Ten Things You Learned In Kindergarden Which Will Aid You In Obtaining Melody Blue Spix Macaw
Ten Things You Learned In Kindergarden Which Will Aid You In Obtaining Melody Blue Spix Macaw
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Melody Blue Spix Macaw
After a long period worry and speculation, Brazilian and German conservationists were able to reintroduce couple couples back into their natural habitat. Their story is inspirational but also rife with backbiting and jealousies.
The first hurdle was obtaining enough birds for the exchange. The macaws were monogamous, therefore it was important to match pairs well.
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 they hope to release them near Curaca. They call the birds their blue-eyed friends and compared their experience to the story of Presley, the last known Spix's macaw in the wild. They describe Presley as an authentic survivor who lost his family but was loyal to his home. 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 in the wild, and gain a better understanding of how this species has survived so long. This allowed researchers to determine the historical population of this rare bird more precisely. Researchers were able to gather crucial information on the bird's movements throughout the day and its seasonal adaptation to drought and its food habits. Researchers even monitored attempts to reproduce using the hybrid Illiger's and Spix's macaw couple which was an important step in the recovery for this species.
It was a remarkable achievement that this bird lived and thrived in the wild despite having a very limited gene pool. This has enabled scientists to better understand how these birds can be returned to the natural world. The survival of the last bird motivated people to act to save other species of endangered parrots. Zoos are also encouraged to create their own captive breeding program for these exotic species of birds.
This group of experts is an example of how conservation groups and other organizations can work together 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 recovery of the Spix's Macaw.
The group has completed a lot of work, including developing plans for reintroducing the bird into the wild. The group also raised funds to fund community outreach and field research as well as captive-bred birds for the project. The group has also set up a permanent committee for the reintroduction of the bird.
Habitat
Ten years ago the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta Spixii) was considered extinct. It was threatened through the destruction of habitats and poaching that was illegal. Today, ornithologists and aviculturists continue to tirelessly work to bring this iconic bird back from the edge of extinction.
The Spix's Macaw is known to millions of people all over the globe thanks to a popular animated film and two sequels. However, this is only the beginning on the long road of returning these birds. A team of international experts has worked for decades to breed and reintroduce Spix's macaws born in captivity back into the wild.
The Spix's Macaw is an indigenous species to a small region of northeast Brazil called the Caatinga. This desert region has flat savannah scrubland and is scattered with seasonal streams and gallery forests. It was first described in 1819 and is among of the least-known Neotropical parrots, with sporadic sightings from the wild and a few birds that are kept in captivity and some museum specimens.
To save the declining population To help save the declining population, a global group was created. It was comprised of aviculturists who held the last remaining bird as well as officials from the government. The group forged a partnership with the renowned non-profit organization Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation of Qatar to establish an initiative to restore the population of Spix's Macaws to their natural environment.
AWWP has purchased and is recovering 2,380 hectares of Caatinga close to Curaca (Brazil) of the most pristine habitat. AWWP also breeds and raises birds to 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 build nests in hollows or holes, and hunt for fruits, seeds, nuts, and other plants. They can spend up to 1/3 of their time in the nest.
A local community was selected as part of the field team to help identify Spix's Macaws. The members of the community were given watches which could be activated if the Spix's macaw was observed, 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 of the genus Cyanopsitta. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared it extinct in the wild on April 1st, 2019. This was in the wake of the last wild parrot vanished in 2000 and no additional birds were found in subsequent surveys. However, a reintroduction plan is currently in progress to return this critically endangered bird back to its natural habitat in the Caatinga.
This region in northeast Brazil comprises about 10% of the entire country. Spix's Macaws nested 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 in progress. Eight captive-raised birds were released into the wild in June and 12 more are expected to follow in 2022. They will be joined in the area by a group of Blue-winged macaws that have been reintroduced and will share information on food sources, nesting and places to roost.
The reintroduction programme has already obtained valuable biological data on the behavior of the bird, including details about the patterns of movement and adaptations to drought. It also opened a window on the nature of the Spix's Macaws. This aids in understanding the causes that led to their extinction.
Spix's Macaws consume the seeds, fruits, and nuts of numerous plants native to the Caatinga biome. Pinhao-bravo, linhas Brasil and facheiro (Pilosocereus Pachycladus) are all part of this diet. The Ziggy Our Scarlet Macaw acai palm (Acaia olive) and mofumbo (Combretum léprosum) fruits are also edible.
Like all parrots, Spix's Macaws are highly social birds that bond closely with their parents. They are very vocal and often mimic human speech and other sounds. They have a mating cry called "whichaka," described as a short and repetitive grating noise similar to an acoustic note. When they are in breeding mode they can fly high and fast.
Breeding
Spix's Macaws are extremely intelligent and social birds. They communicate by 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 flights to bathing routines and can identify members of their flock. They are very popular as pets and are frequently targeted by illegal trade in birds due to this.
In the early 1980s, only 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 captive-bred – mostly in Brazil.
The Spix's Macaws that are in captivity are a mix of birds, and are the descendant of only two individuals. This makes them more vulnerable to illnesses and other environmental threats. The majority of Spix's macaws in captivity are kept in a breeding center in Germany. However this year an agreement between a German conservation center and Brazilian government ran out which leaves the possibility of repatriation or reintroduction into the wild in doubt.
Despite their low numbers the captive-bred Spix's macaws exhibit some signs of improvement. This was evident when the Swiss breeder beat the sheikh of Qatar to purchase three Spix's Macaws from a collector.
In part due to this and other efforts the captive-bred bird population is starting to grow, but not at a speedy pace. Reintroducing the birds to the wild will require that they remain healthy and produce. It is important to choose the right birds before releasing them. Macaws should be of reproductive age and be paired up with close relatives or siblings.
Bringing the Spix's macaw back to the wild could prove difficult, but it's important to try. ABC and its partners have created reserves to protect the last remaining habitats of this species. The eight Spix's macaws that were released recently will be joined by the blue-winged Macaws. These macaws are common in Caatinga and are found in areas where the Spix's macaws also live. These birds will help macaws adjust to their new environment and will also ensure safety through large numbers.