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Melody Blue Spix Macaw After a long time with worry and speculation, Brazilians and German conservationists were able successfully reintroduce a grouping of couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspiring, but also filled with jealousies and backbiting. The first obstacle was to find enough birds for the trade. These macaws are monogamous, so the pairs had to be matched well. Range A South African couple is working to save the critically endangered Spix's macaw, which was declared extinct in 2000 after years of poaching and habitat loss. They have a tiny population of the birds in captive, and are hoping to release them into the wild close to Curaca. They call them their little blue companions and compared their journey to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's Macaw in the wild. They describe Presley as a true survivor who lost his family but was loyal to his home. They see their lives in the Caatinga as akin to his and feel a deep connection with him. The discovery of the last Spix's Macaw offered an excellent opportunity for researchers to examine its behavior in the wild and gain an understanding of how this species survived such a long time. This also helped them create a more accurate estimate of the historic population numbers of this unique 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 reproduction attempts using the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaws, which was an important step in the rehabilitation of this species. It was a remarkable accomplishment that this bird managed to endure and thrive in the wild despite an insufficient gene pool and it has helped researchers understand how these birds can be returned to the wild. The survival of the last bird also inspired people to take action in order to save other parrots as well as endangered species. It also inspired zoos and other groups to set their own captive breeding programs for these exotic birds. This group of experts is a model for how conservation groups and other organizations can collaborate to save endangered animals and wildlife. It brings Brazilian governmental officials, zoo representatives, international holders of this rare bird and ornithologists to work together towards a common goal – the reintroduction of the Spix's macaw. The working group has already accomplished a great deal of work, including developing a plan for reintroducing the bird into the wild. The group has also been working to raise funds to fund field research as well as community outreach and captive-breeding birds to support the reintroduction project. It has also established an ongoing committee to oversee the rehabilitation of the bird. Habitat Ten years ago the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was considered extinct. It was endangered through the destruction of habitat and poaching that was illegal. Today, aviculturists and ornithologists continue to fight tirelessly to bring this iconic bird back from the danger of extinction. A well-known animated film and two sequels have made Spix's Macaw known to millions of people around the world However, this is only the beginning of the iceberg in the long-distance journey to save these birds from the edge. For a long time, a global team has been trying to breed and reintroduce captive-raised Spix's macaws into the wild. The Spix's Macaw is an indigenous species found in a tiny region of northeast Brazil called the Caatinga. This dry area is home to flat savannah scrubland that is which is surrounded by galleries and streams that flow through the season. It was first described in 1819 and is one of least-known Neotropical Parrots. There are only sporadic glimpses of the wild, with a few birds that are kept in captivity and a few museum specimens. To preserve the dwindling population, an international committee was established that brought together aviculturists that were the last to hold the birds, as well as government officials. This group formed a collaboration with the world-renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to develop a program to reintroduce Spix's Macaws in their native habitat. AWWP has purchased and is renovating 2,380 acres of prime habitat in Caatinga, near Curaca, Brazil. AWWP is also breeding and rearing birds to be released into the wild, thereby providing the genetically pure source of the animals for future generations. Spix's Macaws are typically found in trees, and are rarely seen on the ground. They build nests in 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 aid in tracking the Spix's macaws as well as their movements, a local community was recruited to become part of the field team. The community was given watches that would be activated if Spix's Macaws are detected. This allowed them to monitor the birds in the wild and their daily actions. This approach has been extremely successful. Diet The Spix's Macaw is the only species of 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 wild parrot to be identified disappeared in the year 2000. subsequent surveys did not find any additional birds. A reintroduction plan is in progress to try to bring back this critically endangered bird to its native home in the Caatinga. This region in northeast Brazil is home to about 10% of the entire country. Spix's Macaws nestled in the hollows of the old caraibeira trees and were known to feed on nuts and seeds. Reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw into the wild is in progress. Eight captive-raised birds were released into the wild in June and 12 more are scheduled to follow in 2022. They will be joined by Blue-winged Macaws. They have been reintroduced to the same area and will help to share knowledge about food sources and nesting and roosting areas. The reintroduction program has collected vital biological data about the behavior of the bird, including information about daily movement patterns and adjustments 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 consume the fruits, seeds and nuts of many plants native to the Caatinga biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brazil and facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all part of this diet. They may also consume the fruit of palms of acai (Acaia oliva) or mofumbo (Combretum leprosum). Spix's Macaws like all parrots and other bird species are social birds that have close relationships with their parents. They are extremely vocal and often imitate human speech and other sounds. They have a mating cry known as “whichaka,” described as an incredibly short and repetitive sound similar to the note of a flutist. When they are in a breeding mode they can fly high and fast. Breeding Spix's Macaws are extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate using screeching, squawking, and other sounds. Like many parrots, they are able to mimic human speech. They also follow a very strict routine for their day, from flight paths to bathing habits and can identify the members of their flock. This is what makes them the most sought-after pets and a target for the illegal bird trade. By the early 1980s, only three Spix's Macaws were left in the wild, with all of them poached. In 1995, poachers massacred the male and female birds in a plan to pair them. Since since then, all Spix's Macaws known have been bred in captivity – mostly in Brazil. The handful of Spix's macaws in captivity are a mix of individuals who are the descendants of just two individuals, making them at risk of disease and other environmental challenges. The majority of Spix's macaws in captivity reside in an breeding center in Germany. However, this year an agreement between the German conservation center and the Brazilian government expired which leaves the possibility of repatriation or their reintroduction into the wild in doubt. Despite their precarious numbers, captive-bred Spix's macaws show signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat out the sheikh of Qatar to buy three Spix's Macaws from a collector. In the wake of this and other efforts, captive-bred birds are starting to reproduce, though not at a high rate. Keeping them healthy and producing will be crucial for reintroducing these birds to the wild. Choosing the right birds for release is also crucial. Macaws must be at a reproductive age and should be joined by one of their siblings or a close relatives. It could be difficult to bring the Spix's macaw back into the wild but it's important to try. To aid, ABC and partners have created a reserve system which is designed to safeguard the last remaining habitats. Read Alot more that were released recently will be joined by blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are more common in Caatinga and live in areas where the Spix's macaws also live. These intelligent birds will aid the macaws get used to the region, and they will provide the security of a large number.