16 Must-Follow Instagram Pages For Melody Blue Spix Macaw-Related Businesses
16 Must-Follow Instagram Pages For Melody Blue Spix Macaw-Related Businesses
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Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period filled with speculation and worry, Brazilians and German conservationists managed to successfully reintroduce a grouping of couples back to their natural habitat. Their story is inspirational, but also rife with backbiting and jealousy.
The first challenge was finding enough birds for the exchange. Macaws are monogamous, so 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. This bird was declared extinct by the United Nations in 2000 because of decades of habitat destruction and poaching. They have a few of the birds in captivity and are hoping to release them close to Curaca. They call the birds their blue-eyed friends and compare their journey with the story of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They describe him as an authentic survivor who lost his family, but was loyal to his home. They see their lives in the Caatinga as being similar to his, and feel a deep connection with him.
Researchers were able to study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw wild, and to better understand how this species has lasted so long. It also helped them form a more accurate estimate of the historic numbers of this unique bird. Researchers were able gather important information on the bird's daily movement, its seasonal adaptation to drought, as well as its eating habits. Researchers even monitored attempts to reproduce using an Illiger's and a Spix's hybrid macaw couple which was an important step in the recovery of this species.
It was a remarkable feat that this bird was able to survive and thrive in the wild with such a limited gene pool, and has helped researchers understand how these birds can be reintroduced to the wild. The last bird's survival also encouraged people to take action to save other endangered parrots and species. This has also encouraged zoos to develop 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 work together to conserve endangered species of wildlife and animals. This group brings together Brazilian government officials, zoo reps, international owners of the Spix's macaw and ornithologists with an aim in common: the recovery of this rare bird.
The group has already accomplished a lot of work. This includes the development of plans to reintroduce the bird in the wild. The group also raised funds to support community outreach, field research and captive-bred birds for the project. The group has also established a permanent committee to recover the bird.
Habitat
At risk due to habitat destruction and poaching The Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was believed to be extinct in the wild ten years ago. Today, aviculturists and ornithologists continue to fight tirelessly to save this iconic bird back from the brink of extinction.
A well-known animated film and two sequels have made the Spix's macaw famous to millions of people across the globe however this is only the beginning in the long-distance journey to save these birds from the brink. A multi-national team has been working for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws raised in captivity into the wild.
The Spix's macaw is native to a small portion of northeast Brazil which is known as the Caatinga an arid area of savannah scrubland that is flat, that is dotted with seasonal creeks and gallery forests. It was first documented in 1819, and is one of least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic appearances in the wild, few birds that are kept in captivity and a few museum specimens.
To preserve the dwindling population, an international committee was established that gathered aviculturists who had the last remaining birds and government officials. The group formed a partnership 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 recovering 2,380 hectares of Caatinga close to Curaca (Brazil) of prime habitat. AWWP also breeds and raises birds that will be released into the wild. This will give an animal that is genetically pure for future generations.
Spix's Macaws are typically found in trees and rarely seen on the ground. They build nests in hollows or holes, and hunt in search of seeds, fruits, nuts, and other plants. They can spend up to three-quarters of the time in the nest.
To assist in tracking the Spix's macaws and their movements, a local community was recruited to join the field team. The community was provided with watches that would be activated if a Spix's Macaw is recognized. This enabled them to track the birds in the wild and their daily activities. 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 in the wake of the last wild parrot disappeared in 2000, and no more birds were discovered in subsequent surveys. A reintroduction program is currently underway to try to bring this critically endangered bird back to its home in the Caatinga.
The northeast region of Brazil covers approximately 10% of the entire country. Spix's Macaws nested in the hollows of the 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 captive-raised birds were released into the wild in June, and 12 more are expected to arrive in 2022. They will be joined in the area by a group of Blue-winged macaws which have been reintroduced. They will share information about food sources, nesting sites and roosting locations.
The reintroduction program has collected valuable biological data about the behavior of this bird, including information about the patterns of movement and adaptations to drought. It also has opened a window on the natural history of Spix's Macaws, which aids in understanding the causes that led to their disappearance.
Spix's Macaws consume the fruits, seeds and nuts of numerous species 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 as with all parrots and other birds are social birds and develop close bonds with their parents. They are very vocal and often mimic human speech and other sounds. They have a mating cry known as "whichaka," described as a short and repetitive grating sound similar to an acoustic note. When they are in breeding mode, they are known to fly fast and high.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate by screeching, squawking, and other sounds. As with many parrots they can mimic human speech. They also adhere to a strict routine for their day, from flights to bathing routines, and they can recognize members of their flock. This is why they are such popular pets and a target for illegal trade in birds.
In the early 1980s, just three Spix's macaws were left in the wild. They were all poached. In 1995, poachers killed both male and female birds in a plan to pair them. Since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been bred in captivity - mostly in Brazil.
The handful of Spix's macaws that are in captivity are a mixture of individuals that are the descendants of only two individuals, which makes Mindy catalina macaw them at risk of disease and other environmental issues. The majority of the birds that are in captivity are in the breeding center in Germany, but this year an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government was not renewed which raises doubt about the future plans to repatriate the birds and return them into the wild.
Despite their shaky numbers, captive-bred Spix's macaws are showing some signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder managed to beat out a sheikh in Qatar to purchase from the collector three Spix's macaws that were not part of the breeding program.
In part because of this and other efforts, the captive-bred bird population is beginning to grow, but not at a speedy pace. In order to keep them healthy and producing, it is crucial to reintroduce the birds into the wild. It is essential to choose the right birds before release. Macaws should be at a reproductive age and be joined by one of their siblings or a close relative.
It may be difficult to bring the Spix's macaw back into the wild, however, it is essential to try. To help, ABC and partners have started a reserve system that aims to protect the species' last remaining habitats. The eight Spix's macaws will be joined by blue-winged macaws, that are more common in the Caatinga and share areas with Spix's macaws. These smart birds will help the macaws become more accustomed to the region, and they will provide security in large numbers.