Crax alector
The Black Curassow (Crax alector) is a magnificent, large, turkey-like bird endemic to the dense rainforests of northern South America. Males are entirely glossy black, with a striking bright yellow or orange waxy cere and a prominent knob at the base of the bill, reaching lengths of 76-92 cm and weighing between 2.5 and 4 kg. Females exhibit remarkable polymorphism; some are uniformly black with a dark bill, resembling the male but lacking the vibrant cere, while others display intricate bla...
This species primarily inhabits humid, dense lowland primary and mature secondary rainforests, often preferring areas near rivers and streams, typically found at elevations up to 1,000 meters.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of fallen fruits, seeds, and berries, supplemented by leaves, flowers, and invertebrates such as insects and larvae, and occasionally small vertebrates. Forages mainly by gleaning from the forest floor.
Black Curassows are primarily diurnal, spending much of their day foraging on the forest floor, sifting through leaf litter with their strong bills and feet for fallen fruits and invertebrates, though they will also feed in the lower canopy. They are largely terrestrial but are agile climbers and...
The Black Curassow is a non-migratory resident species restricted to the Guiana Shield region and adjacent parts of the northern Amazon Basin in South America. Its primary range extends from eastern Venezuela, across Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, and into northeastern Brazil, specifically ...
Vulnerable
- The Black Curassow is also sometimes known as the 'Whistling Curassow' due to one of its distinctive vocalizations. - Males possess a remarkable, bright yellow or orange waxy cere and a prominent knob on their bill, which intensifies in color during the breeding season. - Female Black Curassows...