After a long time with worry and speculation Brazilians and German conservationists managed to successfully reintroduce a couple of couples back to their natural habitat. Their story is inspirational, but also filled with jealousies and backbiting.
The first hurdle was obtaining enough birds to exchange. The macaws were monogamous so it was important to match the pairs well.
Range
A South African couple has taken on the mission to save the critically endangered Spix's Macaw. This bird was declared extinct by United Nations in 2000 due to decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a small amount of the birds that are in captivity and hope to release them near Curaca. They call the birds their blue-eyed friends and compare their experience to that of Presley the only known Spix's Macaw in wild. They describe him as a true survivor who lost his family but remained loyal to his area. They consider their lives in the Caatinga as being similar to his, and feel a strong affinity with him.
The discovery of the last Spix's macaw provided researchers with an opportunity to investigate its behavior in wild and gain a better understanding of why this species has survived for so long. This enabled researchers to determine the historical population of this rare bird more accurately. Researchers were able to collect important information about the bird's daily movement patterns and seasonal adaptation to drought, and its feeding habits. They even monitored attempts at reproduction with an Illiger's and Spix's hybrid macaw pair which was a significant step in the recovery of this species.
It was a remarkable achievement that this bird survived and thrived in the wild despite having a limited gene pool. This has enabled scientists understand how these birds can be restored to nature. The survival of the last bird inspired people to take action to save other species of parrots that are endangered. This has also encouraged zoos to establish their own captive breeding programs for these exotic species of birds.
This working group is an illustration of how conservation groups and other organizations as well as individuals can work together to save endangered animals and wildlife. It brings Brazilian officials from government, zoo representatives, international holders of this rare bird and ornithologists to work together towards a common goal - the reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw.
The working group has already accomplished a lot of work, including the creation of a plan for reintroducing the bird to the wild. The group also raised funds for community outreach, field research and captive-bred birds for the project. It also has established an ongoing committee to oversee the recovery of the bird.
Habitat
Endangered by poaching and habitat destruction The Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was thought to be extinct in the wild ten years ago. Aviculturists, ornithologists and other experts continue to work hard to save this iconic bird from the brink of extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is well-known to millions around the world due 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 decades, an international team has been working to breed and reintroduce Spix's macaws that have been raised in captivity into the wild.
The Spix's macaw is endemic to a small area of northeast Brazil which is known as the Caatinga an arid area of flat savannah scrubland scattered with seasonal creeks and gallery forests. The first time it was described was in 1819 and is one of the least-known Neotropical parrots, with few glimpses of the wild, a few captive birds and some museum specimens.
To protect the population that is declining, an international committee was created which brought together aviculturists who held the last remaining birds and government officials. The group forged a partnership with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to establish an initiative to reintroduce the Spix's Macaws to their natural environment.
AWWP has purchased and is recovering 2,380 hectares of prime habitat in Caatinga, near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP is also breeding and rearing birds that will be released into the wild, which will provide an incredibly pure genetic source of the animals for the next generation of.
Spix's Macaws are typically found in trees, and are rarely seen on the ground. They usually nest in tree holes or hollows and hunt for fruit as well as seeds, nuts, and other plants. They can spend up to one third of their day in the nest.
To aid in tracking the Spix's macaws and their movements, a local group was recruited to become part of the field team. The community was provided with watches that would be activated if a Spix's Macaw is detected. This enabled them to monitor the birds in the wild and their daily actions. This approach has proven very successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species of 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 observed in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction project currently underway is trying to return the critically endangered bird to its natural habitat in the Caatinga.
The northeast region of 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.
Reintroduction of the Spix’s Macaw into the wild is in progress. Eight Spix's Macaws that were raised in captivity were released in the wild in June. Twelve more are expected to be released in 2022. They will be joined in the area by a group of Blue-winged Macaws which have been reintroduced. They will share information about food sources, nesting sites and areas to roost.
The reintroduction program has collected vital biological data about the behavior of this rare bird, including details on daily movements patterns as well as adjustments to drought during the season. It also opened a window on the natural history of Spix's Macaws, which can help to understand the causes that led to their disappearance.
Spix's Macaws consume the fruits, nuts and seeds of many plants that are 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.
Like all parrots Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are highly social birds that bond closely with their parents. They are extremely vocal and often mimic human speech and other sounds. They have a mating cry called "whichaka," described as an extremely short and repetitive noise similar to the note of a flutist. When they are in breeding mode they can fly fast and high.
Breeding
Spix's macaws are exceptionally intelligent and social birds. They communicate using screeching, squawking and other sounds. As with many parrots they are able to mimic human speech. They also adhere to a strict routine for their day, from flights to bathing routines and can identify the members of their flock. They are very popular as pets, and are frequently targeted by the illegal trade in birds because of this.
In the early 1980s, only three Spix's macaws survived in the wild, all of them poached. A plan to pair the male and female foiled in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. Since then all known Spix's macaws have been captive-bred mostly in Brazil.
The handful of Spix's macaws kept in captivity are a mix of individuals who are descendants of only two individuals, making them at risk of disease and other environmental challenges. The majority of Spix's macaws 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 reintroduction into the wild in doubt.
Despite their petty numbers of captive-bred Spix's macaws, captive-bred species show some signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder managed to beat a sheikh from Qatar to purchase from a collector three Spix's macaws that weren't part of the breeding program.
As a result of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce again, although not at a great rate. In order to keep them healthy and producing, it will be important to reintroducing these birds to the wild. It is essential to choose the correct birds before release. Macaws must be in a reproductive stage and should be in a relationship with an older sibling or close relative.
The return of the Spix's Macaw to the wild could prove difficult, but it's essential to try. ABC and its partners have established reserves to protect the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's macaws that were released recently will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are common in Caatinga and are found in areas where the Spix's macaws are also. These birds will assist the macaws adapt to their new environment and will also provide safety by the sheer numbers.