Alagoas Curassow

This glossy bird resembles a pheasant, with black feathers that give off a blue-purple shine. Growing between 83 and 89 centimetres long, it is distinguished by a large, bright red beak with a white tip, and a unique grey patch of bare skin in the shape of a crescent over its ears. Its legs are red, while the tail is tipped with light brown and has chestnut feathers underneath. Females are generally smaller and lighter in colour than males.

Historically, the Alagoas Curassow lived in the tropical lowland forests of Northeastern Brazil. It was known to forage for fruit and nuts, specifically favouring the produce of the castelo tree and the mangabeira. In their native habitat, these birds likely faced competition for food from other animals like spider monkeys. While little is known of their wild behaviour, captive birds have been recorded making high-pitched chirping sounds. They can live for at least 24 years, with females beginning to reproduce at age two and laying two to three eggs annually.

Today, the species exists only in captivity, with a population of about 200 birds kept in aviaries. Its disappearance from the wild was caused by hunting and the destruction of its forest home. The last remaining large patches of native woodland were cleared to make way for sugarcane agriculture. Current efforts to maintain the population face challenges from a lack of genetic diversity and historical interbreeding with other species. Plans for reintroduction are being organized, but they require the protection of forest remnants from illegal hunting.