Curassows, Guans, and Chachalacas (Cracidae)

 

The Cracidae encompasses 11 contemporary genera with 56 species. They are distributed in tropics and subtropics of Central and South America, including Trinidad and Tobago; one species reaches the southernmost Texas, USA. The curassows and guans are found in wet and seasonal tropical forests, whereas the chachalacas are more typical of dry forests and thornscrub. Cracids are medium to large birds, with black or brown plumage, small heads, long tails, and large feet. Male curassows have a crest of feathers and a brightly coloured fleshy bill wattles; in guans and chachalacas sexes look alike. All species nests in small stick nests in trees, and lay 2-3 large white eggs; only the female incubates. The young are precocial and climb out of the nest and move around shortly after hatching. The Cracidae feed on fruit, seeds, insects and other invertebrates. Most cracids are heavily hunted, and several species are endangered; one species is extinct in the wild.

 

		species
Unauthorized use of our images is NOT permitted.
Hotlinking or "pinning" of our images to websites is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Copyright © Michael Patrikeev - All Rights Reserved