Mitu tuberosum
The Razor-billed Curassow, *Mitu tuberosum*, is a magnificent, large-bodied gamebird native to the Amazon Basin, instantly recognizable by its vibrant, bulbous, coral-red bill. Males typically measure 83-89 cm (33-35 in) in length and weigh 2.5-3.5 kg (5.5-7.7 lbs), with females being slightly smaller. Their plumage is a striking glossy black, often adorned with a subtle blue or purplish sheen, creating a sharp contrast with their crisp white vent and undertail coverts. The most distinctive f...
Inhabits humid lowland tropical and subtropical rainforests, often found near rivers and streams, typically at elevations from sea level up to 500 meters (1,640 feet).
Feeds primarily on fallen fruits and seeds collected from the forest floor, supplemented by invertebrates, small vertebrates, and green plant matter.
Razor-billed Curassows are primarily diurnal, spending their days foraging on the forest floor, though they ascend to trees for roosting at night. Their foraging strategy involves slow, deliberate movements, as they scratch through leaf litter with their strong legs and bills to uncover fallen fr...
The Razor-billed Curassow is exclusively found within the vast expanse of the Amazon Basin in South America. Its primary distribution encompasses southeastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and a significant portion of western and central Brazil. In Brazil, its range extends south of the Amazon River, r...
Least Concern
- The Razor-billed Curassow's striking, bright red bill develops its most prominent 'razor' ridge and bulbous shape in mature males, making it an unmistakable field mark. - Despite their large, heavy bodies, these birds are surprisingly agile, capable of powerful, if noisy, flight when escaping p...