2015 Bonanza Bird #19: Helmeted Curassow

Our Birdorable Bonanza: 2015 Advent Edition rolls on today with an unusual species of grouse from South America: the Helmeted Curassow!

Birdorable Helmeted Curassow

Helmeted Curassows are large grouse found in the Venezuelan and Colombian Andes Mountains. They can be found in subtropical cloud forest habitat. Their diet primarily consists of seeds and fruits. They will also feed insects and small animals.

The Helmeted Curassow is recognized by the large blue-grey casque, or "helmet", on its forehead. This unsual feature gives the species its name. Both males and females have the casque and look alike. A rare color morph can be found in some females where the plumage is rufous with barring.

Helmeted Curassows are considered to be Endangered by the IUCN. Their current range is heavily segmented along the eastern Andes mountains in Venezuela and Colombia and the species faces major threats from habitat loss and hunting.

Northern Helmeted Curassow
Photo by Jason Wesley Upton (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Helmeted Curassow
Helmeted Curassow by Jean (CC BY 2.0)

The Helmeted Curassow joins Birdorable today as our 635th cute cartoon bird. Be sure to check out our selection of apparel and gifts featuring our Birdorable Helmeted Curassow.

Tomorrow our Bonanza will reveal a spotted species of sparrow. Can you guess tomorrow's species?

Comments

???c????? ????? (White-throated Sparrow) on December 19, 2015 at 8:03 PM wrote:
Nice... Maybe a... Harris' Sparrow?
???c????? ????? (White-throated Sparrow) on December 20, 2015 at 9:49 AM wrote:
Oh wait... Nvm. The bird of the day (Eastern Towhee) made me think it's gonna be Spotted Towhee... I remember suggesting that bird...
Birdorable (Arthur) on December 20, 2015 at 11:10 AM wrote:
Very good @ƲσƖcαяσηα ...you're right once again: http://www.birdorable.com/blog/2015-bonanza-bird-20-spotted-towhee/
Heather Richards on October 7, 2016 at 8:34 PM wrote:
Nice wig!
yotaDcool on October 28, 2016 at 9:47 AM wrote:
its from INDONESIA
Heather Richards on May 5, 2018 at 9:54 PM wrote:
Its blue “helmet” looks like a cool hairdo 💁‍♀️😎
Spurwing Plover on May 26, 2022 at 7:18 AM wrote:
Not afraid of coming out in the open

Leave a comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published
You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

2018 Bonanza Bird #5: Black-and-chestnut Eagle

Today's new bird is an endangered raptor from South America: the Black-and-chestnut Eagle! The Black-and-chestnut Eagle is a large species of eagle found in mountain habitat across a small range in South America, from Argentina to Venezuela. They are named for...

T-Shirt Tuesday: Santa Owls

This is one of our most popular designs: cute Birdorable owls wear santa hats while perched upon candy canes. It is not something you would easily see in the wild, but we find it cute nonetheless. Our Santa Owls design is available on many different products including...

Meet the Red-breasted Goose: A Vibrant Arctic Traveler

It's that time of year again—our annual Birdorable Bonanza is here! For the next 15 days, we'll be introducing a brand-new Birdorable bird every single day. 🐦✨ Since 2009, Birdorable Bonanzas have been a beloved tradition, showcasing some of the world's most fascinating, adorable, and unique bird species in...

Vulture Myth Busted: These Vital Scavengers Are Not 'Dirty'

Vultures have a reputation for being dirty, filthy, and unappealing. This stereotype likely comes from their unique diet and their habit of scavenging on carcasses. But the truth is that vultures are some of the cleanest birds around, and they play a vital role in maintaining the health...