The Wattled Curassow is a large bird of the upper Amazon forests. It feeds on hard nuts and seeds on the forest floor.
Males are mainly black with a conspicuous white belly, while females have chestnut tones in their plumage.
Wattled Curassows inhabit seasonally flooded forests along Amazonian rivers, living with annual changes in water levels.
Nine nests found in the Juruá basin in 2014–2015 occurred in the low-water season. Some were built from plant material, others used bromeliads, and all held two white eggs. Exposed ground allows newly hatched chicks to walk.
Tracking three birds showed frequent use near riverbanks and lakes. These accessible areas also face hunting and forest loss, prompting recommendations for focused protection of riparian habitats.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
Hunting and habitat loss threaten the species. Its preference for accessible riverside and lakeside forest increases exposure to both; researchers recommend targeted habitat protection and reduced hunting pressure.