Salvin's curassow

Mitu salvini

Photo by Thierry Garcia (Reserva Biológica del Rio Bigal)

Common name:
Salvin's curassow (en); mutum-de-ventre-branco (pt); hocco de Salvin (fr); paujil culiblanco (es); Salvinhokko (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Cracidae

Range:
This species is found in the lowlands of southern Colombia and northern Ecuador, east of the Andes.

Size:
These birds are 75-89 cm long and weigh about 3 kg.

Habitat:
The Salvin's curassow is found in terra firme primary rainforests, avoiding flooded areas. They are present from seal level up to an altitude of 600 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on fallen fruits, also taking seeds and, to a lesser extent, leaves and insects.

Breeding:
Salvin's curassows are monogamous and the nest is made of leaves and placed at moderate height on a tree branch or vine. The female lays 2 eggs, which are incubated for 4-5 weeks.
The chicks leave the nest soon after hatching, but are fed by both parents until they learn to pick food from the ground. Each pair can raise 4 broods per year.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and the global population is estimated at 50.000 individuals. The Salvin's curassow suffers from heavy hunting pressure, mainly for local food consumption, and a model of Amazonian deforestation predicts the species will lose about 11% of suitable habitats in the next 3 decades. Both suggest the species may suffer a small decline in the near future.