This is the Jacutinga (
Pipile jacutinga). It's about the size of a small turkey, but unfortunately the resemblance does not end there. Their meat is highly prized, and not being over endowed with survival instincts, they are very easy to catch. Once common in southern Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, heavy hunting has reduced numbers considerably and they have disappeared from many states such as Bahia and Espirito santo. In Paraguay even protected areas have been hunted out due to a shortage of wardens.
One of their strongholds is the Igussu park in Brazil and Argentina, where this one was seen. They are forest birds, preferably by rivers where they hunt small invertebrates, so whether this one was drinking or eating is unclear - a bit of both probably. The major part of their diet though is forest fruit, especially from palms. They are reportedly also very fond of laurel berries.
This is the Jacutinga (Pipile jacutinga). It's about the size of a small turkey, but unfortunately the resemblance does not end there. Their meat is highly prized, and not being over endowed with survival instincts, they are very easy to catch. Once common in southern Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, heavy hunting has reduced numbers considerably and they have disappeared from many states such as Bahia and Espirito santo. In Paraguay even protected areas have been hunted out due to a shortage of wardens.
One of their strongholds is the Igussu park in Brazil and Argentina, where this one was seen. They are forest birds, preferably by rivers where they hunt small invertebrates, so whether this one was drinking or eating is unclear - a bit of both probably. The major part of their diet though is forest fruit, especially from palms. They are reportedly also very fond of laurel berries.
1 comment:
Thanks for the great post! Since it will be a long time before I can afford a trip its nice to read all your info. I've read about the jacutinga before but didn't know it was in trouble!
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