After a long period filled with worry and speculation, Brazilians and German conservationists were able to successfully reintroduce a grouping of couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring however, it is also filled with jealousies and backbiting.
The first hurdle was obtaining enough birds to exchange. The macaws were monogamous, therefore it was crucial to match pairs well.
Range
A South African couple has taken on the task of saving the critically endangered Spix's Macaw. The bird was declared extinct by the United Nations in 2000 owing to decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a tiny population of the birds in captive, and they hope to release them into the wild close to Curaca. They call them their blue-eyed friends and have compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's macaw from the wild. They describe Presley as an authentic survivor who lost his family and remained loyal to his area. They believe that their lives in Caatinga as akin to his, and feel a strong affinity with him.
The discovery of the last Spix's macaw offered a valuable opportunity for researchers to examine its behavior in the wild and gain a deeper understanding of why this species has survived for such a long time. It also allowed them to make a more precise estimation of the historical population numbers of this rare bird. Researchers were able to collect important data on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adjustment to drought, and its eating habits. They also observed attempts to reproduce using an Illiger's and Spix's hybrid macaw pair which was a significant step in the recovery of this species.
It was a remarkable feat that this bird lived and thrived in the wild despite having a very limited gene pool. This has enabled scientists to understand how these birds can be returned to the wild. The last bird's survival also motivated people to act to save other species of parrots that are endangered. This has also encouraged zoos to develop their own captive breeding programs for these exotic species of birds.
This working group is an illustration of how conservation groups, other organizations and individuals can collaborate in order to conserve endangered species of wildlife and animals. It brings Brazilian governmental officials as well as representatives from zoos as well as international owners of this rare bird, and ornithologists to work together towards a common goal: the recovery of the Spix's Macaw.
The working group has already achieved a lot of work. This includes developing a plan to reintroduce the bird to the wild. The group also raised funds for community outreach and field research as well as captive-bred birds for the project. It also has established a permanent committee for the reintroduction of the bird.
Habitat
Threatened by poaching and habitat destruction, the Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was believed to be extinct in the wild 10 years ago. Aviculturists, ornithologists, and other experts continue to do their best to bring this iconic bird from the brink extinction.
A cult animated film and two sequels have made the Spix's macaw recognizable to millions of people worldwide however this is only the beginning in the long road 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 that have been raised in captivity into the wild.
The Spix's macaw is native to a small portion of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga an arid area of savannah scrubland that is flat, that is dotted with creeks that flow through the seasons and gallery forests. It was first documented 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 declining population In order to save the declining population, an international group was established. It was comprised of Aviculturists who owned the last remaining bird and government officials. The group forged a partnership with the world-renowned non profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to develop an initiative to restore the population of Spix's Macaws in their native habitat.
AWWP has purchased and is restoring 2,380 hectares in the Caatinga close to Curaca (Brazil) of the most pristine habitat. AWWP is also breeding and rearing birds that will be released into the wild, which will provide an incredibly pure genetic source of animals for the next generation of.
In the wild, Spix's Macaws reside in trees and are rarely seen on the ground. They usually nest in hollows or tree holes and hunt for fruit, seeds, nuts and other plants. They typically spend up to a third of the day in the nest.
To assist in tracking the Spix's macaws and their movements, a local group was recruited to join the field team. The community was given watches that would be activated if a Spix's Macaw is detected. This allowed them to track the birds in the wild and their daily activities. This method has proven successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species in the genus Cyanopsitta. It was listed as extinct in the wild in 2019 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature after the last known wild parrot disappeared in 2000, and subsequent surveys failed to locate any additional birds. A reintroduction plan is in the process of attempting to bring back this critically endangered bird back to its home in the Caatinga.
This dry forest is a region of northeast Brazil, covering approximately 10 percent of the country. Spix's Macaws nested in the hollows of old caraibeira trees, and they were also known to eat seeds and nuts.
Reintroduction of the Spix’s Macaw into the wild is currently underway. Eight birds raised in captivity were released into the wild in June and 12 more are scheduled to arrive in 2022. They will be joined by Blue-winged Macaws that have been released back into the same area, and will help to share knowledge of food sources and nesting and roosting sites.
The reintroduction program has already collected vital biological data about the behavior of the bird, including information about the patterns of movement and adaptations to drought. It also has opened a window on the nature of the Spix's Macaws. This helps to understand the factors that led to their disappearance.
Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, nuts, and fruits of a variety of 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 may also consume the fruit of the palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum).
Spix's Macaws as with all parrots and other bird species are social birds that have close relationships 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 short continuous grating sound like a flute note. When they are in a breeding mode they can fly high and fast.
Breeding
Spix's macaws are exceptionally intelligent and social birds. They communicate through screeching, squawking and other sounds. As with many parrots they can mimic human speech. They follow a strict routine that includes flight patterns and bathing habits. They can also recognize other members of their flock. This is what makes them such popular pets, and also a target for the illegal bird trade.
By the early 1980s, only three Spix's Macaws were left in the wild, all of them poached. In 1995, poachers killed both male and female birds in the hope of pairing them. Since since then all known Spix's macaws are captive-bred mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws that are in captivity are a mix that descends of only two individuals. This makes them more vulnerable to diseases and other environmental challenges. The majority of the birds that are in captivity are housed at the breeding center in Germany however, this year an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government was not renewed and causing doubt about future plans to return the birds and reintroduce them into the wild.
Despite their precarious numbers, captive-bred Spix's Macaws are showing some signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat the sheikh of Qatar to buy three Spix's Macaws from a collector.
In part, due to this and other efforts the captive-bred bird population is starting to grow, but not at a rapid pace. Keeping them healthy and producing is crucial to reintroduce these birds to the wild. Choosing the right birds to release is also critical. The macaws need to be in a reproductive stage and should be joined by one of their siblings or a close relative.
Reintroducing the Spix's macaw to the wild could be difficult, but it's crucial to try. To help, ABC and partners have created a reserve system which aims to protect the last remaining habitats. The eight recently released Spix's macaws will soon be joined by blue-winged macaws, that are more common in the Caatinga and share areas with Spix's macaws. These birds will assist the macaws adapt to their new surroundings and will also ensure safety through large numbers.