INSIGHTS INTO THE HABITS OF THE ELUSIVE NOCTURNAL CURASSOW (NOTHOCRAX URUMUTUM)

Nocturnal curassows (Nothocrax urumutum) are one of the most enigmatic birds from South American rainforests. Their elusive habits and their nocturnal vocal behavior have led to the generalized assumption that they differ from other curassows in their presumable nocturnal habits. Here, we compiled camera trap data from long term projects in the Amazon rainforest and the Andes Cordillera piedmont to describe the temporal activity of Nocturnal Curassows. Based on an overall sampling effort of 68838 camera nights we obtained 274 independent records of their activity. The results of this study evidence that Nothocrax has diurnal habits and resembles in activity patterns to all other cracids more than previously expected. This study highlights the use of novel technologies and collaborative research towards the understanding of the natural history, ecology and behavior of animals with cryptic behaviors such as the Nocturnal Curassows.