A northern helmeted curassow or paují copete de piedra in Spanish (Pauxi pauxi, Cracidae) perched on a rail at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin.
The helmeted curassow is restricted in the wild to the rugged cloud forests of north-central and western Venezuela and northeastern Colombia. This endangered bird's population is in decline.
The bony protrusion or casque on the bird's head is thought to resemble a medieval metal war helmet or a rock or stone.
I got a glimpse of a paují in Parque Nacional Henri Pittier in Venezuela in 1985. Unfortunately it was a very brief sighting. I was happy to see this one in Madison, Wisconsin. (The Henry Vilas Zoo is a fine little zoo.)
Sony ILCE-7RM5 Camera + Monster LA-KE1 Pentax K to Sony E Mount Adapter + Pentax DFA 28-105 ED DC WR Lens
MY307433m
