Nothocrax urumutum
The Nocturnal Curassow (Nothocrax urumutum) is a strikingly unique, medium-sized gamebird belonging to the family Cracidae, distinguished as the only truly nocturnal member of its genus. Measuring approximately 58 to 66 cm (23-26 inches) in length and weighing around 1.1 to 1.2 kg (2.4-2.6 lbs), this species sports a predominantly dusky black plumage, contrasting sharply with a rufous or reddish-brown vent and undertail coverts. A prominent, shaggy, and often erect crest of black feathers cro...
This species inhabits dense, humid lowland tropical rainforests, favoring areas with a well-developed understory, often close to rivers or other water sources. It is typically found at elevations below 500 meters, occasionally ranging up to 1000 meters in the Andean foothills.
Its diet consists mainly of fallen fruits and seeds collected from the forest floor, supplemented by a variety of invertebrates such as insects and spiders, obtained by probing the leaf litter.
True to its name, the Nocturnal Curassow is primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, active from late afternoon through the night, contrasting with most other curassows. During the day, it roosts solitarily or in pairs high in the canopy, relying on its dark plumage for camouflage. Foraging occurs pr...
The Nocturnal Curassow has a restricted but stable distribution across the western Amazon Basin in South America, primarily spanning parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and western Brazil. Its range extends from the eastern foothills of the Andes, typically at elevations below 500 meters but occasi...
Least Concern
- The Nocturnal Curassow is one of the only truly nocturnal species within the entire Cracidae family, a significant departure from its diurnal relatives. - Its scientific name, *Nothocrax urumutum*, includes 'urumutum' which is derived from an indigenous Amazonian name for the bird, reflecting i...