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CRESTED GUAN  Penelope purpurascens 81–91cm. Very large, dark, arboreal

cracid of lowland and foothill forest, adjacent plantations. In pairs or small

groups, usually in canopy and at fruiting trees and shrubs; rarely on the ground.

Distinctive; much larger and darker than chachalacas, with big red throat

wattle, gray face and bill, white streaks on neck and breast, erectile bushy crest.

Often looks blackish overall in poor light, cf. much smaller Black Guan.

SOUNDS: Far-carrying honking and yelping cries, often repeated tirelessly early

and late in day, such as yoink yoink..., 2–3 calls/sec, at a distance might suggest

a pygmy owl; can break into more excited screaming when disturbed. Loud

rushing or crashing of wings when flushed from trees. In breeding season around dawn, muffled wing-

drumming rattle produced in display flight through canopy: about 5 accelerating notes, a brief pause,

then about 12 fast-paced notes, drruh drruh-drruh-drruhdrruh, drruhdrruh..., 2.5 secs total. ‘Song’ in

early morning an overslurred rasping honk or nasal whistle that fades into a moan, reówhn or wheéohrr,

every 2–8 secs; at a distance might suggest a frog. STATUS: Fairly common (where not hunted) to scarce

and widely extirpated (by deforestation and hunting) on both slopes, to 1800m on Pacific slope, to

1200m on Caribbean slope. (Mexico to S America.)

GREAT CURASSOW  Crax rubra 76–92cm. Distinctive, very large, mostly

terrestrial cracid of lowland and lower foothill forest. Singles, pairs, or small

groups feed on ground, less often in fruiting trees; males may sing from perch

in canopy. Wary in most areas and runs off quickly when disturbed, but can be

tame and acclimated when not hunted; rarely flies. Note very large size, curly

crest, big yellow bill knob of male. Female plumage variable, rusty morph most

frequent but less common barred and dark morphs are present in most

populations. Juv. resembles adult of respective sex, even when only about 60%

of adult size; male develops yellow bill knob over a few months. SOUNDS: ‘Song’

from male at any time of day, a very low-pitched, almost subliminal booming uhmmm, and variations.

Alarm call a sharp, overslurred piping wheep! STATUS: Fairly common (where not hunted) to scarce and

widely extirpated (by deforestation and hunting) on both slopes, to 1200m. (Mexico to S America.)