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Melody Blue Spix Macaw After a long period anxiety and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists succeeded in reinserting couple couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also filled with jealousies and backbiting. The first challenge was to get enough birds to trade. These macaws are monogamous, so the pairs needed to be 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 number of the birds in captivity and hope to release them in the wild near Curaca. They refer to the birds as their blue-eyed friends and compare their lives to the journey of Presley the only known Spix's Macaw found in the wild. They describe him as a true survivor who lost his family and kept his faith in his region. They feel a strong bond to him and perceive their lives as identical to his. The discovery of the last Spix's Macaw offered a valuable opportunity for researchers to examine its behavior in the wild and gain a better understanding of how this species was able to survive for so long. Researchers were able to determine the historical population of this rare bird more precisely. Researchers were able gather important data on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adaptation to drought, and its eating habits. They also observed reproduction attempts using the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaws, which was an important 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 can be reintroduced to the wild. The survival of the last bird encouraged people to take action to save other parrots and threatened species. It also inspired zoos and other groups to set up up their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds. This group of experts is a model for how conservation groups and other organizations can work together to protect endangered animals and wildlife. This group consists of Brazilian government officials, representatives from zoos, international owners of the Spix's macaw and ornithologists with an aim in common: the recovery of this rare bird. The group has accomplished a great deal of work, including the creation of an idea for reintroducing this bird 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 also has established a permanent committee for the reintroduction of 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 fight 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 recognizable to millions of people around the world however this is only the beginning in the long journey to save these birds from the brink. An international team has worked for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws raised in captivity back into the wild. The Spix's macaw is native to a tiny area of northeast Brazil known as the Caatinga, an arid region of savannah scrubland that is flat, interspersed 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 appearances in the wild, with a few birds in captivity and a few museum specimens. To protect the population that is declining In order to protect the declining population, an international committee was formed that gathered aviculturists who had the last remaining birds, as well as government officials. The group formed a partnership with the world-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 purchased and is recovering 2,380 acres of prime habitat in the Caatinga area, close to Curaca, Brazil. AWWP also breeds and raises birds that will be released into the wild. This will provide an animal that is genetically pure for future generations. In the wild, Spix's Macaws are found in trees and are seldom seen on the ground. They usually nest in hollows or holes in trees and hunt for fruit as well as seeds, nuts, and other plants. They will typically spend up to three-quarters of the time in the nest. A local community was selected as part of the field team in order to help track Spix's Macaws. Members of the community were provided watches that could be activated in the event the Spix's macaw was detected, allowing them to keep an eye on the birds and their daily movements in the wild. Fiona hyacinth macaw bird for sale has proven successful. Diet The Spix's Macaw is the only species of the genus Cyanopsitta. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared it extinct in the wild on April 1, 2019. This was after the last wild parrot vanished in 2000. No additional birds were discovered in subsequent surveys. A reintroduction program is currently underway to try to bring back this critically endangered bird to its native home in the Caatinga. The northeast region of Brazil comprises about 10% of the country. Spix's Macaws nestled in the hollows of old caraibeira trees, and they were also known to feed on seeds and nuts. Reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw into the wild is currently in progress. 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 a group of Blue-winged Macaws. They have been reintroduced to the same area and will help to share knowledge of food sources and nesting and roosting locations. The reintroduction program has already gathered valuable biological data on the behavior of this rare bird, including information on daily movement patterns and adjustments to drought during the season. It has also provided a window into the natural history of the Spix's Macaw, helping to discover the reasons behind its extinction in the wild. Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, nuts, and fruits of a myriad of plants 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 are vocal and often mimic sounds and speech. They have a mating cry known as “whichaka,” described as a short and repetitive grating sound that resembles 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 with each other through a range of squawking and screeching sounds. Like many other parrots, mimic human speech. They also follow a very strict routine for their day, from the flight path to bathing habits and are able to recognize members of their family. This is why they are so popular pets and targets for illegal bird trade. In the early 1980s, just three Spix's macaws remained in the wild. They were all poached. A plan to pair the male and female foiled in 1995, when poachers killed both birds. 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 mix of individuals who are descendants of just two individuals, which makes them vulnerable to disease and other environmental threats. The majority of the birds that are in captivity are in a breeding center in Germany however, this year an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government was not renewed which raises doubt about the future plans to return the birds and reintroduce them back into the wild. Despite their low numbers of captive-bred Spix's macaws, captive-bred species show some signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder beat a sheikh from Qatar to purchase from the collector three Spix's Macaws that were not part of the breeding program. In the wake of this and other efforts, captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce, but not at a high rate. Reintroducing the birds into the wild will require that they remain healthy and produce. The selection of the right birds to release is also critical. Macaws must be of reproductive age and be paired up with siblings or close relatives. It could 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 who were released recently will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are more prevalent in Caatinga and are found in areas where the Spix's macaws are also. These savvy birds will help the macaws become more accustomed to the region, and they will provide safety in numbers.