The Trinidad piping guan locally known as the pawi, is a bird in the chachalaca, guan and curassow family Cracidae, endemic to the island of Trinidad. It is a large bird, somewhat resembling a turkey in appearance, and research has shown that its nearest living relative is the blue-throated piping guan from South America. It is a mainly arboreal species feeding mostly on fruit, but also on flowers and leaves. At one time abundant, it has declined in numbers and been extirpated from much of its natural range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated the bird as "critically endangered".
Region
Trinidad, southern Caribbean
Typical Environment
The species survives primarily in the Northern Range and a few remaining forest refuges in Trinidad, favoring mature evergreen and lower montane forests. It uses ridgelines, steep valleys, and riverine corridors where large fruiting trees are common. Historically more widespread, it has been extirpated from much of the lowlands. It is largely canopy-dwelling but will descend to mid-story and forest edges to feed.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the pawi, this large arboreal cracid is Trinidad’s only endemic gamebird and a key seed disperser for many forest trees. It has declined sharply due to hunting and habitat loss and now persists mainly in remote forested hills. Its name comes from its clear, piping whistles and wing-whirr display flights performed at dawn.
Temperament
wary and elusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with gliding; strong but brief canopy flights
Social Behavior
Often seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, with loose flocks forming at fruiting trees. Likely monogamous, nesting high in trees in a simple platform of sticks and leaves. Clutches are small, and adults show strong parental care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives clear, high-pitched piping whistles, often at dawn from high perches. Display flights include audible wing-whirr sounds and soft hoots, especially during the breeding season.
Plumage
Mostly dark, glossy black-brown with contrasting white in the wings and a small forward-curving whitish crest. Feathers can show subtle iridescence, and the wing coverts and primaries form a bold pale patch in flight.
Diet
Primarily consumes fruits from figs, laurels, and palms, swallowing them whole and dispersing seeds across the forest. It also takes flowers, tender leaves, and shoots when fruit is scarce. Occasional ingestion of small invertebrates may occur incidentally while foraging.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the canopy and upper mid-story at fruiting trees along ridges and forest edges. Will also forage along river corridors and in secondary growth adjacent to intact forest.
