The Alagoas Curassow is historically known from Alagoas in northeastern Brazil. It is classified as extinct in the wild (EW), but it is not globally extinct (EX): individuals survive in captivity. In September 2019, three pairs were released in Alagoas; follow-up monitoring reported the deaths of two males and one female.
The bill is dark red at the base and becomes whitish toward the tip. The area around the ear is bare; the central tail feathers are nearly black, while the outer feathers have tawny tips.
Alagoas Curassows disappeared from the wild after forest conversion and hunting. A small captive population preserved the species, making breeding choices important to recovery.
A 2003 study used genetic markers to investigate captive birds, including hybrids with a related species. A museum specimen collected in 1951 helped establish a comparison with the surviving population.
Three captive-bred pairs were released in Alagoas in September 2019. A 2025 interview with the project coordinator described local murals and celebrations inspired by the bird’s return.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
Forest conversion and hunting caused the wild disappearance. Captive breeding, genetic research, habitat protection and reintroduction form part of recovery work.