Melody Blue Spix Macaw

After a long period filled with worry and speculation Brazilians and German conservationists were able to successfully bring a group 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 trade. Macaws are monogamous, therefore the pairs had to be matched properly.

Range

A South African couple has taken on the task of saving the critically threatened Spix's Macaw. This bird was declared extinct by the United Nations in 2000 due to decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a few of the birds that are in captivity and are hoping to release them near Curaca. They call them their little blue friends and have compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's macaw from the 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 akin to his and Macau Pet Shop feel a strong connection to him.

The discovery of the last Spix's macaw offered researchers with an opportunity to investigate its behavior in wild and gain a better understanding of how the species was able to survive for this long. This also helped them make a more precise estimate of the historic population numbers of this rare bird. Researchers were able gather important information about the bird's movements throughout the day and seasonal adaptation to drought, and its feeding habits. Researchers even monitored attempts to reproduce using a hybrid Spix’s and Illiger’s catalina macaw lifespan couple which was an important step towards the recovery of this species.

It was an amazing feat that this bird was able survive and thrive in the wild despite the smallest gene pool and it has helped scientists to understand how these birds could be returned to the wild. The survival of the last bird motivated people to act to save other species of parrots that are endangered. It has also prompted zoos and other groups to set their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds.

This group is an illustration of how conservation groups and other organizations as well as individuals can collaborate to save endangered species of wildlife and animals. This group consists of Brazilian government officials, zoo reps international holders of the Spix’s macaw and ornithologists, with one goal in common to save this rare bird.

The working group has already accomplished a great deal of work, including the creation of an idea for reintroducing this bird back into the wild. The group also raised funds to fund community outreach and field research as well as captive-bred birds for the project. It has also created a permanent committee to save the bird.

Habitat

Endangered by poaching and habitat destruction, the Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was thought to be extinct in the wild 10 years ago. Aviculturists and ornithologists as well as other experts continue to fight to save this iconic bird from the brink extinction.

The Spix's Macaw is known to millions around the world thanks to a cult animated film and two sequels. This is just the tip of the iceberg on the long road of returning these birds. For a long time, a global team has been trying to breed and reintroduce Spix's macaws raised in a captive environment back into the wild.

The Spix's macaw is endemic to a small area of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga which is an arid region of savannah scrubland that is flat, that is dotted with seasonal creeks and gallery forests. The first time it was described was in 1819 and is one of the lesser-known Neotropical parrots, with few glimpses of the wild and a few birds that are kept in captivity and a few museum specimens.

To preserve the dwindling population An international committee was formed that brought together aviculturists that had the last remaining birds as well as officials from the government. This group formed a partnership with the world-renowned non-profit organisation Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) of Qatar to develop a comprehensive program to reintroduce captive-bred Spix's Macaws to their natural habitat in the northeast of Brazil.

AWWP has purchased and is recovering 2,380 hectares of Caatinga near Curaca (Brazil) of the most pristine habitat. AWWP also breeds and rears birds that will be released into the wild. This will create a genetically-pure source of animals for the future generations.

In the wild, Spix's Macaws will live in trees, and are not often seen on the ground. They usually nest in hollows or holes in trees and hunt for fruits as well as seeds, nuts, and other plants. They can spend as much as one third of their day in the nest.

A local community was selected as part of the field team to assist to track Spix's macaws. The community was given watches that would turn on when the Spix's Macaw was detected. This allowed them to monitor the birds in the wild as well as their daily activities. This approach has been extremely successful.

Diet

The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only species of the genus Cyanopsitta. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared that it was extinct in the wild on April 1st, 2019. This was after the last wild parrot vanished in 2000. No additional birds were discovered in subsequent surveys. A reintroduction program is in progress to try to bring this critically endangered bird to its natural habitat in the Caatinga.

The northeast region of Brazil is home to about 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws were a nesting species in the hollows of the old caraibeira trees, and they were also known to feed on nuts and seeds.

Reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw into the wild is currently underway. Eight birds that were raised in captivity were released into the wild in June and 12 more are scheduled to follow in 2022. They will be joined in the area by a group of Blue-winged macaws which have been reintroduced. They will provide information on food sources, nesting and areas to roost.

The reintroduction program has gathered valuable biological data on the behavior of this rare bird, which includes details about daily movements patterns as well as adjustments to drought during the season. It also has opened a window on the nature of the Spix's Macaws. This aids in understanding the causes that led to their decline.

Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits and nuts of many plants 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, like all parrots and other birds are social birds and develop close bonds with their parents. They are vocal and often mimic speech and other sounds. They make a mating call known as the "whichaka," which is described as a brief continuous grating sound similar to a flute note. They are often seen flying fast and high when they are in a breeding mood.

Breeding

Spix's Macaws are highly intelligent and social birds. They communicate with each other through a range of screeching and squawking sounds. They, like other parrots, can mimic human speech. They have a strict routine that includes routines for bathing and flight. They can also recognize other members of their family. They are very popular as pets and are frequently targeted by illegal bird trade because of this.

In the early 1980s only three Spix’s macaws remained in the wild. They were all poached. A plan to pair the male and female defeated in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. Since the time all known Spix's macaws have been bred in captivity, mostly in Brazil.

The handful of Spix's macaws that are in captivity are made up of individuals who are the descendants of only two individuals, which makes them at risk of disease and other environmental threats. The majority of Spix's macaws that are in captivity are kept in a breeding centre in Germany. However this year, an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired and future plans for repatriation and reintroduction into the wild in doubt.

Despite their low numbers, captive-bred Spix's severe macaws for sale are showing some signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat the sheikh of Qatar to purchase three Spix's Macaws from a collector.

In the wake of this and other efforts, captive-bred birds are beginning to reproduce again, although not at a high rate. Reintroducing them to the wild will require that they remain healthy and produce. It is important to choose the correct birds before releasing them. Macaws must be reproductively mature, and they should be joined by an older sibling or close family member.

It may be difficult to bring the Spix's macaw representative species back into the wild but it is vital to try. To help, ABC and partners have created a reserve system which will help to protect the last remaining habitats. The eight Spix's Macaws who were recently released will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are more prevalent in Caatinga and are found in areas where to buy a macaw the Spix's macaws also reside. These savvy birds will help the macaws get familiar with the area and will offer the security of a large number.