The rusty-margined guan is a species of bird in the family Cracidae, which includes the chachalacas, guans, and curassows. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Region
South America
Typical Environment
Occurs in northern Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay, favoring semi-deciduous forests, gallery forests, and wooded savannas. It is common along forest edges, in secondary growth, and in riverine woodlands, and it also uses plantations and rural mosaics where tall trees persist. The species forages from the understory to the mid-canopy and occasionally on the ground. It is generally absent from dense, unbroken rainforest but thrives in patchy woodlands and scrub.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
A medium-sized guan of the Cracidae family, it plays an important role as a seed disperser in South American woodlands. It often tolerates secondary growth and forest edges better than some other guans, but hunting pressure can locally depress numbers. At dawn it performs a characteristic wing-whirring display and gives low booming calls that carry far through the forest.
Temperament
wary and shy
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with strong, direct bursts between trees
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or in small family groups; larger loose flocks may form at fruiting trees. Nests are simple platform structures placed in dense vegetation or trees, with a clutch of usually 2–3 eggs. Pairs defend a small area around the nest, and roosting often occurs communally in trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives low booming notes and guttural clucks, often at dawn and dusk. A non-vocal display of rapid wing-whirring produces a distinctive drumming sound that can be heard over distance.
