Alagoas Curassow Mitu mitu

This impressive bird is found only in northeastern Brazil rainforest, and it is perilously close to extinction. Since the mid-eighties there have been no records of wild birds, and the species has only persisted in private aviaries. In 2019, several captive-raised birds were released into a reserve in the state of Alagoas as the first step in an ambitious reintroduction program, but it remains to be seen if they will be able to survive and reproduce on their own. It is large and mostly glossy black, with chestnut lower underparts, red legs, and a bulbous, red bill. It is mostly terrestrial, but occasionally ascends to low branches.