Pauxi unicornis
The Horned Curassow (Pauxi unicornis) is a magnificent, large Neotropical gamebird, instantly recognizable by the prominent, pale blue-grey, bony casque or "horn" adorning its forehead. This distinctive horn, which can reach several centimeters in height, gives the species its evocative scientific name. Primarily jet-black with a contrasting white lower belly and undertail coverts, the Horned Curassow typically measures 85-95 cm (33-37 in) in length and weighs between 3.6-4.2 kg (7.9-9.3 lb),...
The Horned Curassow inhabits humid montane and cloud forests, typically at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,900 meters (2,300-6,200 ft) above sea level, occasionally reaching up to 2,500 meters (8,200 ft).
Their diet consists mainly of fallen fruits, berries, and seeds, supplemented by leaves and a variety of invertebrates such as insects and their larvae, making them important seed dispersers.
Horned Curassows are primarily diurnal, spending much of their time foraging on the forest floor, though they are also capable of perching and feeding in the canopy. Their foraging strategy involves meticulously searching for fallen fruits, seeds, and invertebrates among the leaf litter, often us...
The Horned Curassow's highly restricted and fragmented distribution is confined to the humid montane forests of the Andes in south-central Bolivia and southeastern Peru. In Bolivia, it is known from Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, and La Paz departments, particularly within protected areas like Carrasco ...
Endangered
- The Horned Curassow's distinctive 'horn' is actually a bony casque covered in skin, which grows larger with age. - Despite its striking appearance, the species was only scientifically described in 1939. - It is one of the rarest and most poorly known curassow species, making encounters in the w...