Cracids: On Wings of Peril Mouse Over Image for Larger View Unlock Popup Blockers

Houston Museum of Natural Science: Exhibit Map
Fifty species of Curassows, Guans and Chachalacas make up the family Cracidae - the most threatened family of birds in the Americas. As inhabitants of primary forest that roost and nest in trees, and found only in the Neotropics, they are vulnerable to habitat destruction and hunting. Historically, Cracids were an important sustainable protein source for Amerindians. Sadly, since the 'discovery' of South America by Columbus, rapid colonization and steady human population growth throughout Latin America has led to widespread destruction of tropical forests and over-harvesting of Cracid populations. Approximately half the species of Cracids are threatened and several have been pushed to near extinction.

Cracids are important species, not only as a protein source for local human populations, but also for regenerating the tropical forests they inhabit, by eating and dispersing seeds. As indicators of human disturbance and habitat quality, Cracids rank with primates as outstanding investigative tools that can be used to develop monitoring and management practices for protected areas. Studies of Cracids can shed light on the use of natural resources by local human populations, particularly when integrated into more intensive flora and fauna studies. Because of their key role in Neotropical ecosystems and the responses of their populations to human disturbances, Cracids are among the most sensitive components of ecosystem-level management programs.

While working on a series of watercolors of Maya monuments in Mexico and Central America, artist Nigel Hughes saw his first wild Great Curassow (Crax rubra). There were three birds above a path between Yaxhá and Nakum in northern Guatemala. They greatly took Hughes' fancy for their looks alone, and shortly afterwards he decided to attempt to paint all 38 species of Curassow and Guan if they could be found (many of the species are quite secretive and rare). Since then, Hughes has visited a dozen Latin American countries during 10 separate trips over the last two decades.

Dr. Daniel Brooks, Curator of Vertebrate Zoology and Wildlife Art at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. He Chairs the Cracid Specialist Group, advising over 100 Cracidologists on research and projects since 1996, and has published many articles and books on Cracids as well. Hughes has invited Brooks to serve as honorary Curator of this show.

Mouse Over Image for Larger View Unlock Popup Blockers

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooNext Page