Great Curassow

The Great Curassow is a large gallinaceous bird native to Central and South America. The males are mainly black with white underparts, a curly black head crest, and a bright yellow knob above the beak. The females are a lovely combination of brown, black and white, and also have a beautiful black and white curly crest. These birds are typically found in lowland rainforests, preferring dense, thick vegetation where they can forage for a diet mainly consisting of fruits, seeds, insects, and small animals. Great curassows are important seed dispersers in their ecosystems, contributing to forest regeneration. They are often elusive and prefer to stay on the ground or in the lower layers of the forest canopy where they can often be heard crashing through the foliage before they are seen. Due to habitat loss and hunting, the Great Curassow’s conservation status is listed as Vulnerable, but they are well-established in American aviculture in zoos and private collections.