With its glossy black plumage, stately posture, and the single bluish horn-like projection on its forehead, it looks like something out of a legend. In fact, its scientific name, unicornis, literally means “one-horned,” reflecting the strange, elegant casque that rises from its bill like a miniature unicorn horn. This remarkable bird is not just striking—it’s also one of the rarest curassows in the world, found only in the humid foothill forests of Bolivia and a small area of northern Peru.

Males and females look quite similar, though females are slightly smaller. Their plumage is a deep, glossy black with subtle bluish and greenish reflections that glisten when sunlight filters through the forest canopy. The belly and tail tips are white, providing a graceful contrast. But the most unforgettable feature, of course, is that curious helmet-like horn—a smooth, pale blue or gray projection about 5 centimeters (2 inches) long that rises straight from the upper part of the beak. Scientists are still not entirely sure of its purpose, though it’s believed to play a role in mate attraction and species recognition, possibly signaling the bird’s age or health.

Despite its striking appearance, the horned curassow is incredibly shy and secretive. It spends most of its life walking quietly through the dense, lowland and foothill forests of Bolivia’s eastern Andes, typically between 450 and 1,200 meters (1,500–4,000 feet) above sea level. It forages slowly and methodically, using its strong bill to dig through the leaf litter in search of fallen fruits, seeds, insects, and small invertebrates. Like other members of its genus, it is a crucial seed disperser, helping regenerate the forests it inhabits. When startled, it prefers to run or leap onto low branches rather than fly, relying on camouflage and silence rather than speed to escape danger.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Bolivia

1,500-7,500

Official estimate

CR

2016