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Melody Blue Spix Macaw After a long period of anxiety and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists were able to reintroduce couple couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring however, it is also filled with backbiting and jealousies. The first hurdle was obtaining enough birds to participate in the exchange. These macaws are monogamous, so the pairs needed to be matched well. 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 owing to 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 near Curaca. They refer to them as their blue-eyed friends and compare their lives with the journey of Presley, the only known Spix's Macaw found in the wild. They describe Presley as a true survivor, who lost his family but remained loyal to his area. They believe that their lives in Caatinga as similar to his, and feel a strong connection to him. Researchers were able study the behavior of the Spix's Macaw wild, and to better understand the reasons why this species has lasted so long. This allowed researchers to estimate the population of this unique bird more accurately. Researchers were able gather important data on the bird's daily movements, its seasonal adaptation to drought, and its eating habits. Researchers also monitored attempts to reproduce with a hybrid Spix’s and Illiger’s macaw couple which was an important step in the recovery of this species. It was a remarkable accomplishment that this bird was able endure and thrive in the wild with such an insufficient gene pool and it has helped scientists understand how these birds can be returned to the wild. The survival of the last bird also motivated people to act in order to save other parrots as well as threatened species. It has also prompted zoos and other groups to set their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds. This working group is a great illustration of how conservation groups and other organizations as well as individuals can work together in order to conserve endangered wildlife and animals. It brings Brazilian officials from government as well as representatives from zoos and international owners of this rare bird, and ornithologists with a common goal: the recovery of the Spix's macaw. The group has completed a great deal of work. This includes developing a plan to reintroduce the bird to the wild. The group has also worked to raise funds for field research as well as community outreach and captive-breeding birds for the reintroduction program. It has also established an ongoing committee to oversee the recovery of the bird. Habitat At risk due to poaching and habitat destruction The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) was believed to be extinct in the wild 10 years ago. Today, ornithologists and aviculturists continue to work tirelessly to bring this iconic bird back from the edge of extinction. A cult animated film and two sequels have made Spix's macaw recognizable to millions of people worldwide However, this is only the beginning in the long-distance journey to bring these birds back from the brink. A team of international experts has worked for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's Macaws raised in captivity to the wild. The Spix's macaw is native to a small portion of northeast Brazil which is known as the Caatinga which is an arid region of flat savannah scrubland scattered with creeks that flow through the seasons and gallery forests. Read Alot more was first described in 1819 and is among of the lesser-known Neotropical parrots, with occasional sightings in the wild and a few birds that are kept in captivity and some museum specimens. To preserve the dwindling population In order to protect the declining population, an international committee was created which brought together aviculturists who were the last to hold the birds as well as officials from the government. This group formed a partnership with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) of Qatar to create an intensive program to reintroduce captive-bred Spix's Macaws to their natural habitat in northeast Brazil. AWWP has purchased and is renovating 2,380 hectares in Caatinga close to Curaca (Brazil) of prime habitat. AWWP also breeds and raises birds to be released in the wild. This will create the genetically pure source of animals for the future generations. In the wild, Spix's Macaws are found in trees and are seldom seen on the ground. They nest in tree hollows or holes and search to find seeds, fruits, nuts, and other plants. They may spend up to 1/3 of their 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 members of the community were provided watches that could be activated if the Spix's macaw was observed which allowed them to keep track of the birds and their daily activities in the wild. This method has proven to be extremely 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 following the last wild parrot was lost in 2000. No additional birds were discovered in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction plan is currently in progress to return this critically endangered bird back to its natural home in the Caatinga. This region in northeast Brazil comprises about 10% of the entire country. Spix's Macaws nestled in the hollows of the old caraibeira trees and were 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 expected to arrive in 2022. They will be joined by a group of Blue-winged macaws who were reintroduced. They will provide information on food sources, nesting sites and places to roost. The reintroduction programme has already obtained valuable biological data on the behavior of this bird, including information about the patterns of movement and adaptations to drought. It also provided a glimpse into the natural history of the Macaws of Spix, which aids in understanding the causes that led to their extinction. Spix's Macaws eat the seeds, fruits and nuts of a variety of plants native to the Caatinga biome. This includes the pinhao-bravo (Jatropha mollissima) and 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). Like all parrots like all parrots Macaws are highly social birds that have a strong bond with their parents. They are extremely vocal and often imitate human speech and other sounds. They have a mating cry called “whichaka,” described as an extremely short and repetitive sound similar to an acoustic note. They are well-known for flying fast and high when they are in an ecstatic mood. Breeding Spix's macaws are exceptionally intelligent and highly social birds. They communicate using screeching, squawking and other sounds. Like many parrots they are able to mimic human speech. They also adhere to a strict daily routine, from flights to bathing routines and can identify members of their family. They are popular as pets, and are frequently targeted by the illegal trade in birds because of this. In the early 1980s only three Spix's Macaws were left in the wild, all of them being poached. In 1995, poachers killed both male and female birds as part of an attempt to pair them. Since the time, all Spix's macaws known have been bred in captivity – mostly in Brazil. The handful of Spix's macaws that are in captivity are made up of individuals who are descendants of just two individuals, which makes them vulnerable to disease and other environmental threats. The majority of the birds in captivity are kept in an breeding center in Germany however, this year an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired without renewal, casting doubt over future plans to return the birds and then reintroduce them into the wild. Despite their low numbers, captive-bred Spix's macaws show signs of improvement. This was evident when a Swiss breeder was able to beat a sheikh in Qatar to buy from a collector three Spix's macaws that were not part of the breeding program. In the wake of this and other efforts, the captive-bred birds are beginning reproduce, but not at a high rate. Reintroducing the birds to the wild will require them to remain healthy and produce. It is crucial to select the correct birds before releasing them. Macaws should be at a reproductive age, and they should be paired with an older sibling or close family member. It could be difficult to bring the Spix's macaw back into the wild, but it is vital to try. ABC and its partners have established reserves to protect the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's macaws will be joined by blue-winged macaws, which are more prevalent in the Caatinga and share areas with the Spix's macaws. These smart birds will help the macaws get used to the region and will offer safety in numbers.