The helmeted curassows are large terrestrial birds, identified by the blue-grey casque on the top of their heads. The Pauxi genus contains three different species, the Northern (Pauxi pauxi), Southern (Pauxi unicornis) and the Sira Curassow (Pauxi koepckeae). The Northern is the most prevalent in aviculture, with very few Southern Helmeted kept across Europe. The Sira Curassow is only recently recognised, existing in a single, small and declining population in just one small region, in central Peru. It is considered Critically Endangered globally by BirdLife International.
These birds typically choose to breed in an elevated nest, and lay clutches of 2 or 3 large, white eggs with a thick rough shell. On hatching, chicks have well developed flight feathers, having the ability to fly within a few days. Their diet consists mainly of fruit, seeds and invertebrates in the wild, but can be maintained in aviaries similar to those for most pheasants. They appreciate calcium supplements, especially during the breeding season when laying.
Photo is showing a brown and a black morph Pauxi pauxi
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