Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This curassow inhabits the Belém Centre of Endemism, which is among the most deforested parts of Amazonia. Habitat loss and high hunting pressure are driving population declines which are feared to become extremely rapid in the near future. The remaining population is extremely small and likely split into several subpopulations. For these reasons the species is classified as Critically Endangered.
Population justification
Given how infrequently this species has been recorded in the wild, it is likely to be very rare. Despite intensive searches the species went unrecorded between 1978 and November 2013, when four males were detected in Terra Indígena Mãe Maria (Pará) as well as one pair in Terra Indígena Alto Turiaçu (Maranhão) (Alteff et al. 2019). Another male and a female were recorded in Gurupi Biological Reserve (Maranhão) in 2017 (Mendes et al. 2017). More recently two individuals were observed in Gurupi in 2019 (eBird 2023). In 2014 it was considered unlikely that more than 20-30 individuals existed (A. Lees in litt. 2014), and the current wild population is described as 'a few individuals' (Phalan et al. 2020). Despite a formal quantification of the population lacking, the rarity of recent records despite intensive search effort allows estimating a population in the band 10-49 mature individuals. Notably, the sex ratio appears skewed with females being rarer than males as they are specifically targeted by hunters (Alteff et al. 2019, Phalan et al. 2020).
Trend justification
This species has undoubtedly become rarer over the past decades. While during the 1970s reasonable numbers were reported in forests at sites like the Pindaré river (Sick 1997) it became locally extinct in large areas of its range, likely due to high hunting pressure and habitat loss (Alteff et al. 2019, Kirwan et al. 2020).
The rate of population decline has not been directly investigated. Rates of tree cover loss (tree cover of >75%) are very high within the known extant range, equivalent to 30% over the past three generations (25.4 years) and accelerating to 54% over three generations based on rates of loss for 2017-2022 (Global Forest Watch 2023, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). It is projected that the combined effects of climate change and deforestation may lead to an overall loss of habitat of 37-99% between 2017 and 2050 under a worst-case business-as-usual scenario, depending on assumptions on dispersal ability (de Moraes et al. 2020). This equates to a three-generation rate of habitat loss of 30% assuming limited dispersal, of 71% assuming no dispersal, and of 97% assuming unlimited dispersal. In addition to the considerable variation in the values for the rate of habitat loss, there is no quantitative information on the impact of hunting on the population size. Hunting pressure is assumed to be high and therefore may increase the rate of population decline over the rate of habitat loss. Considering the above evidence and in the absence of exact data the rate of population decline is tentatively placed in the band 40-59% over the past three generations, and accelerating to 50-99% over the next three generations.
Crax pinima occurs in the Belém centre of endemism in north-east Amazonia, Maranhão and Pará, Brazil. Recent records are restricted to Gurupi Biological Reserve and Terra Indígena Alto Turiaçu (Maranhão) as well as Terra Indígena Mãe Maria (Pará) and adjoining areas (Lees et al. 2013, Mendes et al. 2017, Alteff et al. 2019, eBird 2023). It is likely extinct in large parts of its range; historical records come from near Belém, the Pindaré river, and the municipalities of Capitão Poço, Dom Eliseu, Paragominas, Santa Bárbara do Pará, Tailândia, and Tomé-Açu, where despite intensive searches during 1998-2009 the species could not be confirmed (Novaes and Lima 1998, Portes et al. 2011).
This species inhabits humid, semi-deciduous and gallery forests, and is often recorded in woodland edges (del Hoyo 1994). It is intolerant of habitat degradation and is restricted to primary forest (Silveira 2018). It forages on the ground, taking fruits and other items such as leaves (del Hoyo 1994). Breeding information is limited (Clay and Oren 2006).
The expansion of agribusiness and logging has currently made the Belém Centre of Endemism the most deforested sector of Amazonia, with only a few large and well-preserved forest tracts remaining. Even within reserves such as Gurupi, habitat destruction has been significant as illegal logging, fires, cultivation and grazing have continued unchallenged. The species is hunted for food and trapped as pets by indigenous and non-indigenous people. Females are specifically targeted for their crest feathers for ornaments and indigenous rituals, which has the potential to skew the sex ratio (Alteff et al. 2019, Kirwan et al. 2020, Phalan et al. 2020). Hunting and trapping appear mostly for subsistence now, with the species last recorded in illegal trade in 2009 (Phalan et al. 2020).
Conservation and research actions underway
The species is included in the National Action Plan for the Conservation of Amazonian birds (ICMBio 2018), and the action plan for ex situ conservation of Galliformes and Tinamiformes in Brazil (Phalan et al. 2020). It occurs in Gurupi Biological Reserve and in the indigenous lands of Alto Turiaçu and Mãe Maria. A tiny captive population exists, including single individuals held by indigenous people in the distribution range (Alteff et al. 2019).
Conservation and research actions proposed
Continue to search potentially suitable remaining habitats for the species, and follow up any further reports of its persistence in the wild. Produce an exact quantification of the population size. Investigate genetic diversity and population structure. Quantify the impact of hunting and habitat loss on the population size. Monitor the population trend.
Expand the area of habitat that has protected status. Restore forest and increase connectivity between remaining fragments. Set up a well-managed captive breeding programme with the aim of eventual reintroduction. Carry out environmental education programmes within the local communities to raise awareness for the species and reduce hunting pressure. Control hunting.
c. 65 cm. Large curassow, males are black with a white vent while females have dark uppersides with narrow pale barring, and pale buff underparts. Both sexes have a curled crest of elongated black or black and white feathers. Similar species. Previously included with C. fasciolata, but present species is smaller (can be only half the weight of C. fasciolata), and females are paler below and darker above with narrower barring.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Ashpole, J, Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Fisher, S., Harding, M., Lees, A., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Wheatley, H.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Belem Curassow Crax pinima. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/belem-curassow-crax-pinima on 26/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 26/11/2024.