Mexico's state of Quintana Roo is located on the Yucatan Peninsula, which separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea. Cancun sits near the tip of the peninsula, on the Caribbean Sea side. Being that the Yucatan Peninsula divides to large bodies of water, there is a great meeting of wildlife. Numerous migratory species from North, South and Central America pass through the peninsula during the year. For example, the majestic Monarch Butterfly makes a journey from the west coast of Canada all the way down to Mexico every summer. Let's take a look at one non-migratory species that calls the Cancun region its home.
Paleontologists have traced the Great Curassow back at least 25,000 years, and have determined the species was split in half when the Colombian Andes mountain range emerged around 20,000 years ago. The species ancestors trapped to the south eventually evolved into what we now know as the Blue-billed Curassow. Those who stayed north of the Andes, and eventually spread further west and north, are the Great Curassow. Today, the great bird is well established to the Cancun area.
Also called the Crax Rubra, this large pheasant-like bird is the heaviest of all birds originating in the Neotropics. A male can easily weigh up to eleven pounds and stand three feet high. All black with a white underbelly, the male Great Curassow has a bright yellow knob on its bill. One uncommon aspect of the entire species is the existence of three morphs of females. Barred morph females are easily seen with their striped neck, mantle, wings and tail. A Rufous morph female stands out in their rust-brown plumage and white striped tail. Finally, the Dark morph female looks much like the male. It is black all over with the exception of a slightly vermiculated tail and faint stripes on the wings.
The conservation status of the Great Curassow is listed as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for three main reasons: the steady decrease of suitable habitat due to deforestation, over-hunting and the fact that they are a monogamous species. Destruction of the habitat occurs at the hand of human development, but also due to tornadoes and hurricanes. Hunting restrictions are steadfastly enforced all over Mexico, Guatamala, Colombia and Ecuador, which has in turn seen a small fluctuation in population numbers.
Throughout Quintana Roo there are wildlife reserves and bird sanctuaries where the Great Curassow resides. Make a point of observing these great birds, as they may not be around for the next generation.
Paleontologists have traced the Great Curassow back at least 25,000 years, and have determined the species was split in half when the Colombian Andes mountain range emerged around 20,000 years ago. The species ancestors trapped to the south eventually evolved into what we now know as the Blue-billed Curassow. Those who stayed north of the Andes, and eventually spread further west and north, are the Great Curassow. Today, the great bird is well established to the Cancun area.
Also called the Crax Rubra, this large pheasant-like bird is the heaviest of all birds originating in the Neotropics. A male can easily weigh up to eleven pounds and stand three feet high. All black with a white underbelly, the male Great Curassow has a bright yellow knob on its bill. One uncommon aspect of the entire species is the existence of three morphs of females. Barred morph females are easily seen with their striped neck, mantle, wings and tail. A Rufous morph female stands out in their rust-brown plumage and white striped tail. Finally, the Dark morph female looks much like the male. It is black all over with the exception of a slightly vermiculated tail and faint stripes on the wings.
The conservation status of the Great Curassow is listed as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for three main reasons: the steady decrease of suitable habitat due to deforestation, over-hunting and the fact that they are a monogamous species. Destruction of the habitat occurs at the hand of human development, but also due to tornadoes and hurricanes. Hunting restrictions are steadfastly enforced all over Mexico, Guatamala, Colombia and Ecuador, which has in turn seen a small fluctuation in population numbers.
Throughout Quintana Roo there are wildlife reserves and bird sanctuaries where the Great Curassow resides. Make a point of observing these great birds, as they may not be around for the next generation.
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