The grey-winged trumpeter is a member of a small family of birds, the Psophiidae. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Guiana Shield and northeastern Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs primarily in lowland evergreen rainforest north of the Amazon River, including the Guianas, northeastern Brazil, and adjacent eastern Venezuela. It favors terra firme forest but also uses seasonally flooded areas and riverine margins. Most activity is on the shaded forest floor where it forages along trails and stream edges. Groups often follow monkey troops to feed on dropped fruits and flushed invertebrates. Roosting takes place in trees, typically several meters above the ground.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The grey-winged trumpeter is a ground-dwelling rainforest bird that moves in cohesive family groups and is best known for its resonant, trumpet-like calls. It plays an important role as a seed disperser by consuming large quantities of fallen fruits. Despite being poor fliers, they roost in trees at night and are quick runners on the forest floor. Cooperative breeding, with helpers assisting a dominant pair, is common.
Temperament
social and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; mostly runs rather than flies
Social Behavior
Lives in stable groups that travel and forage together on the forest floor. Cooperative breeding is typical, with helpers aiding a dominant pair in nesting and chick rearing. Nests are usually placed off the ground, often in cavities or dense vegetation, and groups roost communally in trees at night.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Loud, resonant trumpet-like notes that carry far through the forest, used for contact and territorial advertisement. Also gives low booming calls and soft clucks within the group.
Plumage
Velvety black body with a broad pale-grey panel across the wings and subtle iridescence on the upper back and nape.
Diet
Primarily consumes fallen fruits and seeds, making it an important seed disperser. Supplements diet with insects such as beetles and ants, as well as small arthropods and occasional small vertebrates. Often forages beneath fruiting trees and along animal trails where food accumulates.
Preferred Environment
Feeds on the shaded forest floor of primary and mature secondary rainforest. Frequently follows primates or large mammals to exploit dropped fruit and disturbed prey. Edges of streams and quiet trails are commonly used for foraging.
