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Bare-faced Curassow

Bare-faced Curassow (female and male)

Pouso Alegre, Pocones, The Pantanal, Brazil (female and male) 

The bare-faced curassow is found in eastern Bolive, Paraguay and Brazil and the extreme northeast of Argentina.

Habitat

The bare-faced curassow is a terrestrial species  inhabiting tropical and subtropical dry forest and moist lowland forest often on the fringes of woodland. It is found the Cerrado, the Pantanal and the southeast of the Amazon Basin where conditions are most suitable. 

Feeding

The bare-faced curassow forages on the ground for fruit, seeds. flowers and even small invertebrates.

Breeding

The bare-faced curassow female builds a nest of sticks to form a platform and lines it with twigs and leaves. It is located in the lower canopy for safety. She also incubates two or three off-white or cream eggs and raises the chicks. Males often mate with several females.

Wildfile Specials
  • As shown in the photograph above, the bare-faced curassow is highly sexually dimorphic.
  • The bare-faced curassow is threatened by deforestation particularly in the Amazon basin and is also hunted for food. It is classed as vulnerable by the IUCN and is nearing extinction in Argentina.
  • Captive breeding progams are increasing the number of bare-faced curassows as they are gradually reintroduced into protected areas.