- Scientific Name: Crax rubra
- Name in Spanish (Mexico): Hocofaisán
- Name in Mayan: K’áambul
- ABA 4-Letter Bird Code: GRCU
- Family: Cracidae – Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows
- Order: Galliformes – Gallinaceous birds
About this Species
The Great Curassow, also known as Crax rubra, is a large, forest-dwelling bird native to Belize and other parts of Central and South America. These birds can grow up to 1 meter (3 feet) tall and weigh up to 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds), making them one of the largest birds in their range. Their distinctive appearance includes a black plumage, a white belly, a curly crest of feathers on their head, and a bright yellow knob on their beak.
Great Curassows are found in tropical and subtropical forests and can be seen in lowland areas of Belize, as well as in other parts of Central America, from southern Mexico to western Panama. They are primarily herbivores, feeding on a variety of fruits, seeds, and leaves. These birds are also important seed dispersers and contribute to forest regeneration.
Unfortunately, Great Curassows are listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss, hunting, and capture for the pet trade. Conservation efforts, such as protected areas and captive breeding programs, are helping to preserve this species and their important ecological role in the forests of Belize and beyond.
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