Great Curassow
The Great Curassow is a large bird about the size of a turkey found in Central and South America. And like the turkey, it too is prized for its meat, and so it avoids humans at all costs. And if a person threatens it, it won’t hesitate to attack- just like some of the Wild Turkeys in the U.S.!
Great Curassows generally gather in small flocks of up to a dozen and are very social amongst themselves. They hunt for food on the forest floor, eating fruit and insects, and make their nests in the low lying branches of trees. The male of the species is a beautiful shiny black color with a crown of tall, curled feathers and a bright yellow beak - the top of which engorges to a large bulb during mating season. Females are quite comely as well, with black and white striped heads, chestnut bodies and chestnut and white striped tails.
Loss of habitat due to deforestation as well as hunting have caused the Great Curassow to be listed as a Vulnerable species. Fortunately, several protective reserves have been established throughout Central and South America in order to ensure the survival of this incredibly cool looking bird.
Great Curassows generally gather in small flocks of up to a dozen and are very social amongst themselves. They hunt for food on the forest floor, eating fruit and insects, and make their nests in the low lying branches of trees. The male of the species is a beautiful shiny black color with a crown of tall, curled feathers and a bright yellow beak - the top of which engorges to a large bulb during mating season. Females are quite comely as well, with black and white striped heads, chestnut bodies and chestnut and white striped tails.
Loss of habitat due to deforestation as well as hunting have caused the Great Curassow to be listed as a Vulnerable species. Fortunately, several protective reserves have been established throughout Central and South America in order to ensure the survival of this incredibly cool looking bird.