Horned Guan
Oreophasis derbianus
The Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus) is a rare guans, curassows, and chachalaca found in 2 countries, weighing about 2.1 kg. The horned guan is an endangered species in an ancient group of birds of the family Cracidae, which are related to the Australasian megapodes or mound builders (Megapodiidae).
About the Horned Guan
The horned guan is an endangered species in an ancient group of birds of the family Cracidae, which are related to the Australasian megapodes or mound builders (Megapodiidae). It is found in Mexico, Guatemala, and possibly Honduras.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The horned guan is 75 to 85 cm (30 to 33 in) long. Its most distinctive feature is the tall, red, fleshy "horn" on its forehead. It has a small head, long strong legs, and a long broad tail. The sexes are alike in plumage but males have a taller horn and longer wings, tail, and legs than females. Adults have a glossy black head, neck, and upperparts with a bluish sheen. Their tail is black with a wide white band near its base. Their throat, breast, and upper belly are whitish with black flecks and their lower belly and flanks are brown. Voice: Male and female horned guans have very different vocalizations. Males have a repertoire of at least five calls and females have seven or eight. Female's calls are "guttural and louder compared to those of males". The male's main call is "a very deep, slow and soft 'mooing'...comprising seven notes, a single brief hum followed by six paired hums, i.e.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Horned Guan?
- The horned guan is 75 to 85 cm (30 to 33 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Horned Guan?
- The Horned Guan is a huge sized bird weighing about 2.1 kg.
- Where can you see a Horned Guan?
- The Horned Guan occurs in 2 countries, including Guatemala and Mexico.
- What birds look similar to a Horned Guan?
- The Horned Guan is most easily confused with the Bearded Guan, the East Brazilian Chachalaca and the Blue-billed Curassow.
- Is the Horned Guan endangered?
- The Horned Guan is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Horned Guan for real
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