WASHINGTON—The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that two curassows from Bolivia and Peru will be listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Both bird species are threatened by hunting and habitat destruction. Today’s listing follows a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity.

The southern helmeted curassow is Bolivia’s most threatened bird. The species inhabits only a small area in the eastern Andes Mountains, and as few as 1,500 individuals may currently exist. The closely related Sira curassow inhabits Peru’s cloud forests and was only recently recognized as its own species. Likely fewer than 300 Sira curassow remain. Both species sport a distinctive pale blue casque, or bony protrusion, on their heads.

“I’m so happy these rare, crested birds are finally receiving the protections they’ve desperately needed for decades,” said Dianne DuBois, staff scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Protecting these species under the Endangered Species Act gives them a chance to survive for generations to come.”

Scientists petitioned the Service to list the southern helmeted curassow under the Endangered Species Act in 1991. But the curassow sat on the agency’s candidate list awaiting protections for 30 years, despite the bird’s small population and serious threats to its continued existence.

Dozens of other foreign species currently await decisions by the Service. These two curassows are the only foreign species to be added to the Endangered Species Act so far in 2024 — a painfully slow rate.

“These curassows waited more than three decades after scientists alerted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that protections were needed,” said DuBois. “In the midst of a spiraling biodiversity crisis, the U.S. government must act faster to extend a lifeline to animals and plants facing extinction.”

More than 600 foreign species are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The Act protects endangered species outside the U.S. by banning their import and sale, increasing awareness and providing financial assistance. Partners in Bolivia are working to save curassows with a captive breeding program, an education and pride campaign, and ecotourism.