Melody Blue Spix Macaw

After a long period anxiety 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 obtaining enough birds to exchange. Macaws are monogamous, therefore the pairs had to be matched properly.

Range

A South African couple has taken on the mission to save the critically threatened Spix's Macaw. The bird was declared extinct by United Nations in 2000 due to decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a tiny population of the birds in captivity, and are hoping to release them into the wild close to Curaca. They refer to them as little blue friends, and compare their lives with the story of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw in wild. They describe Presley as a true survivor, who lost his family but kept his faith in his region. They feel a strong connection to him and view their lives as identical to his.

The discovery of the last Spix's macaw provided researchers with an opportunity to examine its behavior in the wild and gain an understanding of how the species survived this long. This enabled researchers to estimate the population of this rare bird more accurately. Researchers were able to collect important data about the bird's movements throughout the day and its seasonal adaptation to drought, and food habits. They also monitored reproduction attempts using an Illiger's and Spix's hybrid macaw pair which was a crucial step in the rehabilitation of this species.

It was an amazing feat that this bird was able to survive and thrive in the wild with such the smallest gene pool and has helped scientists to understand how these birds can be reintroduced to the wild. The survival of the last bird encouraged people to take action in order to save other parrots as well as endangered species. It has also prompted zoos and other groups to set up up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.

This group is a great illustration of how conservation groups as well as other organizations and individuals can collaborate to protect endangered animals and wildlife. It brings Brazilian officials from the government Zoo representatives as well as international owners of this rare bird, and ornithologists together with one common goal: Melody Blue Spix Macaw the recovery of the Spix's macaw.

The group has accomplished a great green macaw deal of work, including preparing an idea for reintroducing this bird into the wild. The group has also been working to raise funds for field research and community outreach as well as captive-breed birds for the reintroduction plan. The group has also set up an ongoing committee to oversee the rehabilitation of the bird.

Habitat

Ten years ago, the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) ould activate if a Spix's Macaw is identified. This allowed them to monitor the birds in the wild and their daily activities. This method has proven to be extremely successful.

Diet

The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species found in the Genus Cyanopsitta. It was declared 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. A reintroduction program is in progress to try to restore this critically threatened bird back to its home in the Caatinga.

This region in northeast Brazil covers approximately 10% of the entire country. Spix's Macaws were a nesting species in the hollows of the old caraibeira trees and were recognized for their dietary habits of eating nuts and seeds.

Reintroduction of the Spix’s Macaw into the wild is currently in progress. Eight birds raised in captivity were released into the wild in June and 12 more are scheduled to follow in 2022. They will be joined by a group of Blue-winged Macaws. They have been reintroduced to the same area, and will help to share information about food sources, nesting and roosting locations.

The reintroduction program has collected vital biological data about the behavior of this unique bird, including details on daily movement patterns and adjustments to drought during the season. It also provides a window into the natural history of the Spix's Macaw, helping to determine the causes that led to its extinction in the wild.

Spix's Macaws eat the seeds, fruits, and nuts of numerous plants native to the Caatinga biome. This includes the pinhao-bravo (Jatropha mollissima) and the linhas brasil (Senegalia tenuifolia), along with the Joazeiro (Ziziphus Joazeiro) and facheiro cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus). They can also eat the fruit of palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).

Like all parrots like all parrots Macaws are social birds that bond closely with their parents. They are vocal and frequently mimic speech and other sounds. They have a mating cry known as "whichaka," described as an incredibly short and repetitive sound similar to an acoustic note. They are known to fly fast and high when they are in an ecstatic mood.

Breeding

Spix's Macaws are highly intelligent and social birds. They communicate by screeching, squawking and other sounds. As with many parrots they are able to mimic human speech. They follow a strict routine, including flight patterns and bathing habits. They are also able to recognize other members of their flock. This is why they are the most sought-after pets, and also a target for illegal trade in birds.

In the early 1980s only three Spix's macaws were left in the wild. They were all poached. A plan to pair the last male and Cleo female macaws for sale was defeated in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. Since since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been bred in captivity - mostly in Brazil.

The few Spix's macaws in captivity are a mixture of individuals who are the descendants of just two individuals, which makes them at risk of disease and other environmental issues. The majority of the birds in captivity are housed at a breeding center in Germany, but this year an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government was not renewed, casting doubt over future plans to repatriate the birds and reintroduce them into the wild.

Despite their petty numbers of captive-bred Spix's macaws, captive-bred species show some 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.

In part because of this and other efforts, the captive-bred bird population is beginning to grow, but not at a rapid pace. Keeping them healthy and producing will be crucial for reintroducing the birds into the wild. The selection of the right birds to release is also critical. Macaws must be reproductively mature and be paired with one of their siblings or a close relatives.

Reintroducing the Spix's buy macaw to the wild could be difficult, but it's important to try. To help, ABC and partners have created a reserve system which will help to protect the species' last remaining habitats. The eight Spix's macaws that were released recently will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are more common in Caatinga and are found in areas where the Spix’s macaws are also. These birds will help macaws adjust to their new surroundings. They will also provide safety by the sheer numbers.