The black curassow, also known as the smooth-billed curassow and the crested curassow, is a species of bird in the family Cracidae, the chachalacas, guans, and curassows. It is found in humid forests in northern South America in Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas including Suriname, and far northern Brazil, and is introduced to Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Lesser Antilles. It is the only Crax curassow where the male and female cannot be separated by plumage, as both are essentially black with a white crissum, and have a yellow or orange-red cere.
Region
Northern South America (Guianas and northern Amazon Basin)
Typical Environment
Occurs in Colombia (east), Venezuela (southeast), Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and northern Brazil, primarily north of the Amazon River. It inhabits terra firme and seasonally flooded rainforests, gallery forests, and well-wooded river corridors. The species uses both primary and mature secondary forest, often near fruiting trees. It generally avoids heavily altered open areas, but may pass through forest edges and old clearings. Local abundance is strongly influenced by hunting pressure.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The black curassow is a large, ground-oriented cracid of humid lowland forests in northern South America. Males and females look very similar—both are glossy black with a curly crest and a white crissum, and both show a yellow to orange cere at the base of the bill. It plays an important role as a seed disperser, swallowing large fruits and moving seeds across the forest. Hunting and habitat loss affect local populations, but the species remains widespread.
Temperament
wary and shy
Flight Pattern
reluctant flier; short, powerful bursts to reach roosts in trees
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, foraging quietly on the forest floor. Generally monogamous; nests are platform-like structures placed in trees or dense vegetation. Clutch size is small, and both parents may attend the young. Roosts above ground at night for safety.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Males give low, resonant booming notes that carry far through the forest, especially at dawn and dusk. Both sexes also produce soft grunts and whistles as contact or alarm calls.
