The value of behavioural activity records for conservation breeding: the case of Spix's macaw in human care

Abstract

The Spixs macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii), extinct in the wild since 2019, is currently maintained in exsitu breeding facilities. Captive breeding expanded the global population from 53 individuals in 2000 to ca. 400 by December 2025, enabling two soft releases. To support reintroduction, we introduce an ethogram of 85 behaviours and 1357 quantitative records based on observations of 123 birds at the ACTP Germany facility. Based on the analysis of the time-activity patterns of 10 pairs for 17 hours each, we also explore whether behavioural compatibility during the non-breeding season--measured here as time-activity similarity--relates to the breeding output of these pairs. Individual activity patterns were consistent, but females were markedly more synchronised with their mates than with other males. However, only pairs showing a high time-activity similarity bred successfully. Adjusting pair matching based on such similarity and improving general husbandry conditions (diet & enrichment) led to higher breeding output: pairs raising chicks increased from 0 in 2019 to 16 in 2024, fertility rates increased from 27% in 2019 to 64% in 2024, and annual chick output increased from 11 to 44 between 2019 and 2024. These results, based on 86 forced-mating attempts, support the idea that systematic behavioural monitoring can substantially contribute to enhancing conservation breeding in monogamous parrot species.