Melody Blue Spix Macaw

After a long period worry and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists succeeded in reinserting two couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring but also filled with backbiting and jealousy.

The first challenge was finding enough birds for the exchange. Macaws are monogamous, so the pairs had to be well-matched.

Range

A South African couple is working to save the critically endangered Spix's glaucous macaw which was declared extinct in 2000 after decades of poaching and loss of habitat. They have a few of the birds that are in captivity and they hope to release them close to Curaca. They call them their blue-eyed friends and compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's harlequin macaw from the wild. They say he was as a true survivor who lost his family, but kept his faith in the region. They feel a strong bond to him and perceive their lives as like his.

Researchers were able to research the behavior of the Spix's Macaw in wild, and to better understand how this species has survived so long. This enabled researchers to estimate the population of this unique bird more accurately. Researchers were able to collect important information on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adaptation to drought, and eating habits. Researchers even monitored attempts to reproduce with a hybrid Spix’s and Illiger’s macaw couple which was an important step in the recovery for this species.

It was an amazing achievement that this bird lived and thrived in the wild despite having a very limited gene pool. This has allowed scientists understand how these birds can be returned to the wild. The bird's survival has inspired people to take action to save other species of parrots that are endangered. Zoos are also encouraged to establish their own captive breeding programs for these exotic bird species.

This group of experts is a model for how conservation groups and other organizations can work together to protect endangered wildlife and endangered animals. This group consists of Brazilian government officials, zoo reps, international holders of the Spix’s macaw, and ornithologists to achieve a common goal to save this unique bird.

The group has accomplished a great deal of work, including the creation of an idea for reintroducing this bird into the wild. The group has also worked to raise funds to fund field research as well as community outreach and captive-breed birds for the reintroduction program. The group has also set up a permanent committee for the recovery of the bird.

Habitat

Ten years ago the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was considered extinct. It was threatened due to the destruction of habitats and poaching that was illegal. Aviculturists, ornithologists, and other experts continue to do their best to bring 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 journey of bringing these birds back. For decades, an international team has been working to breed and reintroduce captive-raised Spix's macaws into the wild.

The Spix's Macaw is native to a small portion of northeast Brazil, called the Caatinga an arid area consisting of savannah scrubland flat interspersed with seasonal creeks and gallery forests. It was first described in 1819, and is one of least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic appearances in the wild, with a few birds that are kept in captivity and a handful of museum specimens.

To save the declining population An international committee was formed that brought together aviculturists that held the last remaining birds and government officials. The group formed a partnership with the world-renowned non profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to create an initiative to reintroduce the Spix's Macaws back to their natural environment.

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

Spix's Macaws are usually found in trees, and rarely seen on the ground. They build nests in hollows or holes and forage in search of seeds, fruits, nuts, and various other plants. They will typically spend up to one third of the day in the nest.

A local community was selected as part of the field team in order to help to track Spix's macaws. Members of the community were given watches which could be activated if the Spix's macaw was detected which allowed 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 that it was extinct in the wild on April 1, 2019. This was in the wake of the last wild parrot disappeared in 2000, and no more birds were discovered in subsequent surveys. A reintroduction program is in the process of attempting to restore this critically threatened bird to its natural habitat in the Caatinga.

This dry forest is located in the region of northeast Brazil that covers about 10 percent of the country. Spix's Macaws were a nesting species in the hollows of the old caraibeira trees and were known to eat nuts and seeds.

Reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw into the wild is currently underway. Eight captive-raised Spix's macaws were released in the wild in June. Twelve more are expected to be released in 2022. They will be joined by Blue-winged Macaws. They were reintroduced into the same area and will help to share knowledge of food sources and nesting and roosting locations.

The reintroduction program has collected valuable data from biology 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 provides a window into the nature of the Spix's Macaw which helps to determine the causes that led to its extinction in the wild.

Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of many plants that are 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.

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

Breeding

Spix's macaws are extremely intelligent and highly social birds. They communicate through screeching, squawking, and other sounds. As with many parrots they are able to mimic human speech. They also adhere to a rigid daily routine, ranging from the flight path to bathing habits and can identify members of their flock. They are adored as pets and are often targeted by illegal trade in birds due to this.

In the early 1980s only three Spix's macaws remained in the wild. They were all poached. In 1995, poachers massacred the male and female birds in an attempt to pair them. Since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been bred in captivity - mostly in Brazil.

The few Spix's macaws kept in captivity are a mixture of individuals who are the descendants of just two individuals, leaving them vulnerable to 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 a German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired, leaving the future plans for repatriation and their reintroduction into the wild in doubt.

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

In part, due to this and other efforts the captive-bred bird population is beginning to grow, but not at a speedy pace. Reintroducing the birds into the wild will require them to remain healthy and produce. Selecting the right birds to release is also crucial. Macaws must be in a reproductive stage and should be in a relationship with one of their siblings or a close relatives.

The return of the Spix's Macaw to the wild may prove difficult, but it is crucial 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 Leia blue macaw and red macaw-winged Macaws. These macaws are more prevalent in Caatinga and live in areas where the Spix’s macaws are also. These birds will assist the macaws adapt to their new surroundings. They will also ensure safety through numbers.