Penelope pileata
The White-crested Guan (*Penelope pileata*) is a striking member of the Cracidae family, a group that includes guans, chachalacas, and curassows. This medium-sized, primarily arboreal bird measures approximately 70-75 cm (27.5-29.5 in) in length and weighs around 1.1-1.3 kg (2.4-2.9 lbs). Its plumage is predominantly dark brown to black, contrasting sharply with its most distinctive feature: a prominent, bushy white crest that gives the species its common name. Further identification marks in...
This guan primarily inhabits humid tropical and subtropical lowland forests, often favoring areas near rivers and forest edges. It typically ranges from sea level up to elevations of about 600 meters (2,000 feet).
Their diet primarily consists of fruits, berries, and seeds, supplemented with leaves, flowers, and occasional insects. They forage mainly by gleaning directly from tree branches and shrubs.
The White-crested Guan is a diurnal and predominantly arboreal species, spending most of its time foraging high in the canopy, though it may descend to the understory or ground to feed. They typically occur in pairs or small family groups, occasionally forming larger congregations at abundant foo...
The White-crested Guan is endemic to central South America, with its primary distribution centered in the Amazon basin of Brazil. Its range extends through the southern Amazonian states of Mato Grosso and Rondônia, reaching eastward into Pará. Disjunct populations or extensions of its range are a...
Near Threatened
- The White-crested Guan's distinctive white crest stands out prominently against its dark body, making it surprisingly conspicuous when spotted in the dense canopy. - Its loud, trumpeting calls, often heard at dawn and dusk, can carry for considerable distances through the forest, serving as a p...