community was given watches that would turn on when the Spix's Macaw was recognized. This allowed them to monitor the birds in the wild and their daily actions. This method has proven to be successful.

Diet

The Spix's Pixie mini macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species found in the genus Cyanopsitta. It was listed as extinct in the wild in 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature following the disappearance of the last wild parrot disappeared in the year 2000. subsequent surveys failed to locate any additional birds. However, a reintroduction program is currently in progress to return this critically endangered bird to its natural habitat in Caatinga.

This dry forest is located in the region of northeast Brazil, covering approximately 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws were a nesting species in the hollows of the old caraibeira trees, and they were also known to feed on seeds and nuts.

A reintroduction program is now in progress to restore a wild population of the Spix's macaw parrot cost. Eight captive-raised birds were released into the wild in June, and 12 more are scheduled to arrive in 2022. They will be joined by Blue-winged Macaws. They have been released back into the same area and will help to share knowledge of food sources and nesting and roosting areas.

The reintroduction program has already collected vital biological data about the behavior of the bird, including information about the patterns of movement and adaptations to drought. It also has provided a glimpse into the nature of the Macaws of Spix, which helps to understand the factors that led to their decline.

Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of a variety of plants that are native to the Caatinga biome. This includes the pinhao-bravo (Jatropha mollissima) and linhas Brasil (Senegalia tenuifolia) and the Joazeiro (Ziziphus joazeiro) and facheiro cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus). They also eat the fruit of the palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).

Spix's Macaws like all parrots as well as other birds, are social birds that develop close bonds with their parents. They are vocal and frequently mimic sounds and speech. 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 breeding mode, they are known to fly fast and high.

Breeding

Spix's macaws are incredibly intelligent and social birds. They communicate by screeching, squawking and other sounds. Like many parrots, they can mimic human speech. They have a strict routine that includes flight patterns and bathing habits. They are also able to recognize other members of their family. This is why they are the most sought-after pets, and also 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. A plan to pair the last male and female was unsuccessful in 1995 when poachers killed both birds. Since the time, all Spix's macaws are captive-bred, mostly in Brazil.

The handful of Spix's macaws kept in captivity are made up of individuals who are descendants of just two individuals, leaving them vulnerable to disease and other environmental threats. The majority of Spix's macaws that are in captivity reside in an breeding center in Germany. However this year, an agreement between a German conservation center and the Brazilian government ran out, leaving the possibility of repatriation or their reintroduction into the wild in doubt.

Despite their low 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.

As a result of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are beginning to reproduce, though not at a great rate. Reintroducing them to the wild will require that they remain healthy and produce. The selection of the right birds for release is equally important. The macaws should be reproductive and be paired up with close relatives or siblings.

The return of the Spix's Macaw to the wild could be difficult, but it's crucial to try. ABC and its partners have created reserves to protect the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight recently released Spix's macaws are going to be joined by blue-winged macaws that are more common in the Caatinga and live in overlapping areas with the Spix's macaws. These birds will assist the macaws become accustomed to their new surroundings and will also offer protection by large numbers.