SPIX'S MACAW
The Spix's macaw is smaller than most of the large macaws and their plumage is various shades of blue. It is possible that could be extinct in the wild. They are native to northeastern Brazil and are restricted to woodland galleries due to their dependence for nesting, roosting, and feeding. They dieted on seeds and nuts from various tree species.
Throughout the 20th century, their small distribution was devastated by deforestation so they are often rare in the wild and in captivity due to their remote habitat. By the middle of the 1980s after fieldwork on their habitat, it was understood that the macaw are on the brink of extinction.
The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources established the Permanent Committee for the Recovery of Spix's Macaw ( CPRAA ) in 1990 to conserve the species. At that time, there were 15 macaws in captivity and one in the wild. A decade later, The Loro Parque Foundation invested in a field program to protect the last wild male and improve its habitat. From 2007 to 2008, two farms measuring 6,900 acres in total were purchased to protect a small but important part of the macaw's habitat where the last wild nest existed. There were efforts to clear introduced species, and restoring native tree species and creek systems.
Current captive birds were descended from 7 wild macaws which probably came from two wild nests post 1982. There are an estimated 96 macaws in captivity in 2013, with 83 participating in an international breeding program. In July of 2015, the captive population increased to 110. The macaws suffered from inbreeding in captivity.
In the breeding season of 2013, veterinarians use artificial insemination resulting in the world's first egg fertilization and first chicks from assisted reproduction.
NORTHERN BALD IBIS
The northern bald ibis is a migratory bird but unlike other ibises, they are non-waders. The birds were once widespread living in semi-arid steppe regions of Central Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East but now confined to the Souss-Massa National Park in Morocco and at near by Tamri. In 2002, a small population was found in Syria. Semi-wild populations also exists in southeast Turkey.
They lived in large loose flocks pecking at the ground for lizards and beetles. They breed in colonies of up to 40 on coastal cliffs with their nests placed on ledges and caves. 2 to 4 eggs can be found in nests.
The northern bald ibis were in steep decline for many centuries with a 98% decline between 1900 and 2002 and are threatened by persecution, disturbance of breeding sites, and habitat loss from dam construction and drainage of wetlands. In the late 1950s in Turkey, hundreds died from pesticide poisoning with survivors suffering from very low breeding. In 1996, 40 individuals from Morocco died from an unknown epidemic.
The Moroccan population are being monitored by Birdlife International and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds who trained local wardens to protect breeding and roosting sites from tourists and fishermen. They also collect information and informs locals of the bird's significance. There was a slight increase of the population with 100 breeding pairs before 2008 and increase up to 113 pairs. The small Syrian population is also being monitored but there are high and low breeding fluctuations throughout the years and with the ongoing Syrian War, they are very close to being extinct.
The semi-wild population of Turkey are kept in aviaries during winter but freed during the breeding season. In late 2001 when the population shrank to 41 birds, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Birdlife Turkey got involved with local authorities in a local project with success. Aviary management and assisted husbandry has been produced with the population reaching to almost 100 birds.
They lived in large loose flocks pecking at the ground for lizards and beetles. They breed in colonies of up to 40 on coastal cliffs with their nests placed on ledges and caves. 2 to 4 eggs can be found in nests.
The northern bald ibis were in steep decline for many centuries with a 98% decline between 1900 and 2002 and are threatened by persecution, disturbance of breeding sites, and habitat loss from dam construction and drainage of wetlands. In the late 1950s in Turkey, hundreds died from pesticide poisoning with survivors suffering from very low breeding. In 1996, 40 individuals from Morocco died from an unknown epidemic.
The Moroccan population are being monitored by Birdlife International and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds who trained local wardens to protect breeding and roosting sites from tourists and fishermen. They also collect information and informs locals of the bird's significance. There was a slight increase of the population with 100 breeding pairs before 2008 and increase up to 113 pairs. The small Syrian population is also being monitored but there are high and low breeding fluctuations throughout the years and with the ongoing Syrian War, they are very close to being extinct.
The semi-wild population of Turkey are kept in aviaries during winter but freed during the breeding season. In late 2001 when the population shrank to 41 birds, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Birdlife Turkey got involved with local authorities in a local project with success. Aviary management and assisted husbandry has been produced with the population reaching to almost 100 birds.
PHILLIPINE EAGLE
The Philippine eagle is the worlds largest eagle and are known for their unique shaggy head crest. They lived in isolated patches of primary dipterocarp forest. Like their name suggested, they are native to the Phillipines and live on small parts of the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. The eagle also lives up to 60 years.
They are also called the monkey eating eagle due to its diet on monkeys but also preyed flying lemurs, palm civets, rats, snakes, birds, and bats. Phillipine eagles are observed hunting in pairs with one individual acting as the distraction while the other goes in a surprise attack from behind. Between October and December one egg is laid in a huge nest in the canopy with the chick depending on its parents for a year.
The birds are being threatened by habitat destruction as vast areas of tropical forests have been cleared for commercial development and cultivation and are also threatened by mining activities, pesticides, and hunting.
The population is unknown but with estimates of 180-600 birds in the wild, they are protected by law and lives in many protected areas. The Phillipine Eagle Conservation Programme is working on educational campaigns protecting nests and a breeding program. Eggs and chicks are taken from at risk habitats to establish a captive population with hopes of reintroducing them in the wild.
They are also called the monkey eating eagle due to its diet on monkeys but also preyed flying lemurs, palm civets, rats, snakes, birds, and bats. Phillipine eagles are observed hunting in pairs with one individual acting as the distraction while the other goes in a surprise attack from behind. Between October and December one egg is laid in a huge nest in the canopy with the chick depending on its parents for a year.
The birds are being threatened by habitat destruction as vast areas of tropical forests have been cleared for commercial development and cultivation and are also threatened by mining activities, pesticides, and hunting.
The population is unknown but with estimates of 180-600 birds in the wild, they are protected by law and lives in many protected areas. The Phillipine Eagle Conservation Programme is working on educational campaigns protecting nests and a breeding program. Eggs and chicks are taken from at risk habitats to establish a captive population with hopes of reintroducing them in the wild.