After a long period worry and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists were able to reintroduce two couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also rife with jealousy and backbiting.
The first hurdle was obtaining enough birds for the exchange. Macaws are monogamous, therefore the pairs had to be well-matched.
Range
A South African couple has taken on the mission to save the critically endangered Spix's Macaw. This bird was declared extinct by the United Nations in 2000 because of decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a small number of the birds kept in captivity and they hope to release them into the wild close to Curaca. They call them their little blue friends and compared their experience to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They describe him as a true survivor who lost his family but was loyal to the region. They see their lives in the Caatinga as being similar to his and feel a strong connection to him.
The discovery of the last Spix's macaw offered researchers with an opportunity to study its behavior in the wild and gain a deeper understanding of how this species has survived for such a long time. This also helped them form a more accurate estimation of the historical population numbers of this unique bird. Researchers were able to collect important information on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adaptation to drought, and its eating habits. They also observed attempts at reproduction with the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaws which was a significant step in the rehabilitation of this species.
It was an amazing feat that this bird was able to survive and thrive in the wild despite an insufficient gene pool and it has helped researchers understand how these birds could be returned to the wild. 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 program for these exotic bird species.
This group is an example of how conservation groups, other organizations and individuals can collaborate in order to conserve endangered wildlife and animals. It brings Brazilian officials from the government, zoo representatives and international owners of this rare bird and ornithologists with a common goal - the reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw.
The working group has already accomplished a lot of work. This includes the development of a plan to reintroduce the bird back to 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
Threatened by habitat destruction and poaching, the Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was believed to be extinct in the wild ten years ago. Aviculturists, ornithologists, and other experts continue to work hard to bring this iconic bird back from the brink of extinction.
A popular animated movie and two sequels have made Spix's macaw recognizable to millions of people around the world However, this is only the beginning in the long road to bring these birds back from the edge. For a long time, a global team has been trying to breed and reintroduce Spix's macaws that have been raised in captivity into the wild.
The Spix's macaw is endemic to a small portion of northeast Brazil which is known as the Caatinga, an arid region of flat savannah scrubland scattered with seasonal creeks and gallery forests. It was first described in 1819, and is among the least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic glimpses of the wild, few captive birds and a handful of museum specimens.
To save the declining population, an international group was established. It brought together experts in aviculture who had the last remaining bird, as well as officials from the government. The group formed a collaboration with the world-renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) of Qatar to create an intensive program to reintroduce captive-bred Spix's Macaws into their native environment in the northeast of Brazil.
AWWP has acquired and is restoring 2,380 hectares of prime habitat in Caatinga, near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP also breeds and raises birds to be released in the wild. This will provide a genetically-pure source of animals for future generations.
Spix's Macaws can be found in trees and seldom seen on the ground. They nest in tree hollows or holes and forage for fruits, seeds, nuts, and various other plants. They can spend up to 1/3 of their time in the nest.
To assist in tracking the Spix's macaws as well as their movements, a local community was recruited to join the field team. Members of the community were provided watches that could be activated in the event the Spix's macaw was observed and thereby allowing them to keep on top of the birds' movements and their daily activities in the wild. This method has proven to be successful.
Diet
The Spix's Macaw is the only species in 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 disappeared in 2000. No additional birds were found in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction plan currently underway is trying to return this critically endangered bird back to its natural home in the Caatinga.
This region in northeast Brazil is home to about 10% of the entire country. Spix's Macaws nested in the hollows of old caraibeiras, and they were also known to eat nuts and seeds.
A reintroduction plan is currently underway to re-establish a wild population of the Spix's Macaw. Eight birds raised in captivity were released into the wild in June and 12 more are scheduled to follow in 2022. They will be joined by a group of Blue-winged Macaws that have been reintroduced and will share information about food sources, nesting and roosting locations.
The reintroduction program has collected vital biological data about the behavior of the bird, including information about the patterns of movement and adaptations to drought. It has also provided a glimpse into the evolution of the Macaws of Spix, which can help to understand the causes that led to their extinction.
Spix's Macaws consume the fruits, nuts and seeds of a myriad of plants native to the Caatinga Biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brazil and facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all part of this diet. The acai palm (Acaia olive) and mofumbo (Combretum léprosum) fruits are also edible.
Like all parrots like all parrots Macaws are social birds that have a strong bond with their parents. They are extremely vocal and often mimic human speech and other sounds. They have a mating cry known as "whichaka," described as an extremely short and repetitive sound similar to an acoustic note. They are well-known for flying high and fast when they are in an ecstatic mood.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate by screeching, squawking and other sounds. Like many parrots, they can mimic human speech. They have a strict routine, which includes the way they fly and their bathing habits. They can also recognize other members of their flock. This is what makes them so popular pets and a target for illegal trade in birds.
In the early 1980s, only three Spix's macaws remained in the wild. They were all poached. In 1995, poachers killed both male and female birds in an attempt to pair them. Since the time all known Spix's macaws have been bred in captivity, mostly in Brazil.
The handful of Spix's macaws kept in captivity are a mix of individuals that are the descendants of just two individuals, which makes them vulnerable to disease and other environmental threats. The majority of the birds in captivity are housed at a 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 return them back into the wild.
Despite their precarious number, captive-bred Spix’s macaws show some signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder managed to beat out a sheikh in 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 starting to grow, though not at a rapid pace. In order to keep them healthy and producing, it will be crucial for reintroducing these birds to the wild. The selection of the right birds to release is equally important. Macaws should be of reproductive age and paired with siblings or close relatives.
It could be difficult to bring the Spix's macaw back to the wild, however, it is essential to try. To aid, ABC and partners have established a reserve system that will help to protect the species' last remaining habitats. The eight Spix's Macaws that were released recently will be joined by blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are more prevalent in Caatinga, and they live in areas where the Spix's macaws also reside. These birds will help the macaws adjust to their new surroundings and will also ensure safety through the sheer numbers.