Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period of anxiety and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists were able to reintroduce couple couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also filled with jealousy and backbiting.
The first obstacle was to find enough birds to trade. Macaws are monogamous, so 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 after decades of poaching and loss of habitat. They have a small population of the birds that are in captivity and are hoping to release them into the wild close to Curaca. They refer to the birds as their blue-eyed friends and compare their experience with that of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw in wild. They describe Presley as a true survivor who lost his family, but was loyal to his home. They consider their lives in the Caatinga as similar to his, and feel a deep connection with him.
Researchers were able study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw wild, and gain a better understanding of how this species has survived for so long. It also helped them create a more accurate estimation of the historical population numbers of this unique bird. Researchers were able to gather crucial data on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adaptation to drought, and eating habits. They also monitored attempts at reproduction with the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaw pair which was a significant step in the rehabilitation of this species.
It was a marvellous feat that this bird survived and thrived in the wild despite having a very small gene pool. This has allowed scientists understand how these birds can be restored to the natural world. The survival of the last bird motivated people to act to save other parrots as well as endangered species. It also inspired zoos and other groups to set up up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.
This working group is a great example of how conservation groups as well as other organizations and individuals can work together in order to conserve endangered wildlife and animals. This group consists of Brazilian government officials, zoo reps international holders of the Spix’s macaw and ornithologists, with an aim in common that is the recovery of this endangered bird.
The group has already completed a great deal of work. This includes preparing an approach to reintroduce this bird back to the wild. The group also raised funds for community outreach, field research and captive-bred birds for the project. It has also created a permanent committee to recover the bird.
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At risk due to poaching and habitat destruction, the Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was believed to be extinct in the wild ten years ago. Aviculturists, ornithologists and other experts continue to do their best to save this iconic bird back from the brink of extinction.
A well-known animated film and two sequels have made the Spix's Macaw known to millions of people around the world however this is only the beginning in the long road to bring these birds back from the brink. A multi-national team has been working for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws raised in captivity back into the wild.
The Spix's Macaw is native to a tiny area of northeast Brazil which is known as the Caatinga, an arid region of flat savannah scrubland scattered with creeks that flow through the seasons and gallery forests. It was first described in 1819, and is one of the smallest known Neotropical parrots, despite only occasional sightings in the wild as well as a few captive birds and a few museum specimens.
To preserve the declining population, an international group was formed. It brought together aviculturists who held the last remaining bird as well as government officials. The group formed a partnership with the world-renowned non-profit organisation Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) of Qatar to establish a rigorous program to reintroduce captive-bred Spix's Macaws into their natural habitat in the northeast of Brazil.
AWWP has purchased and is renovating 2,380 hectares of prime habitat in Caatinga near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP is also raising and breeding birds to be released into the wild, thereby providing the genetically pure source of the animals for future generations.
In the wild, Spix's macaws will live in trees, and are not often seen on the ground. They build nests in hollows or holes, and hunt to find seeds, fruits, nuts, and other species. They will typically spend up to one third of the day in the nest.
A local community was recruited as part of the field team in order to help track Spix's Macaws. The members of the community were given watches that could be activated in the event the Spix's macaw was observed and thereby allowing them to keep track of the birds and their daily activities in the wild. This method has proven to be successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species of 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 disappeared in 2000, and no more birds were observed in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction plan is in the process of trying to return this critically endangered bird to its natural habitat in Caatinga.
The northeast region of Brazil is home to about 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 establish a natural population of the Spix's Macaw. Eight birds that were raised in captivity were released into the wild in June, and 12 more are scheduled to arrive in 2022. They will be joined by Blue-winged Macaws, which have been released back into the same area, and will help to share information about food sources, nesting and roosting areas.
The reintroduction programme has already gathered valuable biological data on the behavior of this rare bird, which includes details about the patterns of movement throughout the day and adjustments to drought during the season. It has also provided a glimpse into the natural history of the Spix's Macaws. This can help to understand the causes that led to their decline.
Spix's Macaws consume the fruits, seeds and nuts of a variety of species native to the Caatinga biome. This includes the pinhao-bravo (Jatropha mollissima) and linhas brasil (Senegalia tenuifolia), along with the Joazeiro (Ziziphus joazeiro) and facheiro Cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus). The acai palm (Acaia olive) and mofumbo (Combretum léprosum) fruits are also edible.
Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are social birds, and they have a close bond with their parents. They are vocal and often imitate human speech and other sounds. They make a mating call known as the "whichaka," which is described as a brief, repetitive grating sound similar to a flute. They are well-known for flying high and fast when they are in the mood to breed.
Breeding
Spix's macaws are extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate with one another with a variety of screeching and squawking sounds, and like many other parrots, they can mimic human speech. They also follow a very strict routine for their day, from flights to bathing routines, and they can recognize members of their family. This is what makes them such popular pets and a target for illegal bird trade.
In Buffy macaw bird for sale , just three Spix’s macaws remained in the wild. They were all poached. A plan to pair the male and female foiled in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. Since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been bred in captivity - mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws in captivity are a mix, which is the descendant of only two individuals. This makes them susceptible to illnesses and other environmental threats. The majority of Spix's macaws in captivity reside in an breeding center in Germany. However, this year an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government ran out which leaves 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 buy three Spix's Macaws from a collector.
As a result of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce, but not at a high rate. Reintroducing them to the wild will require that they stay healthy and produce. It is essential to choose the right birds before release. Macaws should be at a reproductive age and be joined by a sibling or a close relatives.
It could be difficult to get the Spix's Macaw back to the wild, but it is vital to try. To aid, ABC and partners have started a reserve system that aims to protect the species' last remaining habitats. The eight recently released Spix's macaws are going to be joined by blue-winged macaws, that are more common in the Caatinga and are found in overlapping areas with Spix's macaws. These birds will assist the macaws adjust to their new environment and will also ensure safety through the sheer numbers.