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Biology

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The blue-billed curassow feeds mainly on the ground (5), consuming fruit, shoots, invertebrates and perhaps even carrion (2). All cracids are largely monogamous and live in pairs, although some males have been observed with two or three mates (6). Breeding occurs in the dry season, with nesting extending from December to March, and parties of adults and chicks have been observed from March to August (2) (6).
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Conservation

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South America's newest nature reserve, Reserva Natural El Paujil, was established in 2004 by the Colombian bird conservation NGO, Fundación ProAves (2) (7). It is in the Serranía de las Quinchas, the sole surviving block of Magdalena Valley Humid Forest. The reserve, which is named after the local name for this species, El Paujil, is a major refuge for threatened endemic species and is thought to contain the most significant surviving population of the blue-billed curassow (7). Penalties have been introduced here for shooting or trapping species (2), and ProAves is planning to purchase a further 5,000 ha of forest adjoining the reserve (7). Other reserves also exist, such as the Bajo Cauca-Nechí Regional Reserve, which has been recently declared and probably holds this species, and the vast Paramillo National Park, but no protective measures have been implemented here (2). A captive breeding programme has been established by Fundación Ecolombia in the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Los Farallones, although this has so far been unsuccessful. Thus, artificial insemination is being considered as an option for improving results (8). Breeding in captivity has been successful in collections elsewhere (5), however, and certainly provides a viable method of conserving this critically endangered species, with the hope that such birds can someday be released back into their newly protected habitat in the wild.
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Description

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The blue-billed curassow is the most threatened cracid species in the world and amongst the most endangered of all birds (4). This large, mainly black species is the only curassow with a distinctive blue cere and wattles, earning the bird its common name (2) (5). The male is black with a white vent and tip to the tail, and the feathers on the crest are distinctively curled. Females are black with black-and-white crest feathers, and fine white barring on the wings and tail (2). A rare barred variety of females has been recorded on the northern slope of the Santa Marta Mountains, which also has black-and-white barring on its breast and upper belly, as well as more white plumage on its crest (5). The lower belly and undertail of females are a rufous colour (2).
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Habitat

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Humid tropical forests in lowlands, foothills and lower mountain slopes, up to 1,200 m above sea level, but more commonly below 600 m (5).
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Range

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Confined to a few remnant forest patches of Northern Colombia (5).
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Status

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Classified as Critically Endangered (CR A3bcd) on the IUCN Red List 2004 (1), and listed under Appendix III of CITES in Colombia (3).
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Threats

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The blue-billed curassow has been dramatically impacted by the rapid rate of deforestation across its range due to the expansion of agriculture, cattle farming, mining activities, logging operations and human population growth (2) (6). The loss of habitat has been so extensive that little now remains (2). Additionally, this species is prized by hunters, and is particularly vulnerable during the breeding season because of the conspicuous vocalisations performed by the males, making them easy to locate. At this time, the eggs are also taken from the nests to incubate and rear for trade and consumption (6). Sadly, loss and fragmentation of habitat only serves to facilitate easier access to the bird for poachers (2).
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Blue-billed curassow

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The blue-billed curassow (Crax alberti) is a species of bird in the family Cracidae, the chachalacas, guans, and curassows. It is endemic to Colombia.[2]

Taxonomy and systematics

The blue-billed curassow is monotypic.[2] However, it formerly included what is now the yellow-knobbed curassow (Crax daubentoni) as a subspecies. The holotype of putative species C. annulata has been determined to be a female blue-billed curassow.[3][4]

Description

The blue-billed curassow is 82.5 to 92.5 cm (2.7 to 3.0 ft) long and weighs 3.2 to 3.6 kg (7.1 to 7.9 lb).[4][5] It is the only curassow with a blue cere and wattle, the latter found only on the male. Males are mostly black with a white vent and tail tip. Females are also mostly black but their lower belly and vent are rufous. They have fine white barring on the wings and tail, and a rare "barred" morph also has barring on the breast and belly. Both sexes have an erectile crest, the male's black and the female's black and white.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The blue-billed curassow is found only in northern Colombia. It has a highly fragmented range, with small populations between La Guajira and Magdalena Departments south to Antioquia and Boyacá Departments. It inhabits undisturbed forest in the tropical and upper tropical zones, mostly from near sea level to 600 m (2,000 ft) but at least formerly as high as 1,200 m (3,900 ft).[4]

Behavior

Feeding

The blue-billed curassow mainly feeds on the ground. Its diet has not been extensively studied but it is known to include fruits, worms, and insects. It also takes in sand and small stones as digestive aids.[4]

Breeding

The blue-billed curassow's breeding season spans from December to at least April. It is reported to be monogamous. It builds a large nest of sticks and dead leaves and conceals it in dense vine tangles. It typically places it between the understory and the subcanopy. The clutch size is two eggs.[4]

Vocalization

Male blue-billed curassows "boom" from the ground, "a 4–5-syllable series of deep notes...repeated over and over, 'hmm...hmh...hmm...hmm...hmh'". Both sexes give an alarm call, a "soft, high-pitched whistle 'peh-weeeéoh' or 'pehoo'".[4]

Status

The IUCN has assessed the blue-billed curassow as Critically Endangered. Its population is estimated to be fewer than 1,500 mature individuals and its population is fragmented and decreasing. Deforestation and hunting are the major threats.[1] The ProAves El Paujil Bird Reserve in Santander Department was created in 2003 especially to protect one population.[6] Captive breeding has been successful.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2018). "Blue-billed Curassow Crax alberti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b Gill, F.; Donsker, D.; Rasmussen, P. (July 2021). "IOC World Bird List (v 11.2)". Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  3. ^ Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 24 August 2021. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved August 24, 2021
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h del Hoyo, J. and G. M. Kirwan (2020). Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.bubcur1.01 retrieved October 1, 2021
  5. ^ "Blue Billed Curassow". White Oak Conservation. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  6. ^ "El Paujil Bird Reserve". ProAves. August 18, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2021.

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Blue-billed curassow: Brief Summary

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The blue-billed curassow (Crax alberti) is a species of bird in the family Cracidae, the chachalacas, guans, and curassows. It is endemic to Colombia.

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