The Northern Helmeted Curassow (Pauxi pauxi) is a large, endangered, terrestrial bird in the Cracidae family.
The Northern Helmeted Curassow is mostly black with a white tipped tail. It has green iridescent feathers on its back and chest. It has a whitish underbelly. It has a small head, red beak, and a grey casque (bony growth) on its forehead.
It grows to 80-100 centimetres (31-39 inches) tall.
The Northern Helmeted Curassow is native to South America, in Venezuela and Colombia. It prefers subtropical forests in steep, mountainous regions. It is terrestrial, living on the ground.
It eats seeds, fruit, insects, and small animals.
The female Northern Helmeted Curassow lays two eggs, which hatch after about 30 days.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM