Paujil del Chocó
Great Curassow
Crax rubra
Song
Great Curassow
Appearance: The Great Curassow is a large, striking bird with notable sexual dimorphism. Males have glossy black plumage, a curly crest, white underparts, and a bright yellow knob on their bill. Females are dark brown with barring and a smaller crest.
Habitat: Found in dense, primary forests, including lowland rainforests and cloud forests.
Behavior: Great Curassows are typically shy and elusive, foraging on the forest floor for fruits, insects, and small animals. They are known for their low, guttural calls echoing through the forest.
Breeding: Breeding occurs during the rainy season. Nests are built on the ground, and females incubate the eggs. Chicks are precocial, able to follow their mother soon after hatching.
Conservation Status: The Great Curassow faces threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and hunting pressures. Listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.l
Distribution
The Great Curassow is primarily found in the country's western and northern regions, including areas along the Pacific coast and the foothills of the Andes. They can be spotted in humid tropical forests, cloud forests, and other dense forested habitats, where they find suitable food sources and cover.Specific Regions: The Great Curassow is known to inhabit regions such as Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Antioquia, Risaralda, Caldas, Quindío, and Tolima in Colombia. They are typically associated with lowland rainforests and montane forests in these areas.
Habitat Preferences: Great Curassows favor habitats with dense vegetation, tall trees, and a variety of food sources, including fruits and insects. They are often found in undisturbed or lightly disturbed forests, where they have access to suitable foraging and nesting sites.Conservation Concerns: Due to deforestation, habitat degradation, and hunting pressures in Colombia, the Great Curassow population faces conservation challenges in maintaining viable populations across its distribution range.
Taxonomy
The Great Curassow (Crax rubra)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Galliformes
- Family: Cracidae
- Genus: Crax
- Species: Crax rubra
Vocalization
Low Guttural Calls: Great Curassows are known for their deep, resonant, and low-pitched guttural calls that can carry over long distances in the forest. These calls are often used by both males and females to establish and maintain contact with each other, especially during foraging or when in groups.
Roaring Calls: During the breeding season, male Great Curassows may produce loud, roaring calls to attract mates and establish territories. These calls can be heard echoing through the forest and are a sign of the male's presence and readiness to mate.
Alarm Calls: When alarmed or threatened, Great Curassows may emit sharp, high-pitched alarm calls to alert others in the group of potential danger. These calls help warn other individuals to be vigilant and can signal the presence of predators or other disturbances.
Contact Calls: Great Curassows also use softer, more gentle contact calls to communicate with each other while foraging or moving through the forest. These calls can help individuals stay in touch and maintain cohesion within the group.
Juvenile Calls: Juvenile Great Curassows may produce different vocalizations, such as softer begging calls, to communicate with their parents and siblings for food and attention. These calls help establish social bonds within family groups and ensure the young birds receive care and protection.
