From the Face-book page of ACTP : Update – All 52 Spix’s macaws arrived safely at the Spix's Macaw Release Center for their Quarantine period. This group was specifically selected, with meticulous intent to form the most diverse genetic population possible from the global captive population. The birds were admitted into the Quarantine aviaries, with the MAPA and IBAMA officials on site. Each bird was caught out of the travel box, microchip read and released into their indoor quarantine aviary. There were no mortalities, in the end, it was a successful trip. All birds are eating and drinking and are calm and comfortable in their new housing. The food for the birds was brought on the plane and was brought to the facility so all birds are used to the food they are receiving, this helps after a long trip. Prior to traveling all birds were individually tested for all necessary diseases following both the Brazilian sanitary and captive program protocol, all birds were free of any pathogenic diseases. There were a few birds found to have a non-pathogenic mycoplasma, as there are many different bacterial strains, and only some are pathogenic. None of the pathogenic varieties were found, and the experts deemed the birds safe to travel. On the 10th of March, we had a visit to the Quarantine by the MAPA quarantine officials to take final samples from all the birds. The MAPA team was impressed with the facilities, housing, and health of all the birds. The catching and testing process was quick, efficient and successful, with the minimum stress on the birds. We are happy to say all 52 Spix’s macaws are doing well. At the same time, to keep the genetic diversity of the captive population, 4 birds bred with different genetics in Brazil last year are to go to the breeding center in Germany to be flocked and later paired up with birds bred in Germany. Annually 70% of all offspring produced will be sent to the facility in the Brazilian Caatinga to be released.
Spix macaw breeding season has begon in Berlin ( note and video from Facebook ) : The breeding season 2020 is in full swing with our Spix's Macaws too. These two birds put together a very special pair because they are among the few "A-pairings" with the best genetic combination and thus ensure the important development of the genetic diversity of the population. The male is lovingly caring for his beloved because she is just incubating her first egg of this breeding season. Barely a few minutes after he will leave the box, you are able to clearly see how the female lays her second egg! This is a breathtaking moment we like to share with you! https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=857627804701534
Cockatoos are doing quite well this year at ACTP. Some of the young bred sofar this year : -Gang gang cockatoo -Fitzroy's sulphur-crested cockatoo -White-tailed black cockatoo -Red-tailed black cockatoo Spix macaws are also still bred at ACTP and at least 4 young have already left the nest . ( from photos on FB )
2 Gang-gang cockatoos at the nest at the moment : https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=289347465669136
From their Facebook-page : " An unbelievably successful year for the Spix's Macaw Release Project and conservation! The 2020 breeding season is over, and we are very proud to announce that, with the breeding pairs remaining in Germany, we have achieved a record number of offspring. A total of 21 healthy Spix's Macaws have joined the world this year – eleven male and ten female birds, further securing these wonderful parrots' population numbers. This success was possible thanks to the support of those involved and, above all, due to our entire crew's great work. Many thanks to our team here in Germany and at the Spix's Macaw Release Center in Brazil for your passionate and tireless commitment! "
This is a huge boost for the ex situ breeding / in situ breed and release program and bodes well for the future! Any info on how the numbers where divided between ATCP and the Brasil ex situ center? Also how many breeding pairs they now hold combined?
At the Spix's macaw release center in Caatinga, Bahia, Brazil, for the first time in 30 years a Spix's macaw chick has been born in Brazil's Caatinga. A young pair at the facility laid 4 eggs, 2 of which were fertile. The first chick that hatched unfortunately died on the second day due to parent inexperience and neglect. When the second chick was also not fed by the parents it was decided to pull the second chick for hand-rearing. It is hoped that the parents will lay another clutch later in the season and rear their own chicks. ACTP Facebook page
After this first Spix macaw-chick in Brazil also the birds at the Berlin breeding-station started 2021 very well : 10 Spix macaws already have hatched and another 10 eggs are still being incubated .
I think more difficult would be this bringing a chick of a local blue-winged macaw, and making it survive in the wild!
Also at the release-site in Brazil the Spix macaws are doing well. 2 months ago the first Spix macaw hatched there and in the meantime 2 more chicks have hatched in Brazil !
Sofar 6 Lear's macaws have hatched ( 5 in the incubator, 1 with the parents ) and more eggs being incubated https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=4037419936384954
Most of the threatened parrot-species kept at ACTP are breeding well but most of the young are hatched in incubators and hand-raised to ensure a rapid population-grow and to controle the raising as good as possible. To allow the birds also to learn to raise their chicks themself, the breeding-center has now started to let some pairs to raise their chicks themselfs. At the end of May a pair of St. Vincent amazons hatched a chick and is now doing a great job in raising it. The same can be said from a pair of Spix macaws which is also succesfull in raising a chick by themself .
