Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species qualifies as Critically Endangered because its population is now estimated to be declining extremely rapidly owing to hunting and habitat destruction. It also has a small range and is known from few locations in a narrow altitudinal band, which is subject to habitat loss.
Population justification
This species is poorly known; the total population is estimated to number 1,000-4,999 mature individuals, roughly equivalent to 1,500-7,500 individuals in total.
Trend justification
A model of forest loss in the Amazon basin since 2002 (Soares-Filho et al. 2006), combined with the species’s approximate range and data on its ecology and life history (following the methods of Bird et al. 2011), suggests that the species will lose 20-30% of suitable habitat in the Amazonian portion of its range (as defined by the model, and which accounts for 98% of its global extent of suitable habitat) over 44 years (estimate of three generations). Modelling of the change in the species's range in response to climate change (without taking other threats into account) projected a 55-85% reduction between 2014 and 2080, which is equivalent to a 41-71% reduction over three generations (del Rosario Avalos and Hernández 2015). An analysis of remote-sensed data on forest loss within the species's range from 2000-2012 found that forest was lost at a rate equivalent to 11% over three generations (Tracewski et al. 2016).
Field surveys in Carrasco National Park between 1998 and 2004 suggest that the species is extremely vulnerable to hunting. In one valley it declined from at least 20 singing territorial males in 1999 to none in 2004, while similar or even greater human encroachment/hunting pressure has taken place elsewhere within the range (R. MacLeod and R. W. Soria-Auza in litt. 2014). It therefore seems reasonable to suspect that there has been a population decline of >80% since the 1990s, and given the presumed further increase in hunting pressure as the entire population becomes within close range of human settlement, without effective protection of national parks (which does not currently exist) the species could be effectively extinct in the wild within 20-30 years (R. MacLeod in litt. 2014). The population decline is therefore placed in the band 80-100% over three generations.
Pauxi unicornis is known to occur only in central Bolivia. It is known from the adjacent Amboró and Carrasco National Parks (Cox et al. 1997, Herzog and Kessler 1998, Mee 1999, R. MacLeod in litt. 2000. Maillard 2006) and has more recently been found in Isiboro-Secure Indigenous Territory and National Park (TIPNIS) and along the outer edge of the Cordillera Mosetenes, Cochabamba, Bolivia (R. MacLeod in litt. 2007). It was formerly found along the length of Carrasco's northern boundary (R. MacLeod in litt. 2000), but recent surveys found it in very few locations here (R. MacLeod in litt. 2007). Extensive searches over several years have failed to locate the species in Madidi National Park, La Paz, Bolivia (R. MacLeod in litt. 2003, Hennessey 2004a, A. MacCormick in litt. 2004), in the rio Tambopata area near the Peru/Bolivia border (R. MacLeod in litt. 2004, Gastañaga and Hennessey 2005) and in the Cordillera Cocapata and along the inner edge of Cordillera Mosetenes in Cochabamba (R. MacLeod in litt. 2003, R. MacLeod in litt. 2007). The species occurs at densities of up to 20 individuals/km2, although this appears to be exceptional and at most sites only one or two individuals have been found (R. MacLeod in litt. 2007, del Hoyo and Motis 2004). TIPNIS is suspected to hold the largest remaining population (Programa Paujil Copete de Piedra, n.d.).
P. unicornis inhabits dense, humid, lower montane forest and adjacent lowland evergreen forest at 450-1,150 m (R. MacLeod in litt. 2000, Maillard 2006, Gastañaga et al. 2011). For much of the year it stays above 550 m, but descends to lower zones in the dry season (Renjifo and Renjifo 1997). At any one part of its range the species tends to be restricted to an altitudinal band of c.500 m, but the upper and lower limits of this vary from location to location. Its diet consists of fruit, seeds, soft plants, larvae and insects. Fallen almendrillo nuts from the almond tree are apparently a major food source (del Hoyo et al. 2014). Display songs and pairing have been noted from August (R. MacLeod in litt. 2000), with a nest found during October (Cox et al. 1997). The clutch-size is probably two (R. MacLeod in litt. 2007), as in other Cracidae (although in the only nest ever found there was only one egg), and consequently it has a low reproductive rate (Cox et al. 1997, Renjifo and Renjifo 1997, Banks 1998).
In Bolivia, forests within its altitudinal range are being cleared for the cultivation of staple and export crops by recent colonists from the altiplano (Dinerstein et al. 1995, Fjeldså in litt. 1999, Maillard 2006). Road-building and associated rural development have a negative impact and inhibit dispersal (Herzog and Kessler 1998, Fjeldså in litt. 1999). Hunting for its meat seems to be by far the biggest threat and is likely to be having a serious negative impact in all parts of its range (Gastañaga 2006, R. MacLeod in litt. 2014). Human encroachment (for the growing of coca and other farming) and severe hunting pressure is increasing throughout the range, including in national parks, which often lack effective protection, and effective extinction in the wild may take place within 20-30 years unless massive conservation action can be achieved (R. MacLeod in litt. 2014). The Bolivian government recently announced a plan to build a highway through half of the TIPNIS (Programa Paujil Copete de Piedra, n.d.). Climate change may also pose a threat to the species; modelling of the change in the species's range in response to climate change alone projected a 55-85% reduction between 2014 and 2080 (del Rosario Avalos and Hernández 2015).
Conservation and research actions underway
Large parts of its range are theoretically protected by Amboró and Carrasco National Parks and TIPNIS, although these protected areas are seriously threatened since they have suffered from recent invasions (MacLeod et al. 2006), and have no effective protection. Armonía is working to develop ecotourism infrastructure and an awareness campaign for the species in and around the Amboró National Park (Programa Paujil Copete de Piedra, n.d.).
Conservation and research actions proposed
Conduct field studies to locate and estimate the size of the surviving population and to determine its conservation requirements and vulnerability to human encroachment. Develop a systematic scheme to monitor the population (Garcia Soliz et al. 2007). Monitor illegal activities within the national parks (Garcia Soliz et al. 2007). Work with the Carrasco and Amboro National Parks and local communities to develop and implement conservation management plans for the species and its habitat. Develop work with local educators and schools and carry out an awareness campaign to inform local people about the conservation importance and uniqueness of the species and its habitat to their area (Garcia Soliz et al. 2007). Work with local communities to promote a community based hunting ban for the species and to reduce human pressure on its habitat. Identify and implement measures that will measurably improve the livelihoods of the local communities in return for their assistance in conserving the species. Improve enforcement of protected areas. Develop ecotourism activities in the region, with the species as an emblem, in order to provide an alternative source of income for local communities (Garcia Soliz et al. 2007). Develop a captive breeding programme (Programa Paujil Copete de Piedra, n.d.).
85-95 cm. Large, black cracid with long frontal casque. All-black, with white vent and tip to tail. Bright red bill and pale blue casque shaped as an upright horn, in contrast to P. koepckeae which has a casque that is flattened against the head and is shorter and rounder. P. koepckeae also has only a thin white tip to the tail. The legs are normally pale red but yellowish in the male in the breeding season. Female like male, but also has a rufous colour phase. Voice A booming series of four phrases lasting c.9 seconds and repeated every 15 seconds, final phrase is a far carrying emphatic hmm. Alarm call is an explosive disyllabic k-sop. Hints Best located when booming during the main part of the breeding season (probably August-December), but separation from booming Razor-billed Curassow Mitu tuberosa is difficult unless close enough to hear all phrases.
Text account compilers
Taylor, J., Sharpe, C.J., Ashpole, J, Wheatley, H., Keane, A., Symes, A., Benstead, P., Martin, R.
Contributors
Fjeldså, J., Gastañaga, M., Hennessey, A.B., Lloyd, H., MacLeod, R., Maccormack, A. & Soria, R.W.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Horned Curassow Pauxi unicornis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/horned-curassow-pauxi-unicornis on 26/12/2024.
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 26/12/2024.