Pauxi koepckeae
The Sira Curassow (*Pauxi koepckeae*) is a magnificent and exceedingly rare large gamebird, distinguished by its glossy black plumage and a prominent, pale blue-grey, bulbous casque atop its forehead. Males typically weigh around 3.5-4.5 kg and measure 85-95 cm in length, with females being slightly smaller. A striking feature is its bright red bill with a black tip and vibrant orange-red legs, providing a stark contrast to its dark body. This species is a member of the Cracid family (Cracida...
This curassow exclusively inhabits humid, mossy lower montane cloud forests and submontane evergreen forests, primarily at elevations between 850 and 1,500 meters.
Primarily frugivorous, its diet consists mainly of fallen fruits and seeds, supplemented by leaves, flowers, and a variety of invertebrates, such as insects and snails, foraged from the forest floor.
The Sira Curassow is a shy and largely terrestrial bird, primarily active during daylight hours, spending most of its time foraging on the forest floor. At night, individuals roost communally or in pairs on sturdy tree branches within the dense canopy, often using the same roosting sites repeated...
The Sira Curassow (*Pauxi koepckeae*) possesses an exceptionally restricted and fragmented geographic distribution, being entirely endemic to the remote Cordillera de Sira in central Peru. This mountain range spans portions of the Huánuco, Pasco, and Ucayali departments within the country. Its kn...
Critically Endangered
- The Sira Curassow was only scientifically described in 1971, making it one of the last large bird species to be discovered in the Western Hemisphere. - It is named after Maria Koepcke, a pioneering German ornithologist who dedicated her life to studying Peruvian birds. - Its entire global popul...