A large, elegant black and white turkey-like bird with a prominent curly crest. Both sexes have a white belly and white tipped tail, but the male has a larger crest and yellow base to the bill with a large yellow knob; female is faintly barred white on the breast and has dark gray bill lacking the knob. No overlap with other curassow species. Found in dry forest, gallery forest, and humid forest; most often encountered walking in understory or crossing trails in small groups, but sometimes also seen perched higher in trees. Vocally active in breeding season; song is a surprisingly high-pitched, long, descending whistle “WHEEEeeeeeeeeeeuuuuuuuuuuu,” reminiscent of a raptor.