So Great, Again

You've seen Great Currasow (Crax rubra) on this blog before but here's more nice images from Frank Buck. The point again being, how easy it is to see this "game bird" at Chan Chich Lodge since 1) it has not been extirpated from the area by over-hunting and 2) since it has never been shot at, it is therefore confident enough to allow itself to be photographed.

One of the great features of this bird is the yellow knob on the male, shown peeking through the foliage on the inset photo. If you'd like to hear the distinctive booming call and other vocalizations, check them out here.

Bachelor Party

What a great sequence of a bachelor group of Great Curassows (Crax rubra) near the frog pond just a few kilometers from the Gallon Jug Farm. The males are really handsome in black and white. Note there is one "multi-colored" individual that appears to be an immature male to me (rather than a female) just beginning to get his adult plumage.

As I've mentioned before, this species is a favorite with hunters and in many places, it has grown scarce. Thanks to Gallon Jug Estate's good protection, this bird is readily seen on the property and near Chan Chich Lodge. It is a real pleasure to see it in such numbers.

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.

Another Great Bird

The Great Curassow (Crax rubra) is another heavily hunted species. It is found throughout Central and South America and is ranked "Near Threatened" (with recommendations to uplist to "Vulnerable") by IUCN, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, based in Switzerland. Being that this curassow is approximately turkey-sized and is often found on the ground, it evidently makes a good hunting target. The males (above) are handsomely marked in black, with white underparts. They have a low frequency booming call as well as a growling call which can be heard here.

The Great Curassow is frequently seen along roadsides in the Gallon Jug Estate. Depending on the time of year, it can be found in pairs and at other times, in rather large flocks. Sometimes it mingles with the Ocellated Turkeys. Its abundance on this property is a good testament to Gallon Jug Estate's protected status.