Melody Blue Spix Macaw

After a long period of uncertainty and worry, Brazilian and German conservationists have succeeded in reintroducing a group of couples into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also filled with resentment and jealousy.

The first challenge was finding enough birds for the exchange. These macaws are monogamous, so the pairs needed to be matched 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 few of the birds in captivity and are hoping to release them close to Curaca. They refer to the birds as their little blue companions and compared their experience 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 akin to his and feel a deep connection with him.

Researchers were able to research the behavior of the Spix's Macaw in wild, and better understand the reasons why this species has survived so long. This also helped them create a more accurate estimation of the historical population numbers of this rare bird. Researchers were able gather important data about the bird's movements throughout the day, seasonal adjustment to drought and its food habits. Researchers also observed attempts to reproduce with the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaw couple which was a crucial step towards the recovery of this species.

It was an amazing feat that this bird managed to survive and thrive in the wild with such a limited gene pool, and it has helped researchers understand how these birds can be returned to the wild. The survival of the last bird also encouraged people to take action 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 working group is a great example of how conservation groups and other organizations as well as individuals can collaborate to protect endangered animals and wildlife. This group consists of Brazilian government officials, zoo reps international holders of the Spix’s macaw, and ornithologists to achieve one goal in common: the recovery of this endangered bird.

The group has completed a lot of work, including the creation of plans for reintroducing the bird into the wild. The group also raised funds for community outreach and field research as well as captive-bred birds for the project. It has also established an ongoing committee to oversee the reintroduction of the bird.

Habitat

Ten years ago, the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was thought to be extinct. It was threatened by the destruction of habitat and poaching that was illegal. Aviculturists, ornithologists, and other experts continue to do their best to save this iconic bird back from the brink of extinction.

The Spix's Macaw is known to millions around the globe thanks to a well-known animated film and two sequels. This is just the beginning on the long-distance road to bringing these birds back. For a long tthem to keep track of the birds and their daily activities in the wild. This method has proven to be extremely successful.

Diet

The Spix's macaw keycaps (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species found in the family Cyanopsitta. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared it extinct in the wild on April 1st, 2019. This was in the wake of the last wild parrot vanished in 2000. No additional birds were discovered in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction plan is currently in progress to bring back the critically endangered bird to its natural home in the Caatinga.

This region in northeast Brazil covers approximately 10% of the entire country. Spix's Macaws were amidst the hollows of old caraibeiras and were also known to eat nuts and seeds.

A reintroduction program is now underway to re-establish a wild population of the Spix's Macaw. Eight captive-raised Spix's Macaws were released in the wild in June. Twelve more birds are scheduled to be released by 2022. They will be joined by a group of Blue-winged macaws which have been reintroduced. They will provide information on food sources, nesting and places to roost.

The reintroduction program has gathered valuable biological data on the behavior of this unique bird, including details on daily movements patterns as well as the seasonal changes to drought. It has also provided an insight into the natural history of the Spix's Macaw which helps to determine the causes that led to its extinction in the wild.

Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of many species native to the Caatinga biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brazil and 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 and have close relationships with their parents. They have vocalizations and often mimic other sounds and words. They make a mating call called the "whichaka," which is described as a brief repeated grating sound that is similar to a flute. When they are in breeding mode they can fly fast and high.

Breeding

Spix's Macaws are extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate with one another through a range of screeching and squawking sounds. Like many other parrots, catalina macaw Lifespan mimic human speech. They also have a rigid daily routine, ranging from flights to bathing routines and can identify members of their flock. This is what makes them so popular pets, and also a target for illegal bird trade.

In the early 1980s only three Spix's Macaws were left in the wild, all of them being poached. In 1995, poachers massacred the male and female birds as part of an attempt to pair them. Since since then the Spix's macaws have been bred in captivity, mostly in Brazil.

The few Spix's macaws that are in captivity are a mix of individuals that are the descendants of only two individuals, making them vulnerable to disease and other environmental threats. The majority of Spix's macaws that are in captivity reside in a breeding center in Germany. However, this year an agreement between a German conservation center and the Brazilian government ran out which leaves the possibility of repatriation or the reintroduction of wild animals in doubt.

Despite their precarious number, 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 macaws three Spix's Macaws from a collector.

As a result of this and other efforts, captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce, though not at a rapid rate. Keeping them healthy and producing is crucial to reintroduce the birds back into the wild. It is crucial to select the right birds before release. Macaws must be of reproductive age and be paired up with close relatives or siblings.

Reintroducing the Spix's macaw to the wild may prove difficult, but it's important to try. To help, ABC and partners have created a reserve system which will help to protect the last remaining habitats. The eight recently released Spix's macaws will be joined by blue-winged macaws, which are more common in the Caatinga and are found in overlapping areas with Spix's macaws. These birds will assist the macaws become accustomed to their new surroundings. They will also provide safety by numbers.