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After a long period filled with uncertainty and fear Brazilians and German conservationists were able successfully reintroduce a grouping of couples back to their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also filled with jealousies and backbiting.

The first challenge was to get enough birds to be traded. These macaws are monogamous, therefore the pairs had to be matched well.

Range

A South African couple has taken on the mission to save the critically endangered Spix's Macaw. The bird was declared extinct by the United Nations in 2000 due to decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a tiny population of the birds kept in captivity and they hope to release them into the wild 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 say he was a true survivor, who lost his family but remained loyal to the area. They see their lives in the Caatinga as akin to his and feel a strong connection to him.

Researchers were able to study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw in the wild, and to better understand how this species has lasted so long. Researchers were able to estimate the population of this unique bird more accurately. Researchers were able to gather crucial details about the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adaptation to drought, and its eating habits. Researchers even monitored attempts to reproduce using an Illiger's and a Spix's hybrid macaw couple which was a crucial step in the recovery of this species.

It was an amazing feat that this bird was able endure and thrive in the wild with such an insufficient gene pool and it has also helped scientists understand how these birds could be reintroduced to the wild. The last bird's survival also motivated people to act to save other species of endangered parrots. Zoos have also been enticed to create their own captive breeding programs for these exotic species of birds.

This group is an illustration of how conservation groups as well as other organizations and individuals can collaborate to save endangered animals and wildlife. It brings Brazilian officials from government Zoo representatives, buy Macaw Bird international holders of this rare bird, and ornithologists with a common goal - the recovery of the Spix's macaw.

The group has accomplished a lot of work, including developing 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. They have also formed a permanent committee to save the bird.

Habitat

Threatened by habitat destruction and poaching The Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was thought to be extinct in the wild 10 years ago. Today, ornithologists and aviculturists continue to fight tirelessly to save this iconic bird back from the edge of extinction.

A cult animated film and two sequels have made Spix's Macaw known to millions of people around the world However, this is only the beginning in the long-distance journey to save these birds from the edge. A multi-national team has been working for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws raised in captivity into the wild.

The Spix's Macaw is an indigenous species that is found in a small area of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga. This dry area is home to flat savannah scrubland and is scattered with galleries and seasonal streams. It was first documented in 1819, and is one of the least-known Neotropical parrots, with sporadic sightings from the wild and a few birds that are kept in captivity and some museum specimens.

To protect the population that is declining, an international committee was created which brought together aviculturists who had the last remaining birds as well as officials from the government. This group formed a collaboration with the world-renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to create an initiative to restore the population of Spix's Macaws in their native environment.

AWWP has purchased and is recovering 2,380 acres of prime habitat in the Caatinga, near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP is also breeding and rearing birds that will be released into the wild, thereby providing an incredibly pure genetic source of animals for future generations.

In the wild, Spix's Macaws are found in trees and are seldom seen on the ground. They nest in tree hollows or holes and forage to find seeds, fruits, nuts, and various other plants. They can spend up to a third of the day in the nest.

To help track the Spix's macaws as well as their movements local communities were invited to join the field team. The community was given watches that would be activated if the Spix's Macaw was detected. This allowed them to monitor the birds in the wild as well as their daily movements. This method has proven to be successful.

Diet

The Spix's Macaw is the only species of the Genus Cyanopsitta. It was declared extinct in the wild in 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature after the last wild parrot disappeared in 2000. subsequent surveys failed to locate any additional birds. A reintroduction program is in progress to try to bring back this critically endangered bird back to its home in the Caatinga.

The northeast region of Brazil comprises about 10% of the entire country. Spix's Macaws were a nesting species in the hollows of the old caraibeira trees and were known to eat seeds and nuts.

Reintroduction of the Spix’s Macaw into the wild is currently in progress. Eight captive-raised Spix's macaws were released into the wild in June. Twelve more birds are scheduled to be released in 2022. They will be joined by blue macaw price-winged Macaws. They were reintroduced into the same area and will help to share information about food sources and nesting and roosting sites.

The reintroduction program has already gathered valuable biological data on the behavior of this rare bird, including information on the patterns of movement throughout the day and adjustments to drought during the season. It has also provided an insight into the natural history of the Spix's Macaw which helps to discover the reasons behind its disappearance in the wild.

Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of numerous plants native to the Caatinga biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brazil and facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all included in this diet. They also eat the fruit of palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).

Like all parrots Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are highly social birds that have a strong bond with their parents. They are very vocal and often mimic human speech and other sounds. They make a mating call known as the "whichaka," which is described as a short repeated grating sound that is similar to a flute. When they are in a breeding mode, they are known to fly high and fast.

Breeding

Spix's macaws are exceptionally intelligent and highly social birds. They communicate by screeching, squawking, and other sounds. Like many parrots they are able to mimic human speech. They also adhere to a rigid daily routine, ranging from flight paths to bathing habits and are able to recognize members of their family. This is what makes them such popular pets and targets for the illegal bird trade.

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 unsuccessful in 1995 when poachers killed both birds. Since since then the Spix's macaws have been captive-bred, mostly in Brazil.

The Spix's Macaws in captivity are a mix that descends of only two individuals. This leaves them vulnerable to diseases and other environmental challenges. The majority of the birds in captivity are in the breeding center in Germany however, this year an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired without renewal, casting doubt over future plans to repatriate the birds and return them into the wild.

Despite their shaky numbers, captive-bred Spix's Macaws show 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 due to this and other efforts the captive-bred bird population is starting to increase, though not at a speedy pace. Reintroducing the birds into the wild will require that they remain healthy and produce. Choosing the right birds to release is also critical. Macaws must be reproductively mature, and they should be paired with an older sibling or close relative.

It may be difficult to bring the Spix's macaw back to the wild, however, it is essential to try. ABC and its partners have created reserves to safeguard the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight recently released spix macaw characteristics's macaws will be joined by blue-winged macaws which are more prevalent in the Caatinga and share areas with the Spix's macaws. These intelligent birds will aid macaws to become accustomed to the region, and they will provide the security of a large number.