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Photo: © Luis A. Materon
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Sickle-winged Guan

Chamaepetes goudotii
Pava Maraquera
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Song

Sickle-winged Guan

Appearance: The Sickle-winged Guan is a large bird, approximately 65–70 cm in length, with distinctive long, sickle-shaped wing feathers that are characteristic of the species. It has mainly black plumage with a glossy greenish sheen, a prominent red dewlap (throat patch), and a red wattle around the eye. The bill is whitish, the legs are dark, and the eyes are yellow. 
Habitat: The Sickle-winged Guan inhabits montane cloud forests at elevations ranging from 800 to 3,000 meters above sea level. These forests typically consist of dense vegetation with a mix of trees, shrubs, and epiphytes, providing ideal cover and food sources for the guans. 
Behavior: Sickle-winged Guans are primarily arboreal, spending much of their time foraging in the trees for fruits, seeds, and insects. They are known to be shy and elusive birds, often staying hidden within the dense foliage of the cloud forest. Their vocalizations include deep, resonant calls that can carry over long distances. 
Breeding: Little is known about the breeding habits of the Sickle-winged Guan in the wild. Breeding is believed to occur during the rainy season when food sources are more abundant, but specific details on nesting behavior and reproduction remain scarce. 
Conservation Status: The Sickle-winged Guan is classified as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN.

Taxonomy

The Sickle-winged-Guan (Chamaepetes goudotii)

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves (Birds)
  • Order: Galliformes
  • Family: Cracidae
  • Genus: Chamaepetes
  • Species: Chamaepetes goudotii

Vocalization

Calls: Sickle-winged Guans have a variety of calls, including deep, resonant vocalizations that can carry over long distances through the dense cloud forest habitat. Their calls are typically described as loud, guttural, and echoing, often serving as a means of establishing and defending territories. These vocalizations can be heard throughout the day, with increased activity during dawn and dusk.
Roosting Calls: The guans also produce specific vocalizations while roosting in the trees, signaling their presence to other members of the group and reinforcing social bonds within the flock. Roosting calls may vary in intensity and frequency depending on the group size and the proximity of potential threats.
Alarm Calls: When disturbed or threatened, Sickle-winged Guans emit alarm calls to alert others in the vicinity of potential danger. Alarm calls are typically sharp, rapid, and high-pitched, signaling a heightened state of alertness and readiness to flee if necessary.
Courtship Calls: During the breeding season, male Sickle-winged Guans may produce specific vocalizations as part of courtship displays to attract females and establish mating bonds. Courtship calls are often softer, more melodious, and distinctive from the regular territorial or alarm calls.