A Female Great Curassow

We had a look at a couple of male curassows earlier, now here is the female. The Great Curassow (Crax rubra) is approximately turkey-sized. Unlike turkeys, however, the curassow is monogamous and has 2 chicks that both parents care for. The Ocellated Turkey often hatches a dozen or so chicks, not all of which survive, that the hen cares for solely.

The female Great Curassow is quite different from the male (see earlier post) being rufous, white and black with barring. There are two other color morphs, depending on location, in which the female has more black or rufous coloring respectively. Curassows are often seen along roadsides in the Gallon Jug Estate including Chan Chich Lodge. Again, this is a testament to the well enforced no-hunting practices on the property.