The white-crested guan is a species of bird in the family Cracidae, the chachalacas, guans, and curassows. It is found only in regions of the eastern Amazon basin of Brazil. The species is restricted to the southern riverbank of the Amazon River; also eastwards, the south bank of the Pará River south of Marajó Island at the Amazon River's outlet. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest. It is threatened by habitat destruction and in 2012, the species was recategorised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, its conservation status being raised to vulnerable.
Region
Eastern Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in the eastern Amazon of Brazil, restricted to the south bank of the Amazon River and south of Marajó Island along the Pará River. It inhabits continuous tracts of moist lowland terra firme and seasonally flooded forests. The species uses the midstory and canopy for foraging and movement but may descend to the ground to pick fallen fruits. It is sensitive to habitat fragmentation and is most frequently found in well-preserved primary forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
A shy, canopy-dwelling cracid, the white-crested guan is easily recognized by its bushy white crest. It is an important seed disperser for many Amazonian trees, linking its fate to intact forests. The species has declined due to deforestation, fragmentation, and hunting, and is now listed as Vulnerable.
Temperament
shy and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with gliding between trees
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly, in pairs, or in small family groups moving quietly through the canopy. Nests are usually placed in trees, with the pair likely maintaining a small territory during breeding. Roosting often occurs in trees, sometimes communally in undisturbed areas.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include deep, resonant booms and gruff clucking notes, often given at dawn. During displays it may produce mechanical wing-whir sounds. Calls carry far through dense forest.
Plumage
Mostly dark brown to blackish with a greenish sheen, chestnut tones on the wings, and fine pale scaling on the neck. A prominent, bushy white crest contrasts strongly with the darker body. Bare facial skin is bluish with a small reddish throat wattle in many individuals.
Diet
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of soft fruits and berries from canopy and midstory trees. It also takes seeds and occasionally leaves, buds, and flowers. Insects and other small invertebrates are taken opportunistically, especially when feeding on fallen fruit. By swallowing fruits whole and defecating seeds, it plays a key role in seed dispersal.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the canopy and midstory of primary lowland rainforest, often along forest edges, river margins, and fruiting tree patches. It will descend to the forest floor to pick fallen fruits, especially in quieter, undisturbed areas.
