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Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.
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Blue-billed Curassow

Crax alberti
Paujil Piquiazul
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Song

Blue-billed Curassow

Appearance: The Blue-billed Curassow is named for its distinctive bright blue-colored bill, which contrasts with its black plumage. It has a unique crest of black feathers on its head and a white-tipped tail. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males being larger and having more prominent crests than females.
Habitat: Blue-billed Curassows are primarily found in the lowland rainforests of Colombia, particularly in the Chocó region and along the Pacific coast. They inhabit dense tropical forests with a variety of fruit-bearing trees and dense undergrowth.
Behavior: Blue-billed Curassows are predominantly ground-dwelling birds, foraging for fruits, seeds, and insects on the forest floor. They are generally shy and elusive, moving quietly through the undergrowth to avoid detection. 
Breeding: Breeding behavior of Blue-billed Curassows may involve courtship displays, vocalizations, and pair bonding. They construct nests on the ground or in low vegetation, where females lay a small clutch of eggs that are incubated by the female. 
Conservation Status: The Blue-billed Curassow is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Habitat loss due to deforestation, hunting pressure, and fragmentation of forests are the primary threats to this species in Colombia.

Distribution

The Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti), is an endangered bird species found in the cloud forests of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia. This species is endemic to this region and is primarily distributed in the highland forests of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park.The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a unique and biodiverse ecosystem located in the northern part of Colombia. Its diverse habitats, including cloud forests, provide a suitable environment for the Blue-billed curassow. 

Taxonomy

The Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti)
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves (Birds)
  • Order: Galliformes
  • Family: Cracidae
  • Genus: Crax
  • Species: Crax alberti

Vocalization

The vocalizations of the Blue-billed curassow include low-pitched calls and hoots that can be heard echoing through the dense forest canopy. These calls are often used for communication between individuals, especially during the breeding season.
The male Blue-billed curassow is known for its distinctive deep, resonant call that can travel long distances through the forest. This call is used to establish territory, attract a mate, and communicate with other individuals in the area. The female Blue-billed curassow also produces vocalizations, although they are typically softer and more subdued compared to the male calls.