Reproduction

How does the great curassow produce its young?

Breeding season is variable across their range but typically falls somewhere between February and June.

Males will display for a potential mate by leaning forward, raising the head, puffing out his tail feathers and then leaning back while letting out a loud booming call. If a female is suitably impressed with this display they may enter his territory.

During the breeding season the knob on the males bill will become more prominent.

Great curassows build their nest at heights of up to 30m (100ft) off the ground in a tree. The nest is basket like and formed from branches, leaves and other plant matter.

They have been recorded to build multiple nests during the breeding season but only complete the one they use.

In to their nest they will deposit two eggs. Their eggs have a rough shell are are colored white. These are incubated for 30-32 days.

Chicks are well developed at hatching and can feed themselves from birth.

Sexual maturity is reached between 2 and 3 years old.

They can interbreed with the blue-billed curassow and the black curassow to produce a hybrid.

Behavior

What does the great curassow do with its day?

These animals are among the most-ground dwelling of the curassows but still return to the trees to roost and to nest.

Great curassows will primarily move around on their own or as part of a pair. Occasionally they will gather in groups of up to 12.

Males can produce a deep, booming call and a high-pitched whistle.

Credit: Andy  Morffew from Itchen Abbas, Hampshire, UK, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Predators and Threats

What is impacting the survival of the great curassow?

Natural predators of the great curassow include ocelots and birds of prey such as the ornate hawk eagle. Eggs and chicks are predated by a number of species.

When threatened these animals run from the threat as their first defense only flying where absolutely necessary.

The mature population of these birds is believed to include around 40,000 individuals but is continuing to decrease in number. The population of 300 on Cozumel Island is also in decline.

A major factor in the decline of this species has been hunting for food, sport and to supply the wildlife trade.

Another major influence on their population is habitat loss and deforestation.

Other small factors in their decline include natural disasters such as hurricanes and fire and the introduction of invasive species.

Quick facts

These birds are the largest members of the family, Cracidae. This family includes 54 species.

The "rubra" portion of their scientific name is in reference to the red color of the females.

Two subspecies are recognized. One is restricted to Cozumel Island in the Yucatan, Mexico with a population of just 300 birds. The other occupies the remainder of their range.