Trumpeters and crested curassows: New tenants at Moscow Zoo

The Moscow Zoo has received new tenants, including a couple of grey-backed trumpeters (Psophia crepitans) and two crested curassows (Crax alector) who are endemic to South America. Both species are included on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with “Vulnerable” status.

“We are overjoyed that it became possible to add these rare specimens to the zoo’s family.  The last time we had these particular South American birds was over half a century ago. Today, a pavilion accommodating birds from various countries reverberates with crowing sounds being emitted by curassows and the rather unusual bird song brought forth by the grey-backed trumpeters reminding one of the roll of snare drums. We hope that both couples will have chicks in the not too distant future,” Moscow Zoo Director General Svetlana Akulova noted.

The feathery critters are getting used to their new place of residence little by little, basking in the limelight of public attention and maintaining friendly relations with their keepers.  

As a rule, tame grey-backed trumpeters are very affectionate, and their disposition and behavior are similar to those of dogs. They fulfill basic commands and can protect territories from intruders, be it birds, animals or people. A trumpeter weighs up to 12.5 kilos and has a body which lengthwise measures anything between 150 cm to 180 cm. The bird is mostly covered with black feathers with a slight bluish tinge, and its neck is lined with several rows of short purple and navy-blue feathers which could be interpreted as a sort of improvised accessory. These birds have thin long legs and short toes with sharp claws. At the first sign of danger, a trumpeter emits short shrill shrieks that can be heard several km away, rather than their famous roll of snare drums.

Trumpeters live in Guyana and other nearby countries, forming flocks, with ten to 30 birds in each. They nest on the ground, with females digging small holes and laying eggs there. These birds spend the night in treetops. Trumpeter flocks are marked by a tough hierarchy, with the dominant bird demanding complete obedience from all others who respond by squatting and spreading their wings. As a rule, members of the group feed their leader, rushing to find food at first demand. Trumpeters prefer fruit, insects and tiny lizards. Their wild population continues to decrease each year, due to tree-felling operations and illegal hunting.

The crested curassow population, endemic to Amazon rain forests, also continues to dwindle. This bird resembles a hen or a turkey, weighing about five kilos. Despite hunting bans, people continue to kill curassows for their tender meat. These birds spend most of their life on the top of trees. Their powerful legs with well-developed long toes allow them to quickly climb trees. While on the ground, they dash from place to place in quick spurts. The curassow’s tell-tale yellow-orange beak contrasts beautifully with its shining bluish-black feathers, snow-white belly and quill-feather tips. The colour of their legs varies from a yellowy-orange to red tone. Unlike males, female crested curassows have white spots on their crests and wings with wavy yellow stripes. Male curassows also boast a larger crest.

Curassows spend most of the day looking for food, mostly tree fruits, seeds, insects, tiny reptiles and amphibians. Unlike other members of the Cracidae family that nest on the ground, curassows breed high above inside the crowns of trees. After a lengthy mating season, the male and the female build a nest resembling a flat platform, consisting of branches and leaves. The female hatches eggs for a month. After this the parents help one another to feed the newly-hatched chicks.

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The Moscow Zoo regularly replenishes its collection that already boasts over 1,000 bird and animal species, as well as 8,000 specimens. An aardvark (Orycteropus afer) and three couples of gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) arrived in 2017. Earlier this year, two Amur tigers (Panthera tigris tigris), one secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) as well as a leopard cat (Felis bengalensis) settled down at the zoo.