Black guan

The black guan is a species of bird in the chachalaca, guan, and curassow family Cracidae. It is found in Costa Rica and Panama.

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Distribution

Region

Central America

Typical Environment

Occurs in humid montane and premontane forests, especially mature cloud forests with abundant fruiting trees. It uses forest edges and second growth when fruit is available but prefers dense, undisturbed canopy. Birds often move along ridges and within ravines where large fruiting Lauraceae are common. Protected areas in Costa Rica and western Panama hold the most stable populations.

Altitude Range

900–3000 m

Climate Zone

Highland

Characteristics

Size60–70 cm

Wing Span75–90 cm

Male Weight1.5 kg

Female Weight1.3 kg

Life Expectancy10 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The black guan is a shy, canopy-dwelling cracid of Costa Rica and western Panama’s highland forests. It is an important seed disperser for many cloud-forest trees, helping regenerate native habitats. In protected reserves it can be surprisingly approachable, but elsewhere it is wary due to historical hunting pressure.

Gallery

Monteverde, Costa Rica

Behaviour

Temperament

wary and retiring

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats followed by brief glides

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups. Nests are placed in trees, often as simple platforms of sticks and leaves. Courtship includes soft calling and wing-whirring displays from elevated perches.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocalizations are low, resonant, booming or mooing notes that carry through the forest understory. Also gives soft clucks and whistles, with audible wing-whirr during display flights.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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