Jonathan Barton
Aviculturalist
I have spent over a decade carefully studying Cracid birds from my base in Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Many of these species are poorly understood in aviculture and I have looked in depth at their biology, husbandry and behaviour. Prior to this I kept a variety of other galliforme birds.
My collection consists of a number of species, all of which present unique challenges in captivity. I have achieved multiple parent rearings, my aim is to create enclosures and enrichment which encourage the most natural behaviour possible to ensure the continued survival in aviculture of the species I work with.
My collection consists of a number of species, all of which present unique challenges in captivity. I have achieved multiple parent rearings, my aim is to create enclosures and enrichment which encourage the most natural behaviour possible to ensure the continued survival in aviculture of the species I work with.
Species Spotlight:
Northern Helmeted Curassow
Pauxi pauxi
Endangered Northern Helmeted Curassows are easily identified by their unique large blue casque which grows from the upper mandible.
Unlike many species of curassow the numbers of these birds in zoos and private collections make their loss from captivity unlikely in the near to middle term. Nevertheless the population in the UK is hampered by a very low reproductive rate, inconsistent breeding results and behaviour difficulties caused by decades of artificial incubation and rearing.
My intention for this species involves ensuring that offspring from my breeding programme are parent reared.
Unlike many species of curassow the numbers of these birds in zoos and private collections make their loss from captivity unlikely in the near to middle term. Nevertheless the population in the UK is hampered by a very low reproductive rate, inconsistent breeding results and behaviour difficulties caused by decades of artificial incubation and rearing.
My intention for this species involves ensuring that offspring from my breeding programme are parent reared.
Species Spotlight:
Blue-throated Piping Guan
Pipile cumanensis
The population of Blue-throated Piping Guans kept in the UK are very different to those found in Europe. They often display traits which are more in keeping the the ‘greyi’ subspecies such as long hanging wattles or white dewlaps.
This was the first cracid species that I acquired and I now have a large breeding group. They rear their own young each year. I am pleased that this success has enabled members of the group to be donated to zoological institutions where they can be seen by the public.
My plan for this species is to improve genetic diversity and continue with parent rearing.
This was the first cracid species that I acquired and I now have a large breeding group. They rear their own young each year. I am pleased that this success has enabled members of the group to be donated to zoological institutions where they can be seen by the public.
My plan for this species is to improve genetic diversity and continue with parent rearing.
Species Spotlight:
Yellow Knobbed Curassow
Crax daubentoni
A whistling curassow, this is the only species in the family which has been demonstrated to be polygamous in the wild.
The UK population of Yellow Knobbed curassow is in extreme difficulty. Birds kept in zoological institutions are not reproducing and the population is increasingly elderly.
My plan for this species is to understand how to achieve a consistent level of reproduction.
The UK population of Yellow Knobbed curassow is in extreme difficulty. Birds kept in zoological institutions are not reproducing and the population is increasingly elderly.
My plan for this species is to understand how to achieve a consistent level of reproduction.
Species Spotlight:
Black Curassow
Crax elector
Black Curassow are unique because males and females look the same, the only species in crax where this is the case.
This species is in considerable difficulty in captivity in the UK. Individuals are all very closely related with very few left in private collections.
I currently have this species on loan to another collection.
This species is in considerable difficulty in captivity in the UK. Individuals are all very closely related with very few left in private collections.
I currently have this species on loan to another collection.