The birth of a large-billed seed-finch (Sporophila maximiliani) chick last Friday (February 20th) represents the effective resumption of the natural reproductive cycle of one of Brazil's most endangered birds. This unprecedented event took place at the Porto Cajueiro Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN), maintained by Usina Coruripe in the municipality of Januária, in northern Minas Gerais.
After seven years of coordinated technical work between different institutions, the Bicudo Project achieved its most anticipated result: the reproduction of the birds in the wild. Biologist Gustavo Malacco, one of the project coordinators, explains that in early February, the project team located the nest containing two eggs. On the 20th, the chick hatched and is being monitored daily. The other egg has not yet hatched and continues to be monitored. "This type of birth had never happened in Brazil before and is a historic milestone for global conservation," he emphasizes.
He notes that an unusual fact that makes the birth even more significant is that only the female is present in the nest alongside the chick. According to him, normally, the pair of bicudos does not leave the nest until the chick is independent. "What we witnessed is the action of a 'single mother' fighting for the preservation of her species," Malacco comments.
“More than just the birth of an individual, this is an indicator of ecological viability and shows that the species can gradually rebuild its presence in nature,” adds veterinarian Carolina Lorieri Vanin, one of the members of the Bicudo Project. She emphasizes that this is a “species historically impacted by illegal capture and wildlife trafficking, pressures that have caused a population collapse in much of its range.”
According to biologist Luís Silveira, who also coordinates the project, the birth of the bicudo is the first step towards establishing a self-sustaining population in the wild. “Of course, this goal is still far off, but the birth of chicks in the wild demonstrates that birds in captivity for many generations can recover their natural behaviors, such as selecting a safe area, finding material, and building a nest.”
According to him, the main objective of a reintroduction project is to consistently document reproduction in the wild. “And our project is now taking a very important step, thanks to the team involved and, especially, to the birds, which are putting on a show of adaptation to field conditions,” celebrates Silveira.
The president of Usina Coruripe, Mario Lorencatto, highlights that, in addition to releasing and monitoring the species, the company carries out actions with the community to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining biodiversity in the region. He comments that, in 2024, another important milestone for the preservation of biodiversity was celebrated: the birth of the first chicks of the Great-billed Seed-Finch in a breeding facility within the conservation unit. “Since 2018, we have developed a breeding facility within the reserve, with all the necessary care to guarantee the well-being and reproduction of these birds,” states Lorencatto.
Besides Coruripe, the Great-billed Seed-Finch Project includes the Ariramba Institute for Nature Conservation, CEPF/IEB, the Boticário Group Foundation for Nature Protection, the Brazilian Songbird Breeders Club, the State University of Maranhão, the Zoology Museum of the University of São Paulo, the Federal University of São Carlos, Angá, Semad/IEF, and the Public Prosecutor's Office of Minas Gerais. The project is also part of the Sustainable Partnerships initiative, created to enable partner companies to participate in projects developed or supported by Usina Coruripe. The Bicudo Project team consists of 15 dedicated individuals, including biologists, veterinarians, and RPPN (Private Natural Heritage Reserve) staff.
Challenges for the Preservation of the Large-billed Seed-Finch
“Wildlife trafficking always represents a potential risk for the Sporophila maximiliani, especially since it is a species historically targeted for its song. However, in this specific context of reintroduction in a preserved area far from large urban centers, this threat is significantly reduced. Today, the main challenges are ecological in nature.
Habitat loss and fragmentation remain the greatest structural threat to the species. The conversion of natural areas for agricultural use, the replacement of native vegetation with monocultures, and landscape fragmentation reduce the availability of suitable areas for feeding, reproduction, and dispersal. Fragmented environments isolate individuals and limit gene flow, compromising population viability in the medium and long term.
Another critical factor is the low population density in the wild. Small and dispersed populations make it difficult for reproductively active individuals to meet, reduce genetic variability, and make the species more vulnerable to random events.
Specifically for the chick born this month, there are also the natural risks inherent to the life cycle, such as predation.” Natural factors include extreme weather events, such as heavy rains or cold waves, and the natural rate of juvenile mortality, which is high in wild birds.
In other words, at this moment, the challenges are predominantly ecological and environmental—and that is precisely why maintaining habitat quality and continuous technical monitoring are fundamental to increasing the chances of survival and consolidation of this population in the wild.”