Guans, Curassows and Chachalacas

Order: GALLIFORMES - Family: CRACIDAE

55 Species currently existing - 25 in region

Guans: Guans are large birds belonging to the family Cracidae, which is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. They are characterized by their hefty bodies, long tails, and colorful plumage. They are fruit-eating birds and are usually found in dense forests, where they feed on fruits, seeds, and insects. Some species of guans are known for their distinctive calls, which can often be heard echoing through the forest. Guans are important seed dispersers in their ecosystems, helping to maintain biodiversity by spreading seeds over large areas. Read in Spanish

Curassows: Curassows are also members of the family Cracidae, closely related to guans and chachalacas. They are large, chicken-like birds with a prominent crest on their heads. Curassows are primarily found in the forests of Central and South America. These birds are primarily frugivorous, feeding on a diet of fruit, seeds, and insects. Curassows are known for their shy and elusive nature, often staying hidden in the dense vegetation of their habitats.

Chachalacas: Chachalacas are medium-sized birds also belonging to the family Cracidae, found in the forests of the Americas, particularly in Mexico and Central America. They have a distinctive loud and raucous call, from which they derive their name. Chachalacas are arboreal birds, spending much of their time in trees, where they feed on fruits, seeds, leaves, and insects. These birds are known for their communal behavior, often found in small flocks or family groups. Chachalacas play an important role in forest ecosystems by dispersing seeds and controlling insect populations.

Sickle-winged Guan

Chamaepetes goudotii
Spanish name: Pava Maraquera

Size: 20-25 in | 51-64 cm
Habitat: Humid and wet montane forests
Height: 800-3000 m

Photo: © Luis A. Materon

Band-tailed Guan

Penelope argyrotis
Spanish name: Pava Canosa

Size: 26 in | 66 cm
Habitat: Temperate and subtropical zones, humid montane forests, cloud forests
Height: 500 - 2800 m

Photo: © Phillip Edwards eBird S65011057 Macaulay Library ML 204871611

Baudo Guan

Penelope ortoni
Spanish name: Pava del Baudó

Size: 26 in | 66 cm
Habitat: Lowland tropical rainforests characterized by high humidity and abundant rainfall.
Height:< 1500 m

Photo: © Tim Forrester eBird S35776062 Macaulay Library ML 56910851

Andean Guan

Penelope montagnii
Spanish name: Pava Andina

Size: 24 in | 58 cm
Habitat: Montane cloud forests, humid forests,
Height: 2200 - 3700 m

Photo: © Luis A. Materon

Spix's Guan

Penelope jacquacu
Spanish name: Pava LLanera

Size: 32 in | 81 cm
Habitat: lowland forests, river banks and riparian areas.
Height:<500 m

Photo: © Holger Teichmann eBird S67882934 Macaulay Library ML 227858531

Crested Guan

Penelope purpurascens
Spanish name: Pava Moñuda

Size: 35 in | 89 cm
Habitat: Lowland and montane forests, tropical and subtropical zones
Height:<1000 m

Photo: © Andres Vasquez Noboa eBird S93616414 Macaulay Library ML 386925581

Cauca Guan

Penelope perspicax
Spanish name: Pava Caucana

Size: 29 in | 74 cm
Habitat: cloud forest, humid forest, montane forest
Height: 1200 - 2000 m

Photo: © Alex Berryman eBird S48202808 Macaulay Library ML 178352261

Blue-throated Piping-guan

Pipile cumanensis
Spanish name: Pava Rajadora

Size: 28 in | 71 cm
Habitat: Lowland and montane forest, forest canopy and understory layers
Height:<500 m

Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.

Wattled Guan

Aburria aburri
Spanish name: Pava Negra

Size: 30 in | 76 cm
Habitat: Cloud forest in the Andean region, areas with dense vegetation, montane forest.
Height: 1200 - 2500 m

Photo: © Phil Bartley eBird S122112696 Macaulay Library ML 510925521

Grey-headed chachalaca, Guacharaca del Chocó, Ortalis cinereiceps

Gray-headed Chachalaca

Ortalis cinereiceps
Spanish name: Guacharaca del Chocó

Size: 18-20 in | 46-51 cm
Habitat: Tropical forest, dense vegetation, primary and secondary forest
Height:<1700 m

Photo: © neil bowman iStock/Getty Images Plus

Chestnut-winged Chachalaca

Ortalis garrula
Spanish name: Guacharaca Caribeña

Size: 21 in | 53 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forest, lowland and foothill forest, riparian areas near water bodies
Height: 800 - 1600 m

Photo: © Martin Flack eBird S65006967Macaulay Library ML 204793621

Rufous-vented Chachalaca

Ortalis ruficauda
Spanish name: Guacharaca Guajira

Size: 22 in | 56 cm
Habitat: Forest edges and clearings, tropical and subtropical forest, dense vegetation
Height:<1000 m

Photo: © Paul Tavares eBird S43864978 Macaulay Library ML 93208581

Rufous-headed Chachalaca

Ortalis erythroptera
Spanish name: Guacharaca Cabecirrufa

Size: 23 in | 58 cm
Habitat: Lowland and montane rainforest, dry deciduous woodland, gallery forest
Height:<300m

Photo: © Nick Athanas eBird S49360730 Macaulay Library ML 119987731

Colombian Chachalaca

Ortalis columbiana
Spanish name: Guacharaca Colombiana

Size: 22 in | 52 cm
Habitat: Primary and secondary forest, cloud forest and montane forest
Height: 300 - 2200 m

Photo: © Luis A. Materon

Speckled Chachalaca

Ortalis guttata
Spanish name: Guacharaca Variable

Size: 20 in | 51 cm
Habitat: tropical and subtropical forest, canopy and edge environments
Height:<1500 m

Photo: © neil bowman iStock/Getty Images Plus

Variable Chachalaca

Ortalis motmot
Spanish name: Guacharaca Variable

Size: 19 in | 49 cm
Habitat: Forest edges, edge and transition zones, humid lowland forests
Height:<200 m

Photo: © David Bishop eBird S46156675 Macaulay Library ML 102600981

Nocturnal Curassow

Nothocrax urumutum
Spanish name: Paujil Nocturno

Size: 25 in | 63 cm
Habitat: Neotropical rainforest, forest floor and in the understory vegetation during the night.
Height:<500 m

Photo: © michael meijer iStock/Getty Images Plus

Great Curassow

Crax rubra
Spanish name: Paujil del Chocó

Size: 36 in | 91 cm
Habitat: Tropical rainforest, thick vegetation, understory and mid-canopy regions
Height:<700 m

Blue-billed Curassow

Crax alberti
Spanish name: Paujil Piquiazul

Size:36 in | 91 m
Habitat: Montane and cloud forest, lowland and humid forest
Height:<1200 m

Yellow-knobbed Curassow

Crax daubentoni
Spanish name: Paujil Moquiamarillo

Size: 36 in | 91 cm
Habitat: Dense tropical rainforest, lowland and foothill rainforest, dry woodlands
Height:<1500 m

Black Curassow

Crax alector
Spanish name: Paujil Negro

Size: 36 in | 91 cm
Habitat: Humid forest, Amazon forest
Height:<1700 m

Wattled Curassow

Crax globulosa
Spanish name: Paujil Moquirrojo

Size: 36 in | 91 cm
Habitat: Western Amazon basin, lowland rainforest and foothill forest, rivers, streams and ponds
Height:<300 m

Crestless Curassow

Mitu tomentosum
Spanish name: Paujil Culicastaño

Size: 33 in | 84 cm
Habitat: Western Amazon basin, lowland rainforests, flooded forests, and swampy areas
Height:<500 m

Razor-billed Curassow

Mitu tuberosum
Spanish name: Paujil Pico-de hacha

Size: 36 in | 91 cm
Habitat: River borders, humid forest
Height:<300 m

Salvin's Curassow

Mitu salvini
Spanish name: Paujil Culiblanco

Size: 35 in | 89 cm
Habitat: Lowland tropical forest areas, foothill forest
Height:<100 m

Helmeted Curassow

Pauxi pauxi
Spanish name: Paujil Copete-de-piedra

Size: 36 in | 91 cm
Habitat: Montane cloud forest, dense vegetation in steep ravines
Height: 700-1800 m

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