Mastodawn

Is this cooked enough?

Is this cooked enough? by Aggressive_Data_6291
#dining #cooking #diet #food #Meat
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2335638/is-this-cooked-enough-4/

Is this cooked enough? - Dining and Cooking

Is this cooked enough?

Dining and Cooking

Palm Oil Detectives Sep 9, 2023

Shoebill Balaeniceps rex

Vulnerable

Extant (resident)

Central African Republic; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Rwanda; South Sudan; Sudan; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia

Known for their unnerving and intense stare and imposing, prehistoric appearance – shoebills are magnificent birds. There are less than 8000 individual birds left alive. They are vulnerable from #palmoil, #cocoa and #meat #deforestation, agricultural run-off, #pollution, #mining, #hunting and human persecution. Help them every time you shop and be #vegan, #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

The #Shoebill is a magnificent and gentle big bird 🕊️🦤 with an unnerving stare 👀 There are only 8000 left alive in #DRC, #Uganda #Africa. Vulnerable from #palmoil #deforestation, #hunting and more. Fight for them! #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2023/09/10/shoebill-balaeniceps-rex/

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Known for their menacing stare 👀😸 gentle #shoebills are iconic in #Uganda 🇺🇬 #Congo 🇨🇩 #Tanzania 🇹🇿 They are vulnerable from #hunting, #palmoil #deforestation. Help them and be #vegan 🥕🍆 and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🪔☠️🔥⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2023/09/10/shoebill-balaeniceps-rex/

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There are less than 8,000 birds left alive and they are increasingly threatened by agricultural run-off from palm oil and cocoa deforestation across their range.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V7t28Fim34

The shoebill Balaeniceps rex is also known by the common names: the whale-headed stork, shoebill stork and whalehead. Their eponymous feature is their enormous bill They have the third largest bills after pelicans and large storks.

Fast Facts

When shoebills soar they make around 150 flaps per minute which makes them one of the slowest of any bird, with the exception of the larger stork species.
They stand stock-still and waiting, all alone giving them an eerie and unnerving appearance. Once they notice fish appearing on the surface of swamps they quickly snap them up into their large bills.
The shoebill’s chattering large bill makes a sound akin to machine gun fire. This combined with their silent creeping gait can make them seem rather menacing!

https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/11bnvkd/the_unexpected_sound_of_a_shoebill_stork/?utm_source=embedv2&utm_medium=post_embed&utm_content=action_bar

Shoebills are attracted to poorly oxygenated waters, as this means fish must come to the surface to breathe – where they are efficiently captured.
They are mostly silent except for elaborate bill-clattering communication that happens during their breeding. Chicks make a human-like hiccup sound when signalling hunger.

Although they have a similar appearance to storks, shoebills are more closely related to pelicans and herons in the order Pelecaniformes.

Appearance & Behaviour

They possess extraordinarily large feet with their middle toe extending up to 18.5 cm in length. This helps them with balance while standing on uneven swamps and on aquatic vegetation while they hunt.

Adults have feathers that range from blue-grey to slate-grey. Juveniles possess similar plumage but in a tawny blue-brown hue.

Shoebills have a modestly sized bill at birth, which grows much larger once chicks reach between 23-43 days old.

Their unusual beauty makes them a must-see for birdwatchers in Africa. Despite their slightly unnerving appearance, these birds are placid and will allow birdwatchers to snap their photo at a range of two metres.

Shoebills are known for staying statue-still and silent in the muddy waters while hunting. These birds stalk their prey in a solitary way, patiently lurking and hunting entirely with their vision. Once prey is spotted they launch a rapid strike. They will sometimes use their big beaks to pry deep into the pond mud and extirpate lung fish with a violent strike.

They are normally silent but will get noisy during nesting season with elaborate bill clattering displays. Adults birds will make a ‘moo’ sound and high pitched whine while clattering their bills in order to communicate with each other. Chicks call out to their mothers with a ‘hiccup’ sound.

Shoebills typically hunt for lungfish and other fish in poorly oxygenated marshlands, bogs, peatland and swamps. Fish frequently break to the surface to breathe – it is then that shoebills rapidly strike. Their large feet enable them to balance on floating vegetation. The movement of hippos can aid the hunting of shoebills, as they rustle up fish from bottom of swamps, pushing them to surface for the shoebills’ easy capture.

Threats

There is estimated to be below 8,000 individual shoebills left and they are classified as vulnerable. Shoebills face a range of anthropogenic threats:

Palm oil and cocoa deforestation: The mass removal of virgin rainforest for palm oil and cocoa results in mass deaths of shoebills.
Infrastructure building: roads, dams and powerlines pose a risk to shoebills.
Meat deforestation: cattle and other animals are known to trample shoebill nests.
Pollution run-off: from palm oil agrochemicals and mining effluent.
Hunting: In some cultures shoebills are thought of as a bad omen, in others they are hunted for food.
Capture for the pet trade: Shoebill eggs and chicks are captured for consumption or sold to zoos.
Armed human conflict: Armed groups moving through the rainforest has facilitated hunting of shoebills.
Climate change: Increased extreme weather events like fires and droughts brought on by climate change lowers their numbers.

Habitat

Shoebills are found in central tropical Africa. Including South Sudan, eastern Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, western Tanzania, and northern Zambia. They are non-migratory birds who make limited seasonal movements.

They live in dense freshwater swamps and marshes including undisturbed papyrus and reed beds. They are attracted to areas of mixed vegetation and have been seen on occasion in rice fields and flooded plantations.

Diet

Shoebills mainly consume fish but will also eat a range of wetland vertebrates. Their preferred food is marbled lungfish, tilapia and catfish. When this is not available they are known to consume frogs, nile monitors, baby crocodiles, water snakes, turtles, snails, rodents and other small waterfowl.

Mating and breeding

Shoebills form monogamous pair bonds for the breeding season. They fiercely defend their nests from other birds during their nesting period, which begins either during the monsoon season or after this ends.

Both parents build the nest on a floating and flat platform made up of swamp vegetation and around three metres wide and three metres deep.

Typically the female will lay between one to three eggs, with only one being reared and cared for until maturity. The other eggs are back-ups in case the eldest chick is weak or dies.

In the hot weather, shoebill parents will fill their bills with water to shower their nests to cool their eggs.

Chicks take about 105 days to fledge and juveniles typically fly well by 112 days. Juvenile birds will continue to feed with their mother for another month after this and reach sexual maturity at about three years old.

Support Shoebills by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

BirdLife International. 2018. Balaeniceps rex. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22697583A133840708. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22697583A133840708.en. Accessed on 16 February 2023.

Shoebill on Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoebill

Shoebill on Animalia.bio – https://animalia.bio/shoebill

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

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Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

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The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

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Pledge your support

#Africa #animals #Bird #birds #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #CentralAfricanRepublic #cocoa #Congo #deforestation #DemocracticRepublicOfCongo #DRC #hunting #meat #mining #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #poaching #pollution #Rwanda #Shoebill #ShoebillBalaenicepsRex #shoebills #SouthSudan #stork #Tanzania #Uganda #vegan #VulnerableSpecies #Zambia

Palm Oil Detectives Jan 25, 2021

Sabah Grizzled Langur Presbytis sabana

Sabah Grizzled Langur Presbytis sabana

Red List Status: Endangered

Location: Malaysia (Sabah), Indonesia (North Kalimantan)

This elusive primate lives in lowland, riparian, montane, and evergreen forests of northern Borneo, including protected areas such as the Danum Valley, Tabin Reserve, and the Kinabatangan region.

The Sabah Grizzled Langur Presbytis sabana, also known as the Saban Grizzled #Langur or Crested Grizzled Langur, is a strikingly beautiful leaf #monkey found only in #Borneo. Their #Endangered status is a direct result of extensive habitat destruction caused by deforestation, out-of-control palm oil expansion, and #hunting—particularly for bezoar stones used in traditional medicine. With fragmented populations and little known about their behaviour or numbers, urgent action is needed to prevent their extinction. Use your wallet as a weapon. Avoid #palmoil when you shop and demand an end to wildlife trafficking and forest destruction. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan

Sabah Grizzled #Langurs live in the treetops of #Sabah #Malaysia 🐒🐵🇲🇾 Their main threats are #palmoil and #meat agriculture #deforestation. Help to protect these elegant monkeys when you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🔥☠️🤮🧐🙊⛔️#Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/25/msaban-grizzled-langur-presbytis-sabana/

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Appearance and Behaviour

The Sabah Grizzled Langur is a captivating primate with a thick coat of grey, grizzled fur and a pale belly, sharply contrasted by black hands and feet. A pointed crown of fur rises from their head, giving them a distinct, almost regal look. Their spade-shaped, pale-pinkish faces are framed by dark rings around wide, expressive eyes—an appearance that makes them instantly memorable to anyone lucky enough to see one.

These langurs are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of their lives high in the forest canopy. At night, they retreat to the upper branches of emergent trees to sleep, likely as a defence against predators. They are nimble and versatile movers, walking on all fours, leaping, climbing, and even hanging suspended beneath branches. Their daily lives involve foraging, grooming, resting, and socialising in cohesive groups that typically consist of one dominant male and several adult females with their young.

Diet

Sabah Grizzled Langurs are primarily folivores, feeding on a wide range of leaves, young shoots, and unripe seeds. They also eat fruit, flowers, buds, insects, bird eggs, and mineral-rich mud to supplement their diet. Their complex, multi-chambered stomachs ferment leafy material efficiently, allowing them to extract maximum nutrition from tough plant matter.

The diet of the Sabah Grizzled Langur shifts based on the level of forest disturbance. In undisturbed forests, leaves dominate their intake, but in logged areas, they consume more fruit and seeds. This adaptability may be crucial to their survival in fragmented landscapes.

Reproduction and Mating

This species follows a polygynous mating system, with a single adult male having exclusive breeding access to the females in the group. Breeding appears to occur year-round, but births peak between July and October. After a gestation of five to six months, the female gives birth to a single infant.

Infants are born with paler fur that darkens over time. They are weaned at around 11 months and become subadults between 21 and 36 months. Both males and females leave their natal groups upon reaching sexual maturity at about three years of age, either joining new groups or forming their own.

Geographic Range

Sabah Grizzled Langurs are endemic to the island of Borneo and are found only in Sabah (Malaysia) and northern parts of Indonesian Kalimantan. They inhabit evergreen, lowland, montane, and riverine forests, as well as selectively logged areas and tree plantations. Though once considered a subspecies of Presbytis hosei, they are now recognised as a distinct species. Populations are scattered and fragmented, with some surviving in protected areas like Danum Valley and the Maliau Basin, but others are highly vulnerable to extinction.

Threats

• Palm oil deforestation, monoculture expansion and habitat fragmentation

Large-scale clearing of Borneo’s forests for palm oil plantations has severely reduced the habitat of Presbytis sabana. This deforestation not only destroys the canopy cover they rely on for movement and shelter but also creates isolated forest patches that hinder gene flow and increase vulnerability to inbreeding and local extinction. Even selectively logged areas can remove critical roosting trees and food sources, leading to population collapse over time.

• Hunting for their meat and bezoar stones

Local hunting poses a grave threat to this species. Bezoar stones—calcified objects sometimes found in the gastrointestinal tracts of langurs—are falsely believed to have medicinal properties and fetch high prices in illegal markets. As a result, these langurs are hunted both for meat and for supposed curative use, putting intense pressure on already dwindling populations.

• Lack of enforcement in protected areas

While some populations live in conservation zones, many of these are inadequately protected. Illegal logging, poaching, and encroachment continue within the boundaries of national parks and reserves. Without sufficient monitoring, resources, and community involvement, these areas offer little real safety for the langurs.

• Low reproductive rate and slow population recovery

Like many primates, Sabah Grizzled Langurs have slow reproductive cycles, giving birth to a single infant every one to two years. This low birth rate means that even small increases in mortality can cause long-term population declines. Combined with hunting and habitat loss, this makes recovery especially difficult without urgent conservation action.

Take Action!

The fate of the Sabah Grizzled Langur is partially tied to our consumer choices. Avoid products that contain palm oil, especially those contributing to Bornean deforestation. Never support the exotic animal trade or products made from endangered species. Support indigenous-led conservation efforts and protect Southeast Asia’s remaining rainforests. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

FAQs

How many Sabah Grizzled Langurs are left?

Exact population numbers are unknown due to a lack of comprehensive surveys, but the IUCN lists them as Endangered and rapidly declining. Fragmentation of their range and localised hunting make many populations highly vulnerable, and some may already be functionally extinct.

What is the lifespan of Presbytis sabana?

While the exact lifespan of Presbytis sabana is not documented, related langurs typically live around 20–25 years in the wild. Infant mortality may be high in disturbed habitats, especially where hunting pressure is intense.

Why are bezoar stones a threat?

Bezoar stones are hard masses found in the intestines of some langurs, falsely believed to have healing powers in traditional medicine. This belief drives illegal hunting, even though scientific evidence shows these stones have no proven medical value. Killing langurs for this purpose is both cruel and contributes directly to their extinction.

How are Sabah Grizzled Langurs affected by palm oil?

Palm oil plantations are a major cause of deforestation in Borneo. These plantations clear vast areas of native forest, severing the canopy corridors that langurs use to travel. Even plantations that claim to be ‘eco-friendly’ contribute to ecosystem collapse by fragmenting habitat and displacing wildlife.

Do Sabah Grizzled Langurs make good pets?

No. These langurs are not suited to captivity and have not been documented in zoos or pet markets. Their specialised diet and social needs cannot be met outside the wild. Keeping langurs as pets is illegal, unethical, and further threatens their survival.

Support the conservation of this species

Further Information

Nijman, V. (2017). Group composition and monandry in grizzled langurs, Presbytis comata, on Java. Folia Primatologica, 88(2), 237–254. https://doi.org/10.1159/000478695

Ramlee, H. (2013). Distribution, ecology and systematics of Presbytis hosei and other leaf monkey species in North Borneo [PhD thesis, Australian National University]. Open Research Repository. https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/items/26fbc1b7-b536-427c-a8d2-62984e69b43e

Setiawan, A. & Traeholt, C. 2020. Presbytis sabana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T39810A17987041. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39810A17987041.en. Downloaded on 25 January 2021.

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Sabah grizzled langur. Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabah_grizzled_langur

Sabah Grizzled Langur Presbytis sabana

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

✓ Subscribed

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Pledge your support

#Agriculture #Bornean #Borneo #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #deforestation #endangered #EndangeredSpecies #ForgottenAnimals #hunting #Indonesia #Kalimantan #langur #Langurs #Malaysia #Mammal #meat #monkey #palmoil #poachers #poaching #Primate #Sabah #SabahGrizzledLangurPresbytisSabana #SouthEastAsia #vegan

Palm Oil Detectives Oct 8, 2021

Santa Marta White-fronted Capuchin Cebus malitiosus

Red List Status: Endangered

Locations: Forests near the northwestern Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Magdalena and La Guajira regions, Colombia

The Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin greets dawn light with urgent calls and agile leaps through dense forest canopy, their dark brown coats glinting cinnamon in sun-flecks. They face intense pressure from expanding palm oil plantations and cattle ranching that strip ancestral forests and sever vital water sources. Their loss would echo through these biodiverse forests and the lives of Indigenous communities who steward them. Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Santa Marta White Fronted #Capuchins are ultra intelligent Colombian #primates threatened by severe #deforestation from cattle ranching and palm oil. Boycott palm oil and meat for their survival #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/10/09/santa-marta-white-fronted-capuchin-cebus-malitiosus/

Share to BlueSky Share to Twitter Santa Marta White-fronted Capuchin Cebus malitiosusSanta Marta White-fronted Capuchin Cebus malitiosusSanta Marta White-fronted Capuchin Cebus malitiosusSanta Marta White-fronted Capuchin Cebus malitiosus

Appearance & Behaviour

They have slender bodies measuring about 45.7 cm head-to-body and 43.3 cm of semi-prehensile tail length (Red List, 2015). Their deep brown fur is contrasted by pale yellow shoulders and ochre-tawny underparts. They move with remarkable grace, vaulting on long limbs and using their semi-prehensile tail for balance. In groups up to 35 individuals, adult males tolerate each other within their troop yet fiercely defend against outsiders. All members perform branch-break displays—an unusual habit where even infants snap twigs to the forest floor, signalling social cohesion.

Threats

The Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin is threatened in Colombia by habitat loss and fragmentation due to cattle ranching and oil palm agro-industries. Pet trade may also pose imminent threats to wild populations of the Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin, especially in areas where tourism is widespread.

IUCN red list

Palm oil deforestation

Endangered status stems largely from widespread clearing of forest for palm oil, which replaces biodiverse canopy with monocultures, destroying food-stock trees and disrupting water cycles (Red List, 2015). Traditional seafaring and agroecological practices, vital to Indigenous sovereignty, are displaced as lands fall under unsustainable industrial palm oil.

Cattle ranching

Ranch expansion on the Sierra’s lower slopes fragments capuchin habitat and increases human–wildlife conflict. Grazing lands replace complex forest layers with invasive grasses, accelerating soil erosion and water loss crucial to these capuchins’ survival (Red List, 2015).

Diet

They forage for fruits, seeds, flowers, young leaves and invertebrates. Their omnivorous diet includes insects, larvae, eggs and occasional small vertebrates, supporting seed dispersal and pest control — ecological roles central to forest regeneration (Wikipedia, n.d.).

Mating & Reproduction

Females bear a single infant after an estimated 160-day gestation. Newborns initially cling to mothers’ shoulders, later shifting to their backs. Sexual maturity arrives around four years, when males disperse to seek new groups; females remain in natal troops, reinforcing matrilineal bonds. Group members share grooming and infant care, strengthening social networks (Wikipedia, n.d.).

Geographic Range

Today, Cebus malitiosus occupies fragmented patches of dry tropical, lowland and montane forests at 200–1,000 m elevation near Santa Marta’s northwestern base. Historical clearing for agriculture and palm oil has reduced their range to under 5,000 km², with key populations in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park.

FAQs

What makes the Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin unique?

The Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin displays a rare group-wide branch-breaking behaviour, where even infants participate, reinforcing social bonds. They exhibit darker fur and less extensive pale areas than other white-fronted capuchins, adaptations to their montane habitat’s cooler microclimate (Red List, 2015).

Why are they endangered?

Their Endangered status results from habitat fragmentation by palm oil and cattle ranches, which uproot Indigenous agroecological stewards and degrade water-rich forests. Limited range and low reproductive rates exacerbate vulnerability to climate-driven droughts and forest fires (Red List, 2015).

Take Action!

Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife. Support indigenous-led agroecology to defend capuchin homelands.

Donate to help orphaned capuchins that are rescued from traffickers. At Merazonia Wildlife Sanctuary

Further Information

Link, A., Boubli, J. & Lynch Alfaro, J. 2020. Cebus malitiosus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T4084A81282214. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T4084A81282214.en. Downloaded on 05 June 2021.

CITES. (n.d.). Appendices I, II and III [Database]. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Marta_white-fronted_capuchin

Santa Marta White-fronted Capuchin Cebus malitiosus

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

✓ Subscribed

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Pledge your support

#Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #Brands #capuchin #Capuchins #Colombia #deforestation #endangered #ForgottenAnimals #Mammal #meat #monkey #palmoil #Primate #primates #SantaMartaWhiteFrontedCapuchinCebusMalitiosus #SouthAmericaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #SouthAmerica #soy #timber

Palm Oil Detectives Mar 8, 2021

Sinu Parakeet Pyrrhura subandina

Sinu Parakeet Pyrrhura subandina

Critically endangered

Location: Endemic to Colombia, specifically the Sinú Valley in the department of Córdoba.

IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct)

The Sinu Parakeet Pyrrhura subandina is a magnificent rainbow #bird that may already be lost to the world. With no confirmed sightings since 1949, these vibrant green #parrots—once fluttering through Colombia’s Sinú Valley—teeter on the brink of #extinction. Despite extensive searches, the last known individuals have vanished from their historical range, victims of relentless #palmoil #soy and #meat #deforestation, agricultural expansion, and possibly the illegal pet trade. Their fate serves as a dire warning about habitat destruction in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Help all species to survive by being #vegan and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Sinu Parakeets are on a knife-edge of survival in #Colombia 🇨🇴 ravaged by #PalmOil #Soy and #Meat #Deforestation, they may now be lost 💔🙈 Help them and others survive before we never see them again. #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/03/09/sinu-parakeet-pyrrhura-subandina/

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The spectacularly plumed Sinu Parakeet is critically endangered and is known with certainty only from the Sinú Valley in northern Colombia, where recent searches have failed to find the species and they may be extinct

IUCN Red LisT

Appearance and Behaviour

Sinu Parakeets are striking medium-sized #parrots, measuring about 25 cm in length. Their plumage is primarily green, accented with a deep red belly patch and blue-tinged flight feathers. A maroon-red face and a dull blue and red forehead give them a distinctive look, setting them apart from other Pyrrhura species. Their scalloped grey and buff breast, coupled with a long deep red tail, makes them a stunning sight in #Colombia’s forests.

Highly social, they were often seen in small, noisy flocks, calling to one another with sharp, piercing cries. Their agile movements and strong social bonds helped them navigate the canopy in search of food.

Habitat and Distribution

Historically, Sinu Parakeets were found in Colombia’s Sinú Valley, thriving in subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, gallery forests, and secondary growth areas. They adapted well to forest edges and plantations, but their dependence on tree cavities for nesting made them particularly vulnerable to deforestation. Today, their habitat has been so extensively destroyed that any surviving population is likely isolated in a tiny, fragmented patch of forest.

Diet

Like most parrots, Sinu Parakeets were primarily frugivorous, feeding on a variety of fruits, seeds, and flowers. They likely played an important role in their ecosystem as seed dispersers, helping maintain the delicate balance of their rainforest home. However, habitat loss has decimated their food sources, further driving their population decline.

Threats

Sinu Parakeets have suffered catastrophic habitat loss, with an estimated 92-98% of their original forest destroyed. The main threats include:

• Palm Oil, Soy and Meat Deforestation: Most of the parakeets’ native forests have been cleared for cattle ranching and palm oil agriculture.

• Habitat Fragmentation: Even where patches of forest remain in the Amazon, they are isolated, making it difficult for populations to recover.

• Trapping for the pet trade – Although not well-documented, other Pyrrhura species are frequently captured for the illegal pet trade, which may have impacted this species.

• Illegal Hunting: There is evidence that small parrots are sometimes hunted for food in rural areas.

• Agrochemical Pollution: Pesticide and herbicide use in nearby agricultural areas may have contaminated food sources.

With no confirmed sightings for decades, it is feared that the species may already be extinct.

Possibly extinct Sinu Parakeet Pyrrhura subandina

Take Action!

The possible extinction of the Sinu Parakeet is a devastating loss to Colombia’s biodiversity. However, hope remains that a tiny remnant population survives, hidden in a last stretch of undisturbed forest. Conservationists continue to search for any sign of these parrots. You can help by:

• Boycotting products that are 100% palm oil-free to avoid contributing to deforestation and biodiversity loss.

• Supporting reforestation efforts in Colombia and across South America.

• Raising awareness about the plight of the Sinu Parakeet and the urgent need to protect their habitat.

• Demanding stronger conservation policies from governments and businesses that contribute to deforestation.

#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife every time you shop.

Support the conservation of this species

Global Wildlife Conservation

Further Information

BirdLife International. 2016. Pyrrhura subandina. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T45422401A95151315. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T45422401A95151315.en. Downloaded on 16 February 2021.

Birds of Colombia. (n.d.). Sinu Parakeet (Painted Parakeet). Retrieved February 2025, from https://birdsofcolombia.com/pages/sinu-parakeet-painted-parakeet

Loroparque Fundación. (n.d.). Pyrrhura picta subandina (Sinu Parakeet). Retrieved February 2025, from https://www.loroparque-fundacion.org/en/portfolio/pyrrhura-picta-subandina-sinu-parakeet/

Sinu Parakeet Pyrrhura subandina

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Palm Oil Detectives 22h ago

http://palmoildetectives.com/2021/03/09/sinu-parakeet-pyrrhura-subandina/

Sinu Parakeet Pyrrhura subandina

The Sinu Parakeet Pyrrhura subandina is a magnificent rainbow #bird that may already be lost to the world. With no confirmed sightings since 1949, these vibrant green #parrots—once fluttering throu…

Palm Oil Detectives

Palm Oil Detectives Feb 18, 2021

Blue-billed Curassow Crax alberti

Blue-billed Curassow Crax alberti

IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Location: Colombia

The Blue-billed Curassow is endemic to Colombia, with remaining populations in the tropical forests of the Magdalena Valley, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and the Serranía de San Lucas. These birds inhabit lowland humid forests and fragmented secondary woodlands, clinging to survival in one of the world’s most deforested biodiversity hotspots.

The endearing Blue-billed Curassow Crax alberti is a unique bird of #Colombia currently classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List due to rapid habitat loss for multiple different cash crops and intense hunting pressures. Less than 2,500 mature individuals remain, with many subpopulations highly fragmented and isolated. A shy, ground-dwelling bird, Blue-billed Curassows plays an essential role in forest regeneration through #seeddispersal. But #timber, #meat, #goldmining, #coca plantations, and #palmoil agriculture have devoured more than 90% of their original range. Without urgent conservation action, this #bird faces imminent #extinction. Always choose products that are 100% #palmoilfree and go #vegan BoycottPalmOil, always #BoycottGold #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/4yd5AvFqxRM?si=WoGaoOWpW_ot4o3e

Stunning turkey-like #birds, blue-billed #Currasows 🪿🦜 are critically #endangered in #Colombia 🇨🇴 due to #PalmOil, illegal #Coca, soy and meat #deforestation. Help them and be #vegan 🥩🩸⛔️ #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🚜🔥🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/18/blue-billed-curassow-crax-alberti/

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A beautiful and colourful #bird 🦜🕊️ the blue-billed #Currasow of #Colombia faces a plethora of serious threats incl. illegal #GoldMining 🩸🔥⛔️ and #PalmOil. Help them when and #BoycottGold #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🚜🔥🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/18/blue-billed-curassow-crax-alberti/

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Appearance and Behaviour

The Blue-billed Curassow is a striking, turkey-sized bird with glossy black plumage in males and a striking pale blue cere at the base of their bill, from which the species takes their name. Females are distinguished by their rufous-brown underparts and barred tails. Both sexes feature a curled crest of black feathers atop their heads, adding to their dramatic appearance (Shanahan, 2017).

They are shy and elusive birds, preferring to forage alone or in pairs along the forest floor. Observations in El Paujil Bird Reserve noted that they forage by scratching leaf litter for fallen fruit, seeds, invertebrates, shoots, and occasionally carrion or even terrestrial crabs (Urueña, 2008a; Melo et al., 2008). Roosting sites are usually located in tree foliage close to feeding areas and reused for several days (Hirschfeld, 2008).

Diet

The Blue-billed Curassow is an omnivore. Its diet is mainly composed of fruit and seeds, but it also consumes invertebrates such as insects, shoots, and occasionally carrion. A recent survey documented seed consumption from at least 15 plant species, as well as one record of terrestrial crab consumption (Urueña, 2008a; Quevedo et al., 2005).

Reproduction and Mating

Breeding occurs primarily in the dry season, with nests observed between December and March. However, studies in the El Paujil Bird Reserve noted a possible second breeding season from July to September (Urueña, 2008b). Clutches typically contain two to three eggs. As with other cracids, both parents may play a role in chick rearing. In the wild, families with chicks are typically observed during March through August (Cuervo & Salaman, 1999).

Geographic Range

Endemic to Colombia, the Blue-billed Curassow once roamed vast tracts of humid lowland forest throughout the northwestern Andes. Now, it persists only in fragmented patches across the Magdalena Valley, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and the Serranía de San Lucas (Valencia et al., 2023; IUCN, 2023).

Historically, over 90% of its potential range has been cleared or degraded due to deforestation for agriculture, coca plantations, and ranching (Melo et al., 2008). One GIS analysis estimated a 39% loss in potential distribution between 1986 and 2002 alone, with an annual deforestation rate of 2.4% (Melo et al., 2008).

Threats

• Deforestation for agriculture and livestock is the most significant threat to the survival of the Blue-billed Curassow. Almost 90% of their tropical forest habitat in northern Colombia has been cleared or severely degraded due to cattle ranching, rice cultivation, cotton production, palm oil, soy and coca plantations. These activities have fragmented the curassow’s range into isolated patches too small to support viable populations.

• The illegal pet trade and commercial hunting pose a grave threat. Curassows are hunted for meat and occasionally captured for the illegal pet trade. Surveys in Antioquia reported at least 57 individuals killed between 2002 and 2003, mostly during the breeding season, exacerbating their population decline (Melo et al., 2008). Hunting pressure remains high in rural communities surrounding the few remaining forest patches (Cabarcas et al., 2008).

• Political instability and post-conflict development have further imperilled the species. Ironically, decades of civil conflict prevented large-scale deforestation in some remote regions by limiting access to armed groups. However, peace agreements have led to rapid expansion of agriculture, mining, and logging into formerly inaccessible forests, especially in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Serranía de San Lucas—key strongholds for the species (Shanahan, 2017; Negret et al., 2017).

• Illegal gold mining and drug production have escalated forest destruction and brought with them roads, settlements, and deforestation. The 1996 gold rush in the Serranía de San Lucas resulted in widespread logging and land clearance for coca production. Subsequent government herbicide spraying has further damaged ecosystems essential for the curassow’s survival (Cuervo & Salaman, 1999; Melo et al., 2008).

• Habitat fragmentation has reduced the availability of forest patches larger than 3 km², which are considered the minimum size needed to support a viable population of Crax alberti (Melo et al., 2008). This has severely disrupted dispersal, gene flow, and nesting success.

• Infrastructure projects, such as highways, act as barriers between populations. For example, the Santa Marta-Riohacha Highway isolates birds in Tayrona National Park from those in the nearby Sierra Nevada foothills, reducing connectivity and increasing local extinction risks (Strewe et al., 2010).

• Low reproductive success in captivity threatens the future of ex-situ conservation. As of 2021, there were only 27 Blue-billed Curassows in Colombian zoos, most of them ageing. Only one male was actively breeding, making captive-breeding efforts challenging and precarious (Dueñas Flórez, 2021).

Take Action!

Help protect the Blue-billed Curassow by refusing to support deforestation-linked products and industries. Boycott palm oil, logging, and industrial meat farming, all of which fuel forest loss. Support indigenous-led conservation efforts in Colombia and ecotourism models that empower local communities while preserving habitat. Take action and use your wallet as a weapon! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

FAQs

How many Blue-billed Curassows are left in the wild?

According to the IUCN Red List, there are estimated to be between 150 and 700 individuals remaining in the wild (IUCN, 2023) they are tragically critically endangered. Other sources suggest the total may be as high as 2,500 mature individuals when including fragmented populations across different reserves and national parks.

What is the lifespan of a Blue-billed Curassow?

In the wild, the lifespan is not well documented due to their elusive nature, but it is thought to be around 15–20 years, similar to other large cracids. In captivity, individuals may live longer depending on conditions and veterinary care (Melo et al., 2008).

What are the predators of the Blue-billed Curassow?

Natural predators include large birds of prey and terrestrial mammals such as jaguars and ocelots. However, human hunting remains the dominant threat, particularly targeting adults during breeding season and young birds for food and captivity (Melo et al., 2008; Cabarcas et al., 2008).

Why is the Blue-billed Curassow critically endangered?

This species has suffered catastrophic declines due to habitat destruction, especially from logging, palm oil agriculture, coca plantations, and mining. Additionally, hunting for bushmeat and egg collection has further reduced population numbers. The fragmentation of remaining populations also increases their vulnerability to extinction (Valencia et al., 2023).

Support the conservation of this species

Further Information

BirdLife International. 2018. Crax alberti (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22678525A127590617. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22678525A127590617.en. Downloaded on 18 February 2021.

Dueñas Flórez, M. (2021, August 27). Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti): Conservation efforts in Colombia. Association of Avian Veterinarians. https://www.aav.org/blogpost/1525799/375769/Blue-billed-Curassow-Crax-alberti–Conservation-efforts-in-Colombia

Melo, I., Ochoa-Quintero, J. M., López-Arévalo, H. F., & Velásquez-Sandino, P. (2008). Potential habitat loss and subsistence hunting of Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti), a Colombian critically endangered endemic bird. Caldasia, 30(1), 161–177.

Shanahan, M. (2017, November 2). Will the bird that dodged a bullet pay the price of peace? Mongabay. Retrieved from https://news.mongabay.com/2017/11/will-the-bird-that-dodged-a-bullet-pay-the-price-of-peace/

Valencia, I. F., Kattan, G. H., Valenzuela, L., Caro, L., Arbelaez, F., & Forero-Medina, G. (2023). Evaluation of alternative conservation strategies for the blue-billed curassow Crax alberti in the Middle Magdalena Valley, Colombia. Oryx, 57(2), 239–247. doi:10.1017/S0030605322000060

Blue-billed Curassow Crax alberti

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#Bird #birds #Birdsong #BlueBilledCurassowCraxAlberti #BoycottGold #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottGold #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #coca #Colombia #CriticallyEndangeredSpecies #Currasow #Currasows #deforestation #endangered #extinction #ForgottenAnimals #goldmining #hunting #illegalPetTrade #meat #palmoil #palmoilfree #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #SouthAmericaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #timber #vegan

GrrlScientist ⧖ Ⓥ SciComm 🇺🇦1d ago

The Omnivore’s Deception By John Sanbonmatsu — Review

"A brilliantly argued dismantling of Michael Pollan and other supporters of the meat economy who lie to the public by claiming that we can have our meat and our morals, too."

#BookReview by @grrlscientist

#books #Ethics #Morality #Philosophy #AnimalRights #AnimalWelfare #GoVegan #meat #food https://grrlscientist.medium.com/the-omnivores-deception-by-john-sanbonmatsu-review-3b6650bb2317

Dining and Cooking 1d ago

Salt cured, air dried, smoked Hams in the high mountains of Montenegro

I was amazed at the amount of hams a village of 50-100 ppl prepared at an altitude of 1900 meters by goprinterm
#dining #cooking #diet #food #Meat
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2333666/salt-cured-air-dried-smoked-hams-in-the-high-mountains-of-montenegro/

GrrlScientist ⧖ Ⓥ

1d ago

The Omnivore’s Deception By John Sanbonmatsu — Review

"A brilliantly argued dismantling of Michael Pollan and other supporters of the meat economy who lie to the public by claiming that we can have our meat and our morals, too."

#BookReview by @GrrlScientist

#books #Ethics #Morality #Philosophy #AnimalRights #AnimalWelfare #GoVegan #meat #food https://grrlscientist.medium.com/the-omnivores-deception-by-john-sanbonmatsu-review-3b6650bb2317