Curassow (Great)

The great curassow is a 36-inch tall, hearty bird from southern Mexico to western Ecuador. All great curassows have a peak of forward-curling feathers on their heads, and long tails. The base of the great curassow's bill is yellow with a round bulge. The coloring of the females varies; they can be black or chestnut-colored with black or white bars and their heads and crest may be striped with black and white. The males are a lustrous blue or black, and have white bellies. They have long lifespans (up to 24 years!) and a low rate of reproduction.

The male curassow leads his family and whistles when there are signs of danger. Females lay two eggs at a time. Curassows are monogamous and travel in pairs or in small groups. The group can communicate by grunting. Like chickens, they tend to run rather than fly.

Photographed at Discovery Cove, Orlando, FL