Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long time of worry and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists succeeded in reinserting a group of couples into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also filled with backbiting and jealousies.
The first obstacle was to get enough birds for the trade. The macaws were monogamous so it was important to ensure that the pairs were well-matched.
Range
A South African couple is working to save the critically endangered Spix's macaw, which was declared extinct in 2000 after decades of poaching and loss of habitat. They have a small amount of the birds that are in captivity and they hope to release them near Curaca. They refer to the birds as their blue-eyed friends and compare their experience 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 was loyal to his home. Sinatra macaw for sale near me buy-macaw.com believe that their lives in Caatinga as akin to his, and feel a strong connection to him.
The discovery of the last Spix's Macaw offered a valuable opportunity for researchers to investigate its behavior in wild and gain a better understanding of why this species survived so long. It also helped them make a more precise estimate of the historic population numbers of this unique bird. Researchers were able to collect crucial information on the bird's movements throughout the day and seasonal adaptation to drought, and its feeding habits. They also monitored attempts at reproduction with an Illiger's and Spix's hybrid macaw pair which was a crucial step towards the recovery of this species.
It was a marvellous achievement that this bird survived and thrived in the wild despite having a very limited gene pool. This has enabled scientists to better understand how these birds can be returned to nature. The survival of the bird that was killed encouraged people to take action in order to save other parrots and threatened species. Zoos have also been enticed to establish their own captive breeding programs for these exotic species of birds.
This group serves as an example of how conservation groups and other organizations can collaborate to protect endangered animals and wildlife. This group brings together Brazilian government officials, zoo reps, international holders of the Spix’s macaw, and ornithologists to achieve an aim in common that is the recovery of this endangered bird.
The working group has already achieved a lot of work. This includes developing plans to reintroduce the bird back to the wild. The group has also been working to raise funds to support field research, community outreach and captive-breed birds for the reintroduction project. The group has also established a permanent committee to recover the bird.
Habitat
At risk due to 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 work hard to bring this iconic bird from the brink of extinction.
A popular animated movie and two sequels have made the Spix's macaw recognizable to millions of people around the world However, this is only the tip of the iceberg in the long-distance journey to save these birds from the brink. For a long time, a global team has been working to breed and bring back Spix's macaws raised in a captive environment back into the wild.
The Spix's macaw is native to a small portion of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga, an arid region of flat savannah scrubland that is dotted with creeks that flow through the seasons and gallery forests. It was described in 1819, and is among the least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic sightings in the wild, few birds in captivity and a few museum specimens.
To preserve the dwindling population In order to protect the declining population, an international committee was formed that brought together aviculturists that held the last remaining birds, as well as government officials. This group formed a collaboration with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to establish a program to reintroduce Spix's Macaws to their natural habitat.
AWWP has acquired and is renovating 2,380 hectares in Caatinga close to Curaca (Brazil) of prime habitat. AWWP also breeds and raises 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 reside in trees, and are not often seen on the ground. They typically nest in hollows or tree holes and forage for fruit, seeds, nuts and other plants. They can spend up to 1/3 of their time in the nest.
A local community was selected as part of the field team to help track Spix's Macaws. Members of the community were given watches that 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 approach has proven very 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 in the wake of the last wild parrot disappeared in 2000 and no additional birds were found in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction program is currently in progress to restore this critically endangered bird to its natural habitat in Caatinga.
This dry forest is a part of northeast Brazil that covers about 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws were a nesting species in the hollows of old caraibeiras and were recognized for their dietary habits of eating seeds and nuts.
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 expected to arrive in 2022. They will be joined by Blue-winged Macaws, which have been reintroduced to the same area and will assist to share information about food sources, nesting and roosting locations.
The reintroduction program has already obtained valuable biological data on the behavior of the bird, which includes details of the patterns of movement and adaptations to drought. It has also provided an insight into the nature of the Spix's Macaw and helped to better understand what led to its disappearance in the wild.
Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, nuts, and fruits 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 Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are highly social birds, and they have a close bond with their parents. They have vocalizations and often mimic sounds and speech. They have a mating call called "whichaka," described as an extremely short and repetitive noise similar to a flutist note. When they are in breeding mode they are known to fly high and fast.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are highly intelligent and social birds. They communicate through screeching, squawking and other sounds. Like many parrots they can mimic human speech. They follow a strict routine that includes the way they fly and their bathing habits. They are also able to recognize other members of their family. This is why they are so popular pets and targets for the illegal bird trade.
In the early 1980s, only three Spix's macaws survived in the wild, and all of them poached. A plan to pair the last male and female was foiled in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. Since then, all Spix's Macaws are captive-bred, mostly in Brazil.
The few Spix's macaws in captivity are made up of individuals who are descendants of only two individuals, leaving them vulnerable to disease and other environmental issues. The majority of Spix's macaws in captivity live at an breeding center in Germany. However this year, an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired which leaves the future plans for repatriation and their reintroduction into the wild in doubt.
Despite their precarious number, captive-bred Spix’s macaws 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 were not part of the breeding program.
In part due to this and other efforts the captive-bred bird population is beginning to increase, though not at a rapid rate. Reintroducing them to the wild will require them to remain healthy and produce. It is essential to choose the right birds prior to releasing them. Macaws must be reproductively mature and should be in a relationship with one of their siblings or a close relative.
Reintroducing the Spix's macaw to the wild could prove difficult, but it is important to try. ABC and its partners have developed 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 live in areas where the Spix’s macaws also live. These smart birds will help macaws to become accustomed to the region and provide safety in numbers.